If You Really Want Inclusion, Include Yourself

On Saturday night, it hit me like a rushing train.

At an early leg of my True Colors concert tour this summer, I was in Washington DC preparing to go onstage at DAR Constitution Hall and on the very same stage that contralto Marian Anderson was turned away in 1939 because of the color of her skin. It took the heroic intervention of Eleanor Roosevelt to invite her instead to sing to thousands of Americans from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Easter morning.

That moment at Constitution Hall had even more irony for me, just knowing that afternoon Hillary Clinton had given closure to her presidential campaign, and embraced her 18 million voters just a few blocks from where I was about to perform. I was filled with deep emotions remembering how much Eleanor and Hillary and others had worked so hard to break down barriers in America, to give many of us starting as children just the chance to succeed.

Growing up as a kid in the 1960s in New York was rough. On the other hand, I found a world of amazing kids and friends around me. Many were different, some made it, and some like me had music or other passions to help them express their feelings and make it through tough times.

Many families were not like mine at all, and I came to know friends of all colors, and often, through their eyes saw what bigotry, fear and hatred do to people when they see someone different. Call me naïve, but that was the first time I really saw that America doesn't include everyone.

A kid of the 60s and kids today actually have a lot in common. We care about fairness and equality, and we all know that differences of gender, race, color, religion, and sexual orientation don't really matter. But all of America hasn't learned that yet, and that's why we must vote.

To me it means we have to fight for change and vote for equality. Staring at faces black and white made it clear that civil rights are everyone's cause -- including mine. That's why I made my vote count, and why I absolutely believe everyone's vote counts -- and why I launched the True Colors tour last year and why I'm on the road again in 2008. Wherever I travel and in every audience I meet, I ask everyone especially my lesbian and gay, bisexual and transgender friends if you really want inclusion, then include yourself!

When I was old enough, one of my first votes was to support an amazing black woman, Shirley Chisolm in her dream to be elected a Member of Congress from New York. She realized her dream by serving on Capitol Hill for seven terms. In 1972 she even saw her name placed in nomination for President -- the first black woman in our history -- it was clear she paved the way for both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in 2008. She showed us that we can overcome differences of race and gender.

That's also why this summer I am taking my original musical avalanche, True Colors to the streets again this year, and trying to fire up everyone about the power and the obligation to vote. I'm not a politician, and it's not my job to tell anyone who they should vote for, but it is my choice to encourage everyone I know and love to vote as though their lives and equality depend on it.

I'm still stunned that most Americans have no idea today that in most states a person can be fired just for being lesbian or gay, transgender or bisexual. I am outraged by crimes of violence and hate against young people because of their sexual orientation or gender expression and identity. When I was growing up, it did not occur to me that many Americans are still denied full and equal rights -- including the simple right to be who they are and to love whom they choose to love. That is not the America I love so much, and it is a cause worth singing for and working for and voting for.

This year, with True Colors, I'm going to 25 cities throughout the United States but I'm not going alone. In select cities, I'm bringing along the B-52s, Carson Kressley, Rosie O'Donnell, Wanda Sykes, the Indigo Girls, Joan Armatrading, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Regina Spektor, Tegan and Sara, Nona Hendryx, Deborah Cox, and The Cliks. I'm also armed with a posse of believers from the Human Rights Campaign, PFLAG and CenterLink (the nation's LGBT community centers) to beat the drums loudly for us.

My message is simple: If you are eligible, join me by pledging to register and vote this year. Take your power and use it to make equality come to life.

So get fired up. Include yourself. Vote like it really matters.

Our tour is a non-stop 5 hour music party with a message that everyone can understand and embrace. The True Colors Tour asks for equality for all, not just for some, a principle upon which our nation was founded. So let's celebrate and have fun this summer while we spread the word to get out the vote and all become a part of the changes in America.

Comments

[YogiBarrister]

How about a reunion tour with BLUE ANGEL. One of my ifrst New York club scene experiences was watching this singer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ7RdtDisKA

[frenchynyc]

WOW!! thanks for the flashback!! i used to go see Blue angel too!!! Seems like a lifetime ago!!

[Krikkit]

You GO Girl!!!

:)

[marzipan]

Cyndi, I have always thought that, apart from your obvious musical talent, you radiate a genuine sincerity and honesty. Good luck to you and I wish you a long and happy life.

[darker]

CONGRATS, CYNDI for your article. And your most fabulous albums, too. The best performance, music & lyrics ever. Attitude counts: INCLUDE YOURSELF is where to start.

VOTERS must stop being brainwashed by The Media. It's bought & paid for by Republican corporations that pay to sell their products. The OWN the media. Do not expect anything
by lies & more lies.

So include yourself, use your own brain to VOTE for a better future.

[TakeSake]

A long time ago when I was just a kid I was programming my computer with a game from a book. The game was about pirate treasure and desert islands. Anyway, working though this the radio was on, and every now and then a song would come on - "Goonies 'r' Good Enough" - and though I didn't know anything about the associated movie, I was at least aware enough to associate the song with pirates, and so both things became that much more satisfying.

Now, as it turns out, just a few weeks ago it became that I started to find and collect books about pirates and high seas adventure - having never read them then, I am reading through them now with my kids. It's inspiring enough to find that movie now. They'll probably like it.

Anyway, some time ago I saw you at First Avenue as part of the "Hat Full of Stars" tour. Thank you for being part of bringing things around full circle.

[CoulterIsASuccubus]

Cyndi, thanks for everything. When I hear your music, it reminds me of a personal time of happiness and greater possibilities. When I met my partner in 1984, we would listen to your album or hear it at the clubs. I was 22 and he was 24. We danced to She Bop and slow danced to Time After Time. We have been together for without any legal protections for 24 years now. I hope we get to see it change.

[tweed]

Although Obama unfortunately doesn't support "gay" marriage per se, I've heard him vow to repeal DOMA if elected. Only Kucinich surpassed him in support for equal rights for homosexuals. This is one of the many reasons why I campaigned for Kucinich in 2004. He declared full support for "gay" marriage with no exceptions. If I had my druthers, homosexual couples would be able to marry & receive the same benefits from Social Security as heterosexual spouses. I commend you for your selfless work along these lines.
bisexual,gay,lesbian ## FindBilover dotcom

[pmorlan]

Thanks for the great Message, Cyndi.

Sounds like the tour will have a great lineup! I only wish you guys were coming to Louisville, KY.

[demfriend]

Love you Cyndi! At all levels we must hold ourselves accountable if we do not educate ourselves about the choices we have to vote on. The vote matters for sure but it matters much more when you have taken the time to find about th people and the issues we must vote on. To vote for someone because of their gender and color is a cop-out and to vote on something because we blindly chose yes or no is also stupid. Those who are different make us who we are a piece of humanity and not computers. Take the time and educate yourselves, the take what you have been given that people died before to give us and vote.

[dapperd72]

Thank you, Cyndi, from the bottom of my heart for your eloquent & impassioned plea for respect for other sexual orientations. As a white male heterosexual who grew up in the 80's, I always enjoyed listening to your beautiful voice, especially yor classic ballads, "Time After Time" and "True Colors," while my younger sister was one of your biggest fans. Regardless of my heterosexuality, I always empathize anytime I hear of a homosexual being attacked physically or verbally because of who romantically attracts him/her. I've known for over 20 years that sexual orientation is a healthy matter of brain cell clusters determining it, contrary to ignorant propaganda from Rick Santorum. When I watched Judi Shepard on C-SPAN a few months ago talking about the Matthew Shepard Foundation, named for her son, & how his parents gave him total moral support when he came out, she brought tears to my eyes. I hope you are working closely with her along with P-FLAG.
Although Obama unfortunately doesn't support "gay" marriage per se, I've heard him vow to repeal DOMA if elected. Only Kucinich surpassed him in support for equal rights for homosexuals. This is one of the many reasons why I campaigned for Kucinich in 2004. He declared full support for "gay" marriage with no exceptions. If I had my druthers, homosexual couples would be able to marry & receive the same benefits from Social Security as heterosexual spouses. I commend you for your selfless work along these lines. Bless your heart!

[darcy]

Dear Ms. Lauper,

I know nothing about your music, but I liked this article! Keep up the great work!

[thinklib]

Everyone's a victim.

[justShareandbeNice]

No, everyone is trying to heal themselves from the effects of living in a society that is still learning many hard lessons.

We are working towards a healthier society, a healthier planet. The first step is acknowleging the problem, and to you that may sound like "playing the victim". However, I would argue the opposite is true. We are becoming "change-agents" because we know why and how we have been mistreated, and we are going to fix the problem! Not only for ourselves, but for future generations.

Pointing out biases and abuse etc and working to heal the pain caused by these sad affairs is not playing a victim role, it is playing a hero's role!

[EdRosenberg]

I just love what you are doing with inclusion these days, Cyndi.

All the very best.

www.everyoneisincluded.us

[AtomiClash]

HuffPost's Pick

Call me stupidly sentimental, but reading all these responses and love for Ms. Lauper made me cry. (Particularly the invite to a wedding reception and the one about how she got someone through high school.) I was born in 1984, so was perhaps too young to know her when she debuted, but she clearly is a remarkable person. And one "celebrity" who is political without being an ass. Look at all the love everyone shows her! Now that's unusual. Keep it up, Cyndi.

[Alvin4NY]

Well, I think that is something that Cyndi clearly gets, that as an artist and performer-if she wants the love, all she has to do is give it - to get it. Most people sleep-walk their whole freakin life not "getting" that.

[Sali68]

wow this was excellent.

[manualfordemocracy]

Great words Cindy we really do need every young person registered!

For anyone unsure how to register to vote, just click here:
http://www.rockthevote.com/rtv_register.html

All my best and keep on rockin' girl!

Anthony
www.congiano.com
http://www.manualfordemocracy.com/

[justShareandbeNice]

Yes! Getting people registered and to the polls is the key to winning in November!

I think one of the best ways to get people to register is to focus on making it a FAMILY affair. Someone in each family should take on the role to make sure the entire family is registered (if they are over 18 of course). And, tell the kids over and over that they get to vote when they are 18 and get them excited about it. Talk about the real changes they could make.

And, another tactic would be to take on the role of berating (okay, reminding) your FRIENDS to register -- esp. young people who move a lot!

We need a cultural change where getting registered is seen as a normal, natural, and expected thing to do. The powers that be aren't going to make it easier on us (there are so many ways they could), so we need to do it ourselves.

So, next time you are at the post office, DMV, library... why not grab a few of the registration cards and carry them around with you? Then, when having a conversation with a friend... ask if they are registered. If they aren't, pop a form in their hands and help them fill it out and send it in!

And of course on election day call all your friends and family and make sure they actually VOTE!