On Saturday night I caught the last date of Cyndi Lauper's True Colors tour at the Greek Theatre in LA. The evening, which was compèred by the always outspoken Margaret Cho, featured excellent performances by The Dresden Dolls, Erasure, Debbie Harry, and, of course, the always colorful Lauper.
The tour itself aimed to raise money and awareness for the Human Rights Campaign and the Matthew Shepard Foundation. The non-profits are working together to add protections based on sexual orientation or gender identity to existing hate crime legislation.
Lauper, who has friends and family in the gay community, explained to the Daily Mantra that we all have a responsibility to "get informed on the issues that are affecting the GLBT community."
"That means everyone," Lauper continues. "You may not think that these issues affect you, but they do. Issues like hate crimes, discrimination and erosion of civil liberties affect everyone in this country. We should all have the same rights."
"A hate crime bill that does not include everyone is un-American," said Lauper from the stage before her performance. "Try to remember, don't hate the haters, you don't want to become one of them."
Lauper's much-maligned pal Rosie O'Donnell joined the tour for a handful of dates. "She quit her day job to join the band," quipped Lauper referring to the recent View debacle. "I got into a little trouble. I pissed a few people off," said the irrepressible O'Donnell, who rocked-out -- and kicked ass -- on the drums during Lauper's encore, as well as doing a stand up set. Packing up her troubles and joining the proverbial circus certainly worked for O'Donnell. "We're doing it again next June because this was so unbelievable."
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