Over the weekend, pop icon Cyndi Lauper got into the holiday spirit this year with her annual "Home for the Holidays" concert to benefit homeless LGBTQ+ youth.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the event went on virtually and streamed across media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook.
“The good news is Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Home for the Holidays’ is back,” Lauper said in a social media announcement. “The other good news is, pants are optional."
The Beacon Theater in New York is normally home to the event. But, lucky for us, this year's virtual platform gave us even more talent.
Performers like Cher, Brandi Carlile, Dolly Parton, and Adam Lambert all took the stage. Additionally, other stars like Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, LL Cool J, and Bette Midler made guest appearances throughout the night.
More than a fundraiser
While Cyndi Lauper has hosted the annual benefit for ten years, her involvement in the LGBTQ+ community runs even deeper.
The “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” singer started the nonprofit LGBTQ advocacy organization, True Colors United in 2008.
“We started True Colors 12 years ago on a tour bus,” Lauper said. “We never thought we would be here, but here we are in 2020."
The advocacy group website refers to statistics claiming 4.2 million youth experience homelessness each year. Even more, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth 120% more likely to experience homelessness than their non-LGBTQ peers.
The concert is the LGBTQ+ advocacy group's biggest fundraising event of the year. All of the proceeds raised from the virtual extravaganza supports the non-profit’s work.
“The Home for the Holidays concert is 10 years and over 100 artists in, and has raised over three million dollars, which is beyond what I could have imagined when we began,” Lauper said before announcing this year’s show. “Most importantly, though, we are truly helping LGBTQ young people experiencing homelessness. And to all of the fans who watch, donate, and celebrate with us, you are family. And I thank you.”