Cyndi Lauper to Be Honored with Inaugural UN Human Rights Award for Work Helping LGBTQ Youth

Cyndi Lauper to Be Honored with Inaugural UN Human Rights Award for Work Helping LGBTQ Youth

Cyndi Lauper will receive the inaugural High Note Global Prize from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the High Note Global Initiative.

Writes the High Note Global Initiative: “In 2008, Lauper co-founded True Colors United after learning that while 10% of American youth identify themselves as LGBTQ, up to 40% of American youth experiencing homelessness do so. The organization works to prevent and end youth homelessness, focusing on the unique experiences of LGBTQ youth. In 2008, Cyndi Lauper co-founded True Colors United, a nonprofit organization that implements innovative solutions to youth homelessness that focus on the unique experiences of LGBTQ young people, who make up to 40% of the youth homelessness population in America.”

They add: “True Colors United recognized that communities and youth homelessness service providers want to be safe and welcoming for LGBTQ youth, but often don’t have the knowledge or resources to do so – creating barriers for these young people to get the support they need. True Colors United fills that space by offering free training and resources on how to meet the needs of LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness. They also advocate in government and media to help ensure critical funding and services for all youth, and create opportunities for youth who have experienced homelessness to be key leaders in the effort to end the problem.”

The 2019 High Note Global Prize will be presented during the High Note Honors segment of Cyndi Lauper & Friends: Home for the Holidays at the Novo Theater at LA Live on December 10th.

Via press release: In addition to Kesha, additional celebrities supporting Cyndi at the Novo Theater on UN Human Rights Day include, Billy Porter, Brandi Carlile, Belinda Carlisle, King Princess, Charlie Musselwhite, Henry Rollins, Perry Farrell with Etty Lau Farrell, Justin Tranter, K. Flay, Emily Estefan, Shawn Wasabi, comics Carol Leifer and Lily Tomlin, U.K. comedian Gina Yashere, Margaret Cho, and Carson Kressley. Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Mariah Carey, Dolly Parton, Lady Gaga, Kelly Clarkson, Dua Lipa, Kacey Musgraves, RuPaul, and Tegan and Sara are among the artists who have donated items and experiences for a charity auction with 100% proceeds supporting True Colors.

The post Cyndi Lauper to Be Honored with Inaugural UN Human Rights Award for Work Helping LGBTQ Youth appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.


Cyndi Lauper to Be Honored with Inaugural UN Human Rights Award for Work Helping LGBTQ Youth

Azealia Banks apologizes for rant against PrEP users

Azealia Banks apologizes for rant against PrEP users

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Azealia Banks (@azealiabanks) on

Singer and rapper Azealia Banks has posted an apology for a rant she posted a few weeks ago against people who use PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis).

On Instagram yesterday, she posted a message that read: “Hey guys, so…. a few weeks ago I went on a rant about Pre exposure prophylaxis meds and I am just doubling back to say I’m sorry.

“It’s not my place. It was extremely insensitive.

“Who cares if I meant well, that wasn’t the way. I’m really really sorry.”

View this post on Instagram

Point Blank.

A post shared by Azealia Banks (@azealiabanks) on

In late October, Banks took to her Instagram stories to criticize Frank Ocean for launching an NYC club night called PrEP+.

Related: Azealia Banks slams those taking PrEP and blasts “dumbass” Frank Ocean 

Banks slammed the name of the night and voiced criticisms of the medication – which is taken by users to prevent them from acquiring HIV. She questioned the drug’s potential side effects and people allowing others to cum inside them.

“There’s no reason you need to have a fucking pill so you can just fuck whoever you wanna fuck,” she said.

“The boys are still getting HIV. The girls are getting fucking renal failure. They’re getting liver fucking failure, they’re getting anal warts, they’re getting anal cancer, OK? That’s a fucking death trap.”

“And for that dumbass n*gga Frank Ocean to sit up there and fucking promote that to y’all gays like that’s something that y’all need? It’s evil. And he’s probably getting paid.

“Y’all stay off that fucking PrEP.”

She suggested that anyone taking PrEP may have a “sex addiction” and should seek help from a psychiatrist, before imploring people not to allow “everybody” to cum inside them and, “be responsible!”

Related: Frank Ocean kicks off his own queer club night: PrEP+

Banks is known for voicing sometimes controversial opinions… but not so much for issuing apologies.

Her initial comments were criticized by many. Many sexual health advocates say PrEP has proven a valuable tool in the war against HIV transmission, preventing thousands of people from acquiring the virus.

Ocean did not respond directly, although he did issue a statement via Tumblr in answer to some of the feedback he’d received about his club’s name. He stated he was not being sponsored or paid by any drug company.

“I decided to name, what was otherwise going to be a night of lights and music inspired by an era of clubbing that I loved PrEP+ because while designing the club … I started to imagine in an era where so many lives were lost and so much promise was lost forever along with them, what would it have been like if something, anything had existed that in all probability would’ve saved thousands and thousands of lives.”

www.queerty.com/azealia-banks-apologizes-rant-prep-users-20191127?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Mormons and LGBTQ Advocates Reach Deal to Ban Gay ‘Conversion Therapy’ in Utah

Mormons and LGBTQ Advocates Reach Deal to Ban Gay ‘Conversion Therapy’ in Utah

Ogden Utah Mormon Temple / Photo by Michael Hart on Unsplash

LGBTQ advocates and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have reached a deal to ban harmful gay conversion therapy for minors in the state of Utah. The deal was announced by Governor Gary Herbert on Twitter.

Breaking news out of my office tonight as we have reached an agreement with multiple stakeholders on a rule that will ban conversion therapy on minors in the state of Utah. #utpol pic.twitter.com/hMkGUQmMrD

— Gov. Gary Herbert (@GovHerbert) November 27, 2019

The Salt Lake Tribune reports: “The proposed professional licensing rule for therapists and psychologists is patterned after an earlier bill that was backed by Equality Utah and went unopposed by the LDS Church — although it stalled in the state Legislature in March. … Troy Williams, executive director of Equality Utah, said he looks forward to Utah becoming the 19th state in the nation to approve a “conversion therapy” ban. … The proposed rule is expected to be published Dec. 15 and could go into effect as early as Jan. 22, according to a news release.”

Williams praised the decision in a statement from Equality Utah:

A major breakthrough on conversion therapy in Utah! pic.twitter.com/fDYqk7hcby

— Equality Utah (@EqualityUtah) November 27, 2019

The post Mormons and LGBTQ Advocates Reach Deal to Ban Gay ‘Conversion Therapy’ in Utah appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.


Mormons and LGBTQ Advocates Reach Deal to Ban Gay ‘Conversion Therapy’ in Utah