Cyndi Lauper is to receive the Inspiration Award from GLSEN on May 24 as part of their seventh annual Respect Awards. Lauper is to be recognized along with Phizer, American Express, David Dechman and Michael Mercure, and many more at Gotham Hall in New York City.
The Respect Awards, held annually in Los Angeles and New York, recognize individual and corporate leaders who have helped propel GLSEN's efforts to ensure safe schools for all of America's students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.
An unwavering advocate for LGBT equality since the start of her career, Cyndi Lauper founded the True Colors Fund in 2008 to inspire and engage everyone, particularly the straight community, to become involved in the advancement of LGBT equality, and selected GLSEN as its official education partner (www.wegiveadamn.org).
Lauper achieved success in the mid-1980's with the release of her album She's So Unusual, and became the first female signer to have four top-five singles released from one album. She has released 11 albums and over 40 singles, and as of 2008 has sold more than 25 million records worldwide. She appeared on Broadway in the 2005 revival of The Threepenny Opera as Jenny, and recently appeared as a competitor on The Celebrity Apprentice.
About GLSEN
GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. Established in 1990, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes to creating a more vibrant and diverse community. For information on GLSEN's research, educational resources, public policy advocacy, student organizing programs and educator training initiatives, visit www.glsen.org.
