Cyndi Lauper writes in Huffington Post, Give A Damn to support homeless gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual youth. Starting with a shocking statistic I did not know
Twenty to 40 percent of homeless youth identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, yet only 3 to 5 percent of the general population does the same. Shock was the first thing I felt when I heard this statistic, and then sadness that there are so many young people who are either thrown out of their homes or run away out of fear and despair because they are gay or transgender. ...
So, I went down to the Christopher Street Pier here in New York City, where they tend to hang out. What came next opened my eyes to a problem that for far too long has not received the attention, the money, the resources and the focus that is desperately about how they came out of the closet and the rejection that quickly followed by their needed.I was overwhelmed by the stories these young people were sharing with me family and friends, how they were forced to leave their homes or fled because they were scared or tired of the abuse and rejection.
More below the fold.
As a mother, I could never imagine throwing my kid away for any reason, let alone over something like their sexual orientation or gender identity. It would be like ripping out a piece of my very own soul. For far too long, dogma and fear have torn apart too many families. It is a time when the heart must lead the way when your child shares this personal and life-changing moment with you. ...
If you are a parent and you have a child who is gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or just questioning, or whom you think might be, the most important thing you can do is let them know that you love them first and foremost. Do not let fear and long-held beliefs interfere with the most important relationship you will have in your life. Lead with your heart and with the love that you have for your child. Just a little bit of acceptance can make a huge difference, and that little bit will grow over time.
Please check out Cyndi Lauper's compassionate and moving call for greater support for our homesless and GLBT youth.
Here is the official Give A Damn website if you would like to know more, and help.