Rosie O'Donnell, Clay Aiken, Chely
Wright and Norah Jones were among the celebrities joining Cyndi
Lauper's holiday-themed concert to benefit gay teens.
Lauper's Home for the Holidays
concert at New York City's Beacon Theater on Sunday benefited her
True Colors Fund, which fights discrimination against the gay,
lesbian, bisexual and transgender community and helps support
Lauper's 30-bed True
Colors Residence for homeless gay teens.
“When I first learned that up to 40
percent of all homeless youth in this country identify as gay,
lesbian, bisexual or transgender I was shocked and saddened,”
Lauper said in a statement. “For far too long homeless youth have
not received the attention, resources and funding necessary to bring
an end to this epidemic. My hope is that through this inspiring
evening of music and comedy we can raise awareness and much needed
funds to help these young people.”
Aiken performed My Grownup Christmas
List at the event. (The video is embedded in the right panel of
this page. Visit
our video library for more videos.) Alan
Cumming performed a cover of Lady Gaga's Edge of Glory.
Also taking part in the benefit concert
were Wanda Sykes, Carson Kressley, Vanessa Carlton, Angelique Kidjo,
Harvey Fierstein, Deluka, Debbie Harry and Skylar Grey.
Lauper released her eleventh studio
album, Memphis Blues, last year. Her upcoming single No
Place Like Home for the Holidays will also benefit the fund.