OutOnTheNet Blog: Tour to Support the Human Rights Campaign

Source: True Colors Concerts, LLC
Date: March 12, 2007

NEW YORK -- For the first time ever, music legends and today's hottest artists take the stage for a historical musical event -- Cyndi Lauper, Erasure, Debbie Harry, The Dresden Dolls, The Gossip and The Misshapes with host Margaret Cho join in celebration of the inaugural True Colors concert tour in support of the Human Rights Campaign. This 15 city nationwide tour, presented by Logo, kicks off Gay & Lesbian Pride Month on June 8th at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena. The concerts will feature five hours of nonstop music with other exciting special guests appearing on select dates throughout the tour including Rufus Wainwright, Rosie O'Donnell and Indigo Girls with additional guests to be announced.

The True Colors Tour was conceived by Cyndi Lauper stemming from her desire to give back to the community for the love and support they have given her throughout her career. Through a joint program with the Human Rights Campaign -- the nation's largest organization working for GLBT equality -- as well as PFLAG and The Matthew Shepard Foundation, the True Colors Tour will bring together Americans across the country to voice their solidarity against discrimination and for equality and raise public awareness about the issues facing the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. One dollar of every ticket sold will benefit the work of the Human Rights Campaign.

True Colors is a celebration of the basic values and freedoms that should be shared by all Americans. Fans will experience these values through the music of both legendary icons and the newest and coolest acts this generation has to offer. "As an American I was raised to believe that all people have the right to live with the same dignity, opportunity and safety. This should include everyone no matter what gender or sexual orientation," said Lauper. "This tour was created to celebrate our differences by raising awareness for liberty, fairness and dignity for everyone -- not just some of us. Our fans can come out to celebrate a great cause while also hearing some great music."

Host for the musical events Margaret Cho says, "I am thrilled to be part of this tour because I am about as colorful and as queer as it gets. Who else is going to keep all those Queens in line?"

Human Rights Campaign seeks to improve the lives of GLBT Americans by advocating for equal rights and benefits in the workplace, ensuring families are treated equally under the law and increasing public support among all Americans through innovative advocacy, education and outreach programs. HRC works to secure equal rights for GLBT individuals and families at the federal and state levels by lobbying elected officials, mobilizing grassroots supporters, educating Americans, investing strategically to elect fair-minded officials and partnering with other GLBT organizations. HRC has close to 600,000 members -- all committed to making this vision of equality a reality. Visit http://www.hrc.org/ for more information.

"Without fear Cyndi Lauper has been a champion for equality for not only gay and lesbian Americans but for all people," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "Cyndi has always stood with us and selflessly used her talents to promote fairness for everyone. We are honored to be a part of the True Colors tour which will empower both gay and straight Americans to show solidarity against discrimination."

Tickets for select cities will go on sale beginning March 16th and will be available at http://www.ticketmaster.com/.

The True Colors Tour is presented by Logo and produced by True Colors Concerts, LLC in partnership with the Human Rights Campaign.

Logo, the new digital cable channel from MTV Networks for the gay and lesbian audience, is now seen in 26 million homes and has 100 advertising partners supporting the channel which features original shows, movies and news.

"Cyndi was one of America's first true music video stars; her history with MTV Networks goes deep. She is one of our most endearing and enduring artists, and she stands with us on so many important issues. The Logo audiences loves her and will be thrilled by this partnership," said Brian Graden, President, Entertainment, MTV Networks Music Group, and President, Logo.

For official tour & ticket information visit: http://www.truecolorstour.com/.

About PFLAG:

PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten those who are ill-informed; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity. With 200,000 members and supporters, and local affiliates in more than 500 communities across the U.S. and abroad, PFLAG is the largest grassroots-based family organization of its kind. Visit http://www.stayclose.org/ for more information.

"We're thrilled that Cyndi has asked us to be involved in the True Colors Tour," said Suzanne Ramos, PFLAG Mom and co-founder of the PFLAG Stay Close Campaign. "The Tour is a wonderful opportunity for us to reach cities across the country with the message of the PFLAG Stay Close Campaign: 'Stay Close because relationships are too precious to lose.'"

About The Matthew Shepard Foundation:

The Matthew Shepard Foundation is a multifaceted organization dedicated to erasing hate and using education to make communities more accepting of everyone regardless of sex, national origin, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression.

"The Matthew Shepard Foundation is honored to have been invited to take part in the True Colors Tour," said Judy Shepard, Executive Director of the Matthew Shepard Foundation. "Music is such a powerful tool to help erase hate and educate people about the values of diversity, respect and equality. I commend Cyndi and all of the artists involved for stepping up and using their extraordinary talents to help make this world a better place for all of us."

About Logo

Logo is the ad-supported network targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) viewers, launched by MTV Networks. The network launched June 30, 2005 with more than one thousand hours of content and has approximately 26 million subscribers across the United States. Logo provides LGBT audiences with a place where they can see themselves and be themselves through a mix of original and acquired entertainment programming that is authentic, smart and inclusive. Logo joins Viacom's roster of popular and highly targeted cable networks which includes MTV, Comedy Central, BET and Spike TV.

CONTACT: Fran Curtis, 212-445-8423, fcurtis@rogersandcowan.com, or Patrick Confrey, 212-445-8488, pconfrey@rogersandcowan.com, both of Rogers & Cowan