About the True Colors Fund

The True Colors Fund was co-founded by Cyndi Lauper to inspire and engage everyone, especially straight people, to become active participants in the advancement of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth homelessness. 

In April 2010, The True Colors Fund launched the Give a Damn Campaign, a bold web-based education and awareness initiative to inspire straight people to get informed and give a damn about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. The centerpiece of of the campaign is its website, wegiveadamn.org, and powerful public service announcements. The PSAs have featured such noble celebrities as Whoopi Goldberg, Elton John, Susan Sarandon, Jason Mraz, Ricky Martin, Anna Paquin, Lily Tomlin, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Wanda Sykes, Idina Medzel, Sharon & Kelly Osbourne, Alan Cumming and Cyndi Lauper. 

There is an epidemic of homelessness in the United Stated and a disproportionate number of youth on the street are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. The True Colors Fund continues to advocate for these young people through the support of the projects like the True Colours Residence. Through the financial support and partnership with The Palette Fund, The True Colors Fund is currently developing a larger scale program to further raise awareness and help bring an end to homelessness among this vulnerable group of young people. This new program will be launched in Summer 2011. 

The True Colors Fund continues to work with The True Colors Tour to raise money and awareness for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues. The True Colors Tour was founded in 2007 by Cyndi Lauper to inspire people through music and comedy to stand up for equality. Since 2007, more than $200,000 has been raised for such organizations as The Human Rights Campaign, CenterLink and PFLAG. 

About

West End's mission is to assist and empower homeless and formerly homeless youth, families and older adults through the provision of comprehensive service programs within safe and supportive transitional and permanent residences.

Founded in 1989, West End Intergenerational Residence is a unique mixed-age housing facility catering to three generations. Since our inception our creative, flexible services and dedicated staff have helped over 2,000 young families secure housing stability and provided a permanent, affordable home with supportive services to low-income older adults.

West End Serves:

• Young homeless mothers age 18-24 with one or two children age 0-7. All families are referred by the New York City Department of Homeless Services.
• Single low-income adults age 55 years and older who are capable of independent living, are free of alcohol/drug dependence and are without severe psychiatric disorders. Applicants may be referred by the New York City Department of Homeless Services or Community Based Organizations.

West End also provides building management and support services for formerly homeless and low-income tenants of Casa Cecilia in Hamilton Heights and Seton Residence in East Harlem.

Construction is underway on West End's True Colors Residence in Central Harlem. True Colors will be the first permanent housing facility with support services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth in New York State.

Our success depends on the support and contributions of caring people like you. Please join our growing list of supporters today.

ABOUT GIVE A DAMN

The Give a Damn Campaign is for everybody who cares about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality.

But, it’s especially for all you straight people out there! Whether you’re already an active supporter, want to show your support for the first time, or hadn’t given equality a lot of thought before and now want to learn more, we are here to help you get informed about the issues and get involved, at a pace that works for you.

You’ll find a lot of useful information throughout this site—information that’ll engage you, surprise you and move you. You will also find a bunch of ways to get involved and show your support and encourage your straight peers to show theirs as well.

For all you gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender folks—we need and want you here, too! Because this site is also for you. Not only will you learn new things that might surprise and interest you, you’ll also find a lot of useful tools and resources that will help you encourage the straight people in your life to give a damn.

Like we said, the Give a Damn Campaign is for everyone. Because the only way we can truly achieve equality for all is if we all get informed and get involved. So join us today and let us know you give a damn!

HOW TO USE GIVE A DAMN

There’s a lot to see and do on this site, and you really can’t go wrong starting anywhere… but we suggest you begin by reviewing thedamn issues. Then move onto the damn videos and personal stories sections. When you’re done there, jump on over to the damn blog (it’s updated throughout each day). We also urge you to download some damn stuff.

Whatever you read, see or find here that you think is interesting, share it with the people in your life! We have made it easy to do, from using our tell-a-friend feature to being able to post to your social networking pages, like Twitter and Facebook.

But the easiest thing you can do is take 30 seconds to join the campaign. It’ll let us personalize the site for you and keep you updated on the latest news and ways to get involved, through things like our monthly e-newsletter.

The Give a Damn Campaign is the place to stay informed and stay involved about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. So be sure to visit us often—in fact, bookmark us right now—because we’re going to have new stuff on here all the time.

So go ahead:

Get Informed. Get Involved. Give a Damn!

Mission

The M.A.C AIDS Fund's mission is to serve people of all ages, all races and all sexes affected by HIV and AIDS. To partner with the bold, the visionary and the brave who confront the epidemic in countries and communities where people are most neglected, off the radar and at highest risk. 

Responsive, agile and alert, MAF funds innovative programs that deal directly with the most marginalized, stigmatized and under-heard victims. 

MAF celebrates humanity, life, creativity and individuality. Making a difference, one VIVA GLAM lipstick at a time. 

Current Campaign

Between us girls...you know you've got a sexy voice...use it! Let's talk about the kind of relationships we want to have, and how to keep it safe, seductive and satisfying. And don't forget, every cent from the sale of M.A.C VIVA GLAM Lipstick and Lipglass goes toward helping women, men and kids everywhere affected by HIV/AIDS. VIVA GLAM is is the main source of funding for the M.A.C AIDS Fund. Our spokesmodels, makeup artists and entire M.A.C family are fiercely committed to the cause. 

Heart and Soul

Viva Glam. We sell it. We give it. We ship it. We use it. Viva Glam lipstick and lipglass, along with Kids Helping Kids, works because we believe in it. It celebrates life and outspoken attitude of the company. It connects all of us (from Artists to the creators of the M.A.C Viva Glam campaigns) to our passion in helping people of all ages, all races and all sexes affected by HIV and AIDS.