A lot of people were saying that when it came out (in 1986) they were teenagers and they were coming out, says Lauper, a longtime gay rights supporter. They were disowned by their family and friends and their jobs got all messed up and they were totally alone, and suicidal, and then they heard True Colors and it made them feel hopeful.

So it is fitting that Lauper, 53, is one of the headlines on the new True Colors tour, which will hit major cities nationwide to promote gay rights. Other performers for the 15-city event, which kicks off in Las Vegas on June 8 and ends in Los Angeles on June 30, are Deborah Harry, Erasure and Margaret Cho. The tour makes its lone Canadian stop in Toronto on June 19.

This tour is basically gonna be five hours of some of my favorite bands and me, Margaret Cho making us laugh, and while we were touring, we’re going to be raising awareness, Lauper told The Association Press on Friday. I think people don’t know what’s going on, that’s all.

Besides headliners like Lauper and Harry, the show will have guest artists such as Rufus Wainwright. The tour will provide information to fans who attend, as well as purple wristbands with the slogan Erase Hate from the Matthew Sheppard organization, named for a gay youth killed in an apparent hate crime. A dollar from every ticket sold will be earn for the Human Rights Campaign, which advocates equal rights for gays, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

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.”