Video Message from Cyndi Lauper & Meaning Within the song "True Colors"

One of the messages within the lyrics to True Colors by Cyndi Lauper is "if this world makes you crazy and you've taken all you can bear you call me up because you know I'll be there". Cyndi Lauper not only sings this in the song, but I believe she really means it. She has posted a new video message regarding the suicide epidemic of our lgbt youth recently. Imagine for a moment making the decision to take your life because you've been bullied to the point of seeing no possible alternative. Can you imagine this? Please watch the video clip below, listen to the song, and let me tell you more about organizations reaching out to lgbt youth.



Please listen to this song by Cyndi Lauper, "True Colors". Really "listen" to the meaning of the lyrics. This song has a great message and every one of us need to hear it. (I've posted the lyrics below if you are hearing impaired or would like to read them.)



Please visit the following organizations for more information about LGBT support, crisis, and suicide support.

The Trevor Project
1-866-4-U-TREVOR
http://www.thetrevorproject.org/

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

True Colors Fund
http://www.truecolorsfund.org/

The Matthew Shepard Foundation
http://www.matthewshepard.org/

We Give A Damn Campaign
http://www.wegiveadamn.org/about-damn/

Human Rights Campaign
http://www.hrc.org/issues/youth_and_campus_activism.asp

"TRUE COLORS" LYRICS

You with the sad eyes
don't be discouraged
oh I realize
it's hard to take courage
in a world full of people
you can lose sight of it all
and the darkness inside you
can make you fell so small

But I see your true colors
shining through
I see your true colors
and that's why I love you
so don't be afraid to let them show
your true colors
true colors are beautiful
like a rainbow

Show me a smile then
don't be unhappy, can't remember
when I last saw you laughing
if this world makes you crazy
and you've taken all you can bear
you call me up
because you know I'll be there

And I'll see your true colors
shining through
I see your true colors
and that's why I love you
so don't be afraid to let them show
your true colors
true colors are beautiful
like a rainbow

“I believe all Americans who believe in freedom, tolerance and human rights have a responsibility to oppose bigotry and prejudice based on sexual orientation.”
Coretta Scott King

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Thoughts About Childhood and Adoptee Open Records

My lavender bedroom was my place and I enjoyed being in there when I wasn't out riding my bicycle or trying to rescue any stray animal that wondered along. We lived in the suburbs of Washington, D. C., and it wasn't uncommon to see fighter jets flying over the house from Andrews Air Force Base. We lived in Prince George's County in a subdivision off Old Branch Avenue. I could walk to my elementary school and there were plenty of kids to play with in my neighborhood. It was the late 60's and early 70's, and Nixon was president. I know now, that I was pretty fortunate. I even had a very small television in my bedroom, but was disappointed to turn it on and discover President Nixon giving another speech. The Vietnam war was coming to an end and there was news of Watergate. I really didn't know what all that meant because I was just a little girl with a pretty lavender bedroom. My parents were wonderful, they kept me clothed and fed, gave me great toys to play with, and took care of me with endless love. They were my adoptive parents; I could not have asked for better.

I thank my birthmother for having me and making the decision to give me up for adoption. Both of my adoptive parents have passed away and I have no brothers or sisters that I know of. It would be great to know my biological heritage, but I am not allowed to do that because of the laws of the state of Maryland. I am registered on a "mutual consent" directory and have been since 1998. Yes, they have an intermediary system, but I disagree with this system. I can pay a fee and they will do a search and "if" they find my biological mother, father, or siblings, they will contact them to see if they would consider contact with me. If they say no, then I still don't have any information. If they do, then that's fine, I guess. But, I don't like this system because I believe my birth records should be open. I'm not really looking to be a part of my biological folks life. I would just like to know my biological name and my health background. I'd like to know. I believe that's my right, and all adoptees should have it as well.

Sometimes, I search adoption forums and sometimes I don't. I find it very frustrating and months go by without thinking about it too much. I have never found any information regarding my biological mother, father, or possible siblings. I really hope that Maryland will change their laws regarding open adoption records. Oh, you know what else? If I was born before 1946 or after 1/1/2000 (once age 21), I could get my records, unless a non-consent has been filed.

Well, thanks for reading through my ramblings. I have to stop writing now because I'm getting to that disgusted point. If you'd like to learn more about Maryland's laws regarding access to adoption records, I've posted some links below. If you'd like to talk to me more about this, please feel free to send me an email. Thanks, again.

Maryland Department of Human Resources - Search, Contact, Reunion
http://www.dhr.state.md.us/ssa/adoption/search.php#2

What does it cost and what options are available for those who want to search when an adoption was finalized in Maryland?
http://www.dhr.state.md.us/ssa/adoption/pdf/costs.pdf

U. S. Department of Health & Human Services
Access to Adoption Records: Summary of State Laws
http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/statutes/infoaccessap.cfm

Americans for Open Records (AmFOR)
http://www.amfor.net/

Adoptee Rights Demonstrations - State Laws
http://adopteerights.net/nulliusfilius/?page_id=39
http://www.amfor.net/

We Have An Obligation to Stop Bullying-related Suicides

Today started like any other day, with a cup of coffee and reading the news on the internet. I try to be positive everyday, but today I'm saddened by so much news of bullying, teen suicide, and gay youth suicide. This has to stop. The loss of one life by suicide is too many. So many lives cut short; so many bright futures extinguished by death.

Bullying must stop. It is wrong and everyone knows it. Hate is not acceptable.

Today "HRC" Human Rights Campaign launched an alert regarding the bullying related suicides and called on the U. S. Secretary of Education to take action on this matter. “Our schools and our nation cannot sit back and wait for the next tragedy,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “Tools and resources are available to protect our children and it is adults who must act to put strong laws, policies and procedures in place.” “This isn’t a new problem. It’s been happening for decades,” added Solmonese. “Too often, administrators fail to act, even after parents complain about the bullying at school.”

It doesn't have to be this way. All children should be treated equally and protected from bullying. Today is dark, but I know tomorrow will be bright. Let's put an end to these tragedies. My thoughts are with the families and friends of these children we can't bring back.

I agree with the statements made by Ellen Degeneres: "I am devastated over the death of 18-year-old Tyler Clementi," the openly gay talk show host says. "He was outed as being gay on the Internet and he killed himself. ... One life lost in this senseless way is tragic."

Noting the three other deaths that have been reported with gay teens this month, DeGeneres says, "Something must be done."

"This needs to be a wake up call to everyone that teenage bullying and teasing is an epidemic in this country, and the death rate is climbing," she adds. "We have an obligation to change this."

We have an obligation to change this. We all do. Do your part.

HRC Launches Alert Following Bullying-Related Suicides Around the Country http://www.hrc.org/14938.htm

Ellen DeGeneres 'Devastated' over Rutgers Student Suicide
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20430930,00.html

The Trevor Project: a 24-hour hotline for gay and questioning youth: 866-4-U-TREVOR (488-7386)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (8255)

An Important Message from Ellen DeGeneres About Bullying

Michigan Asst. Atty. Gen. Attacks Openly Gay Student Body President

Thanks to "EdwardVirtually" over at twitter for tweeting this video link and story to everyone in twitter-land. I think you'll have to watch the video, if you haven't seen it yet and then let me know what your thoughts are. I had to watch it in short clips, so I wouldn't get too upset.

A quote for you...

"I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing." ~Agatha Christie

Al Franken Highlights Absurdity of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" via The Rachel Maddow Show

I don't know if you've seen this clip or not, but I felt it necessary to include it in my blog today. After yesterday's vote, I felt more than disappointed in our United States Senate. Public opinion tells us that "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" should go away and allow everyone in the military to serve openly and honestly. It is just wrong to allow this to continue. I'm moved by seeing Sen. Al Franken's comments and I am thankful for everyone working to make DADT go away. Please watch the video clip below.

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