Ep 8. Ms. Lauper Goes to Washington

Cyndi Lauper: Still So Unusual season 1 episode 8 titled "Ms. Lauper Goes to Washington" follows Cyndi Lauper as she reunites with her True Colors Fund team in Washington, D.C. The episode starts with Cyndi and her manager meeting the team at the airport, and they all head to their hotel. Cyndi is excited to finally have some face-to-face time with her team after months of virtual meetings due to the pandemic.

The main purpose of the trip is a congressional briefing on LGBTQ+ youth homelessness, which the True Colors Fund has been actively advocating for. Cyndi and her team have scheduled meetings with several senators and congresspeople to discuss the issue and propose solutions. The episode shows how Cyndi prepares for the meetings, goes over her talking points, and meets with her team to strategize.

In between work meetings, Cyndi gets to explore the city a bit. She visits the National Mall and Lincoln Memorial, and reflects on the importance of the civil rights movement and how far we've come but also how much further we still have to go. Cyndi also gets to meet some fans who recognize her on the street and take selfies with her.

The highlight of the episode is the congressional briefing itself. Cyndi and her team present their research on LGBTQ+ youth homelessness, which shows that LGBTQ+ youth are disproportionately affected by homelessness, and that family rejection and discrimination are major contributing factors. They propose policy solutions like increased funding for housing programs, more mental health resources, and better data collection.

The episode shows how Cyndi was nervous to speak in front of Congress, but how she overcame her fear and delivered a passionate speech calling for action. She shares her own personal story of being bullied and feeling like an outcast, and how she wants to use her platform to help others going through similar struggles.

The episode ends on a positive note, with Cyndi and her team feeling proud of their work and hopeful that they made an impact. They reflect on the power of advocacy and how important it is to keep fighting for what's right. The episode closes with Cyndi and her team flying back home, tired but satisfied, knowing that they did their best to make a difference.

Overall, "Ms. Lauper Goes to Washington" is a powerful episode that showcases Cyndi Lauper's passion for activism and her dedication to fighting for LGBTQ+ rights. It highlights the important work of the True Colors Fund and how much impact it can have on the lives of LGBTQ+ youth. The episode also gives viewers a glimpse into the hard work that goes on behind the scenes of advocacy, and the emotional toll it can take.