In what's becoming a yuletide tradition, a number of megawatt stars will come together for homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth as part of the " Cyndi Lauper & Friends: Home for the Holidays" benefit concert.
This year, the Dec. 6 concert's lineup includes Salt-n-Pepa, 50 Cent, Dixie Chicks' Natalie Maines and Sufjan Stevens.
"For far too long homeless youth have not received the attention, resources and funding necessary to bring an end to this epidemic," Lauper said in a statement. "My hope is that through this inspiring evening of music and comedy we can raise awareness and much needed funds to help these young people."
Proceeds from the show will benefit Lauper's True Colors Fund, an advocacy group for homeless LGBT youth.
Still, the performance lineup is not without controversy. The addition of 50 Cent to the roster has raised eyebrows among a number of media outlets. The rapper, whose real name is Curtis James Jackson III, has had a checkered history when it comes to the LGBT community.
In 2009, he apologized after referencing Lady Gaga and Kanye West's world tour as "the gay tour," noting he was "basically repeating what I thought she had referred to the tour in the past."
A year later, he faced another backlash after tweeting, "If you a man and your [sic] over 25 and you don’t eat pu**y just kill yourself damn it. The world will be a better place.”
Meanwhile, earlier this year, 50 Cent angered some LGBT advocates after reportedly posting a photo of P. Diddy embracing former record executive Steve Stoute on Instagram. Both men were clad in pink.
"I ain't saying nothing, but something ain't right," the rapper wrote in a caption accompanying the image.
On the flip side, he's backed President Barack Obama's support of same-sex marriage, and has praised out musician Frank Ocean.
Head here for more information on the Dec. 6 "Home for the Holidays" concert.
UPDATE Oct. 27: A True Colors Fund representative released the following statement to The Huffington Post: "We’re thrilled to have 50 Cent join the diverse group of artists and entertainers who realize how important it is to raise awareness surrounding LGBT youth homelessness."
Before You Go
