Cyndi Lauper was in town for Toronto Pride, where she performed a free concert for fans at Queen's Park. Xtra talked with the singer, who recently released a new album, Memphis Blues.

We spoke to her about her music and her gay fans.

"I'm your extended family — friends and family," she says of her connection to her gay fanbase. "The past eight years, it was so dark. It was not good. I was not gonna stand by and not say anything.

"The way he would go on television — George Bush — and speak hate.... I'm sorry pal. I don't know where you live, but where I live — in New York — we stick up for our own. And you ain't gonna fuc-... you're not just gonna get away with that one."

Cyndi Lauper's Memphis Blues is available in stores now and on iTunes.