They made your hands clammy, your knees quiver and sent your hormones spinning when you were a dyke-in-training. It’s time to pay homage at the altar of dyke icons. This week a pop legend who showed us all that it’s okay to be different.

Name:
Cyndi Lauper.

Also known as:
Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper.

Not to be confused with:
Fellow 80s chart topper and pop icon Madonna.

Last seen:
Promoting her new album, Bring Ya To The Brink, which is already setting the US dance charts alight and has just been released in the UK.

Best feature:
Her fabulous, quirky fashions, strong and distinctive vocals and that New Yawk drawl of hers – no faux British accents here!

Candy Bar or Kenric?
Cyndi tours the world to raise awareness about gay rights, so we’re thinking Kenric.

Most likely to:
Appear on stage dressed as Marie Antoinette in her underwear or as Judy Garland in 'Get Happy' – her performances on the US television show Queer as Folk and at this year’s Sydney Mardi Gras prove it! Other costumes she would wear (and has) include a cocoon, a gorilla and a Houdini-style straight jacket!

Least likely to:
Give a damn about what other people think of her.

Is she a sista?
Well, she’s a sister to a sista, but not one herself. Cyndi realised she was straight after she 'came out' as a teenager to fit in with her lesbian friends. They later ditched her when she had to admit to them that she wasn’t actually gay. She was worried when her sister later came out that she would ditch her, too. Bless!

These days, she is happily married to David Thornton and works with her sister campaigning for gay rights. We would never dream of ditching you, Cyndi!

Phwoarrr rating?
Who didn’t have a thing for this fabulous, sexy singer? Her hybrid punk look told us it was okay to express ourselves, even if that meant being different. Now 55, she’s still got it goin’ on.

Do mention:
Her 25-city True Colours tour, which is in its second year and features icons like B-52s, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, as well as up and coming acts like Tegan and Sara, The Cliks and Regina Spektor.

Don’t mention:
President Bush, who last year vetoed a hate crime bill she had worked on. The woman is passionate and won't stop trying to make a difference.

Want more? Buy Cyndi's new album, Bring Ya To The Brink, online now. You'll save money to put towards her Original Album Classics Box Set.