A combination of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and straight artists

"committed to openness and honesty" have contributed tracks to the benefit compilation "Being Out Rocks." Featuring songs by Sarah McLachlan, k.d. lang, Rufus Wainwright, Bob Mould, and the B-52's, among others, the 21-track album was produced by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation and Centaur Entertainment and will be released Oct. 11, aka National Coming Out Day.

     "I am proud to be a part of this important effort to show that you can live an out, open and successful life," lang said in a statement. "Coming out is an immensely enabling process and people should not be afraid to be open about who they are."

     The disc will benefit the foundation, which funds the politically-minded HRC's work lobbying Congress, supporting the campaigns of candidates across the U.S., and educating the public to ensure that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender citizens can be open, honest, and safe at home, at work, and in the community.

     Other artists who have contributed tracks to "Being Out Rocks" include Cyndi Lauper, Ani DiFranco, Janis Ian, Suede, Catie Curtis, Queen, Dar Williams, Jade Esteban Estrada, Taylor Dayne, and Harvey Fierstein.

     "We are celebrating these musicians for their courage and determination to be who they are," HRC Foundation's National Coming Out Project manager Candace Gingrich added. "Through music and the examples of these performers, we encourage gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people everywhere to stand up and be open about who they are."

     The "Being Out Rocks" project will be launched with Oct. 11 album signing events at the Times Square Virgin Megastore in New York and at the HRC Action Center & Store in Washington, D.C. (1629 Connecticut Ave., NW), which will feature unspecified artists who contributed to the disc. The disc will also be available via traditional retailers as well as online at the HRC's Corner Store and the Centaur Entertainment site.

     The album's title is also the theme of National Coming Out Day 2002. The annual celebration marks the anniversary of a 1987 march on Washington for lesbian and gay equality. For more information on the HRC and National Coming Out Day, visit the HRC website.

Here is the "Being Out Rocks" track list:

"Angel," Sarah McLachlan
"Summerfling," k.d. lang
"Shine," Cyndi Lauper
"California," Rufus Wainwright
"In or Out," Ani DiFranco
"Society's Child," Janis Ian
"First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," Sam Harris
"Me, Too," Sonia
"Remember Who You Are," Suede
"Kiss That Counted," Catie Curtis
"Topaz," The B-52's
"Soundonsound," Bob Mould
"Is This the World We Created?," Queen
"Driving Wheel," Cris Williamson
"Are You Out There," Dar Williams
"Say Goodbye," Matt Zarley
"Ihate.Com," the Butchies
"Bella Morena," Jade Esteban Estrada
"How Many," Taylor Dayne
"Alive," Kevin Aviance
"I Am What I Am," Harvey Fierstein

©2002 Billboard Magazine