WINDHAM, N.H. — Instead of a traditional wedding registry filled with plates, cutlery and mixers, soon-to-be newlyweds Kurt, 51, and Steven, 58, Lawlor-Jones are asking their guests, and anyone willing, to donate to a cause close to their hearts.

After learning that most homeless LGBT youth run away because of family rejection, the couple set out to raise $1 million for the True Love Campaign, a group that works to help the under-recognized group.

The campaign is an online collection in which anyone can donate money. It’s the newest fundraising branch of the True Colors Fund, and Steven and Kurt’s wedding will be the premier money-raising event.

A growing population

Staggering statistics prove that any donation can help ease the struggles felt by the growing population of homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth.

Back in 2009, singer, songwriter, actress and activist Cyndi Lauper heard that LGBT youth makes up 40 percent of the homeless youth population but only 7 percent of the overall population.

Infuriated, she established True Colors that same year.

“I think that a lot of people are shocked when they hear those numbers,” said Christa Price, a program and development officer at True Colors. “What we do is provide free resources for shelters and other places to better serve the varying needs of LGBT youth.”

Creating gender neutral bathrooms in shelters and educating people on the correct language to use are among their main objectives.

“We want to make sure that everyone is aware of the prevalence of LGBT youth,” Price said. “A lot of the work we do is public information, service provision and making sure that the 40 percent, who have already faced a lot of rejection, are not being turned away.”

Leading up to their September wedding, the Lawlor-Joneses have worked closely with Price to create their personal True Colors Fund website. Their hope is that all 120 wedding guests, and more, will find their way there and donate.

“We have all the toasters and blenders and whatever you could want,” Kurt said. “We’ve made our lives and are very fortunate that we’ve run into great acceptance from family and friends. There are kids who aren’t that lucky. This is to help support them.”

Even with support from family and friends, the couple was holding off on a wedding until they had one last approval.

With the June 26 Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states, Steven and Kurt knew it was their time.

“It was legal (prior to June 26) in Vermont, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, but there really wasn’t the opportunity for it to be transferable between states,” Kurt said. “There was no federal-level recognition and no difference in insurance, Social Security and 401(k), so there was little reason to do it other than having a party.”

Now, it “means something” to more than just the couple, who exchanged rings and legally combined their last names years ago.

Breanna Edelstein writes for the (North Andover, Massachusetts) Eagle-Tribune.