Carly Rae Jepsen has announced via Twitter that she will not headline the Boy Scouts of America’s Jamboree because of the Scouts’ ban on gay scouts and gay and lesbian scout leaders.
The announcement comes in response to a Change.org petition launched by openly gay Eagle Scout Derek Nance of Reno, Nev., who called on Jespen and the rock band Train, who were both scheduled to appear at the July event, to denounce the Scouts’ anti-gay policy.
“As an artist who believes in equality for all people, I will not be participating in the Boy Scouts of America Jamboree this summer,” wrote Jepsen, over three tweets on Twitter.
“I always have and will continue to support the LGBT community on a global level and stay informed on the ever changing landscape in the ongoing battle for gay rights in this country and across the globe.”
On Friday, just hours after GLAAD signed on to support Nance’s petition, Train announced it would not appear at the annual scouting event unless the group rescinded its ban on gay participants.
The petition has garnered more than 63,000 signatures.
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“A Scout is brave, and I’m thrilled that Carly Rae and Train have joined me in standing up for what is right,” said Nance, in a statement on his Change.org petition. “I hope the Boy Scouts of America also choose to be brave this May.”
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In a 2012 interview with TIME magazine, Jepsen said, “You know, acceptance has never been a question to me. I’ve grown up knowing it’s just the way things should be. When we shot the ‘Call Me Maybe’ video, we weren’t even thinking the ending was not normal. […] And if my video is encouraging that mind frame with other children and other people – well, it’s about time, I guess!”
Jepsen’s music video for her 2012 breakout hit “Call Me Maybe” received national media attention for having a gay twist ending when the man she spent the song chasing ultimately gives his number to a male member of her band.
The annual Scouting Jamboree attracts more than 50,000 participants.
