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.
Carly Rae Jepsen
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on to support Nance’s petition, Train announced it would not appear at the annual scouting event unless the group rescinded its ban on gay participants.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.
“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.”
Jepsen has previously stated that she supports LGBT rights and marriage equality.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.
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All the Power to Carly Rae!!! You show them girl!!!
You go, girl!
thats awesome her an train both cansild on theyr ass!
YAY FOR HER!!!!!
Dear Boy Scouts, don’t call me, I’ll call you…maybe.
She’s amazing…..
Good for her…this is the type of societal pressure that brings about change on that level, and leads to legislation making all Americans equal.
Scout yeahhh! :D <3
Thank you Carly!!!!!
You go Girl!!
YAY another step forward for EQUALITY and another strike against the BSA anti-gay policy!
Why would she in the first place? The anti-gay BSA picks a female bubblegum pop singer for their jamboree?
thank you :) mwuaah.
man straight people need to get theri head out of their asses and support gay marrige and bsa group thats messed up i delclare a war lol GAY PRIDE ROCKS
I don’t like this. Yes it’s great and whatnot but this jamboree was for the kids and not the administrators. It kinda feels like the kids are the ones getting punished
But ociel what about the gay kids that are punished due to the bsa’s anti-gay stance?
Ociel by performing at the Jamboree it sends the message that she endorsed the BSA’s homophobic and anti-atheist policy! The BSA are always using their members as shields against their policy.
you go girl!
If these groups perform for the BSA it sends the wrong message. Our message from lgbt membership inside the bsa is this rule must be removed, it is what is best for the BSA.
Great steps towards equality!!!
That is awesome!
WOOHOO! :D Petition worked!
How refreshing to see an artist take a stand against bigotry. Enough is enough…way to go!!! <3
So glad I signed the petition!!!! whew hew
WAY TO GO GIRL!
:)
Way to go Carly!
I love her…maybe! No, definitely
Good. maybe the scouts can focus on their top priority instead of listening to rock music at a Jamboree.. like protecting the child molesters…