Carly Rae Jepsen drops Boy Scouts event over gay rights
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Carly Rae Jepsen is canceling her performance at the national Boy Scouts of America Jamboree because of the organization's exclusion of gays.
Jepsen, the Canadian pop singer best known for the inescapable hit "Call Me Maybe," made the announcement Tuesday on Twitter.
"I always have and will continue to support the LGBT community on a global level," she wrote, "... and stay informed on the ever changing landscape in the ongoing battle for gay rights in this country and across the globe."
Rock band Train also has taken a stand, but pursued a different tack in a post on its website Friday. The group asked the BSA to reconsider its policy rather than immediately pull out of the July gathering in West Virginia. The event, held once every four years, is expected to draw more than 45,000 scouts and adults.
Members of Train said Friday in a message on their website that they were unaware of the policy barring gay scouts and adult leaders from participating in the organization before agreeing to perform.
"Train strongly opposes any kind of policy that questions the equality of any American citizen," the statement said. "We have always seen the BSA as a great and noble organization. We look forward to participating in the Jamboree this summer, as long as they make the right decision before then."
Deron Smith, publicity director for the BSA, says the organization is moving forward with plans for the Jamboree.
"We appreciate everyone's right to express an opinion and remain focused on delivering a great Jamboree program for our Scouts," Smith wrote in an email. Smith was unaware of any other performers scheduled to participate in the event.
The BSA's policy has drawn attention before and gay rights organizations hailed Jepsen and members of Train for taking a stand and helping to bring the issue back into the public debate.
"Carly Rae Jepsen and Train's decisions not only send the right message to the BSA, but remind LGBT young people that they are supported and accepted," said Rich Ferraro, GLAAD's vice president of communications, in a statement.
Jepsen, the Canadian pop singer best known for the inescapable hit "Call Me Maybe," made the announcement Tuesday on Twitter.
"I always have and will continue to support the LGBT community on a global level," she wrote, "... and stay informed on the ever changing landscape in the ongoing battle for gay rights in this country and across the globe."
Rock band Train also has taken a stand, but pursued a different tack in a post on its website Friday. The group asked the BSA to reconsider its policy rather than immediately pull out of the July gathering in West Virginia. The event, held once every four years, is expected to draw more than 45,000 scouts and adults.
Members of Train said Friday in a message on their website that they were unaware of the policy barring gay scouts and adult leaders from participating in the organization before agreeing to perform.
"Train strongly opposes any kind of policy that questions the equality of any American citizen," the statement said. "We have always seen the BSA as a great and noble organization. We look forward to participating in the Jamboree this summer, as long as they make the right decision before then."
Deron Smith, publicity director for the BSA, says the organization is moving forward with plans for the Jamboree.
"We appreciate everyone's right to express an opinion and remain focused on delivering a great Jamboree program for our Scouts," Smith wrote in an email. Smith was unaware of any other performers scheduled to participate in the event.
The BSA's policy has drawn attention before and gay rights organizations hailed Jepsen and members of Train for taking a stand and helping to bring the issue back into the public debate.
"Carly Rae Jepsen and Train's decisions not only send the right message to the BSA, but remind LGBT young people that they are supported and accepted," said Rich Ferraro, GLAAD's vice president of communications, in a statement.
Carly Rae Jepsen is canceling her performance at the national Boy Scouts of America Jamboree because of the organization's exclusion of gays. WHO? Never heard of her.
The BSA really dodged the bullet on this one.
Gays only support gays and the media supports them over straight  people even when they are completely out of line.  This is just another spoiled rotten Hollywood type who wants to be noticed and thinks she is somebody special so we should all stand behind her.  Most normal people don't care what she thinks or does. Â
It would appear she supports "gay rights" over everyone Else's rights. The cries for "honor diversity" and "tolerance" only seem to apply if you support homosexuals. Diversity would include those who do not support these "rights" just as much as those who do. That's what diversity is. Acknowledging, permitting, and "honoring" all views. Tolerance would say we should be tolerant of those who disagree. It isn't just a one way street.
Carly who...........
This is news why???? Â Since the Boy Scouts is a private organization , they can exclude who they want to. As far as respecting opinions and beliefs, Yes it does go both ways....
I would agree, if they weren't a non-profit whose donations are tax-deductible. If someone can write a check to you, and deduct it on their taxes, I think discrimination ought to be prohibited.
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I think the reaction would be the same if she were a conservative backing out of an organizations event that ended up benefitting Planned Parenthood.
I'm gay-gotta love me
Carly Rae - oops there girly - where you been, hon .New on the scene - wanted to take a stand on something or another - but really hon - the Boy Scouts are on the move - dealing openly with this issue and imminently they will be putting it behind them. But Carly Rae didn't get that notice? The only one in the country who apparently did not know what the current state of the Boys Scouts is. Carly Rae is relying on someone's OLD NEWS to wag her pretty privileged celebrity tail?Â
 Predictable. Hoping this will help her make more profits for herself, I guess...or so her out of touch with reality AGENT and RECORD PRODUCER told her...
She is sticky sweet from her head to her feet...I love bubble gum pop.
It's interesting, seeing performers that actually take a stand for something besides a pay-check. Luckily, I agree with her decision. If the shoe were on the other foot, I'd still admire her back-bone on an issue she feels strongly about, even if we weren't agreeing about the issue at hand.
@pdxd Yes but if you really admired back-bone, you would also have to admire the Boy Scouts for having the back-bone to maintain their beliefs. Unfortunately, as is often the case with "progressive" movements, they keep pushing, twisting, and wheedling until they simply wear the opposition down to the point they have to abandon their core beliefs to get some peace and quiet.
If an organization is getting tax-deductible donations, then I think they really ought to have non-discrimination policies in place.
Bigots like her should be banned from playing anywhere.
Boy Scouts everywhere are jumping for joy over her boycott.
@JLO How gay.