Carly Rae Jepsen has canceled plans to sing at the Boy Scouts Jamboree this summer. The singer says the organization’s current ban on gay members conflicts with her personal beliefs, reports Inquisitr on Tuesday, March 5.
But her own, personal stand on gay rights was not as huge a deciding factor as the 60,000 names on a petition asking her to pull out of the co-headlining spot. Carly Rae Jepsen has canceled the Boy Scouts concert because she heard from tens of thousands of fans and potential fans who have signed onto the Change organization begun by Eagle Scout Derek Nance, who is gay.
“I came out as gay because I realized the best way to help end this dangerous policy is to stand up, speak out and tell the organization I love to do the right thing," Nance has stated. Meanwhile Train, the second headliner, has determined the band will wait a little longer before making the decision to pull out.
The whole argument may be premature. Boy Scouts of America already has a vote coming in May, which will likely loosen the anti-gay policy the organization had had in place since its inception. If that goes through without a hitch, there should be no problem to the program – although the vote is on allowing local choice rather than full freedom. But a small step forward is better than none.
"A Scout is brave, and I'm thrilled that Carly Rae and Train have joined me in standing up for what is right," Nance’s statement went on. "I hope the Boy Scouts of America also choose to be brave this May."
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