Jepsen, Train cancel gigs over Boy Scout gay ban

AP, Getty Images file

Carly Rae Jepsen and Patrick Monahan of Train.

By Randee Dawn, NBC News contributor

Carly Rae Jepsen and Train fans who also happen to be Boy Scouts: Don't count on seeing them perform at the upcoming Jamboree in July.

Both artists have pulled out of the 2013 National Scout Jamboree, an annual conclave that attracts over 50,000 participants, over the Scouts' position on including gay, lesbian and transgender members and leaders. Train and Jepsen had originally been slated as headliners for the West Virginia event.

"As an artist who believes in equality for all people, I will not be participating in the Boy Scouts of America Jamboree this summer," Jepsen tweeted?Tuesday morning.?

Train members wrote on their blog last Friday, "When we booked this show for the Boy Scouts of America we were not aware of any policy barring openly gay people from participation within the organization. Train strongly opposes any kind of policy that questions the equality of any American citizen.?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."

Over 63,000 people signed a petition at Change.org asking Jepsen to reconsider playing the event, while a collection of 140 petitions urging the Boy Scouts to end their ban has garnered 1.6 million signatures.?

The Boy Scouts of America said in February that it needed "time for a more deliberate review" of its policy banning gay Scouts and leaders, delaying a final decision on the controversial membership guidelines that have dogged the private youth organization in recent years.

Regarding the latest turn of events, spokesperson Deron Smith of the BSA told NBCNews.com, "We appreciate everyone?s right to express an opinion and remain focused on delivering a great Jamboree program for our Scouts."

Miranda Leitsinger contributed to this report.

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Source: http://entertainment.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/05/17193842-carly-rae-jepsen-train-pull-out-of-boy-scout-event-over-gay-ban?lite

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