The Boy Scouts' Lingering Gay Ban Has Started a Pop-Music Boycott
As the Boy Scouts of America's national board stalls on making a high-stakes decision regarding the group's opposition to gay scouts and scout leaders, they're losing high-profile headliners for their big gathering, the National Scout Jamboree, set to take place this summer. "Call Me Maybe" singer Carly Rae Jepsen tweeted this morning:
As an artist who believes in equality for all people, I will not be participating in the Boy Scouts of America Jamboree this summer...
— Carly Rae Jepsen (@carlyraejepsen) March 5, 2013
I always have and will continue to support the LGBT community on a global level ...
— Carly Rae Jepsen (@carlyraejepsen) March 5, 2013
and stay informed on the ever changing landscape in the ongoing battle for gay rights in this country and across the globe.
— Carly Rae Jepsen (@carlyraejepsen) March 5, 2013
Given the national organization's current official stance on the issue, it's a little curious that the Boy Scouts even invited Jepsen to begin with. Have they seen the "Call Me Maybe" video?
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Train, also set to appear, dropped out on 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.
So, if the Boy Scouts want Train, there will have to be action — and they're still deliberating. Though it looked like the organization was going to make a call earlier this year, the board decided to hold off on a decision until a national meeting it May.
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The Scouting magazine blog "Brian on Scouting" posted BSA's evasive statement: "We appreciate everyone's right to express an opinion and remain focused on delivering a great jamboree program for our Scouts."
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The band Switchfoot appeared at the 2010 National Scout Jamboree.
