Carly Rae Jepsen Cancels Boy Scouts Concert Over Anti-Gay Policy

The singer says she "believes in equality for all people" in explaining her decision

Photo: Yuhei Osada/Nippon News/ABACA

Urged on by tens of thousands of petitioners, Carly Rae Jepsen has backed out as a headliner of a Boy Scouts of America concert this summer, saying the Scouts’ ban on gay members conflicts with her personal beliefs.

Jepsen, 27, was one of two headlining acts scheduled to play at the 2013 National Scouting Jamboree in West Virginia in July.

In a tweet Tuesday morning, the Canadian singer said she couldn’t participate in an event held by a group with an anti-gay agenda.

The other headlining act, the band Train, has not backed out – but has promised to cancel if the Scouts fail to overturn the ban at a scheduled vote on the matter in May.

Jepsen was apparently swayed by a petition at Change.org started by gay Eagle Scout Derek Nance that specifically urged her not to play the concert. Nance’s petition has garnered more than 60,000 signatures.

“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 said in a statement.

“A Scout is brave, and I’m thrilled that Carly Rae and Train have joined me in standing up for what is right,” the statement continued. “I hope the Boy Scouts of America also choose to be brave this May.”