A petition begun by a former Boy Scout leader fired for being gay
has resulted in Train threatening to pull out of the upcoming National Scouting
Jamboree, while pressure has been steadily mounting for Carly Rae Jepsen to do
the same.
Derek Nance, who drew media attention earlier this year after his
coming out resulted in his immediate dismissal as a scout program director,
took to Change.org to seek both artists' support in condemning the 102-year-old
organization's discriminatory policies.
"As talented artists with incredibly loyal LGBT fans around
the globe, I hope they will speak out quickly, and urge the Boy Scouts to end
its dangerous anti-gay policy," the petition, which currently has garnered
over 22,0000 signatures, reads.
The protest drew the support of GLAAD, and shortly thereafter
Train issued a statement saying they would refuse to perform at the event --
held in West Virginia from July 15 to July 24 -- if the organization refused to
change its anti-gay policies.
"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,"
the band said.
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