Train Responds to Online Petition Denouncing Boy Scouts’ Ban on Gays
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Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images(NEW YORK) — After over 3,000 people signed an online petition urging musical acts Train and Carly Rae Jepsen to denounce the Boy Scouts of America’s national ban on gay Scouts and gay Scout leaders, Train issued a statement Friday urging the organization to end their national ban on gay membership.
Gay Eagle Scout Derek Nance launched a petition on Change.org Thursday. Train and Carly Rae Jepsen are slated to perform at the Boy Scouts of America’s 2013 National Jamboree. In Train’s statement, they said they would not perform unless the organization ends its national ban on gay Scouts and gay Scout leaders.
“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 said in the statement posted to their website. “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.”
Carly Rae Jepsen has not yet responded to the petition or requests from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.
“I’m thrilled that my petition brought the Boy Scouts’ hurtful anti-gay policy to Train’s attention,” Nance said.”More than 3,000 people are wondering, will Carly Rae Jepsen do the same?”
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