US: Carly Rae Jepsen to headline at California gay festival
After cancelling her performance at the Boy Scouts of America’s annual jamboee because of the organisation’s ban on gay members volunteers and staff, Carly Rae Jepsen has signed up to headline at a gay dance festival in California.
The grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, who is currently touring with Justin Bieber, has been announced as the headline act at the White Party T-Dance on 31 March, which takes place in Palm Springs, California.
The Call Me Maybe star Tweeted on Tuesday: “As an artist who believes in equality for all people, I will not be participating in the Boy Scouts of America Jamboree this summer.”
The Canadian singer will be joined by acts including Carmen Electra and Icona Pop, at the festival which runs from 29 March to 1 April.
Jepsen said last week that she hoped her decision to pull out of the BSA’s jamboree would put pressure on the organisation to change its discriminatory policy.
The national Boy Scouts of Americas board previously postponed from making a decision, but is meeting in May, and is expected to decide on the policy then. It is considering lifting its national ban on allowing gay volunteers, members and staff, which would effectively allow individual scout troops to decide on whether to be inclusive or not.
Reports suggest that GLAAD will issue a formal invitation for Carly Rae Jepsen and Train to perform at the GLAAD Media Awards later this year, when Madonna will present an award to Anderson Cooper.
