Singer Carly Rae Jepsen and Microsoft
co-founder Bill Gates are speaking out against the Boy Scouts of
America's (BSA) ban on openly gay scouts and leaders.
The BSA is expected in May to take a
vote on whether it should lift its national ban and allow local
chapters to decide the issue.
Earlier this month, Jepsen announced
she would not perform at the organization's National Scout Jamboree.
In remarks to MTV
News, Jepsen expanded on her decision to withdraw from the event.
“It was sort of one of those things
that I kind of have my opinions about, and everyone's entitled to
their own, but it wasn't necessarily something that I felt
comfortable backing once I learned more about it,” Jepsen said.
“And that being said here's hoping they make the right decision and
I'm praying that moves like this will help.”
Speaking with POLITICO's Playbook
Cocktails, Bill Gates, a former boy scout, was asked whether the ban
should be lifted.
“Absolutely,” Gates
answered.
“Why?”
“Because it's 2013,” he responded
as the audience laughed.
(Related: Boy
Scouts survey asks: Is it OK to discriminate against gays?)