Carly Rae Jepsen wins praise over gay rights protest

Carly Rae Jepsen has won praise from fellow celebrities and activists for standing up for gay rights by cancelling her Boy Scouts of America gig.

The singer has axed her planned performance at the Boy Scouts of America Jamboree in West Virginia in July (13) as part of a protest over the group's ban on gay and transgender members, insisting she is "an artist who believes in equality for all people".

The move has won Jepsen praise from members of leading gay rights organisations including the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and Britain's Stonewall group.

A statement posted on Stonewall's Twitter.com page reads, "Really pleased by Carly Rae Jepsen's principled stand against US Boy Scouts ban on gay young men and volunteers," while GLAAD bosses urged Twitter followers to thank Jepsen via the social networking website.

The Call Me Maybe star also won favour from fellow pop star Miley Cyrus, who sent Jepsen a Twitter message saying, "Thank you", and openly gay director Adam Shankman, who wrote, "Atta (sic) girl Carly Rae Jepsen!"

Rockers Train also pulled out of the event in opposition to the organisation's anti-gay policy.