A performance by the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra next month will be narrated by a local man who gave nearly $1 million to fight marriage equality in California.
Dr. John M. Templeton Jr., will lend his voice to PYO’s Nov. 25 concert at the Temple Performing Arts Center.
Templeton donated $900,000 in 2008 to support Proposition 8, the successful ballot initiative that overturned California’s marriage-equality law. He tied with a California resident as the top individual donor to back the antigay campaign.
Templeton, a retired pediatric surgeon, is chair and president of the John Templeton Foundation, which works to establish links between science and religion.
He founded conservative public-policy agency Let Freedom Ring, Inc., and is a founding member of conservative political watchdog group Freedom’s Watch.
Templeton was invited to narrate next month’s performance by Louis Scaglione, PYO president and music director.
PYO, now in its 73rd year, brings together youth 6-21 from throughout the region to participate in five ensembles.
Scaglione said he selected Templeton because of the latter’s “support of children in the Greater Philadelphia region through his irrefutable medical accomplishments in pediatric surgery and trauma at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.”
During his medical career, Templeton served as director of CHOP’s trauma program and as professor of pediatric surgery at University of Pennsylvania. He was vice chair of the American Trauma Society and the president of its Pennsylvania chapter.
Scaglione asserted that the “political or personal views” of PYO guests and supporters are not a “reflection of the beliefs of the nonprofit organization or its agents.”
“PYO celebrates the great diversity that is our community, our city, our nation and our society,” he added. “The musical arts transcend all political, cultural, religious and social constructs. It is through the musical arts that one teaches tolerance and respect. PYO does not align itself with any individual or entity by adoption of their respective viewpoints, philosophies or beliefs. PYO does not condone or condemn the viewpoints, philosophies, religious doctrine or political affiliation of others. PYO supports and encourages open dialogue and healthy debate of artistic, philosophical, political, religious and social issues.”
In recent months, Templeton donated $450,000 to the Red, White and Blue Fund — a super Political Action Committee led by antigay politico Rick Santorum — as well as $200,000 to PAC American Crossroads, founded by Karl Rove, and about $24,000 to the Republican National Committee.