Singer Quits Mormon Tabernacle Choir Rather Than Associate With Trump

First, there were the Rockettes. Now it's members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir that refuse to perform for Donald Trump at his inauguration.

As with the Rockettes, leaders of the group say it's voluntary to take part in the inauguration performance. Neither group has divulged how many people have already opted out of the performance. But one soprano is taking it a step further.

"I've tried to tell myself that by not going to the inauguration, that I would be able to stay in choir for all the other good reasons," wrote Jan Chamberlin in a resignation letter, reported by the Salt Lake Tribune. "I've tried to tell myself that it will be all right and that I can continue in good conscience before God and man." But Chamberlin decided the Trump performance went too far. "I could never look myself in the mirror again with self-respect," she wrote, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.

The resignation letter was posted publicly on Facebook. Chamberlin also shared on her Facebook page a link to a Change.org petition calling on the choir to cancel its inauguration performance. The petition has more than 26,000 signatures and was posted by Randall Thacker, a gay Mormon who is the former president of Affirmation, a support group for LGBT Mormons. Many have called the choir's performance a betrayal of its values and hypocritical.

The choir has performed for numerous presidents but this is different to Chamberlin. "I only know I could never 'throw roses to Hitler.' And I certainly could never sing for him," wrote Chamberlin in a comparison sure to attract attention.

Chamberlin is being praised for decision, which won't be universally welcomed in the choir or in Utah. Robert Reich -- the liberal commentator and former Labor Secretary -- wrote on Facebook, that "Starting January 20, each of us in his or her own way will be tested: How do we resist tyranny? How do we fight back against hate? Many political actions must be taken in the months and years ahead.... But it all begins with the moral courage of individuals, such as Jan Chamberlin."

So far, 16-year-old Jackie Evancho, the runner-up on America's Got Talent, is the only other performer who is sticking with plans to perform at the inauguration. Andrea Bocelli backed out earlier this month after facing a deluge of criticism. And that's left the likes of Bristol Palin lashing out at the "sissies" who she says are afraid to stand up as conservatives.