Fridae

Internationally acclaimed movie director Steven Spielberg has resigned his post from the American Boy Scouts advisory board. Spielberg announced that he was resigning his post in protest at the organisation's controversial anti-gay stance.

He has been on the board for nearly ten years, and was instrumental in writing up the requirements for a Cinematography award as well as providing funding for a youth camp.

In a statement issued last Monday, Spielberg reportedly said, "I thought the Boy Scouts stood for equal opportunity and I have consistently spoken out publicly and privately against intolerance and discrimination based on ethnic, religious, racial and sexual orientation."

He adds that he is deeply disappointed and saddened to see the Boy Scouts actively participating in discrimination. Mr Spielberg was himself a member of the scouts in his youth.

Despite mounting public indignation, the Boy Scouts have stuck to their original stance of gay-exclusion. Their right to do so had been affirmed by the US Supreme Court last year, after a 19-year old model scout was expelled for being gay. The organisation has since lost considerable support from many cities, corporations, charities, churches and other supporters.

Mr Spielberg does not rule out the possibility of returning to his post. He reportedly said that he would reconsider rejoining the advisory board should the Boy Scouts change their stance.

Other groups who have withdrawn their support include financial companies Merrill Lynch and Knight Ridder, and charity groups such as United Way. The city of Los Angeles has also prohibited the organisation from using city property to hold its events, while the LA Police Commission has withdrawn its support of the Explorer Scouts, a police awareness program.