October 27, 2009 | Celeb Watch

Director on outs with Scientology over gay rights

Paul Haggis directed two critically acclaimed movies: 'Million Dollar Baby' and 'Crash.' He has also been an outspoken scientologist for 35 years. He's still a director, but he's no longer a Church of Scientology member. Though straight and married, he left because of Scientology's overt homophobia and one chapter's continuing support for Proposition 8 (the California bill that made gay marriages illegal).

In a letter to the Church's spokesman Tommy Davis, Haggis explained his position:

"As you know, for ten months now I have been writing to ask you to make a public statement denouncing the actions of the Church of Scientology of San Diego. Their public sponsorship of Proposition 8, a hate-filled legislation that succeeded in taking away the civil rights of gay and lesbian citizens of California – rights that were granted them by the Supreme Court of our state – shames us.

"I called and wrote and implored you, as the official spokesman of the church, to condemn their actions. I told you I could not, in good conscience, be a member of an organization where gay-bashing was tolerated.

"The church’s refusal to denounce the actions of these bigots, hypocrites and homophobes is cowardly. I can think of no other word. Silence is consent, Tommy. I refuse to consent."

Snap. Snap. And snap!

Scientology's Homophobic Backlash: Crash Director Paul Haggis Quits Church [Queerty]