LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Director Steven Spielberg says he is leaving his post on the advisory board of the Boy Scouts of America because the group excludes gays.
"The last few years in scouting have deeply saddened me to see the Boy Scouts of America actively and publicly participating in discrimination. It's a real shame," Spielberg said in a statement Monday.
The Oscar-winning producer and director has been a member of the group's advisory board for about 10 years, said his publicist Marvin Levy.
The U.S. Supreme Court last summer ruled the Boy Scouts' national policy banning gay members and leaders is constitutional. The high court cited the right to freedom of association granted to private groups.
Although he was on the advisory board, Spielberg did not currently have an active, direct role with the Scouts, Levy said.
A telephone call seeking comment from a Scouts spokesman in Los Angeles was not immediately returned.
"Once scouting fully opens its doors to all who desire the same experience that so fully enriched me as a young person, I will be happy to reconsider a role on the advisory board," Spielberg said.
Many cities, schools, churches and companies nationwide have struggled with how to reconcile support with local Scouts troops in light of their own anti-discrimination policies.
