The editor of a major gay publication in the US has warned that John Travolta’s new movie ‘Hairspray’ is making money for a homophobic ‘religious’ organisation. Travolta, a Scientologist, turned himself into a chubby female for the role of Edna Turnblad in the remake of Hairspray, due for a September release in New Zealand. But ‘Washington Blade’ editor Kevin Naff is calling for the gay community to boycott the film, alleging that Scientology is homophobic. "It's well known that Scientology has operated reparative therapy clinics to try and 'cure' gays,” he writes in his blog. "Scientologists are required to donate a hefty portion of their income to the church. "So, by going to this movie, gay people are literally putting money into an organisation that seeks to 'cure' them." Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard wrote in his 1950 best selling Dianetics book that gay people were "sexual perverts" and "very ill physically". Travolta refused to comment on the proposed boycott, but the New York branch of the Church of Scientology has hit out at Naff. "Scientology doesn't try to tell people what their sexual orientation should be. "The emphasis is on helping people survive better in the world," spokesman John Carmichael said. "If a person comes into Scientology and they are involved in doing anything that they consider detrimental to their survival, then they can change that compulsion." The remake of Hairspray is based on the hugely successful Broadway musical adaptation. The original 1988 film starred the late drag icon Divine in the role of Edna Turnblad, reprised by Travolta, and launched the career of talk TV show star Rikki Lake, who played daughter Tracy Turnblad. Ref: Washington Blade, MSNBC (m)