Gay critics are hissing at Travolta for inserting himself into the remake of 'Hairspray' because they charge that his faith, Scientology, is homophobic.

'It's well-known that Scientology has operated reparative therapy clinics to try to 'cure' gays,' says Washington Blade editor Kevin Naff, who is calling for a boycott of the movie, which opens next month.

'Scientologists are required to donate a hefty portion of their income to the church,' Naff tells us. 'So, by going to this movie, gay people are literally putting money into an organization that seeks to 'cure' them.'

Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard wrote in his 1950 best seller, 'Dianetics,' that gays were 'sexual perverts' and 'very ill physically.' In a federal lawsuit filed in 1998, ex-Scientologist Michael Pattinson claimed the church deceived him by using Travolta as an example of a satisfied member who'd gone straight. Reps for Travolta -- who has been married to Scientologist Kelly Preston for 13 years -- and the church have called Pattinson's charges 'meritless' and 'hogwash.'

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