Scott Eckern, the artistic director at the California Musical Theater, in Sacramento, resigned Wednesday after some gay and lesbian activists called for a boycott of the theater in protest of Mr. Eckern’s donation to a campaign to ban gay marriage in the state, reports the Associated Press.

Mr. Eckern said in a statement that his departure comes “after prayerful consideration to protect the organization and to help the healing in the local theatergoing and creative community.”