LOUISVILLE — A Boy Scout leader in Kentucky who says he was forced to resign because he is gay has launched an online petition drive aimed at hitting the Scouts where it could hurt most — in the pocketbook — in hopes of ending the organization's anti-gay policy.

Greg Bourke's petition urges the United Way to denounce the Boy Scouts of America's ban on gays as Scouts or adult leaders. The petition campaign started Monday on the website change.org and had garnered more than 54,000 signatures by Thursday morning.

It targets United Way because the organization is a major financial contributor to Boy Scouts. In his petition, Bourke said if the Boy Scouts refuse to end the gay ban, the United Way should "make sure that none of its chapters continue to fund anti-gay discrimination."

United Way Worldwide executive Peter Hahn said in an email that the organization is "committed to diversity and inclusion, and we encourage our members to adopt inclusive policies that create opportunities for everyone."