Will you be attending the Tropical Pride Festival in Cairns from September 19th-21st?

A South Carolina tourism employee has resigned after an outcry over an advertising effort to attract gay tourists.

Spokesman Marion Edmonds says the unidentified South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism employee submitted a resignation before meeting with upper management.

Last week, the state agency dropped out of the ad campaign that tied to gay pride week celebrations in London that included ads saying "South Carolina is so gay." Edmonds said managers didn't know about the promotion until reading a release from an advertising company.

Director Chad Prosser said last week the agency would not pay a fee of nearly $5,000 to participate in the campaign, which had been proposed by the state's London advertising coordinator.

Greenville Sen. David Thomas has called for an audit of the agency.

Source: www.goupstate.com