The list of Hollywood stars, musicians, athletes, and now even companies, expanding globally as well, is growing every day in support of a boycott of Brunei hotels owned by the Sultan. This is in response to the Sultan of Brunei announcing new laws in his country against homosexuality and adultery which includes sentences of death by stoning.
The Brunei Tourism website calls itself the Abode of Peace and A Haven of Tranquility.
Joining the ranks of the boycott are Ellen DeGeneres, Elton John, and Billie Jean King who are following George Clooney’s lead in calling for the boycott.
In Brunei, beginning today, offenses such as rape, robbery, and defamation of the Prophet Muhammad will carry the death penalty, and theft will be punishable by amputation. Lesbian sex will carry a penalty of 40 strokes of the cane and/or a maximum of 10 years in jail, while those who “persuade, tell or encourage” Muslim children under the age of 18 “to accept the teachings of religions other than Islam” are liable for a fine or jail. Homosexuality was already illegal in the country.
These new laws have sparked outrage among human rights organizations and public figures, and it is possible that at least one Hollywood firm is considering re-routing an upcoming event at one of the Los Angeles-based hotels that the Sultan owns; he owns the Hotel Bel-Air and The Beverly Hills Hotel.
In a tweet, Ellen Degeneres said: Tomorrow, the country of #Brunei will start stoning gay people to death. We need to do something now. Please boycott these hotels owned by the Sultan of Brunei. Raise your voices now. Spread the word. Rise up.
Elton John tweeted: I believe that love is love and being able to love as we choose is a basic human right. Wherever we go, my husband David and I deserve to be treated with dignity and respect – as do each and every one of the millions of LGBTQ+ people around the world.
Billie Jean King tweeted: This atrocity begins today in #Brunei. Please join me and spread the word about the boycott of hotels owned by the Sultan of Brunei.
Today, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, confirmed that the London Underground would be removing some Brunei tourist advertisements from its network. The Brunei Investment Agency owns the Dorchester Collection of hotels.