Influential travel industry members and celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres and George Clooney are shunning Brunei-owned hotels and Royal Brunei Airlines over the country’s controversial law that punishes gay sex and adultery.
New Islamic criminal laws took effect in Brunei on Wednesday, one of which punishes gay sex and adultery by stoning offenders to death under new sections of Brunei’s Shariah Penal Code. Thieves face amputation of a right hand on their first offense and a left foot on their second. The new laws also apply to children and foreigners, even if they are not Muslim.
The man behind the anti-gay law in the Southeast Asian country is Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who owns Dorchester Collection hotel group, which owns properties including The Bel-Air and The Beverly Hills Hotel.
STA Travel, a worldwide student and youth travel company, announced it would stop selling tickets on Royal Brunei Airlines.
The organization posted on Twitter: “In protest at recent changes to the law in Brunei (also applicable on Brunei-registered aircraft and vessels), we’re proud to announce that STA Travel has stopped selling tickets on Royal Brunei Airlines. #bruneiboycott
Other celebrities speaking out include Ellen Pompeo from “Grey’s Anatomy,” pop icon Elton John and “Queer Eye” stars Bobby Berk and Jonathan Van Ness.
Pop star Dua Lipa joined the chorus of voices on Thursday. She wrote in a tweet: “Gay rights are human rights. Boycott the the industries and the people that believe in inhumane anti LGBT+ laws. Taking a stand today and forever to show support. The fight is never over we’re only scratching the surface but we need to be louder than ever. #BoycottBrunei”
Gay rights are human rights. Boycott the the industries and the people that believe in inhumane anti LGBT+ laws. Taking a stand today and forever to show support. The fight is never over we’re only scratching the surface but we need to be louder than ever. #BoycottBrunei ?️? pic.twitter.com/hFkaa27KzD
Amnesty International and other rights groups have also slammed the new laws.
Contributing: Sara Moniuszko
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