LGBT group boycott LA hotel over Brunei anti-gay law

LGBT rights group Gill Action Fund are boycotting the Beverly Hills Hotel after news that its owner, the Sultan of Brunei, has made gay sex punishable by death.

Last week, it emerged that Hassanal Bolkiah is making anal sex punishable with death by stoning, alongside other offences like rape, adultery, extramarital sexual relations for Muslims.

The Gill Action Fund had been due to hold its OutGiving conference at the hotel on May 1-4, but the organisation have confirmed that they are now looking for a new venue.

Kirk Fordham, executive director of Gill Action, told the Washington Blade: “In light of the horrific anti-gay policy approved by the Government of Brunei, Gill Action made the decision earlier today to relocate its conference from the Beverly Hills Hotel to another property. We are seeking a return of all deposits.”

Brunei’s new penal code will come into play on April 22, and will see the first executions in the country since 1957. Same-sex relations were previously punishable by ten years imprisonment.

Leslie Lefkowitz, a spokesperson for the Beverly Hills Hotel, emphasised that it isn’t usual for conferences to change venues.

“In the hotel industry, it is not uncommon for organisations to change aspects of their corporate programs, including the scope, date and/or venues of planned events,” she said. “Anytime a valued business partner decides to alter their plans, we respect their right to do so and look forward to the next opportunity to be of service to them.”

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