How celebs changed this controversial law in Brunei

Recently, the Sultan of Brunei introduced new Islamic laws, which essentially make homosexuality punishable by stoning. The news turned heads around the world, especially because of the power and influence of Brunei. It's a small country, but the Brunei Investment Agency owns property around the world, like the Dorchester Collection of hotels. Now celebrities like George Clooney are calling for a boycott of these properties, which includes the world-famous Beverly Hills Hotel.

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George Clooney - George Clooney has frequently spoken out on human rights laws. Writing for Deadline, he asked "are we really going to help pay for these human rights violations?"

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Ellen DeGeneres -

Openly LGBT, Ellen DeGeneres recently tweeted out a list of hotels to boycott. "Please boycott these hotels owned by the Sultan of Brunei. Raise your voices now," she wrote.

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Elton John - The openly gay musician also addressed the boycott on social media. "[Elton's husband] David and I have long refused to stay at these hotels and will continue to do so," he tweeted.

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Jamie Lee Curtis - The actress has also joined the boycott. "I stand with George Clooney, a good man doing the right thing, fighting an unjust and barbaric law."

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Dua Lipa - The singer hopped on social media to hashtag #BoycottBrunei. "Gay rights are human rights. Boycott the industries and the people that believe in inhumane anti LGBT+ laws," she wrote.

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Billie Jean King - The out tennis great has long championed LGBT rights, and showed her support for this boycott o social media. "Please join me and spread the word about the boycott of hotels owned by the Sultan of Brunei," she tweeted.

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Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles -

So, which hotels are owned by Brunei? Let's start with this boutique hotel, which has over 100 rooms and 12 acres of gardens.

(Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY 2.0)

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Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles - The hotel has been frequented by many huge stars, like Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, and Elizabeth Taylor.

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The Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills - Also known as the "Bungalows," this hotel is located on Sunset Boulevard in Beverly Hills, California.

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The Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills -

The hotel opened in 1912. In 2014, celebs started to get concerned about Brunei's stake in the hotel. However, Russell Crowe and Kim Kardashian spoke out against the boycott at the time.

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The Dorchester, London - The Dorchester is one of the most prestigious hotels in London. It first opened in 1931, and still looks like something out of the 1930s.

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The Dorchester, London -

The Sultan of Brunei bought the hotel in 1985. It's seen its fair share of drama, from robberies to sex worker scandals. Staying in the London area, 45 Park Lane is another Brunei-owned hotel.

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Coworth Park, Ascot - With a history stretching back to the 18th century, the Coworth Park Hotel is a revered establishment in England's Berkshire countryside. The hotel was eventually bought by the Brunei Investment Agency, and had its official relaunch in 2011.

Public Domain

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Le Meurice, Paris -

The five-star hotel is located right in the center of Paris, lying between the Place de la Concorde and the Louvre Museum.

(Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 2.0)

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Le Meurice, Paris - In 1997, the hotel was sold to the Brunei Investment Agency, who now own and manage the goings-on there.

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Plaza Athénée, Paris - Plaza Athénée is another Parisian hotel owned by Brunei. It could cost you up to US$20,000 a night for the hotel's premier suite.

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Plaza Athénée, Paris - The hotel was bought by Brunei in 2001. After temporarily closing, it was reopened in 2014 following an expensive renovation operation.

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Hotel Eden, Rome -

Hotel Eden was first opened way back in 1889. It has hosted a wide array of royals, politicians, and Hollywood actors.

(Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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Hotel Eden, Rome -

The hotel was purchased in 2013, and was renovated like the other hotels.

(Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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Principe di Savoia, Milan -

"The Principe" is more than a hotel—it's actually a landmark in Milan. The hotel is made up of over 300 rooms and 44 suites.

(Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Principe di Savoia, Milan -

The hotel has hosted many high-profile names, such as the Beckhams, Madonna, Charlie Chaplin, and even George Clooney himself.

(Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY 3.0)

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Brian Atwood - As mentioned, this isn't the first boycott of Brunei-owned hotels. Fashion designer Brian Atwood supported a boycott back in 2014. "Send a clear signal to their owner, the Sultan of Brunei," he said. "That stoning people to death for being gay in Brunei is not acceptable."

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Peter Som - Peter Som is another fashion designer who supported the boycott. He regrammed Atwood's message on Instagram.

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Richard Branson - The businessman voiced his support for the 2014 boycott, and recently ended a staff deal with a Brunei airline because of the new law.

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Jay Leno - The comic joined the 2014 boycott, even participating in rallies to protest the laws. "It's not a political issue. This is not something that's debatable," he told CNN.

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Sharon Osbourne - The media personality urged her fans to boycott the Brunei-owned hotels back in 2014.

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Clive Davis -

In 2014, this influential record producer urged the Sultan of Brunei to sell the Beverly Hills Hotel. "When I learned of the enactment of the penal code, I realized it would be impossible for me to stay there," he said.

Now that you know what to avoid, why not check out these super-cool ice hotels around the world?

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How celebs changed this controversial law in Brunei

George Clooney, Ellen DeGeneres, and many more are asking for your help

05/04/19 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Boycott

After a lot of backlash, Brunei is backtracking on its controversial death penalty law. The Asian country recently came under fire after announcing the death penalty, given to men who have gay sex. Officially, no executions have taken place since 1957, but it still outraged people and groups around the world. George Clooney led a boycott of Brunei-owned hotels, co-signed by Ellen DeGeneres and Elton John. Now, the Sultan of Brunei has announced a rethink of the controversial law. Click on to understand the whole case.