Ellen DeGeneres joins George Clooney in boycott of Brunei-owned hotels over anti-LGBT+ law
The hotels include The Dorchester and 45 Park Lane in London
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Ellen DeGeneres has added her voice to the growing number of celebrities calling for a boycott of the luxury hotels owned by the Sultan of Brunei.
The comedian called on her followers to “spread the word” and “rise up” in a boycott of the nine properties, which include The Dorchester and 45 Park Lane in London, in protest at Brunei’s strict new anti-gay laws.
The harsh new Sharia laws, which come into force today amid international outcry, include the death penalty for those found engaging in same-sex intercourse.
The nine hotels in the Dorchester Collection are owned by the country’s sovereign wealth fund, the Brunei Investment Agency.
DeGeneres follows George Clooney, who last week called for a boycott of the hotels in a column for film news site Deadline.
In his guest column, Clooney wrote: “On this particular 3 April the nation of Brunei will begin stoning and whipping to death any of its citizens that are proved to be gay. Let that sink in. In the onslaught of news where we see the world backsliding into authoritarianism this stands alone.”
Elton John and David Furnish have also called on their followers to boycott the hotels.
The hotel group includes some of the world’s most luxurious properties, including the Dorchester and 45 Park Lane in London, the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles and Le Meurice in Paris.
The Independent has asked the Dorchester Collection for comment.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments