Beverly Hills Hotel Boycott Aimed At Alleged 'State-Sponsored Homophobia'
BEVERLY HILLS (CBSLA.com) — Gay rights activists on Wednesday called for a boycott of the Beverly Hills Hotel, citing the hotel owner's ties to alleged "state-sponsored homophobia."
The group Dump The Beverly Hills Hotel released a video urging supporters to stop patronizing the landmark resort due to its ownership by the Sultan of Brunei, a country in Southeast Asia where homosexuality is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Billionaire Hassan al-Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah first purchased the property in 1987 for $185 million from previous owners Marvin and Barbara Davis.
The campaign video is accompanied by a public letter that starts with the greeting "Dear Beverly Hills Hotel" and calls on supporters to neither "eat, meet or sleep" at the hotel.
"The Beverly Hills Hotel's owners don't believe in equality, but they love to take our money," the statement read. "If we wouldn't eat at Chik-Fil-A, why would we dine at the Beverly Hills Hotel?"
Last year, gay rights groups launched a nationwide boycott of Chik-Fil-A after president Dan Cathy made public comments on his support for traditional marriage.
There was no immediate response to a request for comment from the Beverly Hills Hotel.
