Brunei’s Brutal Anti-Gay and Misogynist Laws Protested Today

Brunei, the tiny oil-saturated kingdom tucked onto the island of Borneo, recently adopted Sharia law with some gruesome modifications, including death by stoning for homosexual acts, and sentences of flogging and amputation for such lesser “crimes” as having an abortion. The outraged response in Europe and America has been swift and its targets include the Beverly Hills Hotel, the Bel-Air Hotel and other Dorchester Collection Properties, which are owned by the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, and the Brunei Investment Agency.

The Feminist Majority Foundation has pulled its annual Global Women’s Rights Awards, co-chaired by Jay and Mavis Leno, from the Beverly Hills Hotel and has launched a massive petition drive and social media campaign calling on the government of Brunei to immediately rescind the new code and asking the United Nations to take action if these laws go into effect as planned.

“We cannot hold a human rights and women’s rights event at a hotel whose owner would institute a penal code that fundamentally violates women’s rights and human rights,” said Feminist Majority Foundation President Eleanor Smeal in a statement.

Today, May 5, a rally will be held across from the Beverly Hills Hotel.

WHAT: Coalition of Women’s Rights, LGBT and Human Rights Groups Rally

WHEN:  Monday May 5, 2014  Noon-1 p.m.

WHERE: In the Park across from the Beverly Hills Hotel — Sunset Boulevard between North Canon and North Beverly Drive

WHO: 

Mavis Leno, Board member, Feminist Majority Foundation

Eleanor Smeal, president Feminist Majority Foundation
Andreas Meyer, President, Equality California EQCA
Lorri L. Jean, CEO Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center
Dolores Huerta, president Dolores Huerta Foundation/co-founder     United Farm Workers
Vince Wong, Vice Chair of National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Betsy Butler, Candidate for California Senate
Ada Briceno, secretary-treasurer of UNITE HERE Local 11
Katherine Spillar, executive editor Ms. magazine
Planned Parenthood Los Angeles