John Legend Pulls Out of Pre-Grammy Party at Hotel Owned By Anti-Gay Sultan

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Penn alum and soul singer John Legend has pulled out of a pre-Grammy / L.A. Confidential magazine release party at the Beverly Hills Hotel after he learned it was owned by the anti-gay Sultan of Brunei. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah announced a policy last April that called for the stoning of people caught in same-sex acts. A rep of Legend’s released this statement:

John Legend will not be attending the L.A. Confidential party at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Thursday, 5 February in light of the horrific anti-women and anti-LGBT policies approved by the hotel’s owner, the Sultan of Brunei.

These policies, which among other things could permit women and LGBT Bruneians to be stoned to death, are heinous and certainly don’t represent John’s values or the spirit of the event. John does not, in any way, wish to further enrich the sultan while he continues to enforce these brutal laws.

The Human Rights Campaign helped influence the decision, calling on organizers to move the party to a different venue:

The simple truth is that profits from these hotels support a regime that could start stoning women and LGBT people as soon as this year,’ said Ty Cobb, director of HRC global, in a letter to the publisher.

Moving this event would send a clear message to the Sultan of Brunei, and would show that the leadership of L.A. Confidential stands in support of the fundamental human rights of women and LGBT people.

Great move on the singers part. Hat tip!

Read more on the story at Gay Star News.