As we reported earlier, Los Angeles Confidential has planned an event at the Beverly Hills Hotel for Thursday, Feb. 5 to honor Grammy and Oscar nominee John Legend. But the singer released a statement saying he won’t attend, given the boycott of the hotel, which is owned by the Sultan of Brunei. The Sultan has imposed Sharia Law in his country and many feel supporting the Sultan’s properties is tantamount to endorsing his anti-women, anti-LGBT laws and policies. Legend’s statement said:
“John Legend will not be attending the L.A. Confidential party at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Thursday, February 5th 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.”
Well, seems the magazine doesn’t honor John Legend as much as they claim. They released statements, too, saying the event is on:
“Los Angeles Confidential will move forward with our annual Awards’ Issue celebration at the Beverly Hills Hotel,” stated Alison Miller, Publisher of Los Angeles Confidential Magazine. “We respect Mr. Legend’s decision not to attend the event, and believe that each individual, company and organization must make their own decision as to how they communicate their positions on political, social and civil rights.”
Niche Media Holdings, LLC (parent company of Los Angeles Confidential) CEO Katherine Nicholls added, “Our company’s primary mission is to enhance and celebrate our communities. The Beverly Hills Hotel employs over 650 residents and supports another 4000 local vendors including sourcing food and provisions from LA area farms. This significantly impacts our community in a positive manner. To boycott all companies and hotels with affiliations and ownership in nations that do not share our beliefs would cause serious financial harm and damage to the Los Angeles Community, and the American economy.”
Of particular interest is the notion that the magazine’s mission is to “enhance and celebrate our communities.” LGBT ally UNITE HERE Local 11—which represents more than 20,000 workers in hotels, restaurants, airports, sports arenas and convention centers in Southern California, is leading the boycott. Aren’t they part of the community, too?
In a funny, gay-targeted video below, UNITE HERE says: “The Beverly Hills Hotel’s owners don’t believe in equality, but they love to take our money. If we wouldn’t eat at Chik-Fil-A, why would we dine at the Beverly Hills Hotel?”