LGBTQ+ Activists Just Invaded Dorchester Hotel To Protest Brunei

On Thursday, activists began staging demonstrations in Dorchester Collection hotels, owned in part by the Sultan of Brunei.

"In case you haven't heard, there's a boycott of the Dorchester Hotel," Jordan Tannahill said into a megaphone during the Hotel's afternoon tea. He was accompanied by Andy Field, Nick Finegan, and Crispin Lord. "On April 3, the Sultan of Brunei announced stoning, by death, as a new punishment of homosexuality and adultery. We do not condone the brutality of our LGBT sisters and brothers in Brunei." Tannahill was referring to laws that went into place that could see those convicted of sodomy or adultery sentenced to death by stoning. The new legislation has drawn criticism from the likes of Sir Elton John, Ellen Degeneres, George Clooney, and Bobby Berk since news initially broke surrounding its impending implementation.

"The Brunei Investment Agency owns and operates the Dorchester Hotel," he said, weaving through the restaurant to avoid staff and security. Others a part of the demonstration, yelled "Boycott the Dorchester Hotel." All were physically removed from the hotel.

The protest comes as the latest escalation in a boycott of Dorchester Collection properties which own ten luxury venues around the world. Many of those venues began to delete their social media accounts on Wednesday.

Other protests have been scheduled as well. A demonstration hosted by the queer activist group Voices4 will take place in New York Sunday in Washington Square Spark to stand in solidarity.

The Dorchester Collection, which is owned by the Brunei Investment Agency, owns ten hotels around the world.

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