Andy Cohen says he is boycotting the Miss Universe Pageant in Russia following President Vladimir Putin’s implementation of harsh anti-gay laws. The openly gay Bravo executive told E! News that he turned down the job as host of the event on Nov. 9 in Moscow. He told Giuliana Rancic, his co-host of the pageant for the past two years, that “their discriminatory policies make it unsafe for the gays who live there and gays coming to work or visit.” The “Watch What Happens Live” host added, “The law is that anyone under suspicion of homosexuality can be arrested. I didn’t feel right as a gay man stepping foot into Russia.” The Russian legislation threatens prosecution for discussing or supporting gay rights with parades or public events. While a source told us that Miss Universe organizers are yet to decide on a host for the upcoming show, pageant owner Donald Trump told us, “So many people want to host the Miss Universe Pageant. We haven’t asked Andy Cohen to host the pageant in Russia, but I can understand his feelings on the matter. It is my hope that the Miss Universe Pageant will help foster common understanding and appreciation of the rights of all individuals.”
Cohen refuses to host Miss Universe in Moscow over anti-gay laws
