Andy Cohen, former Miss Universe host, said on Wednesday that he's boycotting the pageant to be held in Russia this year over the country's anti-LGBT law, according to NJ.com.
Cohen, 45 said he "didn't feel right as a gay men stepping foot into Russia."
The Bravo TV personality has worked as a host in the pageant for the past two years. On Nov. 9, it will take place in Russia for the first time at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow.
"The law is that anyone under suspicion of homosexuality can be arrested," Cohen said to Giuliana Rancic of E! News.
Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a bill into law saying that people can be arrested and jailed if they spread "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations" to minors.
"Their discriminatory policies make it unsafe for the gays who live there and gays coming to work or visit," he said.
Cohen is not alone in his protest. There is a petition on Change.org protesting for the pageant to be moved out of Russia, just short of 348 signatures.
The creator of the petition, Francesco Pascuzzi of Somerville, NJ, said on the petition's page that he was "shocked and disappointed" that the Miss Universe Organization would choose Russia to host the pageant, as it's a place "where LGBTQ people are under attack."
Many politicians and human rights organizations have expressed concern over the law regarding the upcoming Winter Olympics to take place in Sochi. U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon announced a few weeks ago that he will propose legislation to protect LGBT athletes and spectators from discrimination during the games.
Fred Sainz, vice president of communications at The Human Rights Campaign, told BuzzFeed, "The opinion of the Russian government is now perfectly clear: if you're gay and you come to Russia for the Olympics, you will be in harm's way."
