Southwest flew into heavy turbulence over a lesbian kissing scene involving Leisha Hailey, an actress who is known for her role in the lesbian life drama “The L-Word” on Showtime.
On Monday, Hailey tweeted: “I have been discriminated against by @SouthwestAir. Flt. attendant said that it was a ‘family’ airline and kissing was not ok.”
Demanding a public apology from the airline carrier, Hailey stated she and her ex-girlfriend Camila Grey were wrongfully removed from the plane after sharing a “modest kiss.” She expressed her anger in several tweets about how the airline endorses homophobic employees. The actress then called for all tweeple to #boycottSouthwest.
The hashtag spread quickly causing angry customers to leave hundreds of negative comments about the insensitivity toward the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgenderedFacebook page. (GLBT) community on the company’s
Within a few hours after Hailey’s initial tweet about the airline, Southwest tweeted back a short response asking the actress to direct message them about the issue. The company then issued a statement on their corporate blog and posted the link onto Twitter for all of their followers to see.
According to official statement, several passengers complained about the couple’s alleged behavior, describing it as “excessive.” The flight attendant approached the passengers due to their inappropriate behavior; it was not discriminatory against their gender. The conversation between the attendant and the women escalated when Hailey started using profanity, which ultimately caused the women to be escorted off of the airplane. Southwest finished their official statement by offering their “heartfelt apologies for falling short of [the customers’] expectations.”
Other airline carrier spokespeople responded to the public display of affection (PDA) issue. All of their responses basically stated that flight crews will take action if they find it necessary especially if other passengers feel uncomfortable. They even agreed with the actions Southwest took during this kissing crisis.
The most ironic part of this issue is the airline’s partnerships with local and national GLBT organizations, including the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). The airline even has a page on their website dedicated to their support of the GLBT community and its initiatives.
GLAAD issued a press release the day after the incident stating that homosexuals should be able to openly express their affection toward each other in public, and corporations should ensure that employees use the best practices for welcoming all customers.
Southwest did a good job of quickly (but carefully) responding to the two customers and the public. Within hours of the incident, corporate headquarters directly contacted the disgruntled women and offered a statement along with an apology. Apparently other customers (who did not pay for a show) were uncomfortable with the intimate behavior of the two women, which is why the flight attendant made the comment “this is a family airline.” As a frequent flyer, I would hate to be stuck on an airplane watching a couple partake in PDA, and it doesn’t matter their gender, race, religion or any other label, because it’s simply inappropriate.
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