L Word star Leisha Hailey has demanded an apology from Southwest Airlines after her and her partner were escorted off a flight for kissing, the Advocate reports.
Hailey, who played Alice in the lesbian drama said via her twitter account that a flight attendant had told the couple that it was a ‘family’ airline and that ‘kissing was not ok’.
‘I have been discriminated against by @SouthwestAir. Flt. attendant said that it was a “family” airline and kissing was not ok,’ Hailey said in a tweet.
Hailey then tweeted the following: ‘This is an outrage. I demand a public apology by @SouthwestAir and a refund. Hate is not a family value. I will never fly this airline.’
But the criticism continued as Hailey said the American-based airlines endorsed homophobic employees.
‘We were escorted off the plane for getting upset about the issue. @SouthwestAir endorses homophobic employees. No one made her accountable.
‘Since when is showing affection towards someone you love illegal? I want to know what Southwest Airlines considers as “family”.’
‘I know plenty of wonderful same sex families I would like to introduce them to. Boycott @SouthwestAir if you are gay. They don’t like us.’
Southwest Airlines issued a statement to TMZ website, which said other passengers had felt the behaviour was excessive.
‘Initial reports indicate that we received several passenger complaints characterizing the behaviour as excessive.’
The statement continued, ‘Our crew, responsible for the comfort of all Customers on board, approached the passengers based solely on behaviour and not gender. The conversation escalated to a level that was better resolved on the ground, as opposed to in flight.’
OIP Staff
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