They don’t have to fire the employee to make a point. When a same-sex couple were approached an usher at a Tulsa Driller’s baseball game and reprimanded for kissing the club responded apologizing, adding sexual orientation to its non-discrimination policies including for hiring, joining the local gay-friendly business alliance, sponsoring Pride and asking the Equality Center to provide sensitivity training for their staff. (http://www.okeq.org/2011/05/26/oklahomans-for-equality-applauds-policy-change-at-tulsa-drillers-stadium/)

This is the right way to respond. Southwest could have made the statement that the couple were kicked off for their behavior in response to the reprimand and while they ask that clients remain calm in case of such disputes, they recognize that the behavior was an emotional response to an action their employee should never have taken and the ultimate responsibility lies with the airline. They could then announce training for all their employees on LGBT sensitivity and what the exact Southwest Guidelines are for public displays of affection between ALL couples.

I am so jet lagged right now, I hope that mess of words forms something comprehensible though I can tell it’s not at all as clear as I’d like it to be. :/

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