Air NZ worker in 'gay rights' ticket row

[twenty4blackbirds]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10370011

...
Northwest spokesman Kurt Ebenhoch told the Blade that when the two airlines entered into a ticket swap agreement, Air New Zealand's letter for reciprocal benefits stated the tickets would be for a fellow employee, dependent child or "spouse."

Because of this wording, his company was forced to decline to redeem the tickets.

He said Northwest was in compliance with California law by insisting on the specific "domestic partner" definition when redeeming tickets.

But Air New Zealand spokeswoman Lucy Powell told the newspaper the wording on its letter was "for yourself and your spouse".

"Our definition of spouse includes same-sex couples. I guess it all comes down to the interpretation of 'spouse."

Mr Anders, who receives domestic partner benefits through Air New Zealand, said all he wanted was the prize he won.

(my emphasis)

[Lerkfish]

1. if they had just let them go, what was the big deal?

even if they don't agree with gay cohabitation, they already wrote off the ticket as an advertising expense due to the contest. I don't see how they can prohibit gay people from entering the contest retroactively.

Honestly, the amount of BAD publicity they're getting for being assholes about it is not worth it. It would serve them right if the gay community boycotted and protested them for this.

Reminds me of when Scope made a list of unkissable people, and listed Rosie O'Donnell as unkissable. Like it was really worth that homophobic nonsense. I haven't seen a bottle of scope in I don't know how long. I hope that marketing guy enjoyed his pink slip.