“L-Word” Star Kicked off Plane for Kissing

@font-face { font-family: "MS 明朝"; }@font-face { font-family: "MS 明朝"; }@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria; }span.entry-content { }.MsoChpDefault { font-family: Cambria; }div.WordSection1 { page: WordSection1; "The L-Word" star Leisha Hailey kissed a girl — and Southwest Airlines didn’t like it.

A flight attendant escorted the lesbian actress and her girlfriend, Camila Grey, off the plane after other passengers complained about the couple’s public display of affection, The Associated Press reports.

The attendant said Southwest was a "family" airline and kissing was not allowed.

Hailey took to Twitter on Monday to call for a boycott of the airline.

"I have been discriminated against," she tweeted, later adding, "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."

A rep for Southwest tweeted Hailey back with an apology and asked her to contact the company privately to resolve the row.

Southwest Airlines Co. later released a statement saying Hailey got the boot "based solely on behavior and not gender." The airline's response said passengers called her actions “excessive.”

The smooching occurred in the air and an argument ensued after the plane landed. The airline said it “escalated to a level that was better resolved on the ground.”

Ironically, Southwest is the official airline of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). Herndon Graddick, senior director of programs at GLAAD, said in an email, "GLAAD contacted Southwest to call for additional actions beyond tonight's statement that ensure all customers feel comfortable and welcomed while traveling."

Earlier this month, the Dallas-based airline removed Green Day singer Billie Joe Armstrong for wearing saggy pants.  He was escorted off the plane after refusing to pull his pants up.

Kevin Smith also got the boot from Southwest last year because he didn't fit properly in his seat. He tweeted, "Dear (at)SouthwestAir I know I'm fat, but was (the) captain (...) really justified in throwing me off a flight for which I was already seated?"

Hailey, who is launching a 21-city tour to promote breast cancer awareness, tweeted, "Since when is showing affection to someone you love illegal?"  

Maybe Southwest thought the “L-word” was “leave.”

Selected Reading: The Washington Post, New York Daily News, Wall Street Journal

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