Southwest Airlines came under fire this week when former “The L Word” star and “Uh Her Her” musician Leisha Hailey claimed that she was removed from a flight for kissing her girlfriend, Camila Grey.
“Southwest Air endorses homophobic employees. Since when is showing affection toward someone you love illegal? I want to know what Southwest Airlines considers a ‘family,’” Hailey tweeted.
In an initial statement issued by Southwest, the airline said it had received complaints that the behavior was “excessive” and that the “crew, responsible for the comfort of all customers on board, approached the passengers based solely on behavior and not gender.”
However, in another statement issued to FOX411’s Pop Tarts column late Tuesday, Southwest said that the removal was a result of inappropriate language, and had nothing to do with any public display of affection.
“Additional reports from our Employees and Customers onboard flight 2274 during a stop in El Paso on Sunday now confirm profane language was being used loudly by two passengers. At least one family who was offended by the loud profanity moved to another area of the cabin," the statement said. "Although we have reports of what Customers characterize as an excessive public display of affection, ultimately their aggressive reaction led to their removal from the aircraft. We do not tolerate discrimination against anyone for any reason. In this situation, their removal was directly and solely related to the escalated conversation that developed onboard the aircraft.”
“Our tenets of inclusion and celebration of diversity among our Customers and Employees—including those in the LGBT communities—anchor our Culture of mutual respect and following the Golden Rule," the satement continued. "The more than 100 million people who fly Southwest each year reflect the great diversity of our country and our Company — and ALL are valued and welcome. In fact, we've been recognized as a leader in diversity throughout our 40 years of service.”
The Customer Advocacy Team also told FOX411 that they reached out to extend goodwill and a full refund for “an experience that fell short of the passengers' expectation.” Soutwest declined to elaborate any further regarding precisely what unacceptable language was used, and what the PDA between the pair entailed.
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