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Southwest Fires Back at Kicked-Off Couple: It Was Their Words, Not their Kiss That Got Them the Boot
Leisha Hailey/Image via Showtime
It was their lips that got them in trouble, but not for smooching: Earlier this week, former "L Word" star and member of the band Uh Huh Her Leisha Hailey and her girlfriend, Camila Grey, were kicked off a Southwest airplane after being reprimanded for kissing. A back-and-forth between Hailey and Southwest went down on Twitter on Monday. Southwest finally issued a statement on their website saying that passengers called Hailey and Grey's behavior "excessive," and indicated that the fight that ensued between Southwest crew members and the couple was "better resolved on the ground."
Yesterday, Hailey and Grey issued a statement of their own. Since the beginning of the battle, Hailey has maintained that the kiss in question was a peck.
Southwest has fired back again, and issued an updated statement about the incident yesterday. They contend it was not the kiss that got the couple booted, but rather the profanity used in the argument with the flight attendant that ensued. They also add that Southwest showed "goodwill" in offering Hailey and Grey a full refund.
Here is the full text of Southwest's updated statement:
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. 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 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.
Our Customer Advocacy Team reached out to extend goodwill and a full refund for an experience that fell short of the passengers' expectation.
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