Top 5 Gay Travel Scandals
From a fabricated kidnapped lesbian blogger to a hysterical Jet Blue flight attendant turned media darling, these five sensational gay travel stories made international headlines!
5. Air New Zealand’s 'anti-gay' safety dance
Following criticism from the gay community, Air New Zealand decided to yank a scene from an in-flight safety video depicting footballer Richard Kahui turning down a peck on the cheek from a male flight attendant. The scene was part of a Crazy About Rugby video which involved members of the All Black team, including coach Graham Henry and captain Richie McCaw. Despite the initial success of the video, critics worried the scene could lead to gay male suicides.
4. Anti-gay activist busted vacationing with a Rentboy
In 2010, psychologist, ordained Southern Baptist minister and vocal homophobe George Alan Rekers was caught with a male escort while on a two-week vacation in Europe. The escort told CNN he gave Rekers sexual massages while accompanying him on his trip. Following the scandal, Rekers resigned from his role as “scientific advisor” for the National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH).
3. Gay US tourists attacked in St. Lucia
The attack of three gay Americans in St. Lucia was a cautionary tale for LGBT tourists traveling to the Caribbean. Robbers broke into their cottage in Soufrière, beat them and tied them up. During the attack, the robbers reportedly made homophobic slurs and threatened to kill the men if they didn’t leave the island. Police say the robbers made off with about $1,800 and some personal items. Saint Lucia’s tourism minister apologized to the men for the incident, but many gays and lesbians are still hesitant to visit.
2. The gay girl in Damascus who wasn’t
The world took notice when Amina Arraf a.k.a. “Gay Girl in Damascus” was kidnapped in Syria. The world noticed again when a 40-year-old American man admitted to making up the story and Amina. For six years, Tom MacMaster convinced thousands of people he was a half-American, half-Syrian lesbian writing from Damascus. Why did MacMaster make Amina a lesbian? He told The Guardian he “liked the challenge.”
1. A Jet Blue flight attendant’s unexpected departure
Former JetBlue flight attendant Steven Slater became a one-man media circus. On a flight landing from Philadelphia to NYC in August, Slater announced over the plane’s loudspeaker he was quitting. He then grabbed two beers, deployed the evacuation slide and exited the plane. Slater’s outburst was reportedly sparked by an altercation with a passenger over the use of an overhead compartment.