Alaska Still 'Taking Diversity to the Sky'

by E. Ross

Going to Gay Days at Disney World in Orlando this June? Or the US Gay Tennis Open in San Francisco in May? Maybe you'd like to spend a week in Miami in June? How about Santa Rosa, CA before April 30?

Then take advantage of the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air discount codes and fly for 10% off the base fare when you buy the tickets on their Gay Travel site.

These are the infamous 'gay discounts' that caused an outpouring of hate speech on the Internet last year. Confused homophobes claimed that the airlines were charging higher prices to straight travelers by offering a discount to gays. Anti-diversity conservatives posted angry rants because Alaska Airlines recognized the power of the pink dollar and marketed to us on the web.

In reality, anyone can use the discount codes, gay or straight, and no one is required to attend the LGBT events to receive the discount. You just have to fly to a qualifying airport during the discounted dates.

The Gay Travel site is an effort to reach LGBT consumers and to promote online ticketing. In response to the feedback condemning the new site, the airlines removed "Gay Travel" from the title of the featured destination page, but kept the main site and the list of LGBT events in locations they serve.

Every year, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation rates large U.S. employers on a scale from 0 to 100 based on whether or not they have policies that support LGBT employees, consumers and investors. Alaska Airlines, headquartered in Seattle, Washington, earned 95 out of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index 2008, rating a 'green light' in the Buying For Equality Guide. Only two airlines rated higher, American Airlines and US Airways, with 100 points each. No Alaska-based companies were included in the Index, but many of the rated companies do business in Alaska.

Here are the Alaska Airlines discounted dates and locations for 2008:

• 5/20-5/29 to San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose (GLTF's US Gay Open)
• 6/3-6/9 to Orlando, FL (Gay Days at Disney World Resort)
• 7/12-7/19 to Miami, FL (GALA Choruses Festival)
• complete travel by 4/30 to Santa Rosa/Sonoma County, CA (Featured Destination)

To receive the discount, just enter the correct code for your date and location of travel in the Discount Code box when you purchase the tickets at alaskaair.com/gaytravel. The discount will show in the final total of your ticket and is for the base fare only. Be sure to read the limitations of the discount codes before buying the ticket.

In these days of rising air fares, a 10% discount is a welcome sight. When Alaska Airlines recognizes and rewards their LGBT customers, employees and investors, we can support their efforts and encourage them to continue 'Taking Diversity to the Sky.'

California and Florida, here we come!