This just in: Carnival CEO and President Gary Cahill has issued a statement that, contrary to the edict that his VP of Guest Services issued yesterday, passengers on their December 2nd cruise will be able to dress in drag if they choose to. They're also offering up full refunds for those passengers who are now soured on the company for this specific cruise. (click here for my earlier post about this)
They're now pointing the accusatory finger at the gay owner/operated Al and Chuck Travel who put the cruise promotion together in the first place. Al, co-owner of the company, is defending the company saying the cruise was always a 'meet the drag stars' rather than a participatory event.
I'm shrugging here because I'm frankly more invested in catching a corporate machine in a moment of discrimination than I am throwing a gay owned/operated business under the bus. I know that's probably a double standard but I think Carnival can take the hit, Al and Chuck Travel probably can not.
Still, it's a wake up call to the rest of us that while we can pat ourselves on the back that we have American Airlines and Coke and Citibank supporting our gay pride parades and causes, we cannot just sit back and let corporate America give with one hand while stabbing us in the back with the other. That foul smell you detect in the air is the stench of Carnival who want GLBT dollars but also want to placate those on the cruise that want to keep it 'family friendly' - and who can't wrap their heads around that a gay or lesbian couple and their children are also a family.
Yes, it's a clusterfuck all the way around.
If you don't want to spend a week or two in the petri dish (on an RSVP cruise) and don't feel that Rosie's R Family cruise is what you're looking for either, the options seem limited for LGBT travelers.
In any event, I'm kind of now fascinated to find out just how many folks bow out... will update as necessary. :)
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