PHOTO: Many tourist destinations in Arizona, like the J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, could be negatively impacted by a proposed new bill that allows businesses to discriminate against gays, several airlines say. (Courtesy of Marriott Hotels and Resorts)
Many big businesses, including airlines, are denouncing an Arizona bill that would allow companies and business owners to refuse service to homosexuals based on the respective companies' religious beliefs.
Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines have all come out against the bill, which has passed the state's Senate and House of Representatives, and have urged Republican Gov. Jan Brewer to veto the measure.
Southwest today provided this statement to TravelPulse: "We believe in an inclusive environment that embraces and values each Customer and Employee. We could never support legislation that runs counter to our values of respect for each person and our strong non-discrimination policy."
Arizona is a huge tourist destination, and the Phoenix area ranked third on a recent Travelocity poll of the biggest spring destinations. Ironically, the traditional spring break season (March 1 to April 15) starts on the same day that Brewer must either veto the bill or sign it into legislation.
In a letter to the Arizona Gov., American Airlines CEO Doug Parker wrote that "Our economy thrives best when the doors of commerce are open to all. This bill sends the wrong message. … There is genuine concern throughout the business community that this bill, if signed into law, would jeopardize all that has been accomplished so far."
Delta issued the following statement: "As a global values-based company, Delta Air Lines is proud of the diversity of its customers and employees, and is deeply concerned about proposed measures in several states, including Georgia and Arizona, that would allow businesses to refuse service to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. If passed into law, these proposals would cause significant harm to many people and will result in job losses. They would also violate Delta's core values of mutual respect and dignity shared by our 80,000 employees worldwide and the 165 million customers we serve every year. Delta strongly opposes these measures and we join the business community in urging state officials to reject these proposals."
United Airlines issued a statement saying, "United Airlines supports equality and fosters an inclusive and diverse culture in which employees and customers are accepted, valued, respected and treated fairly. United is strongly opposed to any legislation that would allow businesses to deny service to lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual individuals, and we join the business community in urging lawmakers to stop these measures."
In a statement, hotel giant Marriott said the bill would have "profound negative impacts on the hospitality industry in Arizona and on the state's overall economic climate for years to come."
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
