When I first heard of Air New Zealand's planned Pink Flight package from San Francisco to Sydney I wasn't sure if I should be offended or book a ticket for this outrageously fun-sounding plane ride. The 14-hour flight will feature drag queens, pink cocktails and flight crew cabarets and I'm sure some other gay stereotypes the Associated Press forgot to mention. Yet somehow I'm still attracted to the easy-going aspect of flying. The open air knows that current flights are riddled with bad service, expensive food and a you-should-be-thanking-us attitude, so why not have a little fun?
I do wonder whom in Air New Zealand's marketing department thought up this scheme? Were they a bunch of clueless people that still think all gay people wear pink and die for cabaret or were there a few gay men tossed in there that can't let go of a dated idea of gay entertainment?
My bar tab knows that I never turn down a good party, but why the campy theme? What's next: A flight geared towards African-Americans featuring fried chicken and watermelon? How about a lesbian flight with Harley seat covers and mechanic overalled flight attendants? What about a Latin flight with maracas and tortillas? I think you get the point...
I commend Air New Zealand for creating a party bus in the sky in an otherwise mundane industry, but they also deserve a slap on the tail wing for thinking that this is the best way to attract gay customers.
Here's an idea: Take the dated gay stereotypes out of the flight and just turn it into a high speed happy hour. Any gay man will tell you that a great party doesn't need a theme, anyway. The last thing we need in today's gay struggle are more high profile generalizations of a large group of people, each as individual as the clouds in the sky.
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First off…get over yourself. This is the first time I’m reading your column and I doubt I’ll read anything you write again. Have you ever taken a fourteen hour flight or do you just puddle jump from one coast to the other? Anything these airline companies can do to override the boredom on one of these horrendously long flights should be welcome. Plus, some stereotypes are not only accurate they embrace who we are as a people. Straight people don’t have the same love for drag and cabaret as we do and guess what statistically speaking African Americans consume more fried chicken each year then their Caucasian and Latino counterparts. So I say celebrate our diversity and book my ticket on the all gay flight to Sydney. I think the all gay cruise industry would have to agree with me. So give me a bump, turn up the music because I’m heading to the bathroom stalls for some sex. Viva la…
I don’t know how any healthy gay guy could ever endorse or participate in such stereotypic hype, that degrades & humiliates a majority of gay men. Gay men are MEN, pillars of masculinity, that appeal to other men – same sex stuff, you know?
I can only conclude that gay men that would participate in such stereotypic folly, are exhibiting their own internalized homophobia. I’m very saddened that some gay men are still stricken by their own internal demons.
Hi Jonathan,
I’m sad to hear that you won’t be staying around. As you can read in my commentary, I am glad that there is an airline striking back against the boredom and dwindling service plaguing our air travel, but must it at the expense of the years it’s taken us to ward off the same tired ole stereotypes people associate with gay men. Sure, some gay men still love drag and cabaret. My best friend for years is a performer. But there are also many gay men that prefer different types of entertainment that aren’t usually associated with gay men.
I’m sad that some non-gays still think of us as pink-totting, cosmo-slinging, limp-wristed people – which is evident in this new New Zealand flight.
I’m also saddened that you would consider adding to the generalizations by doing drugs and having sex in the airplane bathroom.
My best to you Jonathan and safe travels.
Ironic! The acronym for Qantas used to stand for “Queens And Nellies Trained As Stewards”. Instead, it’s prosaic New Zealand who trumps the camp card by offering this service.
I’ve taken Air New Zealand business class between San Francisco and Auckland and it’s very close to the top. They really don’t need to fool around with anything, and certainly don’t need to play to stereotypes to attract the pink dollar.
Also ironic, since New Zealand hopped over several generations of debate and legalised civil partnerships with little fuss. Relations between the Maori and “settlers”, while not ideal, are certainly better than the [justifiably] acrimonious situation which currently exists between the Aboriginies and whites in Australia. Outrageous as the gay scene in Australia is, there is still a high proportion of drag, “macho-ism” and stereotypes which I find curious in the early 21st century. New Zealanders are still New Zealanders, whether straight, gay or bi…take it or leave it.
Look, I know online columnists have to find some controversy or something to complain about in just about everything or they cease to exist. The idea is to get people talking or debating so as to be interesting enough to compete for the reader’s time on the Internet so maybe the reader might notice an ad or two on the site while they’re on it. But really, Ramone… We’re talking about a PARTY flight to M A R D I G R A S for Christ’s sake. You asking “Why the campy theme?” is a bit like having a tailgate party before The Super Bowl and asking, “Why the need for all the beer, grilled junk food, and team-themed clothing & football paraphernalia?” What else would you expect?! Are you gonna, say, “doesn’t that just perpetuate the stereotype of the rabid football fan?” I mean, you would really prefer a ‘high-speed happy hour’?! Somethin’ I can get ANY DAY OF THE WORK WEEK IN ANY FRICKIN BAR IN AMERICA? Let me tell ya somthin’… If I was on that flight to Queen Priscilla’s M A R D I G R A S down under – one of the World’s Top 10 GAY Travel Events – and they DIDN’T have drag queens… I’d ask for my money back!
Ramone, stereotypes become stereotypes for a reason. There are many pinko men still breathing and being born. I would assume this promotional theme is geared for men only since that casting surely seems to exclude lesbians. What a silly notion. It is just for fun. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. We need to remain proud of our transgressive history. Even when it appears to the “blended” to be shameful. Recall those proud angery drag queens storming into the Stonewall Streets,some lispy voiced, others limp wristed, and maybe in pink somethings but not ready to blend. I wonder if you would tell Truman C. to settled down and blend. I wish he could tell us what he would retort. What would be your best guess? And bathroom stall sex is all the rage now so Jonathon can’t really be saying much except a nod to another stereotype of the gay party boy. You don’t like any of them stereotypes now do ya Girrrl,
me again, I live in Toronto Ontario Canada. Yesterday I walked up Church Street through our Gayborhood. The hardware store had a display in the window, a ladder,hand saw, tool belt, etc all spayed pink. The place I had gone to shop had a large magazine collection, Two new issues of large format, glossy type, mags were just in, One was called PINK. The other cover shot of high stylin men shot against a pink banner. Maybe this PINK thing is bigger than all of us. Then on my way back home i noticed the posters for the avant garde theater group at Buddies in Bad Times Theater new season with a month of shows called Arthouse Cabaret granted it’s not Judy but roots are roots (they say it’s a century of Queer Pop Culture they ravaged). http://www.buddiesinbadtimestheather.com Then there is the memory of Fifth Column, the band and the concept defination. Our Pride event last year or one before I think was themed “Bursting Out in a Multitude of Fruit Colors”. It was oddly nice. Blend-in is not the new black, at least not in my life. There are other airlines of silver red and blue with music in a can, warm nuts with cocktail traditions, and private washrooms. Jonathon, lets book the pink one.
Damn. I wish they had something like this for people who actually live in New Zealand. All stereotypes aside, it actually sounds like a lot of fun. I’ve done that trip before (and longer) and it is soo boring.
Meow.
Hellooo!?
You forgot to mention the point of the flight – to go to the Sydney (Gay & Lesbian) Mardi Gras!
This might be a blog, but, oooh, missing the entire context? Still poor reporting.
It’s a themed flight for the Mardi Gras, and perfectly in keeping with the Mardi Gras theme. I only wish I was in San Francisco.