What started out as a complaint on Twitter about a flight delay turned into a massive shade-fest when Nathan Lorick, the director of evangelism for Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, questioned American Airlines’ use of the rainbow flag in its avatar.
Lorick initially tweeted about flight delays on American, which prompted the air carrier to reply back with an apology along with an assurance that he would be en route to his destination shortly. He followed up with an inquiry about “the rainbow colored image” on American’s profile photo. When the airline clarified that its Twitter avatar was in support of Pride month and the LGBT community, Lorick expressed his disappointment in “a poor choice from a company that certainly has many customers who do not agree with that lifestyle.” Although the tweets are no longer publicly viewable, Samantha Allen captured screenshots of the exchange.
American Airline’s response was simple and to the point.
@NathanLorick We’re sorry for your disappointment.
— American Airlines (@AmericanAir) June 15, 2015
There was no further reply from Lorick’s twitter account, but that doesn’t mean other users were at a loss for words. As is usually the case with these types of ignorant displays that take place on social media, people were more than happy to chime in with their own opinions regarding Mr. Lorick’s disappointment, which resulted in some very entertaining tweets.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
.@americanair @NathanLorick Thanks for the support, American. Nathan, being gay isn’t a lifestyle. Being vegetarian is a lifestyle. #Educate
— Mark Zustovich (@markzustovich) June 15, 2015
You’re mad at American Airlines for supporting LGBT, yet you have a Coke bottle as your pic? They support LGBT too. Dumby. ???? @NathanLorick
— Cody Draiken (@codydraiken) June 15, 2015
You just got owned, @NathanLorick Thanks @AmericanAir!
— GodsMigraine (@GodsMigraine) June 15, 2015
@NathanLorick I hope they don’t have palm trees where you are going. @AmericanAir is throwing shade!! 😀
— gem-in-eye (@Raggedyfag) June 15, 2015
You’re entitled to your misguided opinion, @NathanLorick, but bigotry isn’t very Christian. Good job, @AmericanAir. ????
— Reverend Crankypants (@SKjelstrom) June 15, 2015
@NathanLorick guess you need to start driving. All airlines support equality. #stayathome pic.twitter.com/nuhwgcWpZ4
— Barner Go-Jo (@barnerjones) June 15, 2015
But perhaps the best response came from Kerry Quakenbush.
Thx @AmericanAir for the PRIDE support. @NathanLorick – I’m delayed on AA also, but after waiting over 40 yrs for equality, what’s 30 mins?
— Kerry Quakenbush (@kerryquake) June 15, 2015
Lorick has since made his Twitter account private.
If you can’t stand the heat, don’t cook in the kitchen.
Louie Victorio Santos
Aaron Dacanay
Lyon Donnie
Good for American Airlines
Marcus Kutara
Louis bahaha love it
Louis W Santiago
Baaaiii!!!!
Glücklich
Great. Now if American could just support, I don’t know, THEIR WHOLE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE they might be worth flying again. Could be worse, though, eh United, leading the charge in the race to the bottom.
Dakotahgeo
Thanks for the super GLBT comments! I plan on taking American Airlines to Brazil soon if their rates are competitive.
Redpalacebulleaglesox
Fly the American Way! Equality for all.
Jim Guinnessey
The Southern Baptist Convention proudly advertises its anti-Gay bigotry whenever and wherever it can.Southern Baptist anti-Gay hate mongering clergy are alive and well overseas, esp. in Russia. and the Caribbean.
Most of today’s worst anti-Gay radio and televangelists in the USA are associated with the Southern Baptists. They more than any other conservative group are responsible for the backwardness, bigotry and anti-democratic thinking in the South today.
Daniel-Reader
What a hypocrite! He makes money off religion which is forbidden by the bible. Jesus hates people making money off religion which is why Jesus’ one act of violence in the bible is to violently remove merchants from the temple. Jesus never lined his pockets with money from religion.
Glücklich
@Dakotahgeo:
You’ll be far more comfortable taking LAN or TAM. I think COPA codeshares with AA but make sure your flight is *not* operated by any US legacy carriers unless you’re a real Masochist. Comfort is way more important to me on a long-haul flight than rainbow PR.
Dakotahgeo
@Glücklich: Thank you for the info. I flew LAN in Chile and Paraguay and it was awesome. AND LAN operates out of Chicago and Kansas City!
captainburrito
Go Kerry Quakenbush
Giancarlo85
Cody (twitter user) said it well enough.
“You’re mad at American Airlines for supporting LGBT, yet you have a Coke bottle as your pic? They support LGBT too.”
That’s a classic owning.
Good on American Airlines!
As far as comfort on American Airlines, from my own experience it’s a tad bit better than other carriers… like Delta lol.
But when I fly I typically use carriers from other countries.
Mack
@Daniel-Reader: In that case there’s a whole lot of Ministers in trouble, especially the big names.
mcflyer54
Pretty sure the bigot’s tweet originated via some form of technology (cell, tablet, laptop, etc) built by a company that also supports equality and probably did long before America Airlines since the tech industry was among the earliest companies to openly express their support for equality.
Jay A. Scaramazzo
This is why I only fly #AmericanAirlines #oneworld
ScottOnEarth
Thank you American Airlines. Sometimes progress is astounding and so sweet.
jwtraveler
No companies support LGBT people, nor any other demographic group for that matter. Companies support marketing strategies that increase profit. Pandering to LGBT people is profitable these days. IT’S ALWAYS ABOUT THE MONEY.
Glücklich
@jwtraveler:
You. Are. Correct.
Jacob23
He isn’t just a random twitter jack@ss, he’s a full-time professional Southern Baptist jack@ss. Here he is at a “God and Country” rally from 2012:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pEVhDO1fj4
Glücklich
@Dakotahgeo: Flights may be *marketed* as LAN or TAM out of ORD and MCI but I can almost guarantee they’d be operated by UA or AA. South American routes from the Midwest and West Coast’ll make a stop at IAH, MIA, ATL, IAD or JFK. If you’re really wanting to fly LAN or TAM make sure they’re actually the flight operator on the long-haul portion.
Dakotahgeo
@JessPH: Ahhhh! Thanks for that update! Will do. 🙂 Dak!
Vanessa Forbes
Palm trees! Lol.
SFHarry
I wonder if he disagrees with being Black, or blue eyes, or tall people too.
JessPH
If he’s an evangelist then how could he possibly not know what a rainbow flag in June means? What an airhead.
Dakotahgeo
@Dakotahgeo: Oops… sorry, JessPH. This was meant for Glucklich!
Dakotahgeo
@Glücklich: Ahhhh! Thanks for that update! Will do. 🙂 Dak!
NathanLorickHomophobe
Lorick, Nathan – 903-372-0014 mobile
Lorick, Jenna – 903-372-0293 mobile
Address:
19 Quail Circle
Malakoff, TX 75148
NathanLorickHomophobe
[email protected]
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lcandela123
So glad we are rapidly moving towards a society where few give a shit about your opinion, or whether you disagree or not.