Airlines
Southwest Airlines Spotlight Gay Trans Employee for Pride Month
Ethan Avanzino opens up about his experience coming out and transitioning with the airline.
June 12 2017 12:31 PM EST
May 26 2023 1:05 PM EST
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Ethan Avanzino opens up about his experience coming out and transitioning with the airline.
Southwest Airlines currently holds a 100 rating with HRC's Buyers Guide, which looks at the way different companies' workplace policies and benefits affect LGBTQ employees. Although they recently came under fire after allegedly refusing to let a gay couple and their adopted children on during family boarding, a new video from the company seems to attempt restoring their reputation as allies to the queer community.
The video features Ethan Avanzino, a creative producer for the airline. He talks about his position at Southwest and how he grew up with the airline, his mother also working for them. He also opens up about Southwest's unwavering support for him as a gay trans man.
"At Southwest, we say we're a family," Avanzino says. "And I really, truly saw that familial love when I came out and transitioned. Because how I was treated before and how I'm treated now are the exact same. They loved me before, and they love me now."
Watch Ethan Avanzino share his Southwest Pride story below: