The light-hearted (and believe me, it is anything but serious) video called “Crazy About Rugby” shows All Blacks running through safety procedures for passengers boarding Air NZ flights.
All Black centre Richard Kahui is happy to take a photo with an air-kissing female attendant. However, when a male attendant offers the same, Kahui flinches at the opportunity. It was supposed to be tongue-in-cheek, but has sparked concerns that gay men will be psychologically damaged by the ‘joke’.
“There will be some people out there who will be really put down and take further action, possibly through self harm or drugs and alcohol abuse,” says Thomas Hamilton of Rainbow Youth.
William Coxhead (and yes, I managed a wry smile when I read his name), an actual flight attendant with the airline, said he was “absolutely gutted” at the complaints regarding the scene. To him it was all a bit of fun.
“I’m proud to be gay, proud to be an Air NZ and extremely proud of my role in the safety video,” he said. “Obviously there are some people in the gay community that can be a little precious and need to lighten up.”
The video is a refreshing change from those that passengers never pay attention to. There will be those that are offended by the advert, but if it is something that would come as the final straw in your beleaguered existence, then you really need to see a psychologist (or pour yourself a glass of concrete).
Main image via sport-with-you.ru.
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