Southwest Airlines Recognizes Gay Pride Month In June And All Year Long

DALLAS—June 5, 2014—Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) proudly shows its dedication to the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) community through its recognition of Gay Pride Month in June and its support of LGBT-focused community partnerships throughout the year. 

“Southwest Airlines has a unique Culture based on respect, recognizing the value of all our Employees, the importance of our Communities, and dedicated service to our Customers,” said Ellen Torbert, Southwest Airlines' Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion.  “We enjoy the opportunity to recognize Gay Pride Month each June, but our commitment to the LGBT community isn’t just a month-long celebration.  We give back to the LGBT community throughout the year through our ongoing community partnerships.”

2014 activities include:

Jan. 29 - Feb. 2 | National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the 26th National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change, Houston

Southwest Airlines was recognized with the 2014 Corporate Leadership Award at Creating Change. The honor comes as a result of the financial and in-kind support Southwest provided as both the Official Airline of Creating Change and as one of the Task Force’s national corporate partners. 

March 11-13 | Out & Equal, Momentum, San Francisco

Southwest Airlines was a sponsor for Momentum, the Annual Out & Equal Leadership Celebration, which celebrates advances in workplace equality and the individuals and organizations who take the lead on fundamental issues of equal rights, both in and out of the workplace.

May 15 - June 30 | San Francisco LGBT Community Center, Pride Month “You Have a Friend at the Center” Fundraising Campaign, San Francisco

Southwest Airlines’ partnership helps the allied community members support the Center’s innovative services and cultural programs.  Southwest’s sponsorship also aids the Center’s “You Have a Friend at the Center,” BOLD Awards Ceremony and Reception, and Economic Empowerment Week fundraising efforts, as well as guest speaker and staff development travel, and volunteer appreciations.

July 31 - Aug. 3 | Gay Straight Alliance Network (GSA), National Gathering of GSA Networks, Minneapolis

Southwest is the Official Airline of GSA Network, and will help fly students to the annual conference and assist with fundraising at GSA’s annual “Fabulous by Design” reception, which will take place on Sept. 18, 2014, in San Francisco.

Sept. 13 | Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), Fall Gala, San Francisco

Southwest Airlines proudly supports GLAAD's Fall Gala. This black-tie event will honor and celebrate Bay Area corporate and media leaders who are doing creative, groundbreaking work to advance LGBT equality. 

Sept. 18-25 | Chicago Filmmakers, REELING 2014, Chicago

Southwest is the Official Airline of REELING 2014, The 32nd Chicago LGBT International Film Festival.  REELING, the second oldest LGBT film festival in the world, returns with another slate of movies that showcase not only diversity within the LGBT community but also diversity in the range of possibilities within film itself.

Oct. 2-4 | Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA), the Reaching Out LGBT MBA Conference, San Francisco

As the Official Airline of the Reaching Out LGBT MBA Conference, Southwest Airlines is proud to support ROMBA’s mission to empower LGBT MBA students to become professionals who will lead the way to equality in business education, the workplace, and society.   

Nov. 3-6 | Out & Equal, 2014 Out & Equal Workplace Summit, San Francisco

Southwest Airlines is a proud sponsor of the 16th Annual Out & Equal Workplace Summit, a four-day conference that convenes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and ally professionals from across industries to advance workplace equality.

Nov. 3-8 | Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles, It Gets Better Tour, Philadelphia

Southwest is the Official Airline of the It Gets Better tour and will fly artists to and from Philadelphia for the residency week and the show.

December | Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, GLAAD Tidings, Los Angeles

Southwest Airlines is proud to be the Presenting Partner of this annual event, now in its 16th year, and a staple in the Los Angeles LGBT events calendar, providing crucial year-end fundraising toward GLAAD's programmatic work. 

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

In its 43rd year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 45,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually. Based on the most recent data available from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Southwest is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded.  The airline also operates the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world to serve 96 destinations in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and five near-international countries via wholly owned subsidiary, AirTran Airways. Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for its triple bottom line approach that takes into account the carrier's performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities it serves, and its commitment to efficiency and the planet. The 2013 Southwest Airlines One Report™ can be found at southwest.com/citizenship.

From its first flights on June 18, 1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented affordability in air travel described by the U.S. Department of Transportation as "The Southwest Effect," a lowering of fares and increase in passenger traffic wherever the carrier serves. With Southwest Airlines, Bags Fly Free ® (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply), and there are no change fees (fare difference may apply) when you need to change your flight. Southwest's fleet offers leather seating and the comfort of full-size cabins, a majority of which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi connectivity over the United States, which enables live and video-on-demand TV currently FREE compliments of DISH, and a new, sustainable cabin interior. Southwest acquired AirTran Airways in May 2011 and by the end of 2014 intends to complete the full integration of the AirTran network into Southwest. With 41 consecutive years of profitability, the People of Southwest and AirTran operate more than 3,600 flights a day. Southwest Airlines' frequent flights and low fares are available online at southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.