The Washington Post, on www.msn.com, reported that Virgin Atlantic Airlines dropped “gendered uniforms” and added preferred pronoun pins. Skirts and pants are considered “gendered uniforms.” Virgin Atlantic, which dubs itself the “the most inclusive airline in the world,” announced it will conduct mandatory training for all its workers “to ensure all our customers feel welcome,” despite what the airline referred to as “barriers to LGBTQ+ equality.”
Virgin Atlantic, a UK-based airline, wants its staff, whether its men wearing skirts or women wearing suits, to “express their true identity.” The article stated additionally, “Virgin Atlantic flight attendants, pilots and workers on the ground no longer have to choose gendered uniform options, the British airline announced Wednesday.”
The article stated that starting immediately, employees will be able to “wear the clothing that expresses how they identify or present themselves.” The airline also started offering optional pronoun badges for staff members and customers, and updated its ticketing system to better accommodate people who have selected gender-neutral options on their passports.
Juha Jarvinen, the airline’s chief commercial officer, said in a statement: “At Virgin Atlantic, we believe that everyone can take on the world, no matter who they are.”. Jarvinen did not elaborate on the meaning of “taking on the world,” not did he give insight into how a man wearing a dress illustrates “taking on the world.” Jarvinen added: “That’s why it’s so important that we enable our people to embrace their individuality and be their true selves at work. It is for that reason that we want to allow our people to wear the uniform that best suits them and how they identify and ensure our customers are addressed by their preferred pronouns.”
See related article: State Department issues first passport with ‘X’ gender marker
Virgin announced the updated gender identity policy with videos that featured LGBTQ activists and supporters — including “RuPaul’s Drag Race” judge Michelle Visage — as well as employees who identify as members of the community.
Crew and customers are impacted by Virgin Air’s new policy. As reported, Jamie Forsstroem, a crew member, celebrated the new policy. “As a non-binary person, it allows me to be myself at work and have the choice in what uniform I wear.” Further elaborating, the article asserted: “Tyreece Nye, a non-binary TikTok star who appears in the campaign, said the policy “allows everyone to have a seat at the table. It’s not taking away from anyone, it’s just allowing everyone from the community to just have a voice.” Customers will be able to fly with gender-neutral passports and be addressed as “Mx” now.