Aust. Gays Wait For Airline Boycott Call (Press, 23 December 1983)
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Summary: Aust. Gays Wait For Airline Boycott Call (Press, 23 December 1983)
On 23 December 1983, reports emerged from Sydney indicating that Australian homosexuals were considering a boycott of Air New Zealand due to the airline's alleged cancellation of promotional package tours aimed at homosexuals from the United States. The move came after pressure from the New Zealand Society for the Promotion of Community Standards, coupled with concerns regarding the potential spread of A.I.D.S. to New Zealand, as highlighted by a doctor's complaint. Terry Goulden, the director of the Gay Counselling Service of New South Wales, stated that while no formal boycott request had been made yet, he anticipated that Australian gay organisations would likely respond positively to any appeals from New Zealand counterparts. He referenced a previous successful boycott against Qantas five years earlier, which reportedly cost the airline around AUD 3 million in its first year. Goulden emphasised that an effective boycott would most likely originate from prominent gay communities in the United States, particularly in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles. Following the news, he speculated that many people might start seeking alternative travel options due to the airline's actions. In contrast, a spokesman for Air New Zealand denied knowledge of any impending boycott and asserted that the airline does not usually promote specific package deals for homosexuals. He clarified that their operations cater to diverse clientele and that they have facilitated travel for gay groups attending events, such as Gay Pride Week in San Francisco. The situation highlighted growing tensions between organisations advocating for gay rights and businesses perceived as discriminatory. As discussions surrounding the potential boycott continued, it underscored the significance of the gay community's travel preferences and their power to impact airline business through collective action.
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