Photo: Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic has updated its gender identity policies. Among other things, the new policy allows flight crew more choice in their uniforms — no matter their gender, gender identity, or gender expression — including color and style.
Afashion-forward videoaccompanies the announcement, featuring LGBTQ performers and advocatesMichelle Visage, Tanya Compas, Talulah-Eve and Tyreece Nye.
“People feel empowered when they are wearing what best represents them, and this gender identity policy allows people to embrace who they are and bring their full selves to work,” theSeduction singerandRuPaul’s Drag Racejudge added.
“If we are clean and we are pressed and we are looking the way we’re supposed to look then why aren’t we able to present as we identify?” Visage says later in the clip.
The ongoing drive is intended to champion the individuality of employees and customers alike, also offering branded pronoun badges for anyone working for or traveling with the airline. The badges are available upon check-in. Their ticketing systems will also allow passengers with passports that have neutral gender markers to select “U” or “X” gender codes when they book with Virgin Atlantic.
In the video announcing the uniform change, Jaime Forsstroem, Cabin Crew at Virgin Atlantic shared: “The updated gender identity policy is so important to me. As a non-binary person, it allows me to be myself at work and have the choice in what uniform I wear.”
Virgin Atlantic
A company-wide training across the airline, as well as tourism partners and hotels, will be mandatory for all employees that focuses on inclusivity training and communication that makes LGBTQ customers feel welcome and cared for.
Virgin Atlantic launched their ‘Be Yourself’ agenda starting in 2019 when they stopped mandating makeup for cabin crew and gave all employees the option to wear trousers. More recently, they lifted restrictions about allowing visible tattoos for customer-facing roles.
The initiative also includes updates to its existing trans inclusion policies, which already allowed time off for medical treatments related to gender transition, personal choice of changing and shower facilities and co-creation of a personalized transitioning plan.
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Visit theirdedicated websiteto find out more about Virgin Atlantic’s inclusivity commitments.
source: people.com
