United Airlines to offer non-binary gender option
New Jersey’s largest airline provider said it will be the first U.S. airline to allow customers to select a non-binary gender option when booking flights and travel. United Airlines accounts for roughly two-thirds of all passengers at Newark Liberty International Airport.
“Airports are already stressful enough without having to worry if your boarding pass matches your gender identity, and United’s new policy is an important step forward to ensure all of their customers are treated with dignity and respect,” said Christian Fuscarino, executive director for Garden State Equality. “United is a central piece of Newark’s airport that millions of people in our state rely on every year, and inclusive policies that respect LGBTQ people and non-binary individuals will only serve to make our state more equal, more fair and more competitive.”
A new undesignated gender status in New Jersey for non-binary individuals via the Babs Siperstein law gave decision-makers at United the impetus for the change. The Babs Siperstein Law went into effect Feb. 1. Because of that law, New Jerseyans can update their birth certificates, and the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission is updating its policies to allow them to also update their gender marker on their driver’s licenses as well.
When flying United Airlines, customers now have the ability to identify themselves as M (male), F (female), U (undisclosed) or X (unspecified), corresponding with what is indicated on their passports or identification. Customers will also have the option to select the honorific title
“Mx.” during booking.
Bi at Pride Day
Philly Bi Visibility is looking for bisexuals, their friends and allies to make the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots on this year’s Pride Day memorable.
A bisexual contingent is being formed to march in the parade and welcomes bisexuals of all sorts: cis and trans; single and partnered; pansexual and sexually fluid; aro-ace and polyamorous; gender-nonconforming and queer.
Volunteers who wish to participate in the march and/or the planning are asked to attend the next organizational meeting at 6 p.m. April 1 at Tabu Lounge, 254 S. 12th St. Everyone is welcome.
For more information, email [email protected] or visit www.facebook.com/PhillyBiVisibility.
IBA looking for full-time operations coordinator
The Independence Business Alliance, Greater Philadelphia’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce, has announced that a full-time operations-coordinator position is available for a highly motivated individual to support the work of the board of directors and its executive director. The position would report directly to the executive director.
The position includes high-level contact in the community and exposure to sensitive information, which will require considerable use of tact, diplomacy, discretion and judgment. There will also be a number of duties to accomplish independently. The duties require professionalism, accuracy and strong business communication and organizational skills. Attention to detail and the ability to multitask are mandatory. Experience working in the nonprofit arena is preferable.
Interested applicants should submit a current resume and a cover letter in a single PDF document to: [email protected]. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. April 8.
New Pride wall aims to celebrate Stonewall
Dirty Franks is hoping to “mark history and make the future” with its Pride month Off The Wall Gallery opening June 1. Artwork will be judged through a lens of queerness as an act of resistance, though judges may prioritize submissions that generally speak to themes such as resistance, identity and empowerment.
The anniversary of Stonewall and Philly Pride at 31 is the focal point for the special event. It will be the 14th annual community juried show in the bar.
Send up to five works to [email protected] before midnight May 9 to be considered. Submissions may be of any media. For 3D works, they must fit into the display case at Dirty Franks, and 2D art cannot exceed dimensions totaling 48 inches. Entrants must provide title, media and price for each piece. Jury decisions will be announced the week of May 20. Accepted ready-to-hang artwork must be delivered June 1.
— compiled by Scott Drake