Air New Zealand cuts gay kiss snub scene from video over complaints

Melbourne, Dec 13 (ANI): Air New Zealand has decided to scrap a scene from an All Blacks-themed in-flight safety video over complaints it received after a gay flight attendant was refused a peck on the cheek.

In the scene, which was found to be offending, coy All Blacks centre Richard Kahui, 25, turns down an opportunity to peck the cheek of a gay flight attendant.

According to the Dominion Post, the airline's operations and safety manager, David Morgan, said among the complaints was a suggestion from a professor that the video could lead to gay male suicides.

"When we created this video and discussed the scene featuring a gay male flight attendant and a rugby player with key stakeholders, including a number of the gay community, we received none of the feedback we have in the past week," News.com.au quoted him as saying.

"The scene was not something that we, the people we tested the scene with, or indeed the participants in the scene, viewed as distasteful or likely to cause concern," he stated.

Spokesman Brian Finn said that NZ Rugby Union respected the airline's decision.

"It's a decision for the airline. They've kept us informed about it. We won't be commenting on this," he stated. (ANI)