Over the weekend, Royal Dutch Airlines shared a message intend to support gay pride. However, the message backfired.
In the tweet, Royal Dutch Airlines wrote, “It doesn’t matter who you click with,” but included a photo of two seat belts that are not possible to be buckled:
It doesn't matter who you click with. Happy #PrideAmsterdam 🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/ZTBHvCx1Pp
— Royal Dutch Airlines (@KLM) August 5, 2017
Despite trying to come across as gay-friendly, Twitter users quickly noted the post could actually be considered a slight to the gay community. One Twitter user claimed the ad was making the case that being LGBT is “absurd”:
Thanks for demonstrating again why LGBT is absurd:
— Metz (@WO4TG) August 7, 2017
Another said the ad shows that “buckling up the heterosexual way” could be the only way to avoid catastrophe:
"Fly Royal Dutch Airlines, where your only chance of surviving a crash is buckling up the heterosexual way." #TLP https://t.co/g6eJbe0SlT
— Rick Canton (@RickCanton) August 8, 2017
Others merely pointed out the lack of thought they went into the ad:
You guys didn't think that one through, did you. pic.twitter.com/SpM356DkkA
— Calvinist Coulson (@XpCoulson) August 7, 2017
The airline, however, shrugged off the backlash. In response to a tweet addressing it, they thanked a Twitter user for their her words:
Thank you for your kind words, Stacy!
— Royal Dutch Airlines (@KLM) August 5, 2017
Thank you for supporting MRCTV! As a tax-deductible, charitable organization, we rely on the support of our readers to keep us running! Keep MRCTV going with your gift here!