The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras – referred to locally just as Mardi Gras – is the Sydney equivalent of the various gay pride events held around the world each year. These events take place to provide a voice for the LGBT community to fight for their rights and also to promote community visibility and inclusiveness.
Mardi Gras takes place from the middle of February to the start of March each year and Qantas is the official airline partner of the event. This year, Qantas have changed the colours of one of their aircraft to highlight their support.
Qantas Mardi Gras Colours
Airbus A330-200 registered VH-QPJ headed in to have its colours changed on 8 February and reemerged two days later having been struck by a rainbow. There are three changes to the livery. The Kangaroo is flying the gay pride flag, the airline name is now rainbow coloured instead of black and some text has been added to promote the Qantas partnership.
Image by Aviasian Passion
Is This The First Gay Aeroplane?
Many airlines celebrate the fact they are equal opportunity employers and with good reason as historically there have been more gay people in aviation than in other industries.
When same-sex marriage was legalised in the United States, American Airlines changed their social media image to incorporate the rainbow flag in a show of support, which is one example I can think of offhand of an airline providing overt support.
Image by The Australian
Certainly to my memory it is the first one and I expect I would have noticed one in the past. No press release has been issued by Qantas at this time, so I am sure this fact will be confirmed in due course.
Overall Thoughts
I had no idea Qantas were doing this so I was pleasantly surprised when I saw a tweet with a couple of pictures of the new colours several days ago. The current CEO, Irish born Alan Joyce, is one of the few openly gay CEOs in the world, so perhaps there was some influence there.
Image by Victor Pody Photography
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Featured image by Aviasian Passion (AP). Images by AP and Victor Pody Photography via popphotos.net
Three years later I’ve just seen this story!!
Of course I saw VH-QPJ wearing the rainbow livery at the time and thought it was great! Still do! A shame it was returned to standard colours a year and a bit later.
I am actually quite surprised by the negative comments this story received when first published. Since then Australia has voted and clearly the majority of Aussies are perfectly accepting and welcoming of LGBTIQ+ folk. Yay!!
Yes there is a minority who disagree. Their loss.
As for the Rainbow Roo, it stood out wherever it flew. Glad I took lots of photos while it wore the colourful livery.
I agree with you, I thought it looked cool and was a really nice thing to do, especially considering the amount of LGBTIQ+ people who work in airlines. It’s also important for visibility and acceptance, so I thought it was an excellent thing to do. Maybe we’ll see another one someday! Thanks for the comment 🙂
Sick. Just absolutely sick.
Live and let live is my motto!
Seems like a stupid marketing move. Sure you might gain some “gay” customers or whatever but you stand the chance of offending many more. It’s like having Gay Pride day at work. Corporations that celebrate such things don’t have Non-Gay pride day or whatever.
I don’t agree with you at all. Qantas sponsors the Wallabies, Australia’s Rugby Team. They usually do a special livery for that sponsorship deal as well. Sponsoring Mardi Gras is no different at all in that regard. I can see why some could possibly be offended however it is 2017 not 1917 – thank goodness! Thanks for the comment! 🙂
I don’t think we will agree on this issue. My point is just like you point out. Not many people would be offended by sponsoring a rugby team but many will be offended by sponsoring a controversial lifestyle choice. From a marketing standpoint it is like sponsoring a political candidate or a religion. You risk offending some of your customer base for limited return on the action. I just don’t think it is in the best interest of a corporation. If I was a shareholder I would be mad.
We won’t agree of course, but thanks for making your point in a friendly way. It’s always appreciated!
Odd to call an aircaft gay. That would imply the rest are straight.
Odd to refer to ships as “she” as it would imply other transport is “he”. Once again it all depends on your point of view. Appreciate the comment!
I believe the first one was WOW’s first A330 reg. TF-GAY in support of LGBT’s
I think you may be right – I just Googled that there, very interesting indeed! The Qantas one might be the first to wear rainbow colours, as the WOW aircraft was just the registration. Thanks for the heads up and the comment – appreciate it!
Perhaps the use of ‘LGBT’ would have been more polite than using gay.
Perhaps it would be, perhaps it wouldn’t be. It all depends on your point of view. Thanks for your comment!