Airline Forces Gay Flight Attendant to Marry a Woman to Keep His Job

Posted by Kevin Farrell on Jan 29, 2012 in Oh Hell No! | 19 comments

Maxim Kupreev: Devoted employee, husband

According to internal Aeroflot sources reported by GayRussia.eu, 25-year-old flight attendant Maxim Kupreev was given an ultimatum late last year to enter into heterosexual marriage or to lose his job. At the end of 2011 he married his school friend Sofia Mikhailova who got the right to fly Aeroflot for 10% of the fare – and other company privileges.

In order to register marriage with Kupreev, Mikhailova had to dissolve her real marriage to Grigoriy Andreykin. The divorce was finalised on 11 October last year.

‘Aeroflot effectively broke a real marriage and created a sham one,’ Alekseev said.

The creation of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender group in Aeroflot was announced on 20 June 2011. At this time, Kupreev, the founder of the group said it would fight for the direct inclusion of discrimination ban on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity into internal documents of Aeroflot. His group also planned to fight for the recognition of same-sex partners of the employees.

The next day the official spokesperson of the airline, Irina Dannenberg, told the French news agency AFP that there was no LGBT group in her company. According to her, ‘one should separate personal and professional life,’ AFP reported.

Yes, separate your personal and professional lives, except for that employer-mandated marriage until death do you part.

This is surely far from over. A national boycott of the airline is in the works, and you can expect this to make its way through the courts.

Has your employer ever required you to do anything to mask your sexuality?

(via GSN)

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http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000155872736 Daniel J McEwen

Not me. I’m a totally out homo in all aspects of my life.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000155872736 Daniel J McEwen

Not me. I’m a totally out homo in all aspects of my life.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Chreiya-Sonia-Zaari/100001967165977 Chreiya Sonia Zaari

Things like this just make me lose faith in the world…
http://www.facebook.com/people/Chreiya-Sonia-Zaari/100001967165977 Chreiya Sonia Zaari

Things like this just make me lose faith in the world…
http://www.facebook.com/darkdragonweaver Dale Mulkey

The next day the official spokesperson of the airline, Irina Dannenberg, told the French news agency AFP that there was no LGBT group in her company. According to her, ‘one should separate personal and professional life,’ AFP reported. doesnt sound as though they know how to follow their own rules
http://www.facebook.com/darkdragonweaver Dale Mulkey

The next day the official spokesperson of the airline, Irina Dannenberg, told the French news agency AFP that there was no LGBT group in her company. According to her, ‘one should separate personal and professional life,’ AFP reported. doesnt sound as though they know how to follow their own rules
http://www.facebook.com/people/Keith-Allison/100000956480089 Keith Allison

Let them try it here with any US airline company and see what happens.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Keith-Allison/100000956480089 Keith Allison

Let them try it here with any US airline company and see what happens.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Kevi-Equality/100002106564260 Kevi Equality

Civilized nations (if there are any) should ban Aeroflot from using their airports and flying in their air space (except in the case of emergencies).
http://www.facebook.com/people/Kevi-Equality/100002106564260 Kevi Equality

Civilized nations (if there are any) should ban Aeroflot from using their airports and flying in their air space (except in the case of emergencies).
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1496109058 Michael Rash

When I worked for the post office on the window selling stamps we were allowed to were pins in our ties. So I had my customer award pin, my American Flag and my Gay Pride pin (Rainbow Flag). I was told to take off my Gay Pride pin because it was not part of my uniform and customers were complaining. I asked weren’t we allowed to wear the American Flag or our Customer Service Award pin, (Neither were part of the uniform) and the response was yes. Then I asked were we allowed to wear jewelry? Again answer was yes. The Postmaster still refused me wearing my Gay Pride pin, so I called the Union, they asked the same questions to the Postmaster (He still Refused to let me were my Gay Pride pin). So the Union called him back the next day and simply said what time are you available for the News Conference, he replied what News Conference. The Union guy said the once I called about discrimination of your employee. The Postmaster ran out, threw my Gay Pride pin at me and said wear the damn thing. I picked it up and put it back on my tie and said Thank You. After that they made my life a living hell but it was worth it. I finally quit and I am now in the Nursing field.

http://www.facebook.com/keith.a.burrows Keith A. Burrows

I’m so sorry you had to endure that kind of treatment, Michael….no one should. I have put up with much of that kind myself in my working career but it was more personal. But you’re to be congratulated for standing up & having the union having the balls to back you. Best of luck to you!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Laura-Dippold-Negrete/1611695530 Laura Dippold Negrete

After 17+ years with the USPS….I left too…Different reasons than yours, but the management was and I’m sure still is horrible. I left 9 years ago. Congratulations on your new career.

http://www.facebook.com/jminton1985 William Jason Lee

dont worry… The post office has (for the most part) gone under… I feel the lack of good business ethics and customer service to be the blame for it too.. I use Fedex and UPS if i need anything mailed

http://www.facebook.com/people/Matt-Briol/1280970246 Matt Briol

Awesome story, way to stand up for yourself even though it was tough. Every time someone stands up and refuses to accept that treatment, it sends a strong message that it’s not acceptable to treat people that way.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Gary-Andrews/1443662391 Gary Andrews

Serious issue, I know. But, he is hot!
http://www.facebook.com/olwensirpa Kayla Mitchell

Wow, what bullshit. I hope this does go through to the courts. Day after day I am just feeling more down about all of this crap, I thought things were getting better, but now it seems they really are getting worse. I deal daily with religious bigots preaching about homosexuality being a sin…I wear my pride pin daily while I work, and people still randomly approach me on the sales floor to start talking about how sad the world is because of these sinning sexual deviants. I raise my eyebrows, point to the pin, and let them know it’s not appreciated. I usually get a response of them telling me I need to find jesus and repent, or a disgusted look as they hurriedly walk away…I hate small towns overflowing with hateful people.
Anonymous

We all must become aware that Russia treats the LGBTQ community far worse than even we are treated. I hope that our state department starts talking about sanctions with Russia over this.
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http://www.facebook.com/ls12225 Levi Gordon Stevenson

As a gay man I do believe this image says it all. and Michael. I am proud of you.

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