From: rastern@sol.racsa.co.cr
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1998 12:33:01 -0600 (CST)
Subject: AMERICAN AIRLINES: NOT SO FRIENDLY TO LATINO GAYS?

News from Triangulo Rosa
For Immediate Release
Please redistribute



American Airlines: Not so Friendly to Latino Gays?


Costa Rica's gay/lesbian Association Triangulo Rosa  has made numerous
attempts in the past three months to obtain information about possible
support that American Airlines might provide for its activities and
programs.  American Airlines is well known for its sponsership of gay events
in the United States.

"But  the manager here in San Jose, Rodrigo Troyo,  has never returned our
phone calls or  responded to our request  to meet with him.  We have made
numerous phone calls and sent several faxes requesting a meeting.   This
behavior gives the impression that American Airlines in Costa Rica is
homophobic," said Francisco Madrigal Executive Director of Triangulo Rosa.  

At one point the Association did receive a fax from Troyo  recommending that
contact be made  with the American Airlines office in Dallas." We  sent a
fax  to Dallas  and left messages  but have never received a response," said
Madrigal, adding that "we would like some help from the office here in San
Jose as international calls are expensive for us."

Madrigal pointed out that  in spite of  progressive gay-support programs by
multinational companies in Europe and the United States, that  the situation
is vastly different in developing countries. "We have these companies here,
but their management may reflect the overall homophobic climate of
repression and prejudice that we experience.  We need help from the
International Community so that gay Associations and businesses  in
developing countries  are treated by multi-national companies with at least
a measure of decency and respect," said Madrigal.

Madrigal called on organizations and individuals to contact their travel
agents and local American Airlines offices asking that the San Jose,  Costa
Rica office  hold a meeting with Triangulo Rosa.

Associacion Triangulo Rosa
Apartado 1619-4050
Alajuela, Costa Rica
Tel: 506-258-0214
Fax: 506-258-0635
e-mail: rastern@sol.racsa.co.cr
              atrirosa@sol.racsa.co.cr

American Airlines, San Jose, Costa Rica
Tel: 506-255-1211
Fax: 506-223-6849