Six Flags drops ‘affectionate behavior’ rule after incident in Mexico
Six Flags announced this week that it would be removing a policy that discouraged guests from being “overly affectionate” while visiting the parks, due to the fallout after an incident involving a gay couple at the brand’s Mexico theme park.
The statement regarding the policy change was shared on the main Six Flags Twitter profile, as well as the official account for Six Flags Mexico, where the inciting event took place.
— Six Flags (@SixFlags) December 30, 2021
The incident happened on Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021 when two guests were confronted by park officials and security for kissing, and they and their party were removed from an attraction line, but not escorted out of the park. One of the members of the party tweeted about the incident, which has since gone viral online:
Hace unos minutos, en @SixFlagsMexico discriminaron a mis amigos por darse un beso, el argumento fue que el parque es un “ambiente familiar” y que los besos gays atentan contra eso. 🤨 (Abro hilo con más evidencia)
— No eres tú, soy Gio. (@giov_) December 30, 2021
A few minutes ago, in Six Flags Mexico they discriminated against my friends for kissing, the argument was that the park is a “family environment” and that gay kisses are an attack on that […] (I open the thread with more evidence)
@giov_ via Twitter
Reactions to the story and Six Flags Mexico’s subsequent response varied from accusing the theme park chain of discrimination, to memes poking fun at the park with a rename of “Red Flags.”
Jajajajajajajajajajajjajajajaja pic.twitter.com/xRRFgTT5No
— Alaín Pinzón (@Alainwho) December 30, 2021
Six Flags stated this policy had “applied equally to all guests, regardless of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation” in order to “maintain a family-friendly atmosphere,” but one witness wrote that heterosexual couples were kissing in the same area, but were not singled out like the gay couple, according to ABC News. Six Flags then went on to say that their policy was “not necessary” based on guest feedback they received.
As of last night, Six Flags Mexico posted another update, this time apologizing for the “misunderstanding” caused by the situation, which we have translated below.
— Six Flags Mexico (@SixFlagsMexico) December 31, 2021
We apologize for the misunderstanding caused to some of our visitors during their stay in our park on Wednesday, Dec. 29. We stand in solidarity with our guests, partners, colleagues and collaborators who are members of the LGBTQ+ community. Six Flags is committed to maintaining an inclusive environment and does not tolerate racism, discrimination, or hateful behavior in any way towards anyone.
Our goal is to provide a safe and fun experience for everyone. To show our commitment, tomorrow we will meet with a commission of the LGBTQ+ community together with the CDMX authorities and we will work to move forward.
Six Flags Mexico, via Twitter
