Northwest Airlines sent me a flier indicating that I could use my miles for magazine subscriptions. The usual obscure magazines are offered (Bassmaster, Lucky, Vibe) but on the list is OUT magazine. There is an 800 phone number which I call to make sure that the OUT magazine is, indeed, the one I want and not one about fishing for trout in Outer Mongolia.

I ask the agent to tell me about the magazine.

Agent: (Long pause) It’s about an alternative lifestyle.
Me: Is it the Gay and Lesbian Magazine?
Agent: Yes, but I don’t want to be rude.
Me: Rude? What’s rude about saying Gay and Lesbian?
Agent: We’re trained that way.
Me: (Going Ballistic)
Supervisor: May I assist?
Me: Why do you train your agents to avoid the words Gay and Lesbian? What’s “rude” about saying “Gay and Lesbian?”

The supervisor is intent on reinforcing training which avoids and appeases. Infuriating as it is, I indicate that if NWA includes OUT, they know who their clientele is and this private company which represents NWA needs to train their agents that using the words “Gay and Lesbian” is NOT rude!!!!!!

At the end of the exchange, the supervisor says that NWA offers the magazines on their website. I check it out. Guess what? ALL the magazines on the flier are there except OUT. Too "rude" for NWA's website?

I am incensed by the Magazine Customer Service. Maybe if more of us call and ‘advise” them that using the words “Gay and Lesbian” is not rude, they will change. 800.586.9630.

As to NWA’s website, I will contact the Tech Support but expect some bull**** as to why they don’t list OUT.