[This piece started out with more than 1,000 words; just a bit too long. Then I was reminded of one of my favorite quotes from the movie “The Big Chill”. Jeff Goldblum plays Michael, a freelance write for People Magazine.  Michael explains that his articles are only supposed to be as long as an average trip to the bathroom. The actual quote is much more colorful.]

Last week’s Dallas Morning News had no less than three notable aviation articles. On Wednesday there was a report on Southwest Airlines’ $54 million second quarter profits, although chairman and chief executive Gary Kelly warned that he could not predict third-quarter profits. On Thursday another article noted lower debt ratings for American Airlines and Southwest Airlines.  And finally, on Friday we were told that another rating agency had downgraded Southwest’s debt.

Overall I think it’s fair to say it wasn’t a banner week for our local airline companies. As a matter of fact, with few exceptions it’s been a rocky 8 – 10 years for our hometown carriers and that’s what got me to thinking.

It seems to me that the local media often like to compare and contrast AA and SWA; it’s like freshman essay writing all over again. That’s not my point. For the purposes of this piece I would like to suggest that American Airlines and Southwest Airlines are exactly the same.

Okay, not really, but I’ve got your attention.

Despite massive changes in the industry, unpredictable fuel costs, labor issues and the current economic ‘down turn’ both of these companies have been steadfast in their commitment to the GLBT community and to our Chamber.  Think about it, since day-one American has been a corporate member of the Chamber. Southwest has been a corporate member for nearly 3 years. Both support the Chamber’s mission and vision, our programs and publications and our economic development work.  They also work with the Black, Asian and Hispanic communities in similar ways. They are what you would call a ‘good corporate citizen.’

Here’s that ‘compare and contrast’ thing.

About five years ago a couple of vice presidents from the Bank of the Northern Hemisphere (not it’s real name) told me that their bank didn’t need to support the Chamber because it supported AIDS charities. Certainly they should support AIDS charities, and cancer charities and children’s charities, etc., but supporting AIDS charities is NOT supporting the GLBT community. Oh, did I mention that the vice presidents were gay men. Yep. What a shock! I guess no one told them that AIDS is not a gay disease.

At another meeting with the same bank we were told by their CRA (Community Reinvestment Act) officer that they support the Black Tie Dinner. Apparently this was their reasoning for not supporting our Chamber. Of course the Black Tie Dinner is an excellent organization and should be supported. Interestingly this same bank donated $50,000 – $99,999 to the Crystal Charity Ball in 2008 and still had funds to be a major supporter of the Dallas Regional Chamber, the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber, the Dallas Black Chamber and the Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber, not to mention countless geographic chambers throughout North Texas.

My point is two-fold; first, we should all give our local corporations (and Chamber members) a huge ‘thank you’ for their support. They value the Chamber and our community through the good times and the bad. Let’s make sure that we’re supporting them as well.

Second, we should all wag a finger at those other businesses in North Texas that feign support of the GLBT community by way of their charitable giving. Our community has value well beyond disease. As businesses, as a community and as an economic power we deserve more and should demand it!

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