"Virgin Atlantic cans lip-shaped urinals in U.S."

Friday, March 19, 2004

Virgin Atlantic cans lip-shaped urinals in U.S.   


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Virgin Atlantic Airways has scrapped plans to
install bright-red urinals shaped like women's open lips at New York's
John F Kennedy International Airport, saying it had received complaints
they were offensive. 

"Virgin Atlantic was very sorry to hear of people's concerns about the
design of the 'Kisses' urinals to be fitted into our clubhouse at JFK
Airport. We can assure everyone who complained to us that no offence was
ever intended," Virgin spokesman John Riordan said in a statement on
Friday. 

Riordan said the company received several dozen complaints from people
and groups including the National Organisation for Women after its plans
for the urinals had been made public. 

NOW had posted a message on its Web site urging members to complain to
Virgin chief Richard Branson. 

"I don't know many men who think it's cool to pee in a woman's mouth,
even a porcelain one," said NOW President Kim Gandy on the group's Web
site. 

The urinal, designed by a Dutch company, was the idea of a female
designer. Riordan said Virgin was surprised by the negative reaction to
the plan, part of designs for the lounge, built to pamper first-class
customers.


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