Scott Kirby, the chief executive officer of United Airlines, has been the subject of online speculation and controversy regarding his sexuality and personal life. Recently, some photos and videos of him dressed as a drag queen have resurfaced on social media, sparking outrage and criticism from some conservative and anti-LGBTQ+ groups.
But is Scott Kirby gay? And does it matter for his role as the leader of one of the world’s largest airlines? Here is what we know about Kirby’s sexuality and how he has championed diversity, equity, and inclusion in the aviation industry.
Personal Life
Scott was born on August 13, 1967, in Rowlett, Texas. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and operations research in 1989. He later earned his master’s degree in operations research from George Washington University.
Scott Kirby is married to Kathleen McClearly. He has 4 children: 1 daughter and 3 sons with his spouse. He has donated money to both Republican and Democratic politicians and supported Steve Bullock’s presidential campaign in 2020.
Kirby has not publicly disclosed his sexual orientation, nor has he confirmed or denied the rumors that he is gay. However, he has expressed his support for the LGBTQ+ community and participated in several drag shows for charity and fun.
In 2018, he dressed as pop singer Kesha and performed her hit song “Tik Tok” at a United Airlines event to raise money for the Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ youth.
In 2019, he dressed as Taylor Swift and sang her song “You Need to Calm Down” at another United Airlines event to celebrate Pride Month and the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
In 2020, he dressed as Lady Gaga and lip-synced her song “Born This Way” at a virtual drag show hosted by United Airlines to support the Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization in the United States.
Kirby has said that he enjoys dressing up as a drag queen and that it is a way of showing his personality and having fun with his colleagues and employees. He has also said that he hopes that his participation in drag shows will inspire others to be themselves and embrace their differences.
Check out Scott Kirby’s Drag Queen Video
This is Scott Kirby, the CEO of @united. He’s a drag queen and has been incorporating drag into @united.
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 18, 2024
This video should tell you everything you need to know. pic.twitter.com/RR5nWwC5OR
Professional Career
Scott Kirby has had a long and successful career in the airline industry, spanning over three decades. He started his career at the Pentagon as a budget analyst for the Secretary of Defense for three years. He later worked for Sabre Decision Technologies, a subsidiary of AMR Corporation, the parent company of American Airlines.
He joined America West Airlines in 1995 and held various positions, including senior director of scheduling and planning, vice president of planning, vice president of revenue management, senior vice president of the company’s computer program system, and executive vice president.
READ ALSO:- Is Liam Flockhart Blind? Calista Flockhart Son’s Disability
He became president of US Airways in 2006, after the merger of America West and US Airways in 2005. He led the team that planned the merger and oversaw the daily operations, marketing, sales, alliances, network planning, and revenue management of the airline.
He became president of American Airlines in 2013, after the merger of US Airways and American Airlines in 2013. He worked closely with the CEO Doug Parker, whom he had also partnered with at America West and US Airways.
He became president of United Airlines in 2016, after leaving American Airlines in a surprise move. He was announced as the successor to the CEO role in December 2019, following Oscar Munoz, and officially took over the position in May 2020.
He has been credited with expanding the airline’s flight network, restructuring hubs in Chicago, Denver, and Houston, and implementing innovative strategies to improve customer service, employee engagement, and operational efficiency.
Scott Kirby has also been a vocal advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the airline industry and beyond. He has implemented a policy to have 50% of the new pilots hired by United Airlines be women or people of color by 2030, as part of the company’s initiative to diversify its workforce and leadership.
He has also mandated all United Airlines employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine, saying that he has had dozens of employees die from the virus and that 100% of them were unvaccinated. He has said that he believes that getting vaccinated is a moral obligation and a safety issue for the airline and the society.
He has been elected as the chairman of the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board, the governing body of the world’s largest airline alliance, in December 2020. He is also a member of the International Air Transport Association Board of Governors, the trade association of the world’s airlines.
Scott Kirby is one of the most influential and respected leaders in the airline industry, with a remarkable track record of success and innovation. He is also a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and a promoter of diversity, equity, and inclusion in his company and the society.
United Airlines CEO Gay Rumors and Sexuality
However, his sexuality remains a personal matter that he has not publicly confirmed or denied. Whether he is gay or not, it does not affect his ability or credibility as the CEO of United Airlines. He has proven himself to be a competent and compassionate leader who cares about his customers, employees, and stakeholders.
Therefore, the question of whether Scott Kirby is gay or not is irrelevant and unnecessary. What matters is his performance and vision as the CEO of United Airlines and his contribution to the aviation industry and the world.
