In a world where air travel often prioritizes convenience, luxury, and the occasional risk of losing your luggage, a lawsuit filed by a gay couple against Lufthansa Airlines has reminded us that sometimes the stakes are far higher than just misplaced bags. The couple, who have been together for over three decades, accuses the airline of outing them to the Saudi government, putting their lives at grave risk and severing their ties to family and homeland.
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The legal battle, which now has the green light to proceed, highlights the perils that LGBTQ+ individuals face when traveling through countries where homosexuality is not just stigmatized, but criminalized. For John Doe (a U.S. citizen) and Robert Roe (a Saudi national), their 33-year relationship, though long-standing, has been kept under wraps—carefully hidden from the Saudi authorities and those around them due to the draconian laws in place. But when Lufthansa allegedly spilled the beans to the Saudi government, the repercussions were immediate and severe.
A Flight That Should’ve Been a Safe Passage
Doe and Roe, who were married in California in 2013, had lived mostly in Saudi Arabia, a country where homosexuality is punishable by death. They had traveled to San Francisco regularly, but in May 2021, after being stuck in the U.S. during COVID-19 restrictions, they hoped to return to California, assuming that Roe’s marriage to Doe would allow him entry into the country despite strict travel bans. What they didn’t expect was that the airline they trusted would expose their private lives in a country where such information could mean the difference between life and death.
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According to the lawsuit, when they arrived at Riyadh’s airport to check in for their Lufthansa flight, an agent asked Roe to clarify his relationship to Doe—something that should’ve been a non-issue. After all, the couple was legally married in California. But what happened next wasn’t just a breach of privacy; it was the unraveling of years of careful secrecy. The Lufthansa agent, seemingly unimpressed by their marriage certificate, proceeded to question and ridicule the couple in front of other passengers, leaving them feeling exposed and vulnerable.
In what seems like a surreal twist of fate, the agent reportedly became belligerent, demanding proof of their relationship and then copying their personal documents—passport and marriage certificate—to send back to Lufthansa’s headquarters in Germany. Despite their warnings that the Saudi government could intercept the transmission, Lufthansa proceeded, and Roe’s personal information was allegedly transmitted to an airport office.
Once aboard their flight, the couple attempted to salvage their privacy, but their fears came true. A month later, Roe discovered that his Saudi government profile had been updated to reflect his new “marital status.” There was no question: Saudi authorities knew about their marriage, and the couple knew they were in danger.
The Fallout: A Life Forever Changed for the Couple
The ramifications of this incident have been devastating. Roe, unable to return to Saudi Arabia without risking serious harm, has been stranded in the U.S. He’s unable to see his family, who remain unaware of his sexual orientation. The emotional toll has been immense, and the financial loss equally harrowing. Roe was forced to liquidate his real estate holdings in Saudi Arabia, taking a $300,000 loss.
And then there’s the health toll. The stress of the situation, compounded by the constant fear of what might await him should he be forced to return home, led Roe to develop pulmonary fibrosis, a terminal lung condition. He is now haunted by the specter of death—not just due to his illness, but because of the potential consequences if he were ever forced back to a country where being gay can mean imprisonment or even execution. Meanwhile, Doe, as an American citizen, faces a different kind of risk: potential public shame, job loss, and even deportation from Saudi Arabia.
A Win for the Plaintiffs—But What Does Justice Look Like?
This case, which was dismissed in 2024 by a district judge, has now been allowed to proceed by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The court’s decision means the couple can continue their legal fight, holding Lufthansa accountable for its alleged mishandling of private information.
The airline, for its part, has refused to comment on the case due to ongoing litigation, which is unsurprising but no less frustrating. While it’s still unclear whether Lufthansa will ultimately be found liable for the harm caused to the couple, the case already shines a light on the unique dangers that LGBTQ+ individuals face when traveling internationally, particularly in regions where their very existence is criminalized.
Lufthansa’s actions—whether intentional or not—serve as a stark reminder that while many parts of the world have become more accepting of LGBTQ+ individuals, significant risks remain, especially for those who live under regimes that do not tolerate difference. This case also underscores the importance of privacy and the dangers that arise when companies fail to safeguard sensitive information—particularly for marginalized communities.
A Cautionary Tale for LGBTQ+ Travelers
Doe and Roe, for their part, have proven that even in the face of fear, hardship, and heartbreak, the fight for justice and privacy can—and must—continue.
For those of us traveling the skies, whether we’re flying under the radar or with a rainbow flag in tow, this lawsuit serves as a cautionary tale: Trust, but maybe not entirely in the airline staff checking your boarding pass.
What is clear, however, is that the couple’s fight isn’t just about them—it’s about protecting the privacy and dignity of all LGBTQ+ travelers, especially in countries where the stakes are so much higher.
Source: LGBT Nation
Ugh the privilege in these comments is appalling. Not everybody has the ability to come out to their family, not everybody has the ability to leave their countries behind, not everybody can do business or manage their assets or wealth the same way, not everybody has the same capacity to face adversity the same way. In many countries we have the privilege of fighting, in many others even existing, let alone fighting, means losing your life. Calm down and show some compassion.
Herbert, your “choices to be made” statement ignores several important factors. Roe is a Saudi native/citizen traveling under a Kingdom of Saudi Arabia passport, his immediate biological family are resident citizens of KSA, and he had substantial financial holdings in that country. Those kind of ties can’t be summarily severed at a moment’s notice while awaiting boarding at the airport terminal. Not that many years ago LGBTQ life in the United States was also rife with physical danger, inequality, disrespect and rejection. So, should we have followed your advice and fled to Sweden, Denmark or wherever when faced with that rejection, or, stay and fight for equal treatment and respect? Thankfully, most of us refused to throw up our hands in defeat but instead fought publicly, privately, with our money, using our voices, time and talents to fight for–and win–the freedoms we now have. I’m 72, been shot, stabbed and bombed, survived cancer and AIDS and I refuse to surrender to Trump, MAGA, ignorance, bigots, or religious zealots of ANY faith.
I’m 75 and have also been shot at by the bigots, all four rounds fortunately missing me. I too will never give in to the intolerant and the religious nuts! Carl
well, I would say there are choices to be made. This couple should have simply left Saudi Arabia, without regret, because THEY KNEW the risks from the beginning!
I don’t even know why so many LGBTQISAP+ people continue travelling to Dubai, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and other quite radical muslim countries…
It’s definitely a NO GO for me.
It is not private information.
Would a heterosexual couple or two platonic friends be subjected to such a belligerent interrogation? We expect a modicum of privacy when required travel documents are reviewed. Are hospitality workers in Saudi Arabia incentivized to turn in suspected homosexuals?
You are 1000% correct
Agree with Herbert. Don’t look for love (or respect, or freedom) where you know you can’t find it. (I can want Chris Hemsworth to move in and be my love slave all day long, but it ain’t gonna happen, so I don’t waste time on pursuing that.
Nonetheless, Lufthansa is 100% wrong and needs to not only make things right with this couple, but be punished for their violation of equal treatment and reckless endangerment of these passengers.
Agree with Herbert. Don’t look for love (or respect, or freedom) where you know you can’t find it. (I can want Chris Hemsworth to move in and be my love slave all day long, but it ain’t gonna happen, so I don’t waste time on pursuing that.
Nonetheless, Lufthansa is 100% wrong and needs to not only make things right with this couple, but be punished for their violation of equal treatment and reckless endangerment of these passengers.
In this instance, they had family in Saudi Arabia. Would you be OK if we denied you to visit your family? It’s obvious that you are homophobic using all those alphabet letters in a row just shows volumes of who you are shame on you.