Sometimes we can try to understand why people call us names, even if they’re highly offensive. But this story, set in a Denver airport, defies comprehension on the grounds that the dispute was so ridiculously minor that there was really no reason other than sheer ignorance to break out the “faggot” word.”

7NEWS says that Billy Canu and his partner simply wanted to access United’s Gold lounge—because they are Gold members, as Canu explains in a detailed Facebook post. But blasé agents weren’t giving them any straight answers about whether they were allowed in.

Canu said the agents gave the couple “a very condescending, sort of rude answer. They were trying to figure out who was going to help us.”

When Canu and his partner complained about the handling of their question, a manager approached them and escorted them away from the area. Canu claimed the manager then escalated the situation. “As we were walking away he goes ‘idiots,’ ” recounted Canu.

“So, my partner turned around and started walking up to him and said, ‘I’m sorry. What did you say?'” He [the manager] says, ‘What faggots,’” according to Canu. Canu said the manager even threatened to kick the couple off their flight to San Diego if they continued to complain. The couple returned to their gate, where they began posting what happened on Twitter and Facebook.

Later, Canu found the manager’s LinkedIn profile (hi, Rodney Hill, “Aviation Professional”!) and tweeted it out to the world.

Back in 2000, United targeted LGBT travelers with the tagline “Intolerance Just Doesn’t Fly.” What happened in the past decade? Other shrinking airlines have been smart about wooing the gays.

We’ll update you when we hear whether United will fire this douche or not.

Thumbnail image via Unicorn Booty