Gay couple sue airline over dildo

NORFOLK, Va., Aug. 30 (UPI) -- A gay couple from Virginia are suing United-Continental Airlines after they allegedly found a sex toy taped to their luggage.

Christopher Bridgeman and Martin Borger were returning to Norfolk from Costa Rica on May 21, 2011, when the incident happened, the New York Daily News reported Wednesday.

While waiting for their luggage in Norfolk at baggage claim, they found a dildo, covered in a "greasy, foul-smelling substance" and "taped prominently" to the top of their bag, the lawsuit states.

"To see all the expressions and how [people] were looking at us, we really felt completely powerless," Bridgeman told the Daily News.

The couple, who have been together for nine years, are seeking punitive damages from the airline for invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence.

"This was intentionally done in our minds. It was maliciously done," Bridgeman said. "When we started undoing the tape, we said to each other, 'This is a hate crime.' There's no way we could let this happen to anyone."

Meanwhile, the airline has denied any wrongdoing.

"United does not tolerate discrimination of any kind," Christen David, a spokeswoman for United, said in a statement to the Daily News. "Nonetheless, we offered these valued customers a gesture of goodwill, which they declined. We will vigorously defend ourselves and our employees."