Despite having traveled with her biracial son a number of times, a University of California, Berkeley coach was asked to prove to a Southwest airlines agent that she was, in fact, the mother of her child.

Lindsay Gottlieb, head coach of Berkeley’s basketball team, was boarding a flight in Denver, Colorado, on her way home to Oakland, California, when a Southwest agent asked her to prove her maternity by way of a Facebook post, due to the fact that her son had a different last name than her.

“She 1st asked for proof with birth certificate,” Gottlieb tweeted. “She then said its a ‘federal law’ (not true) but asked me to prove I’m mother with Facebook post. What?? Mother next to me said she’s never been asked for proof despite diff last name… not shockingly, not mixed (race) fam.”

Southwest soon after reached out to Gottlieb about her post, saying:

“Hi, Lindsay. We’re disheartened to learn of your experience as this doesn’t sound typical. Do you mind following up with your confirmation number in a DM, so we can address accordingly?”

The airline later publicly stated:

“We’re looking into this specific interaction, and we have engaged with the customer directly to address her concerns. Our employees are well regarded for their hospitality and we always strive for the best experience for anyone who entrusts us with their travel.”

Despite the efforts, Gottlieb believes the fact that the situation happened in the first place is not only "demeaning," but also "insensitive."

“It’s one day for me, and I know people sort of experience things like this every single day, which is why I reached out to Southwest,” Gottlieb told the New York Daily News. “Hey, this isn’t OK.”

lindsay gottlieb

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