An "inclusion first" sign at Gold Coast Airport, designed to offer a more supportive security screening experience, has caused confusion among passengers, according to one traveler.
Tommy Herschell, founder of the mental health charity Find Ya Feet, observed the sign outside the security screening entrance during a recent trip. He noted that the lane was designated for passengers traveling with young children, individuals with disabilities, and those with hidden disabilities, represented by a sunflower symbol. The sign also featured flags for transgender, non-binary, intersex, and genderqueer communities.
"The word on there was inclusion but for me, all it created was confusion," Herschell told 2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham. "I've got no issues with what's going on in the world in 2026 but realistically, all it created was exclusion and exclusiveness. All I felt was, 'Do I fit in here?'"
Herschell stated that other travelers also appeared perplexed by the signage, leading to delays. "I saw a lot of other people not sure where they should go," he said. "It was creating more time and more of a hold-up. That sign didn't need to be there."
Gold Coast Airport, which handles approximately 6.5 million passengers annually, has maintained the "inclusion first" signage for about a year. A spokesperson for the airport clarified that the lane is not a priority lane but a space for passengers who require additional time or support during screening. Travelers are not required to provide documentation to use the lane.
"The Inclusion First signage is an important visual indicator of inclusion and understanding and can be particularly reassuring for travelers who may be feeling anxious during their journey through the airport," the spokesperson told the Daily Mail. "Positioned in front of one of the screening lanes, the signage identifies a lane for any passenger who may need extra time or support during the screening process. This may include people with physical or hidden disabilities, families traveling with young children, the elderly and gender-diverse travelers."
The symbols on the signage represent universal accessibility, family screening, hidden disabilities, and various gender-diverse communities, reflecting the airport's commitment to an environment where "every passenger feels respected, supported and included."