Uber Canned This Driver After Lesbian Couple Records His Bigoted Rant

The concept of Uber is as convenient as it is utterly terrifying. They’re cheaper than traditional cab fare, but run all the same risks without any of the background checking information. We’re heard the stories of cabbies raping and we’ve heard the stories of cabbies being murdered. But what we get from Uber and their business model of independent contracting is a whole lot of discrimination issues.

For our story today, we have Uber done right by a lesbian couple who was verbally assaulted by their Uber driver. The following clip posted by Uber rider and Project Rockit CEO, Lucy Thomas is graphic and upsetting, but all too familiar for a lot of members of the LBGTQA community. Thomas called for the Uber with her girlfriend and when the car arrived, the two were asked if they were together. When they said yes, the following rant ensued:

After being threatened by our @uber driver, my girlfriend and I stood up to him and recorded it. LISTEN: https://t.co/5IIdpBLSHJ #homophobia

— Lucy Thomas OAM 🌈 (@lucylockit_) June 5, 2016

Thomas feared for her life and very smartly decided to record the driver and his derogatory remarks. In addition to sharing his bigotry loudly, he went so far as to impose threats:

I will get out and drag you out, I will drag you out of the Uber because I asked you to get out, and you’re not getting out.

Thanks to Thomas the driver has been terminated with Uber. Via The Sunday Morning Herald, Uber spoke out:

Uber does not tolerate any form of discrimination, and we have been in contact with this rider to offer our support. Any rider or driver found to have violated this [discrimination] prohibition will lose access to the Uber platform.

For all their faults, it’s for this we should welcome Uber’s commitment to progressive safe spaces for all people. Thank you, Uber.