76 Comments:
Oh that is just tragic. I have not been romancing in a cab in a long time, but when I did I was not ejected. I smell a boycott.
»» Submitted by »»» mhansen at 11:48 AM on July 10
I would be more than happy to make out with as many boys in the back of the Blue and White cabs to find out for you.
But if I had to offer a hypothesis before the experiment...I doubt it.
»» Submitted by Amber at 11:47 AM on July 10
I think either a boycott, or a blatent "We're going to keep doing this until you change your policies" tactic. Say it loud, kiss proud.
»» Submitted by Amber at 11:49 AM on July 10
Let me guess: were the drivers Somali (Muslim)? If Blue and White, probably. Were you intentionally trying to provoke them? Sure you were-- the second time at least. You expect them to have some courtesy toward your feelings? You should try it yourself.
»» Submitted by cc rider at 11:51 AM on July 10
Hmm, I dunno. I never kiss anyone in public except maybe my dog...
Cab driver is not a profession for the easily offended. And I'd love to know how often they bitch when random hookups are getting their jollies in the backseat on their way to a Craig's List style Casual Encounter after bar close.
"Excuse me sir, this is a commercial vehicle. If your hand is in her pants for purely recreational purposes, please refrain from getting it on until you reach your destination."
Because yeah, commercial vehicles are never used for sordid purposes. Nothing ever happens in the back of a Greyhound.
»» Submitted by »»» richg at 12:26 PM on July 10
I have made out with/fondled women in the back of a Rainbow Cab (twice).
Rainbow rocks. 612.332.1615.
»» Submitted by russ at 12:34 PM on July 10
Correction: Link added.
»» Submitted by »»» matt at 11:54 AM on July 10
Why do you feel the need to make out in a cab if it offends the driver? Granted I've done it before and not got kicked out, but if I got kicked out of one I'd hold off until I got home. The cab driver is operating a private business. If you are doing something offensive to him I think he has a right to toss you out. I've been kicked out of cabs for saying offensive things/lying (telling them I was going to burnsville and then asking to get dropped in uptown..b/c the bastards won't pick you up DT if it is that short of a ride and it is busy) etc. I've never complaned about it being because I was white and straight. I guess I just thought I was getting a service from a private company and they could be allowed to dictate what kind of behavior was tolerable.
»» Submitted by tublecane at 12:42 PM on July 10
This has happened to a few of my friends. And not even for making out. You also cannot be a drag queen in a commercial cab, it offends religious sensibilities.
»» Submitted by Andy at 12:50 PM on July 10
Well it didn't take long for the first blatent homophobic comment to be made...
Were you intentionally trying to provoke them? Sure you were-- the second time at least. You expect them to have some courtesy toward your feelings? You should try it yourself.
»» Submitted by cc rider at 10:51 AM on July 10
»» Submitted by Mpls Simpleton at 12:48 PM on July 10
I do however think you should boycott any of the companies if you feel they in particular are bad about this. Also right a letter to the city council and get those boneheads to get more taxi licences out there now instead of waiting 4 years...then someone could start a company that catered to whatever demographic they wanted.
»» Submitted by tublecane at 12:53 PM on July 10
Simpleton, you earn your name. I don't think rider was homophobic, just questioning whether go team was being intentionally provocative, which he seems to have been. Why go out of your way to piss people off? Is it news that fundamentalist faiths such as Muslim (and Christian) don't condone homosexuality?
»» Submitted by »»» TBartel at 12:55 PM on July 10
341.170. Duty to accept passengers.No driver shall refuse or neglect to convey any orderly person or persons upon request anywhere in the city unless previously engaged, provided that such person agrees to pay the legal rate of fare. No taxicab driver shall refuse or fail to provide services to any person protected under the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances section 139.10. No taxicab driver shall carry any other passenger than the person first employing the taxicab, except as provided in section 341.730, and then only with the consent of the first passenger or passengers. (88-Or-004, § 5, 1-15-88)
139.10. Findings, declaration of policy and purpose.(a) Findings. The council finds that discrimination in employment, labor union membership, housing accommodations, property rights, education, public accommodations and public services based on race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, including sexual harassment, affectional preference, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance or familial status adversely affects the health, welfare, peace and safety of the community. Such discriminatory practices degrade individuals, foster intolerance and hate, and create and intensify unemployment, substandard housing, undereducation, ill health, lawlessness and poverty, thereby injuring the public welfare.
The bolded portions pretty much spell it out. They are inviolation of mpls code and are risking revocation of their license.
And tuberbrain...private companies have to abide by the license agreements they sign or risk revocation.
»» Submitted by Mpls Simpleton at 12:54 PM on July 10
It's fairly obvious that the first time they got kicked out they were not being provocative.
»» Submitted by Mpls Simpleton at 1:07 PM on July 10
Same thing happened to me 2 years ago in a Yellow Cab, and the discourteous provocation was a mere peck. Shame on me.
»» Submitted by Kurt at 1:04 PM on July 10
Well, I don't know if cc rider was being homophobic, but cc rider was showing ignorance.
Not all East African Muslims are Somali. Some are from other countries such as Ethiopia or Eritrea.
Much like not all Latinos are from Mexico.
»» Submitted by Reader at 1:06 PM on July 10
One little more ditty from the Mpls Public Code:
139.20. Definitions. Affectional preference: Having or manifesting an emotional or physical attachment to another consenting person or persons, or having or manifesting a preference for such attachment, or having or projecting a self-image not associated with one's biological maleness or one's biological femaleness.
I think a caste kiss would fall under the definition of Manifesting.
man·i·fest (mn'Y-fst')
adj.
Clearly apparent to the sight or understanding; obvious. See synonyms at apparent.
tr.v., -fest·ed, -fest·ing, -fests.
To show or demonstrate plainly; reveal: Mercedes . . . manifested the chaotic abandonment of hysteria (Jack London).
»» Submitted by Mpls Simpleton at 1:11 PM on July 10
If you can't enjoy a little gay kiss in the back of a cab, the terrorists have already won.
They have to allow all kinds of kissing in their cab, just like we have to put up with conservatives on this board and out in the world.
»» Submitted by Idea at 1:24 PM on July 10
I have less of a problem with gays kissing in public then with ugly people kissing in public. I mean, ew, who wants to see that?
If I was the cabbie, I would be more worried about adjusting the mirror for the best view, and still staying on the road. Then again, I'm not at all sure you people are attractive.
»» Submitted by Foster at 1:23 PM on July 10
Back in the early 1970's, I was involved with a man from Saudi Arabia. Let me tell you the Muslim men (at least those from Saudi Arabia) showed a lot of affection for each other. They would hug and kiss each other on the cheek, if they were to run into each other on the street. There was no question about their masculinity or their sexuality. My former boyfriend, Ibrahim, was all man. I'm not that familiar with Somalis, and Muslim groups can be as different as Christian denominations (example Presbyterian and Pentecostal). If that was just an innocent kiss, as opposed to groping, I feel the cab driver over-reacted.
»» Submitted by »»» aleshire at 1:43 PM on July 10
Again, Msparber puts everything in proper perspective. If there is going to be any sort of anti-marraige amendment, it should first be geared toward the uglies among us. Think of the children. Imagine the lawn signs!
»» Submitted by Thales at 2:21 PM on July 10
Imagine the airplane banners!
»» Submitted by Foster at 2:31 PM on July 10
How dou ugly people breed anyway? I can't imagine ugly people are actually okay with sleeping with other ugly people.
Thank God I'm just rather plain.
Three words: brown paper bags.
»» Submitted by Thales at 2:40 PM on July 10
Amber is sounding rather frustrated above.
I can do it in two words. Malt Liquor.
St Ides Malt Liquor
It gets your girl in the mood quicker, makes your jimmy thicker!
»» Submitted by Mpls Simpleton at 2:44 PM on July 10
Eeeeeks.
Who.
Cares.
So you can't kiss in a cab. Boo-hoo.
»» Submitted by »»» kwatt at 10:27 PM on July 10
It's not about the kiss, kwatt. It's about the judgement of who's allowed to kiss who.
A word about uglies...I happened to be in a Wal-Mart, aka Fifth Dimension of Hell, recently, and I came upon a pair...the man was clad in cut-off acid-washed jeans that seemed to be the male version of Daisy Dukes (for reals, I could see parts of him I never want to see on a man in Wal-Mart) and a muscle shirt, and the woman was wearing old ratty polka-dot stretch stirrup pants, an "Achy-Breaky Heart" tee shirt, and her ensemble was complete with a neon-green fanny-pack. Both had mullets, both were missing a large quantity of teeth. They walked off into the parking lot, hand-in-hand, and I remember thinking, "Aww...Uglies need love, too."
And tmayhem, normally I would say "it's that obvious, huh?" but really it just boils down to the fact that I just like to make out. And if I get to make a social statement by making out...well, far be it from me to deny the world the chance to become a better place.
»» Submitted by Amber at 2:17 AM on July 11
Forgive me for not seeing the obvious significance of two guys not being able to kiss in a cab. How could I be so blind?
I just like to make out.
Tmay - she has a thing about her uterus. Just let it go.
»» Submitted by »»» kwatt at 7:16 AM on July 11
We were left at the curb by three taxis in a row at the airport because we were bringing back a half-case of wine. It's another religion trumps the law thing with Muslim cabbies.
»» Submitted by charlieq at 11:22 AM on July 11
remeber when Bush held hands with that Arab leader. Priceless. Somebody not as lazy as me should link to that.
»» Submitted by russ at 11:33 AM on July 11
Kwatt, what are you talking about? Oh, so you DO see the significance of two men not being allowed to kiss in a cab? Oh good. Let's remember that you're the one who made the comment dismissing someone elses' concern about discrimination. If you didn't care, than why not just move onto another thread and comment there? That was the point that I should have tried to make first, so really, I apologize.
I "have a thing" about my uterus? And that's a bad thing, right, since it's MY uterus and all?
»» Submitted by Amber at 11:47 AM on July 11
Kevin,
So sorry you were bored by something that doesn't affect you, and outside your realm of comprehension.
Feel free to go back to your "insightful" male sexual disfunction article, and have fun.
»» Submitted by Kurt at 11:52 AM on July 11
This thread is shows how homophobia is so ingrained into our society that people can get away with it without anyone barely questioning them.
Makes me fucking sick. If I ever met some of these people (kwatt) I would probably not even know he was a raging homophobe. I'm throwing TBartel into the catagory as well defending someone who was obviously making a homophobia comment saying that the gays were provoking the cab drivers for kissing. How fucking LAME! I may be simple but I have an open mind.
If you are denied cab service by any driver and you are in the right you should take down their cab number and report them to the city. These people have to held to the requirements they sign when they accept a cab license they cannot pick and choose fares, it's against city code.
I'm now waiting for the "I have many gay friends" comments. I bet if they kissed in front of you, you would think, "Why do they have to flaunt that in front of me" and think less of them even thou you keep it to yourself.
»» Submitted by Mpls Simpleton at 12:40 PM on July 11
Perhaps the driver didn't want things to progress to the point where he'd have a mess to clean up in his cab.
»» Submitted by Foster at 12:58 PM on July 11
Perhaps the driver didn't want things to progress to the point where he'd have a mess to clean up in his cab.
That is why no children should be allowed in cabs or in public. Seeing children in general offends my religious sensibilities too.
»» Submitted by kyu at 1:15 PM on July 11
You gave him a kiss? Or you made out with him? Big difference and it seems like it was probably the latter since a simple peck would not give you the boot IMO. I love how people of the Gay variety think that they play by a different set of rules, if I made out with my wife in the backseat of a cab I would not be offended if I was thrown out. Big difference between PDA's and sexual PDA's........... Boycott the cabs, please...... what a joke, mindless twits.
»» Submitted by boo hoo at 1:11 PM on July 11
Well, looks like we finally heard from people of The Dumbass Variety. Thanks, boo hoo, for not even being able to back up your comments with your actual/registered name.
Balls, man. Baaaallllsss.
»» Submitted by Amber at 1:20 PM on July 11
Seeing children in general offends my religious sensibilities too.
Finally, someone who shares my religion. Children are just fundamentally objectable and should be kept hidden from adults. Who was that psychiatrist who demonsrated that children are just insane adults?
(Googles.)
Oh, it was a character on WKRP in Cincinatti. Nonetheless, I think he was on to something.
Amber-
Please attack my argument not the fact that I don't find it necessary to register to promote my rhetorically challenged blog.
»» Submitted by boo hoo at 1:50 PM on July 11
I am NOT boo hoo. I quite like Amber's blog.
»» Submitted by »»» kwatt at 1:56 PM on July 11
I love the conjecture that attempts to nullify the argument.
You gave him a kiss? Or you made out with him?
He said he kissed him. It's the first fucking thing that was stated.
A Kiss...boo hoo trys to make it something it was not to implement his phoney arguement. I'm guessing boo hoo gets a boner when he sees two chicks kissing but not two guys. Or maybe he does! Just not real secure in his sexuality!
»» Submitted by Mpls Simpleton at 1:54 PM on July 11
Boo-
Not our choice to play by a different set of rules.
You won't let us play by yours.
»» Submitted by »»» ooberj at 1:59 PM on July 11
Kwatt, I know you're not boo hoo. And even though we're butting heads today, I still like you. High five.
Boo hoo...you have a rhetorically challenged blog? How nice for you. But you're right...I really should attack your argument instead of the fact that you aren't even willing to back up your own argument with your name.
»» Submitted by Amber at 1:58 PM on July 11
making out in cabs ... hmmmmmmmmm, enticing
Mpls Simpleton-
Do you REALLY think that a simple peck got him booted out of not one but two cabs? C'mon man. As far as my sexuality goes, lets just say I am comfortable enough to wear pink Izod golf shirts. For someone that fancies themselves as MR. acceptance your attempt at a rip on me borders on homophobic.
»» Submitted by boo hoo at 2:18 PM on July 11
Sorry boo, but it WAS a simple peck, a freakin' grandma kiss, that got me stranded.
»» Submitted by Kurt at 2:17 PM on July 11
Kurt-
a simple peck got you kicked out of two cabs? If so that is ridiculous, I just find it hard to believe. Maybe one cab with an unruly driver but for two drivers to kick you out........... seems farfetched. I call bullshit...... sorry.
»» Submitted by boo hoo at 2:25 PM on July 11
Can gay people be homophobic?
I'm not afraid I might attack myself at night.
Do you REALLY think that a simple peck got him booted out of not one but two cabs?
Well as the primary eye(lip)witness has spoken I don't think I need to elaborate.
»» Submitted by Mpls Simpleton at 2:25 PM on July 11
Seems that Kurt was not the author of the original post, just a commentator sharing a similar story.
»» Submitted by »»» ooberj at 2:29 PM on July 11
No, I'm not the original poster. Just pointing out that this keeps happening, and is not an isolated event.
»» Submitted by Kurt at 2:41 PM on July 11
I'm not afraid I might attack myself at night.
I believe that's a non-homophobic side effect of a certain sleep aide the spam filter won't let me write the name of.
»» Submitted by »»» kwatt at 2:45 PM on July 11
It's too bad either cab driver's point of view isn't available.
»» Submitted by Foster at 2:48 PM on July 11
It's too bad they're still cab drivers.
»» Submitted by Kurt at 2:55 PM on July 11
Kurt, did you take any action in your case? Contact the cab company regarding your discrimination? Contact the city?
»» Submitted by Foster at 3:12 PM on July 11
File a complaint with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. The cabbie violated the Human Rights Act if you were discriminated against because you're gay. It's against the law, and violators should be punished. There are way better cab companies out there than Blue and White who deserve the business.
»» Submitted by Rainbow rider at 3:38 PM on July 11
Boo hoo,
I'm the OP and it was just what I stated: a simple kiss on the lips. No tongue. No petting. No scene made on our part.
»» Submitted by »»» go_team! at 3:56 PM on July 11
Having been directed to this story by another blog, I ended up speaking to an investigations officer with the Civil Rights Office of the City of Minneapolis about this. They are willing to investigate all such incidents of discrimination (and this statutorily is clearly such an incident). However the parties need to contact them directly.
If anyone suspects that they have been discrimated against for whatever reason within the city of Minneapolis, including their sexuality, please please please contact the Civil Rights office. They are easy to talk to and willing to take on issues such as this.
For more info, visit:
www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us
»» Submitted by »»» USTLaw at 4:04 PM on July 11
Late to weigh in on this:
1) Religeon: mutable characteristic;
2) Sex: immutable characteristic.
You need a better reason to make a choice which discriminates based on 2 than you do on 1. For a private business person, it's probably okay to refuse service based on 1. It's probably more illegal to refuse service based on 2.
It'd be a hairy fight. But I think Connie the US Constitution says the poster up top who said the homosexual was in the wrong is actually 180 of what's legal.
»» Submitted by snodgrass at 4:16 PM on July 11
From a legal perspective I would think the cab company would say the driver removed you b/c of an act you committed (kissing) not because of who you were (two guys). May or may not be true, but that seems to me what the company would say. If the company prohibits kissing or other suggestive action you can't sit there and commit the act and claim you're exempt from their policy because you are a member of a protected class, because the company policy would be against the behavior, not the persons behaving.
If you could somehow prove that cab drivers routinely ignore the rule when it comes to straight or lesbian couples, then maybe there would be more of a case. But (and keep in mind I'm not a lawyer) as long as the policy inquestion is against an action, I think it would be very tough to mount a discrimination case.
»» Submitted by »»» kwatt at 4:11 PM on July 11
No need to mount any sort of case... That's what the Civil Rights office is there for. They seemed to think this was a pretty good instance for their jurisdiction...
»» Submitted by »»» USTLaw at 4:30 PM on July 11
My boyfriend called the cab company ("I'll talk to the driver") and Lisa Goodman's office ("File a complaint at City Hall"). I wish we had done so, because things are obviously in no danger of changing until someone gets a smackdown.
»» Submitted by Kurt at 5:44 PM on July 11
ok, so i agree, it's ridiculous. my boyfriend and i rarely have to take cabs, and he's not too big on PA, but i'd be pissed as hell if i got kicked out for a gay kiss..even making out! it's my boyfriend for christ's sake.
anway
and Mpls Simpleton, the Mpls Public Codes are nice to see, but it doesn't list anywhere that this protects sexual orientation. which leads to the question; do the cabbies have the legal right to kick out any members glbt community since we aren't protected under those codes?
»» Submitted by »»» lowkeyd at 5:49 PM on July 11
I believe gay and lesbian are listed in state statute as protective classes so if it's not in city ordinance wouldn't that apply?
I guess what I said earlier was more of a question, is the case that they kicked you out because you were kissing or because you were two gay men kissing? Wouldn't protected statutes only apply if the company's ban or whatever was only on gay kissing? If they prohibit all kissing, then what does it matter that you are gay, unless they ignore the prohibition for straights and lesbians?
»» Submitted by »»» kwatt at 6:18 PM on July 11
Lowkeyd: the city and county recently changed the language in all their codes from "affectional preference," which has been seen as a euphemistic way of saying sexual orientation, to "sexual orientation." That change actually occurred somewhat recently. Since the "affectional preference" term was created, it has always just been another term for the same thing: sexual orientations. Also, the code specifically says that manifestations of such a "preference" may not be the basis for discrimination. One would assume that kissing would be among the only otherwise legal public manifestations of "affectional preference."
Kwatt: it seems that any argument that Blue & White rules ban kissing across the board would be simply pretextual. Ask almost any 20-something straight person in this city: this rule has simply never been enforced against straight couples. So even if the rule is not discriminatory on its face, it is being discriminatorally applied.
»» Submitted by »»» USTLaw at 8:52 AM on July 12
What a despicable act, and I mean the kiss in the cab. I own a shop, if someone were to do that in my shop I'd kick them out. It's complete disrespect towards me. You really should be ashamed of yourself, get some class.
»» Submitted by Mikeyedge at 9:45 PM on July 13
Would you throw them out if they were a boy and a girl?
No if it were a boy or girl I'd sit down and grab a bag of popcorn. Give me a break.
»» Submitted by mikeyedge at 11:22 PM on July 13
I see. Joking or not, you've demonstrated that you've got an overdeveloped sense of people being disrespectful toward you, but an underdeveloped sense of when you might be disrespectful to others. Funny how that always seems to go hand-in-hand.
Nobody wants to see a gay couple making out in their workplace and have the full rights to kick them out. End of discussion.
»» Submitted by mikeyedge at 4:03 PM on July 14
i really miss suckling my mommy's boob
»» Submitted by mikeyedge at 4:07 PM on July 14
There's a difference between making out and kissing. But, sine you seemingly get to decide when conversations begin and end, I guess we're done. I'll just remind you that the law actually gets to decide, not you, and if you violate people's right to be free of discrimination, the conversation might just end with a lawsuit.
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