No matter how many strides we make, there’s always some backwards asshole acting the fool and ruining everyone’s good time. Portland, OR gay couple Ron McCoy and Chris Bower traveled to Albuquerque, NM to attend that city’s Pride festival and were faced with some dipshit driving their airport shuttle bus. When he saw them holding hands, he told them they had to move to the back of the bus. Rosa Parks is not amused, and neither are we, fuckface.
McCoy recalled the driver looking at the two men as they held hands and he immediately appeared to become angry. “He just blurted out at me, he goes, “’Okay, if you’re going to do that, you’re going to the back of the bus.’”
When the shuttle stopped, the two men complied with the driver’s order to move to the back of the bus, but not before questioning the driver’s motives when they arrived at their destination.
Oh, honey. I would have done more than questioned his motives. I would have started tossing luggage at his ass.
Other passengers came to the couples’ defense, but Mr. Bigoted Shuttle Bus Driver’s boss doesn’t feel that his behavior was that bad. The manager of Standard Parking told a local news station that he felt his employee’s conduct was inappropriate but that he just “overstepped a little bit.” Well, sir, what if you and your wife (I’m assuming this douche is straight, otherwise he’s the worst kind of closet case) were asked to go to THE BACK OF THE FUCKING BUS BECAUSE YOU WERE HOLDING HANDS.
The couple have filed a complaint with the American Civil Liberties Union. They are still awaiting an apology and are considering legal action.
*J. Harvey climbs upon his soapbox*
Now hear this. No matter how much you try and oppress us and deny us our equal rights, we will triumph. Because we’re not going anywhere. Call us Legion, for we are many, bitch. We are terraforming your heterosexist society to accept us. We are strong, brave, and very, very ornery. Resistance is futile.
* J. Harvey climbs down from his soapbox*
I’m going to Alberquerque’s airport to ride shuttlebuses and blow guys on them. IN THE FRONT.
– J. Harvey (via Queerty)
The shuttle bus driver is a douche, obviously. So is his boss, no doubt there.
However, and I know I wasn’t there so it’s easy for me to say this, Ron & Chris were there for a GAY PRIDE festival and didn’t have the balls to tell the driver, “no”. So much for gay pride. And now they’re filing a complaint with the ACLU and considering legal action? In other words, they are going to let someone else fight their battle for them. Too many of us is taking for granted the general air of acceptance so many fought so hard to win. There are always going to be assholes – GLBT or straight – who would deny us our rights. We each must fight this battle in place whenever and wherever we find it. Harvey Milk is surely rolling over in his grave.
Good for them for taking a stand. Although they could’ve had a Rosa Park moment and stood their ground, bus driver wouldn’t know what to do.
Yes, this driver was an asshole. Yes, this situation shows the huge chasm between legal changes and cultural transformation. But, please, please, please, let’s not compare this situation to the situation Rosa Parks faced. This couple was treated rudely by one random driver of a private company; they were not facing a legal institution of separation in almost every institution they engaged (schools, libraries, public transportation, swimming pools, bathrooms) nor were they facing quasi-state-sanctioned terrorism (White Citizens Groups/KKK). There *are* meaningful parallels between the various historical civil rights struggles of American history, but those analogies are complicated and making them too quickly or automatically helps no one.
I agree. These two missed their chance to stand up for themselves. As Dorothy would say, “Too wittle, too wate”.
Why do so many fags usr the term asshole as a perjorative term? If we don’t love anus, who will?
Good point. I guess I should retire “dickhead”, too. Apparently “fag” is fine, though? :/
Duly noted. I went for the cheap analogy. My bad. They WERE asked to go to the back of the bus, though, so…