A public bus driver in Norwich, England caused quite a scene when he decided mid-route that the vehicle he was driving was gay and, therefore, he could no longer operate it.
The unnamed driver allegedly turned off the engine and told passengers, “This bus promotes homosexuality and I refuse to drive it!”
He was referring to the rainbow-colored service number on the front of the vehicle.
Confused passengers were then forced to wait until another bus–one without a rainbow-colored service number–was brought to appease the homophobic driver.
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Passenger Rebecca Sears posted about the experience on Twitter:
Today I was waiting for the 501 bus to thickthorn and we were told by the driver we had to wait for him to swap buses as “this bus promotes homosexuality and I refuse to drive it” due to the multicoloured “501” sign @nparkandride Norwich doesn’t appreciate homophobia pic.twitter.com/YwDPOT0jeJ
— Becca (@becca_sears) August 9, 2019
When Sears contacted the station, she claims they knew exactly who she was talking about but didn’t seem too concerned about it:
I complained to the staff at the station and they were already aware of who I was talking about, so why has nothing been done? I’m aware everyone is entitled to their own views however, if you can’t do your job properly because of your bigotry, maybe you need rethink your choices
— Becca (@becca_sears) August 9, 2019
She then encouraged others to contact the bus company to complain:
@nparkandride @BBCLookEast please call out a system that allows homophobes and bigots to get away with things like this, it’s 2019 people need to grow up and be more accepting
— Becca (@becca_sears) August 9, 2019
Konectbus eventually responded by saying, “Our management team has been made aware and it is being taken very seriously. We find this attitude, behaviour and level of customer service completely unacceptable.”
Meanwhile, the bus operator Go East Anglia put out a statement that read: “Go East Anglia prides itself on values that support diversity and inclusion and has been a champion of Norwich Pride since 2017.”
It added, “We particularly want all customers of whatever background or sexual orientation to feel comfortable on our services. As a company we do not condone any behaviour from our drivers that does not support this view.”
The driver has been suspended as the company conducts a full investigation into the matter.
Related: Bus driver films himself mocking a man for wearing high heels
rustyiam
Graham is in an eternal state of being offended, I bet it’s the same look as when one is trying to squeeze out that massive burst of gas that’s been building up in ones tummy for hours!
Cam
This is how desperate the right wing, anti-LGBTQ troll accounts are to defend bigotry. They are actually trying to say that stranding people in the middle of a bus route, making them late for work or whatever else they were doing because the bus had a rainbow sticker is nothing to be upset about.
Literally the guy inconvenienced dozens of people trying to go about their day, but the bigot defenders have to try to deflect. Since it can’t defend the actual actions it just attacks the author.
(Eye Roll)
MicahBryant1498
Graham is in an eternal state of being offende….- I have nothing to add But i am here not only to discuss this article but I would like to share with you new but very cool site for gay singles only. It is still private, but you can find it easy. Just google: “o4MMZIgXsLYh6pHtregOfugu6lu4105314” .
DarkZephyr
Are you EVER not on the side of homophobes?
CurtisIsTheOne
Rustyjam, please go and get a tetanus shot to protect us ALL from “your rustiness”. You are nothing more than a Russian Putin-loving troll-bot.
startenout
The only one that seems eternally and unjustifiably offended is you while trying to support homophobic action.
djmcgamester
This isn’t the same thing. There’s free speech and there’s doing the job for which you agreed to do and be paid for. This guy refused to do the job he agreed to do. This guy clearly doesn’t want his job since he has refused to do it.
This has nothing to do with outrage. Saying stupid crap is one thing. Taking action based on your beliefs is something else entirely.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
What a noxious, abhorrent, vile smcubag!
Rex Huskey
“smcubag”? you and Cam are neck and neck for fool of the site
Cam
@Rex Huskey
Awwww, did precious get upset because a vile anti-LGBTQ bigot was called a name?
CurtisIsTheOne
@ Rex Huskey: Do you think that adding an “e” to Huskey makes you any LESS than the dog you so obviously are? Woof woof little “husky”. Down, boy (or girl, OR non-binary gender fluid fluid spouting mutt) 🙂
Kangol2
If he’s not in a union and refuses to do his job, fire him.
If he’s in a union and refuses to do his job, initiate procedures to fire him.
Either way this homophobic snowflake shouldn’t be working in public transportation.
PinkoOfTheGange
Was he a mid route relief driver or did he drive this thing out of the barn and have an epiphany (or maybe a psychotic break), half way through his shift?
Nuttypea
I thought god made rainbows
LthrboyGeorge
He’s also offended by the Sky after a storm, the mist around Niagara Falls, Rainbow Sherbet, Lucky Charms, innumerable songs, etc etc etc.
Now, Miss Judy Garland will sing “Somewhere Over The Colorfulthingintheskythatpromoteshomosexuality”
CurtisIsTheOne
@LtherboyGeorge You win the “Internets” today for most colorful post.
Dunnedin
I love the title. So the bus driver decided that the bus was gay. I never knew buses were straight or gay. I will be aware of this next time I board one.
djmcgamester
Does the guy ban the sky when there’s a rainbow after the rain stops? I hope he’s not religious because I believe the rainbow is a sign of the covenant between God and humans to never again flood the world. (Other means of wiping out the population remain valid.) If he’s Christian he just gave his deity a big f-you.