Too hot for Uber

Uber driver kicks out a gay couple after one kisses the other on the forehead

Aaron Brown, Ryan Ottey, Uber homophobia, Australia, Sydney
Aaron Brown and Ryan Ottey

Every few months, Uber drivers pop up in gay media for some horrible interaction with gay passengers. So, right on schedule, here’s the most recent incident.

This time it involves two gay friends in Sydney, Australia: Aaron Brown and his pal Ryan Ottey. Ottey reportedly rested his head on Brown’s shoulder during their ride home, and Brown kissed Ottey’s forehead. At this point, the driver said, “Not in my car, I’m not driving you anymore, get out of my car,” according to Brown.

“We were just dumbfounded and thought it was a joke so we questioned him and asked why,” Brown told an Australian news outlet. “He just repeated himself and said, ‘I can’t drive you anymore, this is my car and I’m not driving that.'”

At that point, the driver stopped the car and dropped the men on the side of the road.

Related: Robbie Turner from “Drag Race” breaks her silence about that “fatal Uber crash” and… wow.

When the men contacted Uber, the company issued a refund and provided the following response:

“This isn’t the regular Uber experience, and you shouldn’t have to put up with this kind of inappropriate behaviour,” the apology read in part. (Uber) will be looking into this trip and taking the appropriate steps to ensure this experience doesn’t continue.

Our technology is a two-way street for both riders and driver-partners, and driver-partners that behave inappropriately may have their access removed.”

Additionally, an Uber spokesperson said, “Uber does not tolerate any form of discrimination. Our community guidelines expressly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and make it clear to driver-partners this behavior can result in them losing access to the Uber app.”

Keep in mind, Uber has a weird, overly strict rule that passengers aren’t allowed to flirt or touch each other during their car rides. We’re sure it’s evenly enforced on gay and straight couples. Haha, just kidding—of course it isn’t.

But while their story is bad, but it isn’t as bad as some of the other Uber horror stories we’ve heard.

Other Uber drivers have kicked out customers for using the word “darling,” ditched two women for kissing and asked their customers for oral sex, The company has also gotten bad press in the past for banning trans drivers and scamming passengers with a “vomit fraud” scheme.

Don't forget to share:

Help make sure LGBTQ+ stories are being told...

We can't rely on mainstream media to tell our stories. That's why we don't lock Queerty articles behind a paywall. Will you support our mission with a contribution today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated