Above, one of New York’s colorful hansom cab drivers (you know, the guys that steer the horse-drawn carriages) can be heard shouting a racial epithet and homosexual slur at a group of women who questioned the treatment of horses in his industry over Pride weekend.
Of course, with his thick Irish brogue, it sounds like he’s calling them “faking naggers” on their way to a “dake convention.”
PETA got hold of this amateur footage and is using it in its campaign to get the city to outlaw the oh-so-romantic conveyances. Out tennis legend and animal-rights advocate Martina Navratilova just sent a letter to New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn (you know, one high-powered lesbian to another), in which she she reproached the politico for supporting of a “scurrilous industry that spouts racist and homophobic vitriol.”
Navratilova implored Quinn to change her stance and support Intro. 86A, a bill seeking to replace horse-drawn carriages with eco-friendly classic cars.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
We’d love to see the buggies go away, not just because of the cruelty, but because of the smell, the poop, the slow-moving carts ambling down the street as cars honk in their wake.
Did we mention the poop?
But animal cruelty and foul-mouthed drivers are two separate issues. If the city tried to axe everyone who spewed bigoted invective on the streets of New York, the bread lines would be longer than a wait for a table at Per Se.
Colin
Anti-gay slurs are unacceptable.
Michael DeSelms
I will be looking for the e-mail or site of the Handsome Cabs. He needs to loose his job. this is unacceptable in a city where tourisim dollars are needed.
MickW
White people are so disgusting. Will they ever stop with the racism?
Chad
Meaningless apology from handsom cab driver in 3…2…1…
scribe37
@Colin: but racism is o.k?
scribe37
@MickW: One nut job, should not reflect on every white person.
Ogre Magi
He ought to be beaten with the whip he uses on that poor horse!
Colin
@scribe37: Is that what you believe? Why would you ask me that?
Red Meat
Why should I be offended by what someone from the 1800s says about gay and black people?
scott ny'er
i was just passing by them the other day and looked a the horse sadly. I was unsure if they were happy or not. I think they aren’t but I’m just not sure.
PTBoat
They could have gone all Arizona on him and asked for his papers. I bet that would have sent him through the roof. Seriously, though, they poked the bigot first. It doesn’t excuse his choice of spewing his inner hatred in his line of obscenities, but they should have expected some kind of reaction for the whole ‘your industry is cruel to horses and you’re an evil animal abuser’ stuff. Honestly, I would call this a wash. The victims were assholes and the perp is just another bigoted guy on a hot day.
KARUADAM
Come on guys!! he is nothing, but another fucking Christian..
Brian
You want to sign on to Martina’s letter? Go here to NYCLASS, the group who shot the video: http://www.nyclass.org/martinaletter
Rory
With all the problems NYC faces….guns, muggers, car thieves, rude obnoxious people, noise polution, traffic jams, collapsing infrastructure, overcrowded subways etc. etc. there are some people who get all worked up over horse and buggy carriages in and around Central Park? Really?
C Stokes
The term is hansom cab, not handsom or handsome cab. Further, the carriage shown is not a hansom cab, which is a two-wheeled conveyance with the driver’s position above and behind the passenger. What is shown is a landau.