A gay couple have spoken out after they were allegedly kicked out of an Uber for sharing a kiss on the cheek.
Kristin Michele and her girlfriend Jenn Mangan were heading to a Zac Brown Band concert in Camden, New Jersey on Friday (September 6) when the incident occurred.
In a post on Facebook, she said: “This woman picked me up as my Uber driver. We took off. I gave my girlfriend a kiss on the cheek and she pulled the car over and said ‘you need to get out of my car.’ I asked why. She said ‘I won’t have that in my car.’”
A video shows what happened when Michele began filming the encounter.
Uber driver: ‘I can reject any ride I want to’
In the clip, Michele asks: “You’re kicking me out because I’m gay?” and the woman responds: “Yes, I am. Yes. Get out.”
When Michele points out that “this is an Uber ride and I paid you for a service,” the driver replies: “This is my personal car… I can reject any ride I want to. I’m calling the police.”
The driver, identified only as Cynthia, attempted to physically bat the camera away during the confrontation.
In a follow-up post, Kristin Michele confirmed she had reported the incident to Uber, and apologised for using swear words during the exchange.
She said: “Thank you all so very much for ensuring that there are amazing and supportive people in the world.
“I apologise for the language in the video. While most people have understood my words it doesn’t make them right. Thank you for the love and support.”
Speaking to NJ.com, Michele said that before she switched her camera on, the driver had told her she was a Christian and “didn’t believe in that.”
She said: “[It’s] quite ridiculous that people are still like that… I was infuriated that someone could be so mean and put that reasoning on their religious beliefs.
“I believe God loves everyone no matter who they are or who they love. If you truly have faith than you know that love is love.”
Uber prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation
An Uber spokesperson told PinkNews: “Uber does not tolerate discrimination in any form and we have been in contact with this rider.
“We removed the driver’s access to the app as soon as we were made aware of this incident.”
The company’s non-discrimination policy says: “Uber seeks to ignite opportunity by setting the world in motion and striving to provide safe, reliable, and high-quality service options to everyone.
“Uber and its affiliates therefore prohibit discrimination against users based on race, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, sex, marital status, gender identity, age or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.
“Such discrimination includes, but is not limited to, any user refusing to provide or accept services based on any of these characteristics.
“Any user found to have violated this prohibition will lose access to the Uber platform.”