US: Oregon lesbian couple sues cab driver who left them stranded
An Oregon lesbian couple has filed a lawsuit against a taxi cab driver who left them on the side of a motorway last summer because the couple displayed affection in his cab.
Kate Neal and Shanako Devoll say driver Ahmed Egal intentionally caused them emotional distress and held them under false arrest during the incident.
The lawsuit was also filed against the driver’s former employer, Broadway Cab, for negligence.
The couple claims that in July 2013, Egal noticed the couple was being affectionate while in his cab and began yelling homophobic comments.
Egal allegedly told the couple they could not be gay in his cab.
According to the couple, the driver pulled over on the side of a Portland motorway and left them stranded.
The couple called a second Broadway Cab to pick them up. That driver, however, also refused to take them home after talking with the first driver.
The couple located a police officer near the motorway to report the incident.
That officer had been dispatched to find the couple after Broadway Cab reported them for skipping out on their fare.
He took the couple home.
In August 2013, Portland revoked Egal’s license for failing to get customers safely to their destination. The city also fined Broadway Cab $1,000 (£590).
The couple is seeking $38,000 (£17,700) in damages.
