A Chicago-based ABC News reporter and his partner were kicked out of a cab they ordered on Uber Friday night after the driver saw the couple holding hands, according to a Facebook post.
Alex Perez, a national correspondent, posted on the Facebook page of the Chicago Carriage Cab Company, “Today I rode in your cab and your driver kicked my partner and I out of his cab because he did not want gay couples in his cab.
“We were miles from our destination and it was pouring rain. When I tried to photograph his badge, he tried to take my phone. He cancelled the fare and said we would never be able to find him. This is unacceptable and against the law. Something needs to be done.”
Perez also shared his partner’s post about the incident on his own Facebook page, adding the caption, “Yes — this actually happened to us in 2015.”
His partner, Kevin Gregory, alleged in the post that the driver kicked the two out of the back seat after seeing their hands held. He noted the timing; the U.S. Supreme Court passed a 5-4 decision Friday morning ruling gay marriage constitutional in all 50 states.
“Pretty ironic for today,” Gregory wrote in his post to Uber. “Not only illegal, but immoral. Please don’t let this hateful human being continue to represent your company.”
Gregory also wrote that the driver canceled the fare and wouldn’t let the couple get his taxi number.
Uber spokeswoman Brooke Anderson said the driver was a licensed cabbie who has been banned from using Uber to pick up rides as a result of Perez and Gregory’s complaint. Dispatchers at the Chicago Carriage Cab Company declined to comment Friday night.
Earlier Friday, Uber used its Facebook account — laden with a pride flag themed profile photo — to comment on Gregory’s post with an apology and to post a link where he could file his complaint.
Perez, Gregory and ABC National News could not be reached for comment.
