TEP condemns Uber driver's anti-gay assault on Memphis businessman

TEP condemns Uber driver's anti-gay assault on Memphis businessman

Contact: Ginger Leonard, (901) 461-0891

Memphis, TN: Memphis businessman Ray Rico experienced an anti-gay assault on Friday night by an Uber driver after a disagreement over bringing food into the driver's car. Mr. Rico reports that the driver called him "faggot." Rico then ended the trip and attempted to hail another Uber driver. The same driver appeared using a different profile on the app. The driver unleashed another string of epithets at Rico. After Rico took pictures of the car license plate the driver backed the vehicle into him.

TEP board chair Ginger Leonard offers the following statement: "Mr. Rico's experience is an outrageous assault on his safety and dignity and therefore an assault on all LGBT Memphians. Uber has begun an investigation of the incident and Mr. Rico is exploring pressing criminal charges. We call on Uber to complete its investigation quickly and to work with TEP on a review of its diversity training for drivers.

The Tennessee Equality Project is a statewide organization that advances the rights of Tennessee's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

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Robert Erwin followed this page 2016-08-02 06:21:37 -0500
Patrick Cullen commented 2016-08-01 08:36:15 -0500
Not being a part of the LGBT community but working and having contact with many,many more this type of incident should not be over looked or minimized. Uber has got to do a better job of screening their drivers.
Molly Cole commented 2016-07-31 23:01:39 -0500
I hope Uber handles this quickly as a person who uses Uber, I feel they must take the publics safety very seriously. This is bad business for Memphis. The driver should be held accountable for his actions.