Lesbian couple sues Broadway Cab driver for $38,000 after left beside Interstate 84Two lesbian women who were left stranded by the side of Interstate 84 last summer -- after they say a Broadway Cab driver shouted homophobic remarks at them -- filed a $38,000 lawsuit last week against the driver and the cab company.
The incident, which stirred widespread community discussion, unfolded on July 25, 2013, after Kate Neal and Shanako Devoll asked an employee at the Northwest Portland vegan strip club, Casa Diablo, to call a cab for them. When the cab arrived at 11:41 p.m., their friend, Eric Swensied, got into the cab with them.
The women reportedly had kissed and were holding hands. About 10 minutes into the ride, driver Ahmed Egal stopped his taxi along I-84. He told them to get out, the suit states.
They said it was too dangerous, and that he should take them to a safe place, according to the suit. Egal sped along the freeway, using his cell phone, before pulling over five exits later -- again by the side of the freeway. When he refused the trio's repeated requests to drop them off at a safe location, they called Broadway Cab for help, but got voice mail, the suit states.
They got out and climbed over a freeway barrier to safety near Northeast 102nd Avenue, according to the suit.
An investigation by the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries found that Egal discriminated against the women because of their sexual orientation. They said that Egal told them, "You can't be gay in my cab." Egal said he didn't say anything about their sexual orientation.
The women are suing Egal claiming unlawful discrimination, intentional infliction of emotional distress and false arrest for allegedly failing to let them out at a safe place as he passed five freeway exits. Swensied also is suing for claims that include intentional infliction of emotional distress and false arrest.
Egal's taxi-driving permit was revoked.
The suit faults the taxi company for allegedly failing to properly train and supervise Egal -- and for allowing him to continuing working "after knowledge of prior wrongful ejectments of passengers..."
In March, the city of Portland dismissed a $1,000 fine against Broadway Cab. The city had contended that the company violated city code by failing to promptly respond through its dispatch system to the couple's call for help.
Derek Ashton, an attorney representing Broadway Cab, couldn't comment Monday about the pending litigation. But he pointed to the investigation by state regulators, which found no substantial evidence that the company was responsible in any way for Egal's actions.
"To the contrary, the uncontroverted evidence was that Broadway Cab celebrates diversity and does not tolerate discrimination of any type,'' wrote Ashton.
The suit was filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court by Portland attorney Nicholas Yanchar.
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/inde ... way_c.html
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I never thought they'd go to a strip joint for the food ffs
