This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn more

Deliveroo Rider Suspended After Screaming Homophobic Abuse At Gay Couple

A Deliveroo rider has been suspended after screaming homophobic abuse at a gay couple in Croydon.

The couple were walking down the street when they heard a man working for the major food delivery company scream “you’re disgusting”. The Deliveroo rider allegedly shouted slurs and “your witchcraft will come back on you”.

Deliveroo has confirmed the rider in question has been suspended while detectives from the Metropolitan Police are investigating the incident. 


Scott, 27, told ‘MyLondon’ that he and his boyfriend Adam, 31, were the only people on the pavement when the Deliveroo rider hurled abuse in their direction.

“We face this [homophobic abuse] every day,” he said.

“Even in London, which we can all feel is incredibly open, there is still work to be done and though it’s tiresome and it can make us weary, we have to keep pushing forward.

“We have it easier than most, being white, cisgender males so we know to use that privilege, for example to report anything that happens knowing that most likely due to our skin tone we will be listened to. We feel resilient, we feel strong but of course there is disappointment in the people who are hateful and ignorant.

“I wouldn’t call it a shame, it is shameful but moreover it is disgraceful and lazy. To be uneducated and ill-informed in an age of uncapped knowledge via the internet is inexcusable.”

Scott believes in spreading awareness of the LGBT+ community so that verbal abuse like what he and Adam received is gradually stamped out of society.

He said: “As members of the queer community we need to act like troubleshooters, educating ourselves and educating others and then repairing and helping where help is most needed.

“We also need this support from our allies, potentially even more so as though it’s unfortunate, the societal norms put more credence on the voices of straight, white, cispeople right now. We need those exact people to be educating themselves and advocating for the queer and trans community.

“It has to start with us personally, acknowledging and removing our biases to then change the bigger picture.”

The Deliveroo rider who allegedly shouted homophobic abuse will have his contract “ended with immediate effect” if the actions are proven, Deliveroo said.

A spokesperson for the company stated: “Deliveroo takes a zero tolerance approach to any form of discrimination.

“The incident was dealt with urgently by our escalation team and we immediately took action to suspend the rider while an investigation is carried out.

“The rider will have their contract with Deliveroo ended with immediate effect once we have carried out the necessary due diligence to confirm the incident.”

The Metropolitan Police have confirmed the incident has been recorded as a hate crime.

A spokesperson for the force said: “Police were called shortly after 9pm on Sunday, July 12 following an incident earlier in the evening in which two men were verbally abused on a street in Croydon.

“Officers made an appointment to speak with them, and due to the nature of the comments made, the matter was recorded as a hate crime.

“There are currently no active lines of inquiry unless new information or investigative opportunities arise.

“There have been no arrests.”


Read related myGwork articles here:

Deliveroo and LEON To Include Free LGBT+ Children’s Books With Deliveries During Pride Month

DO YOU NEED TO BE A MORE INCLUSIVE LEADER?

Conversion Therapy Organisations Are Complaining Because Facebook Won’t Let Them Advertise That Gays Can Be “Cured”


Keep up to date with the latest myGnews 


Sign up to mygwork

________

LGBT professionals, LGBT Graduates, LGBT professional network, LGBT professional events, LGBT networking events, LGBT Recruitment, LGBT Friendly organisations, LGBT Friendly companies, LGBT jobs

Share this

myGwork
myGwork is best used with the app