|
Stagecoach Boycott
| |
|
The following is a press release we issued to launch this campaign. It received wide-spread coverage in the mainstream media, radio, and the LGBT press as far away as South Africa and was translated by news agencies into several languages.
 Call for Boycott of Bus Group
Mamba Gay South Africa
Youth accelerate Stagecoach Boycott
A2 Media Group
U.K. bus company denies couple's gay bias charges
Gay News Watch
Stagecoach Denies Homophobia Towards Staff and Passengers
Personnel Today
Minor in major row with Stagecoach
The Telegraph
Gay couple suffer second incident of bus discrimination
PinkNews
Youth accelerate Stagecoach Boycott
-------------
Wed, 23 Jan 2008
-------------
The Boycott will continue on all Stagecoach services - mainly buses, coaches, trams and trains and use alternatives where possible until these two young men receive an apology, and an additional commitment from the Stagecoach group to provide services that are safe and inclusive for all young people in made.'
Following the revelation of very serious complaints against the Stagecoach Group surrounding ongoing lack of support offered to it's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered passengers and employees, the Queer Youth Network would like to express it's disbelief and concern at Stagecoach’s continued lack of action.
Two complaints of homophobia made recently in Scotland detail separate and clear cases of open homophobia on a young gay couple in Aberdeen on the part of one of Stagecoach Driver.
In Manchester, a young gay driver for Stagecoach has also spoken up about a 'canteen culture' of bigotry and ignorance perpetuated and ignored throughout the transport giant's workplaces.
Josh Minor of the Scottish Queer Youth Network said "As yet Stagecoach has taken no action in relation to these complaints, and the Queer Youth Network now is now calling upon all young people all over the country and anyone who believes in equality to completely boycott, where possible, ALL Stagecoach services until Stagecoach has suspended the driver in question, pending a full investigation." Josh's group was joining protests now being planned outside Stagecoach offices by activists, led by the Scottish Socialist Party.
Gay Staff are "Frightened"
"The company is stuck in the dark ages, I want to leave but there's not many jobs driving for other companies as they have wiped them all out." the 22 year old said, who does not want to be named. There's no training about equal opportunities, it's really hard to be gay and work here, I wouldn't dream of coming out, I'd be crucified.
There was an 'out'-lesbian working here for years and in the end she just had enough. She had to go on sick leave that was over a year ago now". His complaints to the management about the shovanistic atmosphere in his depot, and a barrage of daily sexist and homophobic remarks have fallen on deaf ears.
David Henry, director of the national gay youth group the 'Queer Youth Network' feels Stagecoach's upper-reaches of management's powerless to act is down to the personal interference of the company's ownership.
In 2000 Chairman Brian Souter personally bankrolled a campaign in to unsuccessfully retain the anti-gay law 'section 28' which prevented the 'promotion of homosexuality'.
Henry added "Every single day young people from all over Britain make up a sizable portion of Stagecoach's customer base, that often have no choice but to use their franchised public transport services".
"Stagecoach's failure to take action on this matter opens the door wide open for similar incidents in the future.
The Boycott will continue on all Stagecoach services - mainly buses, coaches, trams and trains and use alternatives where possible until these two young men receive an apology, and an additional commitment from the Stagecoach group to provide services that are safe and inclusive for all young people in made."
Rosa Parks Similarities
"Are we living in 1960's America? or are we living in a safe and civilised Britain where we can all travel freely without being ridiculed by those supposedly offering a basic public service?". Continued Henry -making reference to long abolished laws in the United States which separated blacks from whites on public transport.
"The travel giant has displayed a blatant disregard for the recently introduced legal reforms designed to protect the LGBT Community from exactly this kind of prejudice."
Groups of young people angry at Stagecoach's continuing silence have begun 'hug-in' protests and are distributing literature informing Stagecoach passengers on it's recently acquired Metrolink tram network and at bus stops along the Oxford Road route in Manchester - Europe's busiest, most competitive bus corridor.
"We have a duty as customers and individuals not to tolerate this kind of behaviour from a company entrusted to provide a public service. We shall not rest on this issue until our demands are met." - "Rosa Parks would spin in her grave" Henry concluded.
|
| |
|
Last updated
by: David on 2nd September 2008
Last viewed by: Guest | 2081 Total Views | |
| |
| |
|
 About QYN Portal
|
Campaigns
Find out what we campaign for and why these issues are important to LGBT Young People and how you can help us make a difference.
Contact QYN
Get in touch with us on the phone, by email or in person. Nationwide and in your region.
Core Objectives
Current Projects
Donate to QYN
Funding
Membership
Everyone can get involved with our work and we offer several types of membership offering a wide range of benefits based on your needs as an individual or group.
Merchandise
Get your hands on our smart range of Queer Youth Network branded gear including T-Shirts, Badges and Stickers.
Online Services
An overview of the over-expanding online services we deliver on the internet and via our website.
Our Ideology
The Queer Youth Network was founded on a unique set of grassroots principles, designed by young people to informs others how we work as a movement. Our ideology inspires our members to further our main objectives.
Past Projects
Publications
We develop and distribute a wide range of practical resource and tools aimed at supporting LGBT Youth and those who support their needs.
Quotes about QYN
What people say about us and our achievements. Including quotes from young people, parents, youth workers, teachers, fellow activists and politicians.
Regional Groups
Timeline
...a history of the Queer Youth Network and the LGBT rights movement in Britain
Volunteers
We are entirely run by a diverse cross-selection of our membership which make up our "VolunQueers" team. Young people can get more involved with our projects nationwide.
|
 Press Releases | Youth accelerate Stagecoach Boycott 23/1/2008
The Queer Youth Network accused Stagecoach of homophobia and has launched a boycott, pointing to two recent incidents involving a coach driver and Mark Craig and Steven Black, a young gay couple in Aberdeen, Scotland, while in Manchester, a young gay Stagecoach driver has allegedly spoken up about a 'canteen culture' of bigotry and ignorance. |
 Stagecoach Boycott Links (0)
|
|
|
|
Member Login
Featured Blogs
Community News
Related Discussions