Justice Driven: Taxi company held responsible for discriminatory conduct of its drivers

In December of 2009, our client kissed his male partner in a taxi and the driver ejected them both.

The client filed a complaint with the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR) against PHL Taxi alleging a violation of the Fair Practices Ordinance, which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation.

PHL Taxi asserted that as a dispatcher it is not responsible for the discriminatory conduct of its drivers.

In the recently released Final Decision and Order, PCHR rejected PHL Taxi’s argument and ordered the company to: instruct its driver to not discriminate; educate its employees and drivers on the Fair Practices Ordinance; pay reasonable attorneys’ fees; and pay a $500 penalty to the client.

The AIDS Law Project represented this client because we believe fighting discrimination in the LGBT community is essential to protecting the rights of people living with HIV.