Dani Graves, of Thornhill, said he was once physically pushed off a bus by a driver who said he and his fiancee Tasha Maltby were not allowed to travel on the service.

According to Mr Graves, he said: "We don't let freaks and dogs like you on." Mr Graves, 25, said on December 8, he and Miss Maltby, 19, went to Dewsbury bus station to get an Arriva service to Thornhill.

According to Mr. Graves, the harassment has been ongoing:

But last Saturday, the couple tried to get on a bus at Dewsbury bus station, at about 10.25pm. The same driver was at the wheel and as they approached he shook his head.

The pair showed their passes and sat down on the bus but the driver refused to let any other passengers on until they got off.

Mr Graves and Miss Maltby refused to get off the bus but were eventually forced off after being threatened with police action. And on Monday, Mr Graves was waiting for a bus in Thornhill, this time alone. He said he held out his arm to flag it down, but the same driver smiled and drove past.

Mr Graves relies on the bus service as he does not drive and suffers from a circulation problem that means he cannot walk long distances in cold weather.

I'm just amazed anyone could discriminate against such a cute couple:

While the boyfriend does admit to leashing his girlfriend in public settings, the couple states that they always take the lead off before traveling on public transportation. Safety first, of course.

Let's just hope the bus company fires the asshole driver soon.

PantherNesmith

Gloucester, VA

June 2006

JAN 25, 2008 10:31 PM

I read this one already.

And the bus driver really was an asshat.

But he was confronted with something unfamiliar, and responded the way people do when faced with something they don't understand.

Tallboy66

Chicago, IL

January 2005

JAN 25, 2008 10:41 PM

PantherNesmith said:
I read this one already.

And the bus driver really was an asshat.

But he was confronted with something unfamiliar, and responded the way people do when faced with something they don't understand.

Exactly, attack it, kill it, deny it rights that everyone else has.

Reason # 83930 why I love/need to live in a large city.
Because people have seen and been around other cultures/sub cultures.

I feel sorry for him, he's just another ignorant so and so.

GonzoChaote

Vancouver, BC

March 2007

JAN 25, 2008 11:07 PM

I reject your reality and substitute my own.

JekyllAndHyde

Baltimore, MD

April 2005

JAN 25, 2008 11:29 PM

Well, it's a far cry from Rosa Parks, but still WTF, mate? Goth kids haven't been "freaks" since high school, when they liked the moniker.

Cassiel

Aurora, CO

September 2004

JAN 25, 2008 11:38 PM

I've always wanted to go up to a goth kid, hug them tightly, and say, "It's gonna be all right. The sun's gonna come out tomorrow. It's gonna be a beautiful day."

Hunter

SUICIDEGIRL

New York, USA

JAN 26, 2008 02:24 AM

though I do think it's a little obnoxious to parade your sex life around in front of people who probably don't want to know about it, everyone's allowed to ride the goddamn bus.
I also think the driver has played into their hands by making an issue out of it. treat goth kids like they're normal for long enough and they (usually) grow out of it. I mean, come on, the bus driver's a grownup and should know better.

Cash

USA

OLD SKOOL

JAN 26, 2008 03:24 AM

which one is the girl?

StarBelliedBoy

Philadelphia, PA

December 2003

JAN 26, 2008 03:58 AM

That girl is gonna feel so stupid in about five years. I hope those two make it so dude is around for her wakeup call.

Also, I was hoping for a thread about

PointBlank

New York, NY

November 2004

JAN 26, 2008 06:29 AM

The line is "And your little dog, too!"

Morgan

SUICIDEGIRL

Illinois, USA

JAN 26, 2008 08:44 AM

Hunter said:
though I do think it's a little obnoxious to parade your sex life around in front of people who probably don't want to know about it, everyone's allowed to ride the goddamn bus.

Actually, I've seen stories quoting the couple as saying that the leashing is not sexual or a kink. It's simply the way they choose to work their relationship dynamic.

Darke

Columbia, MO

June 2005

JAN 26, 2008 10:18 AM

Make a formal complaint, they'll switch the asshole driver to another route or fire him. ~shrug~

Kristie

Chicago, IL

December 2004

JAN 26, 2008 10:22 AM

PointBlank said:
The line is "And your little dog, too!"

I was wondering if anyone else noticed that!

PointBlank

New York, NY

November 2004

JAN 26, 2008 10:25 AM

KikiBH said:

PointBlank said:
The line is "And your little dog, too!"

I was wondering if anyone else noticed that!

It's driving me crazy!!