Gay couple told to get off London bus after kiss complaint

Transport for London have launched an investigation after a gay couple were allegedly told to get off a bus for kissing.

Jack James, 23, and his boyfriend were on a number 89 bus in the Blackheath area, on the night of August 8, when the driver verbally abused them and told them to get off, the London Evening Standard reports.

James explained: “We were chatting away when my partner gave me a peck on the lips. The bus driver shouted ‘Oi you two don’t do that on my fucking bus or you can get off, I don’t want to watch that.”

The driver added: “It’s my bus it is my rules and I don’t want to watch that, it’s disgusting, get off the bus.”

“Once we got off the bus we were fuming and I was shaking,” James continued. “The bus stopped again and he shouted and told us we were not real men and we should fuck off.”

TfL’s Head of Bus Operations, Ken Davidson, said: “All customers have the right to use our services without fear of being abused and offensive behaviour is completely unacceptable.

“We would like to reassure Mr James that this matter is being taken very seriously and that a thorough investigation is being conducted by Go Ahead.”

TfL are said to have identified the driver, and are currently studying CCTV footage as part of their investigation. The driver is currently on leave and will be spoken to when he returns to work.

A lesbian couple were recently told to stop kissing by a security guard at a Sainsbury’s store in Brighton, prompting the supermarket chain to issue a public apology – read more here.

A group of students decided to hold a kiss-in at the store in defence of the couple last week – find out more here.