San Francisco has long been an epicenter for LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance. Uber is proud to call this beautifully diverse city home, and even more proud to call so many of its inhabitants’ partners. Whether it’s a search for a new opportunity or a more open perspective, San Francisco accepts all with open arms.
To celebrate San Francisco Pride, Uber engaged a handful of drivers who are passionate about LGBTQ+ issues and “rainbow wrapped” their cars. When you select an uberPOOL, UberX, or UberSELECT ride starting June 19 – and continuing the week leading up to the Pride Parade on Sunday June 25 – you may randomly get one of these rainbow wrapped cars.
Uber will match fares from these rainbow rides and then donate that matched fare to Larkin Street Youth Services, a local non-profit provider of services for young people experiencing homelessness in San Francisco – 50% of whom identify as LGBTQ+. Larkin Street’s Castro Youth Housing Initiative provides 32 housing units to youth experiencing homelessness who identify as LGBTQ+ for up to 24 months, with extensive support services.
Read below to learn more about these passionate drivers and how San Francisco and the Pride community has impacted their lives. You may just find yourself sitting in the back sharing your own love letter to San Francisco!
Devin
“Growing up in a small town on the East Coast was hard. The atmosphere was very conservative, I felt like I couldn’t be myself and acceptance of the LGBT community was practically non-existent. My entire time growing up, San Francisco was that safe landing place of acceptance. So I finally packed my bags at age 21 and flew across the country, with hardly anything and no job. I’m 23 now, and I just came out to my family a few weeks ago. I was so nervous, but it was well-received and I am happy I can finally be myself. This year Pride has an extra special meaning for me: not only is it my first year participating, but it’s also my first time in my life where I feel safe. When you feel like no one accepts you or loves you, San Francisco Pride reminds you it’s actually the exact opposite.”
Chris “Crystal”
“I’m gay. Hella gay. I came to San Francisco at age 25 the same way every gay person comes here, saying “Hell yes, San Francisco!” Pride has really evolved into this great celebration. We get people from all over the world that are here to see our Pride parade. I’m looking forward to giving them a ride in my rainbow car and sharing my own story with them. Look out for me world!”
Victor
“I grew up in the Netherlands, and homosexuality was not something that was ever discussed with my parents. I first got married to a woman because that was expected, but I wasn’t happy, and we eventually split up. When I was 28 years old I came out to both my parents and told them that I was gay. It took them many years to wrap their head around it. I met my current partner in New York, we decided to come to San Francisco to be openly gay together. We’ve been together for six years now and I’m beyond happy. I can’t wait to see people’s reactions to my rainbow car.”
Clinton
“The LGBT community is important to me for many reasons. I believe we should all represent love and respect for all. I came out 15 years ago and I couldn’t be more proud to be part of a community that is so accepting and free. Pride is a time we can all gather and put our struggles behind us. Even though the world is becoming more accepting, the day-to-day struggle is still there. I came out when I was 16 years old and it’s been a long journey to come to where I am today. Pride is much more to me than just a relationship between two people, it’s a relationship with humanity. I was living in a small secluded town called Forest Hill, and it was very hard to come out. I knew that I was ‘different’ when I was 12 years old. It took some time to come out to my family because the town wasn’t really exposed to a lot of diversity or change. It was hard because I didn’t know if I would be accepted or not. When I went to school, I was exposed to more people and it helped build the courage I needed to come out to my friends & family. They accepted me for exactly who I am without blinking an eye. It’s not just about being different or gay, there’s just so much other diversity that needs to be accepted by society.”
Posted by Uber San Francisco
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