Detroit rapper Dank Demoss is suing the rideshare company Lyft after she was denied a ride from a driver due to her weight.
The rapper, whose real name is Dajua Blanding, explained that she ordered a ride to watch a Detroit Lions game, and when the driver arrived and saw Blanding, he said she couldn't fit in his car. After Blanding assured the driver that she could fit in his sedan, he told her, "Believe me, you can't."
The driver then ordered Blanding a Lyft XL, a larger vehicle, and he told her that he would refund her ride so she wouldn't be out any money.
Blanding stated, "I've been in cars smaller than that. I just want them to know that it hurt my feelings."
She has now hired attorneys Jonathan Marko and Zach Runyan to sue for discrimination. The attorneys say that weight is a protected characteristic in Michigan. Marko explained that denying someone a ride based on their weight is the same as denying someone a ride based on their race or religion under the law.
Lyft responded to the lawsuit in a statement that reads, "Lyft unequivocally condemns all forms of discrimination—we believe in a community where everyone is treated with equal respect and mutual kindness. Our community guidelines and terms of service explicitly prohibit harassment or discrimination."
Source: Fox 2 Detroit
