No Men Need Apply: Women's Car Service Should Be Welcomed, Not Sued

Townhall.com ^ | 3 Feb 2017 | Jeff Jacoby

[American Quilter]

Safr, a ride-hailing company for women, is planning to open for business in Boston next month. By hiring only female drivers and picking up only female passengers, the new enterprise aims to serve women who don't feel comfortable getting alone into a car with a male stranger. Here's to Safr's success — may the company encounter only happy customers.

More likely, it will encounter James J. Foster. Or someone just like him.

[taxcontrol]

Sorry folks, can’t have it both ways. Either a business has the right to refuse service to potential customer or it does not.

If a car company can refuse service to men, then a bakery can refuse a wedding cake.

The first amendment freedom to peacefully assemble includes for the purpose of business. And just as other first amendment clauses protect the right to do something, it also protects the right to NOT do something. So if a business desires to NOT do business, and as long as it is peaceful about it, then they are within their constitutional rights to do so.

[Rastus]

Will the horn play the Village People?

[Rastus]

Paul Stanley looks good without his makeup. Well, without his trademarked Kiss makeup!

[DouglasKC]

Good luck with gender specific businesses in an insane world where people pretend there’s no such thing as gender specific.

[wgmalabama]

I agree. Freedom of association is also freedom from association. The FedGov has way overstepped and we deserve freedom and liberty.

[fruser1]

Likity Limousine?

[Steve_Seattle]

"This is a great idea. Unfortunately it will probably be sued out of existence by liberal activists."

I think it should be legal, and Boston libs will probably find away to make it legal - or ignore its illegality - despite its violating almost every anti-discrimination law that libs have demanded. But if it were a man-only thing, libs would denounce it from coast to coast, with rioting, overturning cars, and breaking windows.

[Steve_Seattle]

"I completely support this business idea."

I agree, but it is in basic contradiction to the very anti-discrimination laws that liberals support.

[jr3000]

Of course! I don’t discriminate!
I’m sure women would be very comfortable too.

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

“Or a men-only drinking club?”

A few decades ago, those were the norm in most Canadian provinces. Draft beer joints were for men only — no women allowed. The “Ladies and Escorts” rooms allowed single men, but no unaccompanied women were allowed in (lest they be engaged in a ‘commercial’ activity).

[b4me]

stupid idea.
just have Safr rides for everyone. Have mostly women drivers and some men drivers let those seeking rides select their preference of driver but know there may be longer wait time if that gender of driver is unavailable immediately.

[kearnyirish2]

Frankly I see little hope until the most blatant example (affirmative action) is tossed/declared unconstitutional. Our government’s official policies are a de facto acknowledgment of genetic inferiority on the part of some; while the “beneficiaries” applaud it (laughing all the way to the bank) there should be no expectation that I’ll regard them as equals - my government says they aren’t.

[trebb]

Don’t they know there’s no such thing as just plain women and men anymore????

[American Quilter]

Sexist hiring practice?

You bet. I've always believed in free association in the private market. If some smart women see a niche for a women-only cab company, let them do it. Same for men. And either or both companies should be free to accept or refuse people who don't fit either category. Let some enterprising "other" start a cab company for them.

[American Quilter]

First question - I am a man “transitioning to” a woman. But I have a beard and still look pretty butch.

Since I believe in freedom of association--the right of any private-sector company to decide who it will hire, serve, etc.--I believe the company should be able to make its own rules for such cases.

[American Quilter]

Great idea, until they pick up a man in a dress with bad intent. And, they will probably HAVE to pick up a man in a dress.

They'd have to have thought this out in advance, certainly, and have a policy for it. In a free society, no cab driver--or anyone else--should have to serve an undesirable customer. Of course, I realize we're no longer a free society; I'm just saying that's how it should be.

[American Quilter]

What about the other 50 gender identities? Can’t they get a special cab ride too?

In a free society, some enterprising person would be free to start up a cab company for such people; there could be quite a market.

[American Quilter]

I get why they might want to have female only drivers and customers, but also see a whole host of other problems.

You're right. I imagine this company has consulted attorneys and received guidance on how to set their policies. Of course, in our crazed society today, freedom of association is no longer permitted; if it were, none of this would be a problem.

[American Quilter]

Bravo, Maceman! I couldn’t have said it better myself.

[Gene Eric]

Ironic that most women vote for the destruction of a civil society.

Sue Safr for a safer society.