An Arizona LGBTQ+ group has established a partnership with Waymo, the autonomous-driving tech company, to provide what it said will be a safer transportation option.
Angela Hughey, president of the group One Community, said through the partnership, Waymo is providing what she described as “acceptability through innovation.”
Hughey explained a person never truly knows what experience awaits them when they hail a traditional ride-share service, and it comes with a sense of vulnerability. She stressed Waymo and One Community have gone the extra mile to eliminate the worry.
“What I really think is so cool about Waymo and the innovation of autonomous driving, is that Waymo doesn’t discriminate, right?” Hughey pointed out. “It is about providing safety and an assuredness to every passenger that gets into the car.”
Hughey called it a valuable and necessary innovation. A Gender Policy Report from the University of Minnesota found one in four members of the LGBTQ+ community is concerned about safety on public transportation. Waymo currently provides service in the metro Phoenix area, downtown Phoenix and Sky Harbor International Airport.
Hughey added Waymo is just one of 3,500 businesses to have signed One Community’s Unity Pledge, which turns 10 years old next month. It is a pledge to advance workplace equality, equal treatment in housing and public accommodations for LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies.
“One of the first things that Waymo did when we started our partnership, is that they signed the Unity Pledge,” Hughey noted. “So, that was actionable. They are absolutely supportive of LGBTQ inclusivity in this great state and nation, and taking the United Pledge was very demonstrative on their part.”
Hughey added feeling safe and welcome in ride-sharing services is something which should matter to all Arizonans.
References:
Waymo 2023
One Community 2023
Gender Policy Report Univ. of Minn. 09/04/2019
Unity Pledge One Community 2023
