A Calgary Transit Worker Is Threatening to Quit His Job if Assigned to Drive a Pride-Themed Rainbow Bus

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A public transit worker in Calgary has threatened to quit his job if he is assigned to drive a bus wrapped with a rainbow flag in celebration of the city's Pride festival. Jesse Rau, a Calgary Transit employee, has cited religious reasons for his public tantrum.

"I'm a Christian so, as a Christian, there are things like homosexuality that I just can't condone. Unfortunately, we live in a culture where if you disagree with someone's lifestyle, the accusation is that you hate the person," Rau told CBC.

If asked to drive the rainbow bus, Rau is holding onto hopes of either being reassigned to a less-colorful bus or, if Calgary Transit refuses to do so, being supported by the transit union he belongs to.

The director of Calgary Transit, Doug Morgan, said that drivers are allowed to refuse to operate a vehicle for safety reasons, but that there aren't rules in place to deal with drivers being personally offended by decorations on a bus. Morgan says that though they would have an open discussion with the driver in this case, the transit company would ultimately ask them to drive the bus.

Rau has expressed fear of losing his job and being unable to support his family due to the debacle, but has said, "When it goes against the most important things I stand for, or if I'm asked to compromise in such a big way for what I believe to be right, then I have to lose my job."

The rainbow bus began its maiden voyage today and will continue to be in service until the end of Calgary Pride Festival on September 7, with or without Rau.

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