Gay Couple Made To Sit in Back of Bus

An Albuquerque, New Mexico shuttle service firm is apologizing after a driver allegedly ordered a gay couple to sit in the back of the bus.

According to police reports, a driver for Standard Parking Inc., which runs shuttle service to the airports rental car facility, ordered a gay couple who were holding hands to move to the back of the bus when one of them started singing. The city's Human Rights Office plans on looking into the allegations.

The incident comes as the New Mexico Supreme Court prepares to look at another case of alleged discrimination against members of the gay community. The court will review claims that an Albuquerque photography company denied its services to a lesbian couple due to their sexual orientation.

The confluence of events has caused Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry to speak out on the issue. "This does not reflect Albuquerque, New Mexico, and as the mayor I'm upset about it, and we want to make sure we get to the bottom of it," Berry said in an interview with KOB-TV.

As for the shuttle driver, Standard Parking Inc. has suspended the offending employee.