Detroit Rapper Sues Lyft Over Weight Discrimination

Detroit-based rapper Dank Demoss is suing Lyft after a driver allegedly denied her request for a ride due to her weight. Demoss, also known as Dajua Blanding, shared a video of the driver refusing to let her into the Mercedes-Benz. Demoss called Lyft so she could be dropped off at her cousin’s house to watch a football game.
She alleged that the Lyft driver locked his doors and tried to drive away when he saw her. After she stopped him and asked if there was a problem, the driver allegedly said she was “too big`’ to get into his car. Demoss described the ordeal as humiliating and told CBS News Detroit she was hurt and embarrassed.
Demoss’s lawsuit against Lyft
Demoss’s attorneys state that the driver broke Michigan’s anti-discrimination laws, which include weight as a protected characteristic. In her lawsuit, Demoss is asking for monetary compensation for stress, mental torment, legal fees, and other damages.
“Under the [Michigan Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act] law, refusing someone transportation due to their weight is no different than refusing someone transportation based on their race or religion,” attorney Jon Marko stated. “Discrimination of any kind should never be tolerated in our society.”
Lyft told CBS News Detroit that they speak about unsettled litigations but did give a statement saying: “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.”
Raising awareness against weight discrimination
As a self-described advocate for plus-size people, Demoss says she posted a video of the incident to raise awareness of weight discrimination. “I’ve been in that same type of car many times and never had an issue. This was someone who was discriminating against me just because of my weight,” she said.
Though Demoss says she didn’t receive any kindness or respect from her driver, she’s happy the video resonates with other plus-sized people. ” If I hadn’t stood up, who would?” My hope is that all 50 states would add weight as a protection for people.”
Image: Dank Demoss