Gay Man Searched at London Airport on Suspicion of Pedophilia Because 'He Had a Camera and a Boyfriend'

The UK's Pink News uncovered a disturbing incident that happened last year at London's Gatwick Airport filed as part of a critique of security practices there in which a gay man was stopped on suspicion of pedophilia simply because he had a boyfriend and a camera. The man's HIV status was also openly discussed:

The report outlined the details: “The passenger was stopped and asked routine questions about their trip. When the officer indicated they wished to search the baggage, the passenger requested that this be done in a more private place. This request and a further request on this issue were refused. The contents of the passenger’s bag were then openly displayed including photographic equipment.

“The officer subsequently left the passenger to undertake background checks and later emerged signalling that the passenger could continue on their way.

“The officer then commented to another officer that the passenger was HIV positive; the colleague then advised that the searching officer should use stronger hand gel. These comments were made within earshot of the passenger and indeed other passengers in the channel.

“When subsequently asked why this passenger had been stopped immediately after this interaction, the officer commented that the passenger ‘looked like he might be involved in paedophilia’ and then went on to say that ‘the presence of the camera and the fact he had a boyfriend confirmed this’ (no photos were examined).

“Notebook records of this exchange were not kept although the passenger was delayed by almost 30 minutes.”

Gay Fear and Fantasy on the Workday Commute: VIDEO

Last Exit, a short film by Siar Sedig.

Those of you who commute every day to work on public transportation, can you relate?

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

Flying Car Takes Off: VIDEO

The Dutch-built PAL-V One, or Personal Air and Land Vehicle, has taken its maiden flight. Just don't get your rotors tangled up in anyone else's.

Check it out, AFTER THE JUMP...

New York's New Taxi to Be Unveiled This Week

Vanity Fair's Brett Berk outlines the new features of the Nissan NV200, which will be NYC's taxi for the next decade, and is shown at the New York Auto Show this week:

These include a standard driver’s navigation system that will preclude ever again having to explain which numbered streets precede and follow West 17th, a panoramic glass roof for staring up at the young men on those Hollister billboards, a low-annoyance horn tuned to a frequency that’s only audible to other cabbies (or so we hope), one 12-volt and two USB charging ports so all your batteries will be as fresh as the scent inside the cabin, fuel-economy numbers that double those of the neolithic Ford, and antibacterial pleather seats...

Also baked into the compact new cab: space. And not just inside the cabin, where a flat-floored, “no hump” rear seat and lengthy wheelbase will provide ample legroom for drivers and passengers. On the streets, too: “When all of the Crown Vics are replaced with NV200s,” David Reuter, Nissan’s V.P. of global communications, told us, “there will be five acres of real estate given back to the city of New York.”

The Nissan is set to replace the Ford Crown Victoria and the other models currently on NYC streets.

On a Sunny Saturday Afternoon in New York's Underground: VIDEO

Animal NY notes that this short film by Tim Sessler, intended as "a test/experiment to capture the inspirational sounds and visuals of the NYC subway" has the feel of a dream sequence. Shot on a “sunny Saturday afternoon".

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

Hot Tub Boats

An idea I can get on board with:

"The boat can accommodate up to six persons while underway, and eight at dockside.  It is powered by an almost silent electric motor at approximately 4 to 6 knots.  Each hot tub boat is equipped with built in dry storage and two coolers."

(via kempt)