SF Too Gay for Hornblower?

On Tuesday, dozens of queer and labor activists picketed in front of San Francisco's Pier 33 to protest Alcatraz/Hornblower Cruises for its discriminatory actions against deck hand Vincent Atos. Late last year, Alcatraz/Hornblower Cruises fired Atos for allegedly "acting too gay" in the workplace and for attempting to organize a union.

Atos filed a discrimination complaint with the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, which is investigating the charge. The Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club sent a letter of concern to Alcatraz/Hornblower Cruises CEO Terry MacRae asking to meet but he has provided no response. There has been no response to the letter and the company denies any wrong doing or discrimination.

Picketers included members of SF Pride at Work, the Harvey Milk Club, the SF Labor Council, the IBU, and Unite Here Local 2. As ferry-goers looked on, the picketers called for a boycott of Hornblower, chanted, and held signs saying "SF Too Gay for Hornblower."

In 2006, the National Park Service chose the notoriously anti-union Hornblower to operate the ferry to Alcatraz Island, displacing union workers represented by the Inland Boatmen's Union (IBU) and the Master Mates and Pilots (MMP). Most of the major ferry companies in San Francisco are unionized, but Hornblower has a history of anti-union activity.