Need Help? Who Are You Going To Call?

Like many of us we call triple A and we expect to be treated like everyone else, but sometimes that doesn’t happen.

Tow Truck Driver Allegedly Spit On Transgender Customer In Worcester
CBS Boston
By Julie Loncich
June 23, 2016

WORCESTER (CBS) – Three years ago Jameson Fernandez was Jocelyn Fernandez. He’ll be the first to tell you the decision was agonizing.

“It’s probably the hardest thing I’ve ever been through in my life, by far,” said Fernandez.

Six months ago, the 30-year-old man legally changed his name, and carries the legal documents daily.

“I’m more shocked because I didn’t think it would happen to me,” Fernandez said.

Jameson’s car broke down on a Worcester side street on Memorial Day.

“My mom always said, ‘keep your AAA card!’” Fernandez said.

The card was in his wallet, but it read Jocelyn Fernandez. Jameson says he notified AAA of the discrepancy.

“I had let them know they hadn’t sent me my card yet. My name is not Jameson on the card,” Fernandez said.

And that is when the trouble started, the tow truck driver saw another name on the card and when James explained why there was a woman’s name on the card, that was when things got bad.

“From there, he put an array of just discriminatory words,” Fernandez said.

And then, he says, the situation escalated.

“Before I could even get my stuff that I had placed on the side of the truck, he cleared his throat and spit in my eyes, in my nose and in my mouth,” Fernandez said.

When we call for help we never know what is going to happen. Will the police officer treat me right or will things get ugly? Or in this case the tow truck driver.

A lot also depends upon how well you can blend into society, the tow truck driver could see a woman or trans woman depending upon how well you pass.