Italian man lost driving licence for being gay
An Italian man who lost his driving licence after being told he was not mentally fit to drive due to being gay has won a 15-year legal battle against two Italian ministries.
Sicilian Danilo Giuffrida, 34, informed doctors of his sexuality during a medical visit tied to his military service.
Months later he was asked to return for another medical to see if he was mentally and physically fit to drive. Giuffrida was deemed “troubled by his sexual identity”, which was said to be reason enough to suspend his driving licence, Rai News reported on Friday.
The case was dragged through three courts until Italy’s highest court ruled that Giuffrida’s privacy had been violated by the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, which were also found guilty of discriminating against him.
Patente sospesa al giovane gay Cassazione: deve avere molti più soldi http://t.co/9IRFO3F2rJ
— daniele manca (@Daniele_Manca) January 23, 2015
Due to the “gravity of the offense”, the Court of Cassation ordered the ministries to pay Giuffrida compensation for the “homophobic behaviour”. The exact sum is yet to be determined although could reach €100,000, Italian media reported.
The news was greeted as “a victory for justice” by Giuffrida. “It’s not my personal victory, but one for the whole community. It could have happened to anyone,” he was quoted as saying.
Comments
See Also
Sicilian Danilo Giuffrida, 34, informed doctors of his sexuality during a medical visit tied to his military service.
Months later he was asked to return for another medical to see if he was mentally and physically fit to drive. Giuffrida was deemed “troubled by his sexual identity”, which was said to be reason enough to suspend his driving licence, Rai News reported on Friday.
The case was dragged through three courts until Italy’s highest court ruled that Giuffrida’s privacy had been violated by the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, which were also found guilty of discriminating against him.
Patente sospesa al giovane gay Cassazione: deve avere molti più soldi http://t.co/9IRFO3F2rJ
— daniele manca (@Daniele_Manca) January 23, 2015 Due to the “gravity of the offense”, the Court of Cassation ordered the ministries to pay Giuffrida compensation for the “homophobic behaviour”. The exact sum is yet to be determined although could reach €100,000, Italian media reported.
The news was greeted as “a victory for justice” by Giuffrida. “It’s not my personal victory, but one for the whole community. It could have happened to anyone,” he was quoted as saying.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.