Italy Italy to pay 100,000 euro sex-discrimination payout 13/07/08 08:24 CET

An Italian court has awarded Danilo Giuffrida 100,000 euros in damages, after he was forced to retake a driving test because he was gay.

Giuffrida divulged his homosexuality to doctors during a military service medical exam. They told the Transport Ministry.

Giuffrida says he was made to feel like a second-class citizen, adding, “It was the first time I’d ever felt different. I’ve never had that problem before at home or outside.”

The transport ministry had said if he did not repeat the test he would have his licence withdrawn due to what it called “sexual identity disturbance”.

His licence was renewed but for one year instead of the usual ten.

His lawyer believes it is the first time the Italian state has been punished for sexual discrimination.