Repression in Italy continues - Gays face extra restrictions when driving automobiles

[ck4829]

A 26-year-old Sicilian man has won €100,000 (£80,000) in damages from the Italian state after his driving licence was taken away because he was gay. His lawyer claimed it was the first time that the state had been punished for discrimination against an individual on grounds of homosexuality.

Danilo Giuffrida told doctors that he was gay at a medical examination for military service six years ago. Until Italy abolished compulsory military service in 2005, this was a common ploy used by young men trying to dodge a spell in the armed forces.

Perhaps suspecting that he was trying to dupe them, the military listed the then 20-year-old Giuffrida as suffering from a "disturbance of the sexual identity" and informed the transport ministry that he was "not in possession of the necessary psycho-physical requirements". His driving licence was then immediately suspended.

Giuffrida agreed to retake his test and passed it for a second time. But the civil authorities, who seem to have fully shared the military view that he was abnormal owing to his homosexuality, gave him a licence for one year instead of the usual 10 on the grounds that he was gay.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jul/14/italy.gayrights

[Ken Burch]

1. "Driving While Gay"? Who'da thunk it?

Then again, the fascists are a coalition partner in the current Italian government. They'll probably throw in "Driving While Jewish or Muslim" next, then "Driving While Female".

[atreides1]

2. It's what Italy wants evidently

I don't think they'll go down the Jewish path this time, and the Muslims will get a brief reprieve, as for women they might be stepping over the brink with that idea.

For right now it'll be the Roma and when this episode dies down, the gays will be targeted again.