Ruggero Freddi, a former gay adult actor who worked under the name Carlo Masi during his time in the porn industry, has won his lawsuit against Sapienza University in Rome, Italy after alleging he was fired unfairly for his history as a sex worker.
After his time in the industry, Freddi eventually obtained two degrees (one for mathematics and the other for engineering) before he started doctoral research and became a professor at the Faculty of Engineering at Sapienza University in 2017.
While noticing an increasingly hostile work environment, Freddi told Italian newspaper Repubblica, “I felt like there were prejudices around me, which were beyond my skills as a teacher and as a data analyst, the role I occupy today.”
In 2019, after being offered a position to teach a mathematics course and working 60 of the 100 foreseen hours, the university dismissed Freddi with no explanation. To make matters worse, they refused to pay him for his work.
Freddi filed a lawsuit against the university in the Civil Court in Rome, where the court sided in his favor and ordered the university to pay out €2,500 ($2669 USD) for his hours worked and a €1,500 ($1601 USD) fine for “unjustified dismissal,” according to Gay Ireland News.
“I was forced to sue,” said Freddi on the ruling. “And I won. I hope my case gives courage to all Ph.D. students who are exploited after years of studies and specializations. Now I have a normal job, with a salary. I hope that others will also find the courage to speak out.”
