Gay Ex-Adult Film Star Sues University for Firing Him and Wins

Former gay adult performer Ruggero Freddi — who went by the stage name Carlo Masi — won a lawsuit against a university in Rome after he says he was sacked due to his career in the U.S. porn industry

Freddi moved back to Italy from the U.S. back in 2013 and earned degrees in mathematics and in engineering before going on to study for his doctorate at Sapienza University.

“It’s just my opinion. But 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,” Freddi, 47, told the Italian newspaper Repubblica.

In 2017, some students and then the Italian media found out about his past and the story of the former adult entertainer turned doctoral student made Italian news, according to Times Higher Education. It also sparked discussions around queer rights in the country — which currently has a far-right, anti-LGBTQ+ prime minister.

While he was working in the porn industry, Freddi worked for Colt Studio.

“From the porn industry, I have learned the importance of self-promotion – this is something that everybody should learn. You have to let the world know what an amazing person you are because nobody will come looking to find out for themselves,” he told the outlet in 2018.

He added: “The truth is that I became too rich and famous to stay interested in that job [porn]. I wanted to grow, and since I couldn’t grow anymore in the porn industry I had decided that it was time for me to do something completely new.”

Even in the 2018 interview, he mentioned that Sapienza treated him differently.

Freddi told Repubblica that he continued to face hostility, including having activities he’d planned at the university abruptly canceled.

It came to a head when he took on teaching a math course only to work a majority of the hours required and then be fired and denied payment for the work he’d already completed.

A judge ruled that the university has to pay Freddi about $2,600 for the unpaid labor and another $1,500 for being sacked, according to Gay Community News.

“I was forced to sue. And I won. I hope my case gives courage to all PhD students who are exploited after years of studies and specializations,” Freddi said. “I hope others find the courage to speak out.”