Openly gay Liam Black is suing Royal Mail for £25,000 after a boss called him 'effeminate', 'bitchy' and 'girly'.

The postman is claiming the sum which is equivalent to a year's lost earnings in his old job, after he was forced to quit. He says that he felt "deeply hurt" by the "derogatory remarks" about his sexuality by his line manager Warren Taylor during a meeting held in his absence.

Mr. Taylor - describing Liam's nature to a superior at the April 2008 meeting - said he was "gay and very effeminate" and that he had a "girly relationship" with Danielle Haynes, Liam's colleague.

"As a gay man I found this statement shocking and offensive and was astonished that such a comment could be made in an interview in my workplace about me without me knowing or having the opportunity to respond."

And what did Mr Taylor have to say?

"I have used the words girly and bitchy towards a heterosexual man before. I used the word girly because that was the nature of his relationship with Danielle Haynes - they were always at each other's sides giggling."

The former postal worker - who resigned last July - is claiming discrimination over his sexual orientation.

The tribunal panel has reserved its verdict and will rule on the case in 28 days.



Source: Gay Postman Sues Royal Mail [Mail Online]