A man in Australia is suing his former employer for AUS$800,000 (approx. $540,000), saying he was cajoled into taking part in a stage show at a work event that caused him to be humiliated.
He says the incident caused him “nervous shock and psychological injury.”
According to The Age, Ian Richard Billington, 47, is a former business manager for Sussan, a women’s fashion label. The event, in August 2015, was an awards ceremony during the company’s national conference in Creswick, Victoria.
Related: Tourism Australia recruits Kylie Minogue for lavish, new commercial
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Entertainment was provided by a Kylie Minogue impersonator. According to court papers, the impersonator twice called on Mr Billington to join her on stage. Billington says he made it clear he didn’t wish to do so but was pressurized by the crowd, with many cheering him on and others pushing and pulling him toward the stage.
In court papers, he says he was “asked deeply personal and humiliating questions by the impersonator.” This included asking about his marital status, and about the “presence of his wife (the applicant being in a homosexual relationship)”.
He was then asked “whether he liked to wear leather hotpants” and sent backstage where a dancer dressed him up in clothing that he said was belittling. He was then sent back on stage to dance with the Kylie impersonator.
Related: Kylie Minogue dances with DEATH in new video — and it paradoxically gives us LIFE
He says that since that time, he has suffered panic attacks, agoraphobia, memory and concentration impairment, and sleep disturbance, among other issues.
“As a result of the said injuries the plaintiff has since only been able to work over the phone with limited face-to-face contact working a maximum of 18 hours a week.”
Billington’s lawsuit says his injuries came about from his employer, Sussan, failing in its obligations to provide a safe working environment.
Sussan has defended itself, saying Billington got on the stage of his own volition and, to the extent that he may have been compelled, it was not reasonably foreseeable he would suffer a psychiatric illness.
The case is due to be heard March, 5.
ScottOnEarth
This is hilarious!!! “…a dancer dressed him up in clothing that he said was belittling.” This guy sounds like complete idiot. Did he ever bother saying, “no”? And no decent gay man would drag Kylie’s good name into this!
ShiningSex
the case is stupid, but so is Kylie’s music.
Joshooeerr
Let this be a lesson to entertainers everywhere. The guy actually sounds like he has a strong case, and if the courts agree it might finally spell the end of lazy acts that rely on humiliating audience members for laughs. It’s about time they were called out.
hkgjefe1
completely agree. i would have been mortified.
hansniemeijer
I bet the victim had psychological problems before the event. Needed / needs medical help, not money from his former boss. Doesn’t add up to me.
startenout
Agreed