London, May 6 (IANS): A woman junior equal opportunities minister in Italy has resigned after allegedly saying that gay people invited discrimination by "ghettoising" themselves, BBC reported.

Michaela Biancofiore was defending herself against accusations of homophobia made by human rights groups. But she invoked more wrath with her comments to Italian media.

Prime Minister Enrico Letta, also the Democratic Party deputy leader, has warned his ministers to work together and maintain "sobriety" when talking to the media.

Biancofiore, a member of ex-prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's People of Freedom party (PDL), has been reportedly redeployed to the civil service ministry.

She said she supports "civil unions" to protect gay couples but opposes gay marriage.

On Saturday, Italian newspapers quoted her as saying: "For once, I would like to see gay associations, instead of 'ghettoising' themselves... say something to condemn the recent spate of killings of women (in Italy)... All they do is defend their own interests."