Openly gay fashion designers Dolce and Gabanna were quoted in a recent interview with Italian magazine Panorama as saying, “The only family is the traditional one. No chemical offsprings and rented uterus: life has a natural flow; there are things that should not be changed.”

They continued, “You are born and you have a father and mother. At least it should be like that. That’s why I’m not convinced by what I call chemical children, synthetic babies. They are wombs for hire, semen chosen from a catalogue. And then you have to explain to these children who their mother is.”

The comments have sparked an outrage online with heated debates crossing all social media sites.

It has also caused celebrities to voice Dolce and Gabanna’s suggestion that same sex families are not acceptable, with Elton John leading the backlash.

Elton John and his partner David Furnish have two children, both through a surrogate mother with the assistance of IVF treatment. Elton posted a response to his Intragram account, which called for a boycott of the brand.

Elton’s response read:

“How dare you refer to my beautiful children as “synthetic”… And shame on you for wagging your judgemental little fingers at IVF—a miracle that has allowed legions of loving people, both straight and gay, to fulfil their dream of having children. Your archaic thinking is out of step with the times, just like your fashions. I shall never wear Dolce and Gabanna ever again. #BoycottDolceGabanna.”

Dolce & Gabanna responded with an Instagram post showing a picture of a mother with her children with the hashtags, ‘dgmamma’ and ‘#dgfamily.’ They also added the words, “This is respect for a different opinion? #boycotteltonjohn.”

Within a few hours, it had received the support of thousands.

Victoria Beckham, a former ambassador for Dolce & Gabanna, also took to Instagram to show her support for Elton John and David Furnish, saying, “Sending love to Elton David Zachary Elijah and all the beautiful IVF babies.”

Ruth Hunt, CEO of LGBT campaign group Stonewall Ruth Hunt has also posted her views against the comments saying, “We strongly dispute the comments made by Dolce and Gabanna. Being a good parent has nothing to do with sexual-orientation or whether a child has two mums or two dads. The most important thing is a loving family, whatever it’s make up.”

Flavio Romani, president of the Italian campaign group Arcigay also responded to the comments saying, “Their position is personal and it contradicts the global movement for adoption and gay rights. Gay people have the right to be considered equal to others, in bringing up a child.”

Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell also joined in to voice his concerns, telling The Guardian, “It’s quite outrageous that two gay fashion designers who have relied on the gay community for much of their success are opposing gay equality.”

Dolce and Gabanna’s theme for their latest shows is based around the family, and they requested fans to send in portraits to be added to their website with the headline, “The Family is Our Point of Reference.”

At Milan Fashion Week their collection was dedicated to motherhood, named “Viva la mamma.” (The mother lives.)

A flurry of pictures have been uploaded onto Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts showing images of children who have been born through IVF treatment.

 

Relephant: 

Ask Me Anything: On Whether or Not to have Kids & Learning to Trust Again.

Author: Alex Sander Myles 

Editor: Renée Picard 

Photo: Wiki Commons