CLEAR SPEECH: Donatella Vercace (68) together with the top Italian politician and LGBTQ+ activist Alessandro Zan (49) during an award ceremony for sustainable fashion in Milan on Sunday 24 September. Photo: Antonio Calanni / AP / NTB
The designer Donatella Versace (68) went down the throat of the Italian government during an award ceremony in Milan at the weekend.
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During a speech on Sunday 24 September from the La Scala stage in the fashion mecca of Milan, Donatella Versace criticized the Italian government for pursuing “anti-gay policies”.
It happened when she received a fashion award, writes news agency AP.
– Our government is trying to remove people’s rights to live as they wish, said Donatella Versace in the speech.
She highlighted in particular that Italian authorities only allow the biological mother or father in same-sex couples to be registered as a child’s parent.
– They limit our freedom. We must fight for freedom in a time when trans people are subjected to terrible violence, a time when children of same-sex couples are not recognized as both’s and a time when minority voices are attacked by new laws, thundered the 68-year-old.
KILLED BY SERIAL KILLER: Designer Gianni Versace. The photo was taken in March 1997, four months before the murder. Photo: PIERRE VERDY / AFP
– I didn’t care who he loved
She received a standing ovation from the audience after the blowout.
During the speech, the businesswoman also referred to her late brother, Gianni Versace. The fashion guru – who was gay – was shot and killed at close range by a serial killer on July 15, 1997, outside his home in Miami Beach, Florida. He lived to be 50 years old.
Sister Donatella Versace took over the leadership role of the fashion house after her brother’s death.
– I was eleven years old when my brother Gianni told me he was gay. For me it didn’t change anything. I loved him and I didn’t care who he loved, she said during the weekend’s speech.
THE FUNERAL: The late Gianni Versace’s brother Santo Versace (tv), his sister Donatella Versace and her daughter during the memorial service for the Italian designer in Milan on July 22, 1997. Photo: LUCA BRUNO / AP / NTB
Gay activists have subsequently praised Donatella for taking a stand, but believe the fashion industry as a whole should do more.
– Donatella Versace was the first person in Italy who was so clear and explicit about the government’s homophobic policy, says gay activist Franco Grillini, according to AP.
– She is one of the most important names in the fashion world and I encourage others to follow her example.
COLORFUL: Versace was a colorful designer. The fashion house has continued this. Here, supermodel Naomi Campbell walks in front during Milan Fashion Week in autumn 2021. Photo: MARCO OTTICO / EPA / NTB
– Important
The leader of Italy’s political party Gay Party, Fabrizio Marrazzo, also paid tribute to Versace after the speech. He also asks her to support the party’s campaign for gay marriage. The party is planning a signature campaign in January next year as a protest against the parliament “not wanting to give us rights”.
As the last western country, Italy did not open to same-sex partnerships until 2016.
– Donatella Versace’s declaration is important. She made clear how this government is curtailing the freedom and rights of the LGBTQ community, Marazzo stated.
– We ask her to support us, especially in campaigns to make marriage rights for lesbians, gays and trans people equal to everyone else’s.
Watch video: “VG Explains: This means the colours”:
Published:
Published: 27.09.23 at 03:34
Updated: 27.09.23 at 03:47
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2023-09-27 01:34:42
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