Donatella Versace’s fashion isn’t the only thing that slays.
The 68-year-old designer/businesswoman wielded strong statements against Italy’s newly installed far-right, anti-LGBTQ+ government while accepting The Humanitarian Award for Equity and Inclusivity at the CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards in Milan on Sunday.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been on an anti-gay crusade since taking power last year. She’s instituted policies ordering the removal of names of non-biological parents from the birth certificates of children with same-sex parents, extended the ban on surrogacy to same-sex couples, and pledged not to push for the legalization of same-sex marriage in Italy. Currently, Italy only allows for same-sex civil unions, which doesn’t offer all the rights that are afforded to heterosexual marriages.
While never mentioning Meloni by name, Donatella did not mince words as she took to the stage and defended the queer community.
“Here in Italy, it’s never been more important for us to champion minority voices,” she began reading her speech decked out in an impeccable, one-shoulder beige gown.
“Our government is trying to take away people’s rights to live as they wish, they are restricting our freedoms. The freedom to walk down the street with our heads held high and without fear, regardless of identity. The freedom to build a family and live as one wishes. The freedom to love whom one wishes. We all have to fight for freedom.”
She continued: “At a time when transgender people still suffer terrible violence, at a time when children of same-sex couples are not considered their children, at a time when minority voices are being attacked by new laws. At this time, we still have so much to do.”
Donatella then referenced her enduring and unconditional love for her late brother Gianni Versace, recalling how he came out to her when she was just 11 years old.
“For me, that didn’t change anything. I loved him and didn’t care who he loved. His love and encouragement made me who I am,” the style star shared.
“Marco [Mengoni] said I am a queer icon [and] I am very proud of that. I fight for freedom, equity, and inclusiveness every day,” the designer said proudly. “I built my chosen family with unconditional love. My friends and my team are not defined by race, religion, age, gender or sexual orientation, but by creativity, openness, joy, and kindness — values that matter. If we were all more welcoming and understanding of one another, what an extraordinary world it would be.”
Donatella has been advocating for LGBTQ+ equality for decades.
In addition to donating to multiple charities, championing queer celebrities and models, and serving as a Stonewall Ambassador at World Pride in 2019, she recently launched the Donatella Versace Foundation and Council of Fashion Designers (CFDA) new scholarship program for LGBTQ+ students.
“Young people want to learn about fashion and we are here to help them. The paths of young people in the LGBT community are sometimes complicated, and many deserve a better chance in life,” Donatella said during an appearance at the Los Angeles LGBT Center in March.
“I have been surrounded by many people around me but the LGBT community has not always been welcome in our society. My role is to support this natural family, my brothers and sisters.”
A day prior to the award ceremony, Donatella presented Versace’s Spring Summer ‘24 collection with a slew of male and female models, including the runway return of supermodel Claudia Schiffer.
Check out all the killer lewks and sexy catwalkers from Versace’s Spring Summer 2024 collection:
The queer glitterati assembled in their couture finery and made West Hollywood shine even brighter last night at the Versace Fall/Winter 2023 fashion show.
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Donatella’s speech was beautiful and powerful, particularly in light of the hard right turn Italy has taken in regards to Queer rights. It’s really unbelievable to see what is happening over there (which could realistically happen in the U.S. if the GOP gets back into the White House). Donatella has been a true ally for many, many years and it’s very important that someone of her stature is so genuinely and vocally supportive.
The Italian fascists have ordered certain birth certificates to be erased and or rewritten. If a child was born unto a couple of women, sorry, Italy can’t have that.
I”ve always felt birth certificates should reflect facts at time of birth.
I’ve no problem with individuals making changes to themselves but leave documents alone. Add amendments okay
Except that in the US at least, and probably in Italy also, birth certificates are legal, and not biological, documents about who is taking responsibility for the newborn, not whose DNA was contributed. There was no paternity test for my birth certificate (or maternity, for that matter) nor for any other birth I know of, except in cases of paternal dispute. The issue is “who is going to parent this child” and have all the rights and responsibilities that entails.
This Italian government’s move is not correcting anything to “the facts at birth”, it’s simply a case of same-sex erasure.
It’s unjust, and also extremely self-defeating for the government of a country with extremely low birth rates. The government should be encouraging the growth of more families (“traditional” or not) or the Italian population will continue to age and decline.
I’m glad that this article notes that not only did Donatella Versace support her brother Gianni Versace without reservation, but she has been a vocal supporter and ally of LGBTQ causes for decades. She also has helped raise money for AIDS treatment and prevention, and has championed gay designers, models, and journalists in the fashion industry. Italy’s current leader is a neo-fascist–that is not my description but one used by numerous journalistic commentators. Fascism was a disaster for Italy, Europe and the globe. The answer isn’t more fascism and authoritarianism, or neoliberalism passing as a stopgap solution, and it’s good that Donatella Versace is speaking up against it.
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bachy
I’ve always thought it would be unbelievably cool to be friends with Donatella.
abfab
Still so sad for the family. RIP Gianni. xoxoxoxo
Fahd
She really stepped up when her brother was killed, and look at how much she has achieved. She’s a great champion!
abfab
And a great Italian….unlike that trollup, Patritzia Reggiani, la puttana.
ScottOnEarth
Donatella’s speech was beautiful and powerful, particularly in light of the hard right turn Italy has taken in regards to Queer rights. It’s really unbelievable to see what is happening over there (which could realistically happen in the U.S. if the GOP gets back into the White House). Donatella has been a true ally for many, many years and it’s very important that someone of her stature is so genuinely and vocally supportive.
abfab
The Italian fascists have ordered certain birth certificates to be erased and or rewritten. If a child was born unto a couple of women, sorry, Italy can’t have that.
Sweet.
Jim
I”ve always felt birth certificates should reflect facts at time of birth.
I’ve no problem with individuals making changes to themselves but leave documents alone. Add amendments okay
Mattster
Except that in the US at least, and probably in Italy also, birth certificates are legal, and not biological, documents about who is taking responsibility for the newborn, not whose DNA was contributed. There was no paternity test for my birth certificate (or maternity, for that matter) nor for any other birth I know of, except in cases of paternal dispute. The issue is “who is going to parent this child” and have all the rights and responsibilities that entails.
This Italian government’s move is not correcting anything to “the facts at birth”, it’s simply a case of same-sex erasure.
It’s unjust, and also extremely self-defeating for the government of a country with extremely low birth rates. The government should be encouraging the growth of more families (“traditional” or not) or the Italian population will continue to age and decline.
Kangol2
I’m glad that this article notes that not only did Donatella Versace support her brother Gianni Versace without reservation, but she has been a vocal supporter and ally of LGBTQ causes for decades. She also has helped raise money for AIDS treatment and prevention, and has championed gay designers, models, and journalists in the fashion industry. Italy’s current leader is a neo-fascist–that is not my description but one used by numerous journalistic commentators. Fascism was a disaster for Italy, Europe and the globe. The answer isn’t more fascism and authoritarianism, or neoliberalism passing as a stopgap solution, and it’s good that Donatella Versace is speaking up against it.
dennynova
She should have some older queens, like me, walking in her shows.