Madonna & 5 Other Celebrities Who Have Weighed In On Dolce & Gabbana IVF Controversy
Madonna has offered her opinion on the Dolce And Gabbana controversy and firmly supports Elton John's views. The controversy stems from a comment made by designer Domenico Dolce in an interview in an Italian magazine, Panorama. In the interview, Dolce described children born by IVF as "synthetic babies". The March issue of the magazine was released on 12th March but the backlash against the duo continues with many celebrities and LGBT groups calling for a boycott of the label and protesters picketing D&G stores.
More: Pictures Of Protestors Outside D&G's London Store.
"You are born and you have a father and a mother. Or at least it should be like this, that's why I am not convinced by chemical children, synthetic babies, wombs for rent," Dolce said in the interview. Dolce further implied there will be mental health repercussions for children born by IVF as "psychiatrists are not ready to confront the effects of this experimentation."
The backlash began when Elton John and leading LGBT groups called for a boycott of D&G. 67-year-old John, who has two children by IVF with his husband, David Furnish, posted a lengthy comment on Instagram in which he challenged Dolce's views and called for a boycott.
"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 Gabbana ever again. #BoycottDolceGabbana," John wrote on Instagram on 15th March.
Dolce and Gabbana issued a statement soon after John's highly publicised comments, backtracking on their interview. Dolce stated his own experience, growing up in a family with straight parents, had influenced his comments but he claimed he could "understand different ones".
Read More: Dolce And Gabbana Respond To Elton John's Instagram Blast.
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Gabbana claimed, before posting a series of pictures attacking John, he and Dolce believe in "democracy and the fundamental freedom of expression that upholds it." Prior to this statement, Gabbana had equated the boycott with suppression of free speech, posting "Je Suis D&G", a reference to "Je Suis Charlie", the phrase created following the Charlie Hebdo attacks to show support for the magazine and freedom of speech.
Elton John with his husband David Furnish at the Elton John Aids Foundation presents 22nd Annual Academy Awards viewing party in March 2015.
Read More: Soundtrack To Fox's Empire Beats Madonna To American Chart Top Spot.
Dolce's controversial comments have attracted attention, primarily negative, from fans and former fans worldwide. A number of celebrities have publically stated their support for John's views and for the right for all families to be recognised. Amongst their number are Madonna, Courtney Love, Ricky Martin, Ryan Murphy and Victoria Beckham.
Madonna posted on Instagram on 19th March and challenged Dolce's views. Her viewpoint was largely centred on her faith, claiming God has a hand in everything even science and technology.
"God has his hand in everything even technology! We are arrogant to think Man does anything on his own. As above so below! Think before you speak," Madonna wrote.
Courtney Love, the singer best known for her marriage to Kurt Cobain, offered her support for the boycott via Twitter and claimed she wanted to "burn" her D&G clothes.
Singer Ricky Martin wrote how the two designers were 'too powerful to be spreading hate', further expressing his shock at the seemingly outdated views of the duo. "Wake up, its 2015 luv urselves guys [sic]."
"These designers horrifying views are never in fashion. Their clothes are as ugly as their hate." Glee and American Horror Story creator Ryan Murphy tweeted.
Victoria Beckham tweeted her support for John and his family and sent her love to "all the beautiful IVF babies".
There were others who shared the opposite view, including British journalist and presenter Piers Morgan. Morgan's comments were published in an op-ed for the Daily Mail. Although Morgan expressed his sympathy for John and found Dolce's comments to be "insensitive", he also pointed out there are many companies whose founders hold controversial views but are not subject to a boycott. He further claimed a boycott would harm the company's staff more than their founders.
Read More: Elton John's Oscars Party Saw As Many Stars As The Academy Awards Itself [Photos].
Just round up all my Dolce & Gabbana pieces, I want to burn them. I'm just beyond words and emotions. Boycott senseless bigotry! #boycottD&G
— Courtney Love Cobain (@Courtney) March 15, 2015Sending love to Elton David Zachary Elijah & all the beautiful IVF babies x vb
— Victoria Beckham (@victoriabeckham) March 16, 2015.@dolcegabbana ur voices R 2powerfull 2B spreading so much h8 http://t.co/30Oe2hcxNt Wake up,Its 2015 Luv urselves guys #boycottdolcegabbana
— Ricky Martin (@ricky_martin) March 15, 2015