Donatella Versace just solidified her gay icon status in the most powerful & chic way possible
A post shared by Donatella Versace (@donatella_versace)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.
