Donatella Versace Slams Italian Government’s Anti-LGBTQ Laws During Speech In Milan

Donatella Versace criticized the Italian government for new anti-LGBTQ laws that restrict same-sex couple’s rights during her speech at the CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards at Milan’s Fashion Week. 

Versace spoke in support of the LGBTQ community and stated, “Our government is trying to take away people’s rights to live as they wish, they are restricting our freedoms.”

She continued, “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.” 

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who started his position last year, has recently enacted multiple laws limiting the rights of the LGBTQ community. These include policies that forbid two same-sex partners from registering as the parents of a child and a ban on couples to hiring surrogates. The penalty for hiring a surrogate carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison and up to a one million euro fine. 

Versace referenced these laws in her speech, condemning the government. “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,” the designer stated.  

Versace accepted the Humanitarian Award for Equity and Inclusivity at the Teatro alla Scala. Alessandro Zan, an activist for LGBTQ rights and a left-wing Italian politician, joined her on stage. She did not forget to include him. “Your voice is critical in our world, and I am here to support all that you fight for,” she said.

Pop star Marco Mengoni presented the award to Versace, calling her “a gay icon.”  

Versace recalled when her own late brother, Gianni Versace, creator of the Versace brand, came out when he was 11. “For me, that didn’t change anything. I loved him and didn’t care who he loved,” she said. “His love and encouragement made me who I am.” 

While the crowd was applauding, she declared her love for the LGBTQ community. “Marco said I am a queer icon [and] I am very proud of that. I fight for freedom, equity, and inclusiveness every day. 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.”

She ended her speech by sharing, “If we were all more welcoming and understanding of one another, what an extraordinary world it would be.”

Versace was met with a standing ovation by the crowd, who leaped to their feet as soon as she ended her speech.