The evolution of parenting and some of the science behind it was thrown into the spotlight this weekend when singer Elton John called for a boycott of Dolce & Gabbana after the high fashion designers made controversial comments related to In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).
During an interview with Italian magazine Panorama, Domenico Dolce reportedly said "I call children of chemistry, synthetic children. Rented uterus, semen chosen from a catalog." In the same interview, his business partner, Stefano Gabbana, said, "The family is not a fad. In it there is a supernatural sense of belonging."
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The comments from the famed duo, highlighted by John, resulted in the "#BoycottDolceGabbana" hashtag rising to prominence on Saturday.
"How dare you refer to my beautiful children as 'synthetic,' wrote John, on his Instagram account. "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"
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 A photo posted by Elton John (@eltonjohn) on Mar 14, 2015 at 10:29pm PDT
Following John's public rebuke, the hashtag was picked up by singer Ricky Martin, and well-known U.S. television newscaster Al Roker, himself a parent of a child created using IVF methods.
.@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
In spite of what @dolcegabbana think, my beautiful IVF children are not "synthetic children". I agree with @eltonjohndotcom— Al Roker (@alroker) March 15, 2015
A number of other Twitter users have weighed in using the hashtag, some posting photos of Dolce & Gabbana products that have been thrown in the trash.
@dolcegabbana #BoycottDolceGabbana My trash can this morning pic.twitter.com/4axyc7tgFO— Marc St Jacques (@Parlezfranc) March 14, 2015
#BoycottDolceGabbana pic.twitter.com/UNaMYyrUKZ— jimmy palmieri (@jimmypalmieri) March 15, 2015
"We firmly believe in democracy and the fundamental principle of freedom of expression that upholds it," said Gabbana, in response to the furor, in a statement on Sunday obtained by the Guardian.
However, the damage may already be done. Joining the call for a boycott of the brand on Sunday were tennis great Martina Navratilova, singer Courtney Love, who vowed to burn her Dolce & Gabbana products and Ryan Murphy, the writer and director of television shows Glee and American Horror Story.
Right on Elton and David http://t.co/qmORSvTnUeMy D&G shirts are going in the bin- don't want ANYONE to wear them— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) March 15, 2015
I just round up all my Dolce & Gabbana items and want to burn them. I'm just beyond words and emotions. Boycott senseless bigotry! #boycottD&G A photo posted by Courtney Love Cobain (@courtneylove) on Mar 14, 2015 at 9:23pm PDT
These designers horrifying views are never in fashion. Their clothes are as ugly as their hate. #BoycottDolceGabbana— Ryan Murphy (@MrRPMurphy) March 15, 2015