Synthetic Fascism

@SIGILIX

Illustratie: Toshio Saeki

Dolce & Gabbana say they aren’t against gay equality. Many have called Elton John’s outrage on the sickening comments from D&G in Panorama and his subsequent call for a boycott an overreaction, and slandered LGBT activist Peter Tatchell’s answer in The Guardian, as ‘silencing’ of everyone’s right to free expression. Seriously?? I think D&G’s shining creations may be blinding people’s ability to see clearly.

In the Panorama interview, meant as PR for their new campaign filled with neoclassic archetypes from the Good Old Catholic Life, D&G shared – as they did before – their opinions with us on same-sex marriage, gay adoption and LGBT parenting.

Moral values

They are abhorred by it, a holy baby should be fecundated in the womb of a holy mother who herself should be secured by a holy daddy, that’s the way they experienced it in La Sicilia and see, ain’t life grand. After a worldwide storm of criticism, the gentlemen’s excuse was the simplistic ‘this is just our personal view’, stating with ennui that they didn’t meant to hurt no one, as if their words suddenly had lost all meaning. Who the hell do we think we are, with our Gay Taliban condemnations, trying to force our views on everyone’s freedom? Do LGBT’s think they can impose their moral values on society? I’m afraid the truth is slightly different.

In Italy there is a war going on for quite a while concerning LGBT’s rights. Traditional conservative right vs. liberal left and D&G have shown on multiple occasions to honor the first team. Not surprising their homeboys came running to declare their warm support to the fashion couple. Gay fashion icons airing publicly their contempt for those devilish IVF adepts? It just doesn’t get better than this. I think that night even the Pope himself must have placed an order online for some D&G undies, flushing with excitement. Viva La Mamma!

Trouble in paradise

But oh my, such harsh reactions aren’t D&G themselves part of the LGBT community? Sure. Openly gay, they have since their beginnings explicitly courted the gay community, even darling and Imperatrice Gay Madonna is a regular guest at the Italians’ quarters. First, you have to drill into a network of celebrities, fed with free gowns and exclusive, broadly publicized parties, so you can later sell a comfortable amount of perfumes and sunglasses, it’s the way all fashion houses have to sweat for their billions. Gays are rich bitches, right, and when the hunger for that lovin’ feelin’ is established, the suckers will buy anything. So everybody happy?

Not likely. There’s trouble in paradise: Contrary to what many seem to imagine, the LGBT community isn’t a homogenous group that functions according to the laws of some Superpope. It embraces a very diverse range of human beings, from leftists to far-right, men, women, transgenders, assholes and Mother Teresas, beggars, super-rich. Tycoons like D&G and Elton John sit on top of the power pyramid, they are able to make or break reputations. These informal ambassadors are usually respected for their influence pushing LGBT rights on multinationals, the media, and sometimes even authorities.

Ordinary citizens

But now Princes D&G have not only slashed at Prince Elton and countless others, no, they have pissed on the porch of heavily fought LGBT achievements. And this is not just some bar row, this really means something. LGBT’s aren’t just defending their own rights, they are standing up for the rights of minorities, of women, for democracy.

D&G’s comments (and their reaction later on that they didn’t ‘need the money from idiot Elton fans’ was just pathetic) are a slap in the face of all those who have been fighting for equality for decades long, they are now de facto aligning with fascists who want to shut us up. D&G aren’t just ordinary citizens with a ‘personal opinion’, but powerful media tycoons with immeasurable influence, and they know it. In their own country there is a hard struggle unfolding right now about basic rights for their fellow nationals, people whose right to choose freely is limited simply by their sexual orientation. D&G’s opinions are political. Period.

Collective punishment

And then the boycott thing. Do boycotts work? That is something each one should decide individually. Is that a ‘collective punishment’ you say? Cry me a river; D&G have made a career of manipulating the collective psyche with their sexual mythologies and celeb-filled runways.

Oh look, there’s a familiar face, also disapproving of such vile actions. And fuck me; did you hear who issued a fatwa a while ago? The self proclaimed Italian Charlies were displeased with an upcoming article in Vanity Fair that mentioned their tax creativity, even Queen Anna Wintour had to rush pronto, pronto to Capri to safeguard those Condé Nast millions.

Reactionary bullies

But D&G can try to downplay their bitter faux-pas; they have been outed as reactionary bullies. And the reactions keep dropping in: creative director from fashion house Balmain was rather clear about his disapproval. Giuliano Federico, editor in chief of D&G’s own magazine Swide, has resigned following D&G’s statements, I call that a man with principles.

The latest sad news is that neo-fascist party Forza Nuova has granted D&G an honorary membership, praising their ‘courage defending family values’. Hell, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana should really take some Pride in this.

Look, we LGBT’s will grab our rights whichever way we can, we will make use of lobby groups, protests, boycotts, even blackmail or scratching eyes if we must. This is about our fundamental freedom to be recognized as full human beings. So from my part, a warm and deeply heartfelt FUCK YOU to D&G. And to finish with the words from another unapologetic well known group: We are LGBT. We do not forget. Expect us.

@SIGILIX is a Dutch gay man who has to hide behind a pseudonym because homophobic journalists threaten to beat him up. He can be followed on Twitter, but he’s not for the weak of heart.