# Dolce and Gabbana don't understand what "freedom of speech" means **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 16, 2015, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolce-and-gabbana-dont-understand-what-freedom-of-speech-means/715141 "2015-03-16T19:18:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolce-and-gabbana-dont-understand-what-freedom-of-speech-means/715141/1 "2015-03-16T19:18:52Z")
So these fashion designers, who are gay and were a couple for a while, made some remarks about non-standard families: [QUOTE=Panorama magazine, translation by The Telegraph] “We oppose gay adoptions. The only family is the traditional one.” “You are born to a mother and a father — or at least that’s how it should be,” Dolce said. “I call children of chemistry, synthetic children. Rented uterus, semen chosen from a catalog.” Gabbana: “The family is not a fad. In it there is a supernatural sense of belonging.” [/QUOTE] Then Elton John strongly objected to this on Instagram and called for a boycott. Then Gabbana really put his foot in it, in several ways, and at the same time tried to weasel out of the earlier statements. [QUOTE=Gabbana] Fascist! [/QUOTE] (referring to Elton John) [QUOTE=Gabbana] It’s an authoritarian way of looking at things. If you agree with me, fine. If not, I’ll hammer you. [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Gabbana the weasel] We talked about our way of seeing reality, but it was never our intention to judge other people’s choices. [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Dolce the other weasel] I’m Sicilian and I grew up in a traditional family, made up of a mother, a father and children. I am very well aware that there are other types of families and they are as legitimate as the one I’ve known. … But in my personal experience, family had a different configuration. [/QUOTE] My conclusion: these guys are clueless morons and if they made clothing in my size, I would not buy it. But, to get back to my title, Gabbana at least has no idea about the difference between the government stifling free speech and a private citizen making a stink about something idiotic that he said in an interview. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolce-and-gabbana-dont-understand-what-freedom-of-speech-means/715141/2 "2015-03-16T19:31:23Z")
Well, you’re looking a it from a USA-ian perspective, where “freedom of speech” means (broadly) “something that the government is prohibited from interfering with.” These guys are in Yurp (except Elton John, who is from Englishmanland, where they object to being told that their island is part of Yurp); maybe “freedom of speech” carries a different connotation over there. As a citizen of Italianland, the Gabbana weasel at least was born in a place where they actually HAD a Fascist government at one time; maybe that gives him some special ability or authority to declare when something is fascist. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolce-and-gabbana-dont-understand-what-freedom-of-speech-means/715141/3 "2015-03-16T19:47:04Z")
That does it. From now on I’m buying all my brocade pencil skirts and Plexiglas clutches from Gucci. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolce-and-gabbana-dont-understand-what-freedom-of-speech-means/715141/4 "2015-03-16T19:57:33Z")
I’m shocked because I always thought you could trust fashion designer’s opinions of what constitutes a proper family. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolce-and-gabbana-dont-understand-what-freedom-of-speech-means/715141/5 "2015-03-16T20:23:42Z")
> [@](#): > > [Daily Fail supposedly quoting an Italian newspaper](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-421672/Gay-designer-Gabbana-sex-parents.html#ixzz3UVB1b65k), December 2006 > > "My dream is to have a baby, not to adopt one because I am not up to it and I don’t feel strong enough. > > "I want my own child, a biological child, the fruit of my sperm, conceived through artificial insemination because it wouldn’t make sense for me to make love to a woman I don’t love. > > "The person I love today is my partner so I am looking for a civilised and refined woman. A week ago I asked a dear friend of mine, who is twelve years younger than me, if she would help. > > "I asked her ‘Would you like to be the mother of my child ?’ She was left a bit shocked and the following day telephoned and said she was still shocked but thought it was a great idea. > > "I am opposed to the idea of a child growing up with two gay parents. > > “A child needs a mother and a father. I could not imagine my childhood without my mother. I also believe that it is cruel to take a baby away from its mother.” So growing up with two gay parents and one straight parent is perfectly okay? And how, exactly, is that “traditional”? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolce-and-gabbana-dont-understand-what-freedom-of-speech-means/715141/6 "2015-03-16T20:31:39Z")
Originally Posted by > [@](#): > > **Gabbana** : > Fascist! Elton should’ve responded with “DUMBASS!” > [@](#): > > **Vinyl Turnip:** > That does it. From now on I’m buying all my brocade pencil skirts and Plexiglas clutches from Gucci. La Croix, dahling. La Croix. \*Adorable \*plexiglass wedge sandals with beta fish in the heels! ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolce-and-gabbana-dont-understand-what-freedom-of-speech-means/715141/7 "2015-03-16T20:53:00Z")
So they’re gay, but they oppose gay adoption? Oookay. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolce-and-gabbana-dont-understand-what-freedom-of-speech-means/715141/8 "2015-03-16T20:57:32Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > So these fashion designers, who are gay and were a couple for a while, made some remarks about non-standard families: > > Then Elton John strongly objected to this on Instagram and called for a boycott. > > Then Gabbana really put his foot in it, in several ways, and at the same time tried to weasel out of the earlier statements. > > (referring to Elton John) > > My conclusion: these guys are clueless morons and if they made clothing in my size, I would not buy it. But, to get back to my title, Gabbana at least has no idea about the difference between the government stifling free speech and a private citizen making a stink about something idiotic that he said in an interview. Can you share where they used the phrase you cited in your title? Not seeing it. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolce-and-gabbana-dont-understand-what-freedom-of-speech-means/715141/9 "2015-03-16T21:08:57Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Can you share where they used the phrase you cited in your title? Not seeing it. CNN quoted their instagram: “In response, Gabbana defended his “freedom to speak” and called on fans to boycott John.” From here: [http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/15/living/feat-elton-john-dolce-gabbana/](http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/15/living/feat-elton-john-dolce-gabbana/) So, between pissing off gay people who want to have/adopt children and older, wealthy first-time parents who often need IVF, artificial insemination, and other “synthetic” techniques, what customers will D&G have? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolce-and-gabbana-dont-understand-what-freedom-of-speech-means/715141/10 "2015-03-16T21:10:07Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Can you share where they used the phrase you cited in your title? Not seeing it. Please grow a brain. They called Elton John exercising his free speech a form of fascism, thus indicating they don’t understand the concept of freedom of speech. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolce-and-gabbana-dont-understand-what-freedom-of-speech-means/715141/11 "2015-03-16T21:16:33Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > So they’re gay, but they oppose gay adoption? Oookay. One article I read says that there is a sub-culture of mostly older gay folks who think that getting married and having kids is too hetero. As in, if you do those things, you’re trying to pretend to be hetero and living a hetero lifestyle, or something to that effect. I imagine that D&G don’t have to deal with as many of life’s “little” inconveniences (losing your job, getting health benefits, staying together in hotels, etc., etc.) that your average gay couple faces, so they may not see the benefits of marriage and adoption. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolce-and-gabbana-dont-understand-what-freedom-of-speech-means/715141/12 "2015-03-16T21:16:51Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Please grow a brain. They called Elton John exercising his free speech a form of fascism, thus indicating they don’t understand the concept of freedom of speech. See Post #2. And then turn your brain ON. As **kaylasdad99** pointed out, the phrase has specific meaning here in the U.S… And I was wondering of they had used the exact phrase or not. It seems they didn’t. Your apology will be accepted. Jut so you know. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolce-and-gabbana-dont-understand-what-freedom-of-speech-means/715141/13 "2015-03-16T21:18:17Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > One article I read says that there is a sub-culture of mostly older gay folks who think that getting married and having kids is too hetero. As in, if you do those things, you’re trying to pretend to be hetero and living a hetero lifestyle, or something to that effect. > > I imagine that D&G don’t have to deal with as many of life’s “little” inconveniences (losing your job, getting health benefits, staying together in hotels, etc., etc.) that your average gay couple faces, so they may not see the benefits of marriage and adoption. Possible. It’s also possible that they see the benefits, but value things in the other column, i.e., tradition, more. Correct? ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolce-and-gabbana-dont-understand-what-freedom-of-speech-means/715141/14 "2015-03-16T21:21:39Z")
They should stick to designing pretties instead of trying to think because clearly they’re not very good at it. Are Darwin awards given to businesses? ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolce-and-gabbana-dont-understand-what-freedom-of-speech-means/715141/15 "2015-03-16T21:27:44Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Possible. It’s also possible that they see the benefits, but value things in the other column, i.e., tradition, more. Correct? I think it’s unlikely that most older gay folks who are against gay marriage and gay adoption value tradition, if you mean tradition of the one-man-one-woman variety. I think it’s more likely that they have spent their time getting harassed by and rebelling against straight society and don’t want to now become part of it. D&G, however, specifically stated that they value that tradition, they come from a traditional family in Sicily and thing that’s how it should be. My guess is that they are more of an outlier, though. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolce-and-gabbana-dont-understand-what-freedom-of-speech-means/715141/16 "2015-03-16T21:38:21Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > I think it’s unlikely that most older gay folks who are against gay marriage and gay adoption value tradition, if you mean tradition of the one-man-one-woman variety. I think it’s more likely that they have spent their time getting harassed by and rebelling against straight society and don’t want to now become part of it. > > D&G, however, specifically stated that they value that tradition, they come from a traditional family in Sicily and thing that’s how it should be. My guess is that they are more of an outlier, though. I agree on all counts. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolce-and-gabbana-dont-understand-what-freedom-of-speech-means/715141/17 "2015-03-16T21:38:27Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > See Post #2. > > And then turn your brain ON. As **kaylasdad99** pointed out, the phrase has specific meaning here in the U.S… And I was wondering of they had used the exact phrase or not. It seems they didn’t. Could be because they’re Italians and not everything in the entirety of the Universe revolves around the U.S. or its political talking points. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolce-and-gabbana-dont-understand-what-freedom-of-speech-means/715141/18 "2015-03-16T21:40:04Z")
> [@Helena330](#): > > They should stick to designing pretties instead of trying to think because clearly they’re not very good at it. Are Darwin awards given to businesses? Ha. Good point. From a U.S. perspective, I have the impression that that gay people probably account for 70% or so of their sales. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolce-and-gabbana-dont-understand-what-freedom-of-speech-means/715141/19 "2015-03-16T21:41:05Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > Could be because they’re Italians and not everything in the entirety of the Universe revolves around the U.S. or its political talking points. Yeah…that’s kinda my point. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolce-and-gabbana-dont-understand-what-freedom-of-speech-means/715141/20 "2015-03-16T21:44:32Z")
I’m not really seeing the “freedom of speech” angle here. Boycotts were carried out by both [fascists](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCsQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FNazi_boycott_of_Jewish_businesses&ei=M04HVaLOK8KUNqHUg9gL&usg=AFQjCNGXz1ExA3S_gORrrwN9uCnu7IvP0w&sig2=EkhKm3AZXog81PviUQS24w) and [anti-fascists](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCsQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FNazi_boycott_of_Jewish_businesses&ei=M04HVaLOK8KUNqHUg9gL&usg=AFQjCNGXz1ExA3S_gORrrwN9uCnu7IvP0w&sig2=EkhKm3AZXog81PviUQS24w). Of course, there is certainly some hypocrisy in calling _other people_ fascists when they object to your desire to impose your morals on them. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolce-and-gabbana-dont-understand-what-freedom-of-speech-means/715141.md?page=2)