Don't Design Me

A good friend of mine has a very warped and funny sense of humor. One of his favorite comments is: “Opinions are like a@@holes. Everyone has one.” Every time he says this, while I do agree with him, I also laugh with him.

Keeping that in mind, here is one of my opinions. While many will agree with me, I also realize there will be just many who won’t. As my friend says, you’re entitled to yours.

I don’t often read magazines; I just don’t take the time. I do, however, read books to relax, write stories, and dabble around with photography.

Truthfully, I only read two magazines. One of them I do enjoy is The Week; I like this magazine because it contains a bit of news from every state, there is a science section, important national news and so much more. It is just about the most interesting magazines on the market.

I probably should have written this article years ago, but at the time, I was angry and put the magazine away, as I kept thinking, “How dare he?” Then through the years, I’d forgotten about it.

Now, looking back to that issue of March 27, 2015, one of their columns was about clothes designing company called Dolce & Gabbana. It was that article that angered me beyond words.

One of the owners, Domenico Dolce was quoted during an interview as saying, “We oppose gay adoptions. The only family is the traditional one.” He went on to describe children born through IVF as “children of chemistry, synthetic children. Rented uterus, semen chosen from a catalogue.”

Apparently, Mr. Dolce does not believe in adoption or in in-vitro fertilization. Actually, according to his statement, he doesn’t even believe in gay marriages.

It’s a shame when you think about it. There are so many wonderful, intelligent, gay people who have made their mark on the world and became pillars of society.

For instance, two good friends of mine who happens to be gay are very well-respected Deans of prominent universities. I have one relative who travels the world seeking new materials to make men’s clothing. His employer is a well-known manufacturer of men’s shirts.

Another relative is the CEO of a company that specializes in Social Work.

Two of my best friends are gay. I love them both, dearly.

I have met and made friends with many people who are gay but rather than go into all of them, I prefer to tell you the response to Mr. Dolce’s comment made by Elton John.

Elton John has two children with his husband, David Furnish. Each child had a surrogate mother who conceived them by in-vitro fertilization.

Mr. John’s response was: “How dare you refer to my beautiful children as pathetic. Your archaic thinking an out of step with the times, just like your fashions. I shall never wear Dolce & Gabbana ever again.”

BRAVO, Mr. John!! I couldn’t agree more.

Ironically these Italian designers who happened to make this atrocious comment are gay, but they consider themselves traditional believing that while they should and can live together, they should not marry nor have children.

That’s something I just don’t understand. If you have a partner with whom you are in love, why shouldn’t you get married? Why shouldn’t you have children, whether it’s by in-vitro or adoption.

And let’s for a moment jump off the Rainbow train. Whether gay or not, what happens to couples (men and women) who desperately want a child to increase their family but for whatever reason, can’t conceive? You mean to say they shouldn’t be allowed alternative methods of having children?

Shame on Dolce & Gabbana for trying to label people. We are all human! We all bleed red blood!

Since that article, Mr. Dolce has apologized to the gay community. Yet, I can’t help but wonder why? Did he apologize out of sincerity? Or did he apologize because his sales were in decline? Hmm. Makes you wonder.

Sorry, even if I could afford the items Dolce & Gabbana sell, I surely would never purchase any of them. I’ll stick to Walmart and Target!