Stefano Gabbana speaks out on controversial adoption remarks: 'I respect ideas that are different to my own'

Three years after D&G designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana faced explosive backlash for declaring that IVF babies are “children of chemistry, synthetic children,” Gabbana is issuing a retraction. Sort of.

“I am against marriages in the first place,” Gabbana captioned a text-on-video Instagram post on Monday, loosely translated from Italian, his first language. “I don’t like ‘love contracts.’ I cannot swear eternal love to anyone because I don’t know what my future will be! I have never been against any kind of adoption. I don’t feel able to adopt because I am afraid that I won’t be able to love in the right way!”

He continued, “Nature has decided that not everyone can procreate. I am one of these people but it doesn’t mean that I am against it. I respect ideas that are different to my own.”

“So once and for it is clear what my thoughts on this topic are!!! What is written on papers or websites has often been a manipulation of my thoughts!!! Have a good life everyone.”

Gabbana also captioned the video, “Knowing before judging others’ opinions is substantial not to fall in the danger of #fakenews.”

In 2015, the famous designers burned down the internet during an interview with Italian magazine Panorama in which they stated, according to the U.K.’s Telegraph, “We oppose gay adoptions. The only family is the traditional one. No chemical offsprings and rented uterus: life has a natural flow, there are things that should not be changed.”

Dolce then said, “You are born to a mother and a father — or at least that’s how it should be. I call children of chemistry, synthetic children. Rented uterus, semen chosen from a catalog.”

Gabbana continued, “The family is not a fad. In it there is a supernatural sense of belonging.”

The statement was surprising for several reasons: Both designers are gay and dated each other for 23 years, ending their romantic relationship, but not their business, in 2005. The Telegraph also reported that in 2006, Gabbana told an Italian news outlet, “I want my own child, a biological child conceived through artificial insemination” and approached a female friend to serve as a surrogate who “thought it was a great idea.”

Gabbana also reportedly said, “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.”

Fans, including celebrities, reacted with outrage to the designer’s 2015 comments. Elton John, who has two young sons with husband David Furnish, wrote on Instagram, “How dare you refer to my beautiful children as ‘synthetic.’ And shame on you for wagging your judgmental little fingers at IVF — a miracle that has allowed legions of loving people, both straight and gay, to fulfill 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.” He also called for a boycott of the D&G brand.

Victoria Beckham supported John with a tweet acknowledging “all the beautiful IVF babies.” Courtney Love and Ricky Martin also spoke out.

A few months later, Dolce issued an apology during a Vogue interview. “I am so sorry. It was not my intention to offend anyone,” he said. “I’ve done some soul-searching. I’ve talked to Stefano a lot about this. I’ve realized that my words were inappropriate, and I apologize. They are just kids. You don’t need labels, baby labels.”

He added, “I think everybody chooses for themselves. I don’t know everything about IVF, but I love it when people are happy. It’s like medicine. Science has been put on the table to help people.”

On Monday, many fans seemed supportive of Gabbana, writing on his post, “The world would be a better and happy place if we can be understanding of other people’s views, beliefs and opinions,” and “I still think you would be one of the best dads ever, however, I respect your views and opinions, being a parent isn’t for everyone and it’s better to know that from the get-go. Much love to you.”

Still, Dolce and Gabbana remain controversial as strong supporters of first lady Melania Trump, even creating political backlash with #Boycott Dolce &Gabbana shirts. And last week, Gabbana ruffled feathers by telling British Vogue of recent sexual harassment claims in Hollywood, “It’s not violence…”

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