Stefano Gabbana: Homosexual Dolce and Gabbana co-founder denounces use of 'gay' as a label

'Invented by those who need to label people'

Stefano Gabbana (left) and Domenico Dolce attend a party in London (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Stefano Gabbana - one half of Italian designer label Dolce & Gabbana - says he is tired of being defined by his sexuality and has asked that people stop using the word “gay” in relation to him.

Speaking to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera Mr Gabbana said, “I don’t want to be called gay, because I am simply a man... full stop.”

He continued, “The word ‘gay’ was invented by those who need to label people, and I don’t want to be identified by my sexual choices.”

Gabbana, who, along with his ex-partner and co-designer Domenico Dolce, is openly gay, has had enough of people considering sexuality above human rights.

Mr Gabbana told the newspaper, “I thought that I could help spread a new culture as a famous person, a culture no longer based on gay rights but on human rights,” but is now adamant that “We are human beings before being gay, heterosexual, or bisexual.”

The designer denounces use of the label 'gay'

During the same conversation, the designer also shared how he realised he was homosexual at age 18 when his girlfriend - “who I really liked” - came to visit for a weekend in Milan. When the couple was dancing, Gabbana realised he “was watching the men more than her.”

According to Gabbana, this realisation came after “knowing about being gay for a while,” but “not having the courage to admit it. Only through therapy did I realise that there had been clear signs in my childhood.”

And yet despite this self-acceptance, Mr Gabbana claims gay associations “often serve as a defence but I don’t want to be protected by anyone, because I’ve done nothing wrong.”

Mr Gabbana’s comments come after a series of unpopular opinions shared by the designing duo.

In 2015, Mr Gabban and Mr Dolce ostracised themselves from the gay community when they shared their thoughts on IVF children, calling the children, “children of chemistry, synthetic children.”

As a commonly used method for homosexual couples to have children of their own, the designers’ comments offended many in the gay community, including Sir Elton John, who has two IVF children with husband David Furnish.

Responding to the comments, Sir Elton John wrote on Instagram, “How dare you refer to my beautiful children as ‘synthetic,’” before continuing, “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 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.”

Elton John responds to Dolce and Gabbana on Instagram regarding IVF comments

While Mr Gabbana’s views on the usage of “gay” are now clear, it is unclear whether Mr Dolce shares the same views on the use of the term.