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Elton John boycotts Dolce & Gabbana over 'synthetic children' remark

"I am not convinced by those I call children of chemicals synthetic children," Domenico Dolce said of children conceived by in vitro fertilization.

By Kate Stanton
David Furnish and Elton John have two children through in vitro fertilization. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
David Furnish and Elton John have two children through in vitro fertilization. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

LONDON, March 17 (UPI) -- Elton John has called for a boycott of Dolce & Gabbana, after its lead designers criticized gay adoption and children conceived by by in vitro fertilization.

"We oppose gay adoptions. The only family is the traditional one," Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce recently told Italy's Panorama magazine. "No chemical offsprings and rented uterus: life has a natural flow. There are things that should not be changed."

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"You are born to a mother and a father -- or at least that's how it should be," Dolce added. "I call children of chemicals synthetic children. Rented uterus, semen chosen from a catalog."

John and his husband, David Furnish, have two children conceived through in vitro fertilization and born via surrogate. The singer took to Instagram to rail against the Italian designers' comments and call for a boycott of the brand.

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. #BoycottDolceGabbana

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John's call for a boycott was echoed by a number of other celebrities, including Al Roker, Victoria Beckham, Courtney Love and Ricky Martin, who has twin boys born via surrogate.

Dolce and Gabbana responded Monday to the backlash.

"We firmly believe in democracy and the fundamental principle of freedom of expression that upholds it," Gabbana wrote on Instagram. It was never our intention to judge other people's choices. We do believe in freedom and love."

"I'm Sicilian and I grew up in a traditional family, made up of a mother, a father and children," Dolce said. "I am very well aware of the fact 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."

"I was talking about my personal view, without judging other people's choices and decisions," he added.

Dolce and Gabbana are both gay and used to be a couple.

In 2006, Gabbana said he wanted a child through artificial insemination.

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"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," he said.

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