Donatella Versace announces she’s the Stonewall ambassador

By

Godfrey Deeny

Published
Jun 25, 2019

Donatella Versace announced Tuesday that she is a new ambassador of Stonewall, the original late '60s riot in the West Village that signaled the beginning of the gay rights movement, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this Friday.
 

“I’m truly honored to become a Stonewall Ambassador and so excited to be coming to New York for World #Pride and celebrate #StonewallDay!" declared Donatella in her Instagram account at 5 a.m CET this morning.

Dressed in white, with a T-shirt featuring a Versace logo over a glittering rainbow color square, and brandishing the LGBT flag in her hand, the Italian designer stood before bookshelves in her studio. By 10.30 a.m, she had already garnered over 140,000 likes, including applause from fellow designer Peter Dundas.

“Join me in supporting the initiative that commemorates the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots and continues to fight for full #LGBTQ + equality,” read Versace’s post.

Donatella has been an active supporter of gay rights for many years. He own brother Gianni, who was assassinated in 1997, one of the first fashion designers to openly admit he was gay.

The half centenary of the Stonewall – a tiny bar on Sheridan Square in the West Village neighborhood of New York - will be recalled in the second annual Stonewall Day, to be hosted by Pride Live, a social advocacy and community engagement organization for the LGBTQ+ community.

“In recognition of the occasion, Pride Live has brought together more than 50 celebrities, activists, and community leaders – Stonewall Ambassadors – who have worked together over the past 12 months to elevate awareness and support for those who fought for equality against intense discrimination and aggression,” the movement said in a release.

Joining Donatella Versace, chief creative officer of Versace, will be Conchita Wurst, the European Song Contest winner.

 In addition, Versace will introduce a Limited Edition 50th anniversary Stonewall T-shirt available at the brand’s Fifth Avenue boutique and online at Versace.com/US with a portion of the proceeds benefitting Stonewall Day + Pride Live.