This ad campaign receives a torrent of homophobic and transphobic comments

By revealing its latest campaign on its Instagram account, the Valentino brand has been the target of a wave of homophobic and transphobic hatred. In question, a self-portrait of the androgynous artist Michael Bailey-Gates who is holding a handbag.

On April 10, 2021, the Valentino house unveiled its new advertising campaign in collaboration with photographer Michael Bailey Gates. We see the latter posing naked and holding a handbag. A legend accompanied this sublime shot: “A freedom of expression and an appreciation for infinite individuality characterize the new #ValentinoCollezioneMilano campaign, featuring a self-portrait by photographer Michael Bailey Gates with Valentino Garavani #RomanStud.”

A strong response from Valentino

If this photograph caused a sensation, it was also the target of many hateful, homophobic and transphobic comments.“It’s against nature”, could we read for example under the publication of the famous brand’s Instagram account. Massive “vomit emojis” have also been posted.

The day after publication, Pierpaolo Piccioli, artistic director of Valentino, spoke about this wave of hatred on social networks.“Michael. After this photo was posted on Maison Valentino, a lot of people reacted with hateful and aggressive comments.” he writes on his Instagram account. My job is to deliver my vision of beauty in keeping with the times we live in – and beauty as well as what we consider to be beautiful is a reflection of our own values. We are witnessing a huge upheaval in the history of mankind, the movements of consciousness all lead to the same idea: evolution is possible if equality is possible, if inclusiveness is possible, if rights human rights are defended and so freedom of expression is protected and nurtured. Hate is not an expression, hate is a reaction to fear, and fear can easily turn into violence, which can lead to a comment, or an assault on two men kissing in the subway . We condemn all forms of violence, hatred, discrimination and racism, and I am proud to use my voice and my work to do so, now and in the future. This photo is the self-portrait of a handsome young man and the devil is in the eyes of the beholder, not in his naked body. Change is possible, no one ever said it would be easy, but I am ready to face difficulties, in the name of freedom, love, tolerance and evolution. “

From a degenerate fashion to the fight for the rights of transgender people

Photographer Michael Bailey-Gates is known for his commitment to the rights of the LGBTQI + community, but also his desire to deconstruct gender stereotypes through an inclusive vision of fashion. This self-portrait made for the famous Italian fashion house is proof of this: in his simplest device, long hair and carrying a handbag, Michael Bailey-Gates calls for degenerate fashion. On Instagram, the photographer thanked the people who supported him following the harassment he suffered, but above all, he recalled the importance of advancing the rights of transgender people in the United States. “I wish the same attention would go to the horrific trans youth bills that are being proposed and passed in the United States. As Kimberly Drew writes. (author and African-American art curator, Editor’s note) : ‘I don’t care about gender fashion’ when trans youth are denied health care and the whole industry does nothing to help them. “

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An intelligent way to reorient the debate around this self-portrait towards the real societal issues it raises in terms of the rights of LGBTQI + communities.

Melanie Bonvard

Mélanie deciphers pop culture from a societal angle and questions the female gaze in films or even series, because everything is a question of gaze, she …