Karl Lagerfeld Is Against Gay Marriage, Scoffs at Two-Father Families

by Lisa Marsh (Subscribe to Lisa Marsh's posts)
Posted Apr 9th 2010 at 8:02PM

Karl Lagerfeld is at it again. Photo: Pascal Le Segretain, Getty Images

Is there nothing about Karl Lagerfeld that is not controversial?

His weight-loss methods were odd (horse meat anyone?); his choice of companions is questionable (Lindsay Lohan -- really?); he drinks Diet Coke from crystal goblets; and now, he's coming out against gay marriage -- a strange position for a man working in the generally flamboyant fashion industry.

"I'm against it [gay marriage] for a very simple reason: In the '60s, they all said we had the right to the difference," Lagerfeld told Vice magazine. "And now, suddenly, they want a bourgeois life."

And furthermore, he can't even comprehend gay couples -- particularly males -- being parents. "For me it's difficult to imagine -- one of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be for the baby?" he said. "I don't know."

Yet, the idea of lesbian parents is more palatable to the "Kaiser," who helms his own namesake brand as well as the House of Chanel, and is known for his hits and misses.

"I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies," he told Vice. "I believe more in the relationship between mother and child than in that between father and child."

And how do Lagerfeld's colleagues feel about his bold statements? "Karl has a designer mentality -- I think it's a one-sided thought process," stylist Phillip Bloch tells StyleList.

"I don't believe he's trying to stir up controversy, thinking, 'Am I going to get a lot of press for this?' He says what he thinks and really believes it."

As for how Lagerfeld's comments will effect his standing in the industry, Bloch, who has worked with A-listers including Halle Berry and Mariah Carey, tells StyleList. "Karl is an icon, a fashion dictator, the emperor in 'The Emperor's New Clothes.' He's not beholden to anyone other than maybe Anna Wintour and [French Vogue editor] Carine Roitfeld."

Ultimately, Bloch adds, "Karl doesn't care what people think of him. Is there a nice way to say 'pompous'?"

Can't get enough of Lagerfeld's controversial comments? Read what he had to say about "round women."

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Filed under: Fashion, Celebrity, News, Designers & Brands
Tags: Controversy, Gay and Lesbian, Gay Fathers, Gay Marriage, Gay Parents, Karl Lagerfeld, Phillip Bloch, Vice Magazine

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READER COMMENTS

(10)Add A Comment

lauren, 4-09-2010, 9:33PM

Karl is finally saying what is simply common sense. If God had intended for two men or two women to be parents, he would have given them the ability to procreate.

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nadia, 4-09-2010, 10:29PM

Hmmm...interesting lauren. So if God intended for a man and woman to raise children, why are a) so many straight people divorced b) so many children abused/neglected by their straight parents? You don't think it's ok for gay parents to adopt children that have been abused and neglected by their straight parents? Should we just leave them in the foster care system because narrow-minded people like can't think through things critically?

And by the way Lauren and Karl, I know quite a few children that have been raised by their loving, caring fathers. It's 2010. Welcome to it.

Visconti24, 4-18-2010, 3:36PM

Thank God, the vast majority of people on this earth do not take advice on how to live from Karl Lagerfelt, with his S&M orgies, chalk powdered hair, Diet Coke and the other coke. (Except you, of course, Lauren.) So why should anyone pay attention when he spouts out on child rearing, Lesbian mothers or two father families? But, perhaps, Lauren, you can be a little less trite in your comments. Oh yes, if God had wanted us to live with wild animals He would have let us domesticate wolves. Oh, wait, I have four dogs, never mind.

Jay, 4-09-2010, 9:40PM

Karl is a pompous fool who should keep his mouth shut and just make dresses and look like the idiot he his. Who cares what he says, its just his opinion and not mine.

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One who knows, 4-10-2010, 7:10AM

What an ass. Who cares what he thinks? He's not qualified to make a comment. He's and ass. and of course on all posts about GLBTQ's we have to bring God into it. Bible beaters, go beat somewhere else. Let GLBTQ's live as they want to. Quit using the Bible as law, and your excuse for judging people. Lauren you need to get enlightened on the Gay subject before posting coments. quoting the Bible does NOT make you enlightened. All men are created "equal". Go get some smarts, you dumb a**. Sick of reading this Bible crap. Let it go, GLBTQ's are everywhere.........get over it!

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One who knows, 4-10-2010, 7:15AM

Lauren, nothing is simple about this subject except "your" mind. These persons this idiot are talking about are people that's the simple part. They just want to have the same rights in the U.S. that you are afforded to sprew your Bible verses. You should be standing to make sure "all" people have equal rights and can persue their happiness even though it might differ from "your" happiness whatever that might be. I might think your happiness is beating your Bible. Go read up on GLBTQ's according to the AMA and the Psycholody association, then come back and post something enlightening for us! Please................

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randi, 4-11-2010, 6:06PM

While Herr Langerfeld is entitled to his opinion, I am now going to be shopping at shops which do not say Chanel on them and encourage my friends, as well as anybody who will listen to me to read his words.......he is disguisting..by the way, I am a straight married woman.

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heather, 4-11-2010, 9:44PM

I probably shouldn't even comment but I'm going to....I HAVE to say that whether or not you agree with the man he is NOT judging anyone that is gay he simply has an opinion. Just like some agree with gay marriages, others have JUST as much of a right to DISAGREE. And while I personally believe there is nothing wrong with gays adopting children, because I hate the thought of poor children not having parents I do NOT think that the situation is ideal for the child. I believe children were created needing a mother AND a father (not just one or the other) ...but it is better than nothing.
Either way...for all of you attacking him for "judging"...CALM down! He is just sharing his opinion, just as you have yours.

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sandy, 4-12-2010, 6:42PM

What a shame, is anybody judging him for having a relationship with a the 20 yo Baptiste Giabiconi? Gay & Straight couples should have the same rights. Gay issues can be compared to black people issues before they were to marry or vote. Karl Lagerfeld is fool of himself and no one should listen to him especially adter the awfull comment he made on Heidi Klum's husband skin (which is a skin infection).

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Keith, 4-29-2010, 7:26PM

He's gay so you can't call him anti gay or an ass hole for having his own opinion. I'm a gay man too and I can't imagine myself raising a child with another man either. I'm not against gay marriage but I could never imagine myself married and having children while "one of the papas is at work". I don't think this has anything to do with god though. That's just ignorant, arrogant, or let's just say it, STUPID. If god didn't intend men and women to have same sex relationships then why is homosexuality common in animals? A lot of people don't realize that elephants actually try to mate with other male elephants! So explain that one too me religious zealot!

Anyway, I love Karl so I don't know if this is biased or not but I respect him for having a logical opinion.

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