Donatella Versace Takes on Co-Chair Role in Elton John's Rocket Fund to Support LGBTQIA+ Communities

Donatella Versace joins Elton John's mission as Co-Chair to empower LGBTQIA+ with the Rocket Fund. Spark change with fashion's heart of gold.

Donatella Versace, alongside the Versace Foundation and Allegra Versace Beck, has announced their partnership with the Elton John AIDS Foundation's Rocket Fund. With a commitment spanning five years, this collaboration aims to raise funds for LGBTQIA+ communities. Donatella Versace will serve as the Co-Chair of The Rocket Fund, leveraging the Versace Foundation's support to back LGBTQIA+ projects through the Elton John AIDS Foundation's initiative. The overarching goal of this fundraising campaign is to raise $125 million to provide comprehensive support to vulnerable individuals, particularly within the LGBTQIA+ community, who have been disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS.

The Rocket Fund's primary focus revolves around tackling existing health disparities, stigma, and prejudice that contribute to the ongoing spread of HIV/AIDS. By financing innovative programs and forging partnerships with community organizations and governments, the Rocket Fund strives to enhance access to crucial health services such as diagnostics and medication. Moreover, the initiative actively challenges discriminatory legislation while empowering those at the highest risk, fostering prevention and facilitating access to vital information for their overall well-being.

Expressing her gratitude, Donatella Versace, Chief Creative Officer of Versace, stated, "I am truly honored to be a co-chair of The Rocket Fund and to be supporting this vital initiative together with The Versace Foundation. I am very proud to be an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community. At Versace, we have always championed inclusivity and equity, and we are committed to supporting Elton and his extraordinary Foundation and their mission to end AIDS and the stigma attached to it by 2030."

Anne Aslett, CEO of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, emphasized the importance of addressing HIV stigma during Pride Month and acknowledged the collaboration with The Versace Foundation. She stated, "We are so proud of our partnership with The Versace Foundation and honored that they have joined our Rocket Fund mission—to dismantle these health disparities and bring the world closer to our vision of an AIDS-free world."

Emmanuel Gintzburger, CEO of Versace, expressed pride in pledging The Versace Foundation's support to the Elton John AIDS Foundation's Rocket Fund. He emphasized the five-year commitment, designed to further the foundation's efforts in advancing equity, wellness, and safety for LGBTQIA+ communities globally through collaboration with philanthropic organizations and community groups.

As Pride Month is celebrated, the collaboration between Donatella Versace, the Versace Foundation, and the Elton John AIDS Foundation's Rocket Fund stands as a testament to their dedication to ending HIV stigma and striving towards an AIDS-free world, while promoting the welfare of LGBTQIA+ individuals globally.