Ne-Yo Apologizes Over Transphobic, Offensive Comment On Transitioning, Gender Identity

Earlier this week, Ne-Yo dropped a rather insensitive comment about gender transition which many viewed to be a transphobic remark.

Now, the embattled R&B star is apologizing over his comments.

NeY-o 'Gender Identity' Comment

Speaking to the Gloria Velez Podcast via VladTV, Ne-Yo shared that children should not be given the choice to select their own gender identity.

"I just personally come from an era where a man was a man and a woman was a woman. And there was two genders and that's just how I rocked. You could identify as a goldfish if you feel like, that ain't my business, it becomes my business when you try to make me play the game. I'm not gonna call you a goldfish. I feel like parents have almost forgotten what the role of a parent is," he said.

For simpler context, biological or assigned sex is about a person's biology and anatomy, while gender, or gender identity is a set of culturally-set standard, characteristics, and expectation about how male or females are supposed to act.

"If your little boy comes up to you and says, 'Daddy I wanna be a girl,' you just let him rock with that? Where did he get that?" he asked. "If you let this five-year-old little boy eat candy all day, he's gonna do that. Like, when did it become a good idea to let a 5-year-old, a 6-year-old, or a 12-year-old make a life-changing decision? When did that happen? Like, I don't get that. I don't understand that."

Talking about gender transitioning, Velez sought the support of Ne-Yo in her opposition toward puberty blockers and even gender reassignment surgery.

"He can't drive a car, but he can choose to alter his sex?" Ne-Yo asked.

Many took to social media to blast Ne-Yo for his transphobic comments.

Ne-Yo Apologizes For 'Transphobic' Comments

Taking to Twitter, Ne-Yo apologizes for his offensive comments.

"After much reflection, I'd like to express my deepest apologies to anyone that I may have hurt with my comments on parenting and gender identity," he said.

According to him, he has always been an advocate for "love and inclusivity" in the LGBTQIA+ community, so he understood how his comments were viewed as "insensitive and offensive."

"Gender identity is nuanced and I can honestly admit that I plan to better educate myself on the topic, so I can approach future conversations with more empathy."

Earlier this year, Ne-Yo and her ex-wife filed for divorce after he was found to have having extramarital affairs with prostitutes.

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