Ne-Yo Apologizes For Questioning ‘Gender Identity’: ‘I Plan To Better Educate Myself On The Topic’

 Rapper Ne-Yo walked back comments he made about transgenderism after receiving massive backlash.

“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,” the singer wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday night. “I’ve always been an advocate for love and inclusivity in the LGBTQI+ community, so I understand how my comments could’ve been interpreted 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,” Ne-Yo added. “At the end of the day, I lead with love and support everyone’s freedom of expression and pursuit of happiness.”

The controversy kicked off Saturday when the 43-year-old explained his views on affirming trans-identifying people.

 “I just personally come from an era where a man was a man and a woman was a woman,” Ne-Yo said during an interview with Gloria Velez for VladTV, as The Daily Wire previously reported. “And there was two genders, and that’s just how I rocked. You could identify as a goldfish if you feel like, I don’t care. That ain’t my business. It becomes my business when you try to make me play the game with you. I’m not gonna call you a goldfish. But if you wanna be a goldfish, you go be a goldfish. We live in a weird time, man. We do.”

The songwriter also expressed concern over parents allowing their children to use permanent, life-altering drugs or get irreversible surgeries in their quest to transition.

 

“I feel like parents have almost forgotten what the role of a parent is. If your little boy comes to you and says, ‘Daddy, I want to be a girl.’ And you just let him rock with that? He’s 5 … If you let this 5-year-old boy decide to eat candy all day, he’s gonna do that. When did it become a good idea to let a 5-year-old, let a 6-year-old, let a 12-year-old make a life-changing decision for themself? When did that happen? I don’t understand,” Ne-Yo said. “He can’t drive a car yet, but he can decide his sex?” 

After receiving backlash from followers, Ne-Yo held his ground, saying that his opinion was just as valid as those who disagreed.

“1st and foremost, I CONDEMN NO ONE. Who am I to condemn anybody? Your life, your kids, your choice. I was asked a question and I answered it. My opinion is mine. I’m not asking anybody to agree with me nor am I telling you what you can and cannot do with your children,” he wrote on social media Saturday night. 

“I stated my opinion on a matter and that’s that. Why should I care if my opinion upsets you when you don’t care if yours upsets anyone? Opinions aren’t special. We all have one. People voice them regularly whether they’re asked or not. I was actually asked mine. Agreeing to disagree is not a declaration of war. Y’all do whatever the hell y’all want to. But my feelings on the matter are mine. Same way yours are yours. Meanwhile, I love everybody. Don’t agree with some of y’all’s ideals….but love you no less.”