Ne-Yo recanted his apology for feedback made about gender identification in a brand new video shared on Instagram on Monday, August 7. After tweeting an apology for controversial feedback made about mother and father of transgender kids, the Grammy-winner, whose actual identify is Shaffer Smith, filmed a video, saying that he stood by his feedback. “At the beginning, I don’t apologize for having an opinion on this matter,” he stated early within the clip.
Ne-Yo, 43, confronted backlash after he appeared on the favored podcast VladTV, talking about his opinions on mother and father of transgender youngsters offering gender-affirming care. Whereas many medical professionals have really helpful gender-affirming look after transgender youngsters (per The Washington Post), Ne-Yo stated that he disagreed with mother and father offering the care. “When did it turn out to be a good suggestion to let a 5-year-old, let a 6-year-old, let a 12-year-old make a life-changing determination for themselves?” he stated. The singer tweeted out an apology the day after the interview got here out, earlier than retracting it.
Whereas Ne-Yo admitted that he by no means meant to offend anybody, he did specific that he was “entitled” to his opinion as a lot as anybody else. Nonetheless, he stated that he didn’t have any points with the LGBTQ+ neighborhood, however stood by his unique remark. “I’ve no beef with the LBGTQIA+ [sic] neighborhood in anyway. I ain’t received no beef with y’all. Do regardless of the hell it’s you need to do. Do what you need to do along with your youngsters. Nevertheless, someone requested my opinion on this matter, and that is how I really feel. I’ll by no means be okay with permitting a baby to decide that detrimental to their life. I’ll by no means be okay with that,” he stated.
Ne-Yo did clarify that he deliberate to “educate” himself, however he expressed doubts that he would have a change of coronary heart. “I doubt that there’s any e-book anyplace or any opinion that someone’s going to inform me that’s going to make me okay with letting a baby decide like that,” he stated. “If I get canceled for this, possibly it is a world the place they don’t want a Ne-Yo no extra.”
Within the caption, the “As a result of Of You” singer admitted that if considered one of their kids got here out as trans at an older age, he would nonetheless love and help them. “If considered one of my 7 youngsters have been to resolve that she or he wished to be one thing apart from what they have been born as, as soon as they’re sufficiently old and mature sufficient to make that call…so be it. Not gonna love em’ any much less. Daddy remains to be Daddy and he loves you regardless,” he wrote.
