Ne-Yo Apologises For Comments On Parenting And Gender Identity Following Backlash From LGBTQ+ Community & Advocates

Ne-Yo has apologized for his recent remarks about parenting and gender identity, saying he will move forward with a more “empathetic” stance. The singer-songwriter sparked controversy during an interview with Gloria Velez for VladTV over the weekend.

During the conversation, he questioned parents encouraging their kids to identify with a gender other than the one assigned at birth. Ne-Yo’s comments drew backlash from the LGBTQ+ community and advocates for gender equality, who argued that his remarks were dismissive and harmful. In his apology, he acknowledged the importance of understanding and supporting individuals’ journeys in defining their identities. He continued,

“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,” he said in the clip. “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.”

“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,” . “He can’t drive a car yet, but he can decide his sex?”

Ne-Yo, real name Shaffer Chimere Smith, has apologized for his remarks and said he wants to “better educate” himself on the subject. He wrote on X (formerly Twitter),

“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. “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,” “At the end of the day, I lead with love and support everyone’s freedom of expression and pursuit of happiness.”

I’d like to express my deepest apologies… pic.twitter.com/M5aTFN40tn

— NE-YO (@NeYoCompound) August 7, 2023

According to Billboard, the previous evening, he also clarified his position by saying that, while he doesn’t “condemn” anyone for their choices, he should be permitted to give his honest opinion when prompted. He stated:

“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,”  “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.”