Ne-Yo is the latest celebrity to issue an apology after sharing her personal opinions regarding parenting and gender identity.
On Saturday, a VLAD TV clip was uploaded to YouTube that featured Ne-Yo and Gloria Velez having a discussion about parents no longer having control over their children…not even when it comes to their gender.
The “Mad” singer said:
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, 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.
Ne-Yo, who is a father of 7, continued:
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?
Watch the clip below.
It didn’t take long before the clip began making its way to blogs that accused him of condemning parents who allow their children to transition.
Ne-Yo took to his Instagram Story and reposted his comment, which read:
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.
I stated my opinion on a matter 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’alls ideals…but love you no less.
See Ne-Yo’s original post below.
Somewhere along the line the singer changed his energy and issued an apology.
He released the following statement via 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, is I understand how my comments could have been interpreted as incentive 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.
See Ne-Yo’s apology below.
Ne-Yo just posted this video to get a few more things off of his chest…
Ok. This s**t is getting out of hand.
FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH. I WILL NOT BE BULLIED INTO APOLOGIZING FOR HAVING AN OPINION. AGREEING TO DISAGREE IS NOT A DECLARATION OF WAR.
Lord knows I ain’t perfect, I’ve made my mistakes indeed.
And I’ve apologized to the people I’ve hurt for those mistakes. I couldn’t cast a stone if I wanted to, which I don’t. And I haven’t.
My intention is never to offend anybody…but my opinion is MINE and I’m entitled to it. I don’t care what y’all do with yours. That’s YOURS. This is how I FEEL.
If one of my 7 kids were to decide that he or she wanted to be something other than what they were born as, once they’re old enough and mature enough to make that decision…so be it.
Not gonna love em’ any less. Daddy is still Daddy and he loves you regardless.
But this isn’t even a discussion until they are MENTALLY MATURE ENOUGH to have such a discussion.
Period. Point blank. Whatever. Y’all do y’all, imma do me and we can agree to disagree and coexist PEACEFULLY.
LOVE IS THE ONLY TRUE POWER.
See the original post below.
Apology Season is upon us.
First Jamie Foxx…now Ne-Yo.
In my Hip Hop Harry voice…”Who’s Next?!”
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