Shaffer “Ne-Yo” Smith is at the center of controversy yet again. The singer has issued an apology after criticizing parents who allow their children to receive gender-affirming care as minors.
“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,” the statement reads.
“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
Ne-Yo’s apology stems from comments he made during an interview with Gloria Velez of VladTV. During their conversation, the singer made a number of comments about parenting, gender identity and children receiving gender-affirming care.
“I have no issue with LBG — I have no problem with nobody. You love who you love, you do what you do,” Ne-Yo said.
“I just personally come from an era where a man was a man and a woman was a woman. And there [were] 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.”
