Ne-Yo Sparks Backlash After Stating “I Come From An Era Where A Man Was A Man And A Woman Was A Woman” While Sharing His Disapproving Thoughts On Allowing Children To Transition Genders + Later Responds To Critics: ‘My Opinion Is Mine’

Ne-Yo

Ne-Yo Sparks Backlash After Stating “I Come From An Era Where A Man Was A Man And A Woman Was A Woman” While Sharing His Disapproving Thoughts On Allowing Children To Transition Genders + Later Apologizes

R&B singer Ne-Yo is under fire for his thoughts about transgender children. During a recent interview, the musician shared his disapproving and borderline confused opinion on why parents allow their kids to change genders, prompting an intense online debate.

Ne-Yo

Ne-Yo, real name Shaffer Chimere Smith, 43, was allegedly asked his thoughts on the polarizing topic, and was not shy to give his honest truth. He stated:

“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, that ain’t my business, it becomes my business when you try to make me play the game. I’m not gonna call you a goldfish.”

Adding:

“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?!”

Continuing, the 3x Grammy Award winner explored his thoughts on society being in a “weird” place in general. He went on to discuss the oddness of people recording themselves having “mental breakdowns”, insisting if an individual can “find an angle” in that moment, then “there’s nothing wrong” with them and so forth. However, Ne-Yo’s comments about parenting transgender children quickly made its way to several internet sites, with social media users eagerly chiming in.

While a great amount of users commenting happened to agree with Ne-Yo’s opinion praising him for his blunt honesty, others were slightly more critical. One user argued that the song writer didn’t take into account the fullness of what parents and children go through to ensure their certainty before making the decision to transition, writing:

“Why do people keep acting like it’s just some SIMPLE decision. These children go through counseling and therapy and deep analysis for years before they are approved by MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS to go ahead with options to allow the child to feel comfortable in there skin. So please stop the BS!”

“When people realize their outrage over children acknowledging their gender identity or sexual orientation is more about their own fears and uncomfortability (and perhaps their own unsettled identities) than it is about a child’s well-being, then maybe we can then have honest conversations about who makes what “decisions.” And let’s not even act like adults don’t allow their children to make decisions about their identity as adolescents — it’s just not appropriate if it falls out of the scope of heteronormativity.”

Users continued to go back in forth, debating a matter that continues to find people leaning strongly towards one end of the spectrum or the other. It wasn’t long before Ne-Yo himself  jumped into the comments section as well with some follow up thoughts, however. He wrote:

“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 and that’s that.”

And added:

“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.”

Ne-Yo later took to social media to apologize for his comments. See below:

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

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

When it comes to his household, which includes 7 children, it seems the musician is perfectly clear where he stands on the topic. Ne-Yo shares two children with his first ex-wife Monyetta Shaw, 3 children with his recently divorced second ex-wife Crystal Renay, and welcomed 2 children with his former misstress Sade Jenea. 

If you recall, Renay blasted the fame singer last year announcing their divorce after allegedly discovering him to be a “serial cheater”, and allegedly fathering one of his last two children during their marriage. The former couple settled things earlier this year, and Ne-Yo has since been rumored to be continuing his alleged relationship with Sade Jenea.

Are you agreeing with Ne-Yo’s initial thoughts on children transitioning genders? Let us know in the comments section!