Ne-Yo Doubles Down On His Comments Surrounding Parents Allowing Their Kids To Transition: ‘I Will Never Be OK w/ Allowing A Child To Make A Decision That Detrimental To Their Life’

August 8, 2023 by Ariel Whitely in Music with 0 Comments

Ne-Yo

Ne-Yo Doubles Down On His Comments Surrounding Parents Allowing Their Kids To Transition: ‘I Will Never Be OK w/ Allowing A Child To Make A Decision That Detrimental To Their Life’

Singer/song-writer Ne-Yo isn’t holding his tongue surrounding his recent controversial comments about transgender children.

As previously reported, Ne-Yo, real name Shaffer Smith, faced tons of backlash online after sharing his disapproval of parents allowing their kids to change genders during a recent interview. The 43-year-old R&B singer was allegedly asked his thoughts on the sensitive topic, to which 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.”

Ne-Yo

Ne-Yo noted,

“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?!”

Following an intense back-and-forth between users online surrounding the musician’s remarks, he went to the comment section of an Instagram post to clear any confusion with some follow-up thoughts. Ne-Yo 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.”

He 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.

In an Instagram post shared to Ne-Yo’s Instagram account earlier Monday (Aug. 7), the “Because Of You” singer shared more of his stance regarding his previous comments and didn’t hold back. In the post, he said he doesn’t feel sorry for his opinion, and those who don’t like it can agree to disagree with him on the matter. He also stated he’ll never feel comfortable with children changing their gender identity before their mentally mature enough to make the life-long decision.

Ne-Yo shared,

“[However], somebody asked my opinion on this matter and this is how I feel. I will never be ok with allowing a child to make a decision that detrimental to their life. I will never be okay with that. I definitely plan to educate myself a little bit more on this matter.”

He continued,

“However, I doubt that there’s any book anywhere or any opinion that somebody’s going to tell me that’s going to make me ok with letting a child make a decision like that. That’s just period point blank and that’s how I feel. If I get canceled for this, then you know what, maybe this is a world where they don’t need a Ne-Yo no more, alright. And I don’t got no problem with that I’m a hustler alright I’ll figure it out. I got kids to raise and I’m a do that regardless.”

Ne-Yo added,

“So with that being said, y’all have a good day. I love everybody. Live how you want to live, love how you want to love. But your opinion is yours. Speak your opinion as much as you d*mn well feel like it. Because as I said they not special, everybody got one, and you’re entitled to it. I’m entitled to mine, alright? Y’all feel how y’all want to feel. Have a great day. It’s Ne-Yo. Peace and love.”