Ne-Yo Apologizes to LGBTQ+ Community for Comments on Gender Identity and Parenting

etonline.com:

Ne-Yo is apologizing in the wake of backlash to recent comments he made regarding transgender children and criticizing parents who support their kids identifying as a different gender than that which was assigned at birth.«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,» Ne-Yo, 43, shared in a statement posted to Twitter on Sunday.«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,» he continued. «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.»He concluded, «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/M5aTFN40tnThe comments in question came during an interview with Gloria Velez for VladTV, when he got onto the subject of gender identity.«I just personally come from an era where a man was a man and a woman was a woman,» Ne-Yo shared in the interview. «There was two genders, and that’s just how I rocked.»Ne-Yo continued, «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.»Ne-Yo went on to say that he feels some parents have «almost forgotten what the role of a parent is,» and equated a child coming to their parents to express their gender identity as a kid.