
Ne-Yo has issued an apology for remarks he made in an interview about gender identity and how transgender kids are raised.
The 43-year-old recording artist took to social media Sunday to clarify his thoughts on the topic, stressing his ongoing support for the LGBTQI+ community and pledging to better educate himself on the issue.
‘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,’ the Time Of Our Lives vocalist said on the site.
The singer-songwriter, whose full name is Shaffer Chimere Smith, said that after looking back on what he had said, he understands how people could have been put off by the remarks.
‘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,’ Ne-Yo said.
The Miss Independent performer 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.
‘At the end of the day, I lead with love and support everyone’s freedom of expression and pursuit of happiness.’
The Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself) artist was seen in VladTV alongside Gloria Velez, where he stated his aversion to the idea of parents supporting their children who come out as trans, particularly at a young age.
‘I just personally come from an era where a man was a man and a woman was a woman,’ Ne-Yo said in the clip. ‘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.’
The So Sick performer said in the clip that ‘we live in a weird time’ amid the expanded consciousness of gender identity.
Ne-Yo in the clip said that he felt parents should stress to their children, particularly younger ones, their adherence to their assigned gender at birth.
‘I feel like parents have almost forgotten what the role of a parent is,’ the singer said. ‘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 five … if you let this five-year-old boy decide to eat candy all day, he’s gonna do that.’
The musical artist, who has fathered seven kids, wondered about changing values regarding gender identity in modern times.
‘When did it become a good idea to let a five-year-old, let a six-year-old, let a 12-year-old make a life-changing decision for themself?’ he said. ‘When did that happen? I don’t understand. He can’t drive a car yet, but he can decide his s3x?’

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