Ne-Yo is taking back his apology to the LGBTQ+ community, claiming his publicist posted it on Twitter on his behalf after he spoke out about transgender children.
had appeared to backtrack on his original statement, leading to him receive online backlash from people slamming his apology. He’s now revealed on his Instagram account that he stands by his original comments.
He had originally said during an interview that parents “have almost forgotten what the role of a parent is” and suggested he wouldn’t let his son transition if he asked to be a little girl.
On Sunday night, the three-time Grammy Award winner seemed to apologize saying he understood how his comments “could’ve been interpreted as insensitive and offensive.” On Monday he distanced himself from that statement with a He clarified that he would be fine with any one of his seven children transitioning but only when they are “mentally mature enough.”
![Ne-Yo pictured at BET Awards 2022](https://i0.wp.com/regalrumination.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ne-yo-pictured-bet-awards-2022.jpg?resize=1200%2C826)
Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic
“This is something I feel very strongly on, and I need y’all to hear this from the horse’s mouth, not the publicist’s computer,” he said on Monday. “If my opinion offended somebody, yeah, sure, I apologize for you being offended because that wasn’t my intention. I’m entitled to feel how I feel. I ain’t asked anybody to follow me, I ain’t asked anybody to agree with me. I have no beef with the LBGTQIA+ community … do what you want with your kids.”
Ne-Yo also said he’d accept his fate if he were to be “canceled” for his opinion on the subject.
The “So Sick” singer had initially spoken about transgenderism on Vlad TV with host Gloria Velez.
“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,” Ne-Yo said on the program, which aired on August 3. “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. 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?!”
Three days later, a public apology was posted on his social media channels, clarifying his opinions for his millions of followers.
On X, formerly known as , : “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 LGBTQ+ community, so I understand how my comments could’ve been interpreted as insensitive and offensive. Gender identity is nuanced and I honestly admit that I plan to better educate myself on the topic.”
“The hostage letters are getting longer,” X user Terry Van Loon commented. Many people on X commented with one-word replies, like “weak” and “coward.”
Conservative broadcaster and influencer Xaviaer DuRousseau wrote his reply in all caps. “Do not be weak Ne-Yo. You spoke facts that needed to be heard.”
Thousands of people commented on and retweeted the apology, with hardly any seemingly supporting the reversal of his stance.
He also spoke out on after the news site Hollywood Unlocked initially reported Ne-Yo “condemns parents allowing children to transition genders.”
Ne-Yo shared a lengthy response to his Instagram Stories.
“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,” Ne-Yo said on Sunday night. “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 went on to say that people are entitled to different opinions, and agreeing to disagree “is not a declaration of war.”
“I love everybody. Don’t agree with some of y’all’s ideals… but love you no less,” he added.
Regalrumination.com has reached out to Ne-Yo’s representatives via email for further comment.
Update 8/8/2023, 8:52 a.m. ET: This article was updated with a new headline and further information after Ne-Yo refuted his own Twitter apology in a new Instagram video.