Ne-Yo, born Shaffer Chimere Smith, got himself into some hot water with the cancel culture mob on social media Sunday. A video went viral of his conversation with VladTV and host Gloria Velez.

The two were talking about the “life-changing decisions” that occur through gender transitions on the podcast. Ne-Yo, the father of five boys and two girls, said he has no problems with the LGBTQ community but he has a problem with some parents who seem to have forgotten their role.

While professing his love for the LGBTQ community, he said, “I feel like the parents have almost forgotten what the role of a parent is,” he began. “If your little boy comes up to you and says, ‘Daddy I wanna be a girl,’ you just let him rock with that?”

Ne-Yo added, “Where did he get that? If you let this 5-year-old little boy eat candy all day, he’s gonna do that. Like, when did it become a good idea to let a 5-year-old, a 6-year-old, a 12-year-old make a life-changing decision?

“When did that happen? Like, I don’t understand that.”

The Arkansas native went on to say that his is a traditional approach to men and women.

The three-time Grammy winner, age 43, said that he comes from “an era” where a “man was a man and a woman was a woman.”

“There was two genders and that’s just how I rocked,” he said. “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 think that is how a lot of people think – call yourself whatever you want, live your life, but don’t force it on others.

Needless to say, the blowback came to Ne-Yo. What happened next is what makes this story different than most cancel culture stories. There was an apology posted on Ne-Yo’s Twitter (X) page when the blowback began.

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

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

It sounds like it was written by his public relations team, right?

Then, Ne-Yo went on his Instagram account and un-apologized. Clearly, either the public relations team didn’t clear the apology with him before posting it or he didn’t like the text. So, he spoke out in his own way.

Ok. This shit is getting out of hand. FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH. I WILL NOT BE BULLIED INTO APOLOGIZING FOR HAVING AN OPINION. AGREEING TO DISAGREE IS NOT A DECLARATION OF WAR.
Lord knows I ain’t perfect, I’ve made my mistakes indeed.
And I’ve apologized to the people I’ve hurt for those mistakes. I couldn’t cast a stone if I wanted to, which I don’t. And I haven’t.
My intention is never to offend anybody…but my opinion is MINE and I’m entitled to it. I don’t care what y’all do with yours. That’s YOURS. This is how I FEEL. If one of my 7 kids were to decide that he or she wanted to be something other than what they were born as, once they’re old enough and mature enough to make that decision…so be it. Not gonna love em’ any less. Daddy is still Daddy and he loves you regardless. But this isn’t even a discussion until they are MENTALLY MATURE ENOUGH to have such a discussion.
Period. Point blank. Whatever. Y’all do y’all, imma do me and we can agree to disagree and coexist PEACEFULLY.
LOVE IS THE ONLY TRUE POWER.

Good for him for saying he wasn’t apologizing for his opinion. He was making a point that parents are the adults and have to act that way. Children aren’t allowed to drive or drink alcohol or sign a contract until they are of legal age to do so. Why would any parent allow their child to make such a life-altering decision as this? It can be a different conversation when they are a legal adult. Until then, it is the responsibility of parents to protect their children.

Perhaps he needs a new social media team. Never kowtow to the outrage mob. It’s never enough and it ends up angering those who agree with you. Stick with your own opinion.