BREAKING: Ne-Yo REJECTS publicist’s apology—doubles down on criticism of child sex changes

In response to the backlash, and his publicist's attempts to mitigate it with a groveling apology, Ne-Yo struck back, saying: "This is something I feel very strongly on. And I need y'all to hear this from the horse's mouth and not to the publicist's computer," he began.

Some of those who blasted him for caving to the trans activist mob were glad to see the reversal.

https://twitter.com/Timcast/status/1688674143745589249?s=20

"First and foremost," he said, "I did not apologize for having an opinion on this matter. I am a 43-year-old heterosexual man raising five boys and two girls. Okay, that's my reality." He spoke to the people who were offended, and apolgized for them being offended, but said he's entitled to feel how he feels. He explained that he was asked a question, and answered it, and he stands by it.

"I will never be okay with allowing a child to make a decision that detrimental to they life. I will never be okay with that," he said. As to his publicist's contention that he would educate himself further, he said that he plans to, but that there's no way he'll come around to the idea of child sex changes.

"I doubt that there's any book anywhere or any opinion that somebody's going to tell me that's gonna make me okay with letting a child make a decision like that. That's just period point blank. And that's how I feel," he said.

"If I get cancelled for this," he said bravely, "then you know what, maybe this is a world where they'll need a Ne-Yo No more, and I've got no problem with that I'm a hustler and I'll figure it out. I got kids to raise and I'm gonna do that regardless."

"So with that being said," he concluded, 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 damn well feel like because as I said, they're not special. Everybody got one and you're entitled to it. I'm entitled to mine."

So what did Ne-Yo say in the first place? Nothing that should be construed as offensive by anyone, it turns out.

"Parents have almost forgotten what the role of a parent is. It's like, ok, 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," Ne-Yo said.

"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 themselves?" He continued in the interview that got him into hot water.

After the backlash against his earlier interview, his publicist weighed in, claiming that Ne-Yo didn't mean it.

"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 publicist stated on behalf of the rapper.

"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 tweet said.

Turns out that's 100 percent true for Ne-Yo, but he will not cave, will not back down, and will not let others speak for him on matters that are so important to him.