According to Yahoo Grammy-winning “I Try” singer-songwriter Macy Gray has drawn criticism for her remarks about the trans community.
In a Monday evening interview with Piers Morgan Uncensored’s namesake host, the 54-year-old performer discussed the “confusing” state of gender identity — specifically referencing “the whole he, she, they” pronoun usage.
Though she said she shared Morgan’s stance on supporting trans rights for “fairness and equality,” she also agreed with his view that trans women “born to obvious superior physical bodies” should be prohibited from competing against cis women in sports.
“I totally agree,” she said. “I will say this and everybody’s going to hate me, but, as a woman, just because you go change your parts, doesn’t make you a woman. Sorry.”
She continued: “If you want me to call you a her, I will, because that’s what you want, but that doesn’t make you a woman just because I call you a her and just because you got a surgery.”
Gray said her views stemmed from personal experience with gender and the “completely unique experience” of growing up as a young woman, which she feels must be lived in order to attain womanhood.
“Surgery or finding yourself doesn’t change that. Being a little girl is a whole epic book, you know? And you can’t have that just because you want to be a woman,” she told Morgan, later saying that she “doesn’t think you should be labeled transphobic just because you don’t agree.”
Gray later tweeted that she felt misrepresented by her comments as they appeared on the show.
“i got nothing but love for lgbt+ and transgender communities,” she wrote on Twitter on Tuesday. “i’ve been a supporter since day one and never a fake one. my statement on piers morgan was GROSSLY misunderstood. i respect everyone’s right to be whoever they wana [sic] be.”
The morning after the interview, Morgan tweeted in defense of Gray.
“If there’s one thing worse than the vicious trans activist mob coming for women who defend women, it’s virtue-signalling men like this fuelling the pile-on. Repulsive,” he wrote after sharing a post from Hacks and Pose actor John Sibilly that labeled Gray’s words as transphobic.
Macy Gray saying transphobic stuff is whack as fuck. Report THAT you terfs
— JOHNNY SIBILLY (@JohnnySibilly) July 5, 2022
and
Macy Gray did that interview for the check. She owe too much money due to her gambling addiction to be coming outta absolutely NOWHERE for a Piers Morgan interview to shit talk transgender women. The rent is DUE. https://t.co/JQwza2BPPG
— Gabrielle Perry, MPH (@GeauxGabrielle) July 5, 2022
and
It's really sad how the truth has become the enemy these days. Bette Milder and Macy Gray didn't say anything wrong and they are not transphobic for saying what they said.
— Dessa_B (@_MischievousB) July 5, 2022
and
Macy Gray: “Everyone’s going to hate me, but as a woman, just because you go and change your parts, doesn’t make you a woman.”
Piers Morgan: “You feel that?”
Gray: “I know that for a fact.”pic.twitter.com/Z8kvCJpvwT
— Allie Beth Stuckey (@conservmillen) July 5, 2022
and
Millennial trans women don't need JK Rowling, Bette Midler & Macy Gray as childhood female heroes anyway…
Not when Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Whoopi Goldberg, Kylie Minogue, Oprah, Goldie Hawn, Jane Fonda, Angelina Jolie & more all said TRANS RIGHTS w their whole chests ️⚧️
— Strewth ️⚧️ (@StrewthQueen) July 5, 2022
and
Y’all calling Macy Gray transphobic is crazy. She stated she doesn’t mind calling someone a woman (out of respect) but she has her own opinion on what it means to be a woman. Just like trans people can have opinions….she wasn’t disrespectful at all
— kill bill (@10xjen) July 5, 2022
watch the interview for yourself below:
Update:
Macy has since clarified her statement:
“I have nothing but love for the LGBTQ+ and transgender community and have been a supporter since day one. My statement on Piers Morgan was grossly misunderstood. I don’t hate anyone. I respect everyone’s right to feel comfortable in their bodies and live their own truth.”
Comment below!
