Macy Gray says her trans comments were ‘grossly misunderstood’
The singer faced a backlash after saying "just because you go change your parts, doesn’t make you a woman."
Words: Emily Maskell; pictures: TalkTV
Macy Gray has apologised and expressed her support for the LGBTQ community after her comments made to Piers Morgan were deemed transphobic.
The ‘I Try’ singer appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored on Monday (4 July) where she shared her thoughts on the topics of sex, gender, and pronouns that subsequently faced backlash.
“I have nothing but love for the LGBTQ+ and transgender community and have been a supporter since day one,” Gray, 54, told ET in a statement on Tuesday (5 July).
“What women go through is a completely unique experience and surgery or finding yourself doesn’t change that.”
Macy Gray explains why she thinks having gender reassignment doesn’t truly change someone’s sex.@MacyGraysLife | @piersmorgan | @TalkTV | #MacyGray pic.twitter.com/YT0wQSnYCN
— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) July 4, 2022
“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,” she continued.
On Piers Morgan Uncensored, Gray stated: “I will say this, and everyone’s gonna hate me, but as a woman, just because you go change your parts, doesn’t make you a woman. Sorry.”
After Morgan suggested that Gray may be labelled transphobic for the comments, the singer replied: “But it’s the truth.”
Gray also went on to defend Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, who has become known for her repeated comments on sex and gender.
“I don’t think you should be called transphobic just because you don’t agree with, you know… there’s a lot of judgment and throwing stones at people for just saying what it is,” Gray said.
Rowling later tweeted her support for Gray saying, “Today feels like a good day to ensure I’ve bought [Macy Gray’s] entire back catalogue.”
Today feels like a good day to ensure I’ve bought @MacyGraysLife’s entire back catalogue 🔥 pic.twitter.com/iIrPc9WvAQ
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) July 5, 2022
Gray’s statements were met with criticism from many including London-based festival Mighty Hoopla, at which she performed last month.
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In a statement, the festival wrote: “We are extremely disappointed by the comments made by Macy Gray… Mighty Hoopla will always stand with our trans family.”
During the backlash on Tuesday (5 July) Gray tweeted that “there is no bigger admirer of lgbt community than your truly.”
there is no bigger admirer of lgbt community than your truly. it takes real balls to be honest about who you are. “woman” is a title that you earn and become. just like “man.” there are plenty of females who aren’t women yet and every girl gets that.
— Macy Gray (@MacyGraysLife) July 4, 2022
She added in another tweet that “i wasn’t defining trans women. just women. because i know what it means to be one. i don’t know what it means to be a trans woman and never said i did.”
i wasn’t defining trans women. just women. because i know what it means to be one. i don’t know what it means to be a trans woman and never said i did. but that goes both ways.
— Macy Gray (@MacyGraysLife) July 4, 2022
The Attitude July/August issue is out now.