Renowned musician Carlos Santana recently sparked a wave of reactions from music enthusiasts when he made a bold statement about gender identity during a concert.
The legendary artist, known for his soulful guitar riffs and timeless hits, declared, “A woman is a woman, and a man is a man,” a sentiment that has since stirred both applause and criticism.
Santana, addressing the crowd at one of his recent performances, shared his perspective on personal identity.
He said, “When God made you and me — before we came out of the womb, you know who you are and what you are.” He further suggested societal influences might lead individuals to question their inherent identities, but he urged his audience to stay true to their natural selves.
Music legends Carlos Santana and Alice Cooper both made big statements against trans ideology today. Round of applause for both of them. We can’t let this crazed ideology destroy the next generation! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/DvwcVXt4Wj
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) August 25, 2023
The “Oye Como Va” singer’s comments, which some have labeled as anti-transgender, were made during a concert in Atlantic City in July.
A video of his remarks was shared on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, and quickly went viral, amassing over 800,000 views in just two hours.
Reactions to Santana’s statements were mixed. Some social media users expressed disappointment, accusing the legendary artist of spreading hate.
Others, however, applauded Santana for his stance, praising him for not succumbing to the pressures of woke culture. One user wrote, “So relieved he didn’t fall into the woke crap. Legend.”
In the midst of the controversy, Santana stood by his words. Speaking to Billboard after the concert, he emphasized his respect for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
He stated, “I desire to honor and respect all person’s ideals and beliefs whether they are LGBTQ or not. This is the planet of free will and we have all been given this gift.”
Last night at a concert in New Jersey, rock legend Carlos Santana said “when God made you and me, before we came out of the womb, you know who you are and what you are… a woman is a woman and a man is a man.”
pic.twitter.com/zCZibZIkM2— Greg Price (@greg_price11) August 24, 2023
Santana’s comments echo those of fellow rock icon Alice Cooper, who recently expressed his concerns about the potential confusion caused by discussions of transgender issues with young children.
Cooper told Stereogum, “I find it wrong when you’ve got a six-year-old kid who has no idea. He just wants to play, and you’re confusing him telling him, ‘Yeah, you’re a boy, but you could be a girl if you want to be.'”
In the video, Santana also expressed solidarity with comedian Dave Chappelle, who has faced similar backlash for his comments on transgender issues. “Like this with my brother Dave Chappelle,” Santana said, aligning himself with the controversial comedian.
As the debate around gender identity continues to evolve, Santana’s comments serve as a reminder of the diverse perspectives that exist within our society. Whether one agrees with his views or not, it’s clear the conversation around these issues is far from over.
