Social Media Criticizes Carlos Santana's Transphobic Concert Speech: "Woman is Woman, Man is Man" [Video]

Guitarist Carlos Santana faces backlash for transphobic comments during a concert, sparking criticism and calls for accountability.

In a recent performance in Atlantic City, New Jersey, legendary guitarist Carlos Santana made controversial remarks about gender, displaying a complete lack of filter that often comes with age. The 76-year-old musician abruptly paused the music to address his fans, expressing his transphobic views without hesitation. Santana boldly proclaimed, "There is no virtual reality."

He went on to share his belief that individuals know their true gender identity before they are even born, stating, "When God made you and me, before we came out of the womb, you know who you are and what you are. Later on, when you grow out of it, you see things, and you start believing that you could be something that sounds good, but you know it ain't right. Because a woman is a woman and a man is a man. That's it." The crowd responded with applause, seemingly in agreement with Santana's views.

However, it didn't take long for the video of Santana's remarks to circulate on social media, sparking widespread criticism. Many condemned the ten-time Grammy Award winner for promoting anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric, which has been a driving force behind discriminatory laws. For instance, in Florida, transgender students are barred from using restrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity. Tennessee also previously banned drag shows until a federal judge overturned the ruling in June. Santana's comments were seen as harmful to the transgender community, and social media users wasted no time in expressing their disapproval.

In an attempt to mitigate the backlash, Santana concluded his message by stating, "Whatever you wanna do in the closet, that's your business. I'm OK with that." He later issued an apology to the transgender community, as reported by Billboard. However, the damage had already been done, and his comments had caused significant harm and offense.

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