Rock guitarist Carlos Santana has faced criticism following remarks made during a recent concert in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The comments, confirmed by Santana, have been interpreted by many as offensive to the transgender community.
In a clip circulated across several outlets, Santana can be heard saying, “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. Whatever you wanna do in the closet, that’s your business. I’m OK with that.”
During the concert, Santana also expressed support for comedian Dave Chappelle, who has faced repeated criticism for remarks about the trans community. Santana’s comments came amidst a surge in anti-LGBTQ+ bills across the United States, with many targeting transgender youth.
In response to the backlash, Santana issued a statement saying, “Here is my personal goal that I strive to achieve every day. I want 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… I will now pursue this goal to be happy and have fun, and for everyone to believe what they want and follow in your hearts without fear. It takes courage to grow and glow in the light that you are and to be true, genuine, and authentic. We grow and learn to shine our light with Love and compliments. Have a glorious existence. Peace.”
Despite Santana’s attempt at clarification, his comments contribute to an increasingly hostile environment for transgender individuals. Data from a 2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People by the Trevor Project revealed 41% of LGBTQ young people seriously considered suicide within the past year. The same survey noted lower rates of suicidal attempts among trans and nonbinary youth whose identities and pronouns were supported by their families.