Paul Stanley has commented on a transgender youth debate that has been smoldering in the United States for months. Encouraging children to change their gender is a “sad and dangerous fad,” the 71-year-old wrote in an Instagram post.
“There’s a big difference between teaching acceptance and normalizing, or participating in a lifestyle that encourages children to question their sexual identification as a kind of play,” the guitarist and singer wrote in the post. There are individuals who feel they belong to a different gender than the one assigned at birth, Stanley wrote. However, changing gender is not comparable to playing a game. And: Parents of “boys who like to wear sister’s clothes” should not immediately assume that their son is transgender. Also, according to Stanley, adults confuse “teaching acceptance” with “normalizing a situation that has been a struggle for those truly affected.” This makes the whole issue a “sad and dangerous fad,” says the KISS singer.
Paul Stanley in criticism
The criticism was not long in coming. “I don’t think you should be posting this unless you’ve met with affected children, parents and doctors,” commented one user. “And from a guy who made millions wearing makeup and heels,” she wrote. Offspring guitarist Kevin Wassermann also commented on Stanley’s post. He tweeted: “This is very disappointing, especially from someone who has worn heels, makeup and hair up his entire career. As a young kid, your band taught me that I could be anything I want. I guess it was just talk after all.”
This is a very disappointing take, especially from someone who wore high-heels, makeup, & teased up hair in his whole career. As a young kid your band helped teach me that I could be whatever I wanted to be. I guess it was just gimmickry after all. #thatsashame
— Noodles 🍜🎸🤓 (@TheGnudz) April 30, 2023
Especially in the USA, the debate about young transgender people is currently on everyone’s lips. Some states are currently planning to massively restrict the rights of those affected. Just last week, the Justice Department filed a lawsuit to stop a new law in Tennessee that bans sex reassignment procedures on minors and claims it “denies youth the necessary medical care.” “The right to think about your health and medically-approved treatment options with your family and doctors is a right everyone should have, including transgender children who are particularly at risk for depression, anxiety and suicide,” she said Deputy US Attorney General Kristen Clarke in a statement.