VIDEO — Carlos Santana Under Fire for Anti-Trans Casino Concert Rant

VIDEO – Carlos Santana criticized for anti-trans casino concert rant

Carlos Santana caused a stir with his anti-transgender comments during a concert at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. The rock guitar legend made the comment last month, but a video of the comment is only now making the rounds.

"When God created you and me, before we came out of the womb, you knew who you were and what you were," the 75-year-old rocker told the crowd at Etess Arena.

As Santana spoke, his bassist and drummer played soft instrumental accompaniment, as if they were accompanying a pastor's sermon.

Later on, when you grow up and see things and start to believe that you can be whoever sounds good, but you know it's not right because women are women and men are men - that's it," Santana continued.

When the camera panned to the audience, about a third of the audience clapped and loudly agreed with the message, while the majority remained silent.

"Whatever you want to do in your closet, it's up to you and I agree with that," Santana continued, clasping her hands, adding, "That's how I feel about my brother Dave Chappelle .”

Chappelle is one of the most successful and popular comedians in the world. He was subsequently criticized for making transphobic jokes in the 2021 Netflix special The Closer. While his stand-up career wasn't over, it lost considerable momentum in the whirlwind that followed.

Watch the entire clip for yourself below.

SantanaSorry

Santana only apologized after the video began being widely circulated in the media on Friday. To that end, he posted the following carefully worded statement on his Facebook fan page:

I'm sorry for my insensitive comment. They do not reflect my ideals and beliefs that I want to honor and honor all people. I realized that what I said hurt people and that was not my intention. I sincerely apologize to the trans community and anyone I offended. ” read the post.

His Facebook page continues:

"This is a personal goal I want to achieve every day. I want to respect the ideals and beliefs of all people, whether they are LGBTQ or not. This is a free will planet and we are all given this gift. I want to pursue this now The goal of being happy, having fun, allowing everyone to believe what they want without fear, and to follow it in their hearts. It takes courage to grow and shine in your original light, and to become real, authentic and real. We grow and learn to live a glorious existence with love and praise.”

Not going well

Reaction on social media was predictably polarized, with half expressing support and half expressing anger.

"He's telling the truth," commented Twitter user @roller2k3. “The trans community wants to force us to accept the impossible!”

"F Carlos Santana," wrote Twitter user @heelmanitoba. "And while we're at it, f every single one of these transphobic idiots. I don't have the time or energy to waste on hateful, bigoted bullshit or those who promote it."

Several other rock musicians have expressed similar sentiments in recent weeks. In an interview with music blog Stereogum, Alice Cooper said: "I know there are cases of trans people, but I worry that it's also a fad, and if you have six years, that's Wrong." A clueless old kid. He just wants to play and you tell him "yes you are a boy but you can be a girl if you want" which confuses him.

KISS's Paul Stanley and Twisted Sister's Dee Snider were also criticized for calling gender-specific childcare a "sad and dangerous fad." Snyder's comments led to his removal from the San Francisco Pride's roster.

The situation seemed shocking because Santana, who performed at the original Woodstock festival, often praised peace and equality icons Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon and Bob Marley in concert.