Singer Macy Gray made some controversial remarks on Piers Morgan Uncensored regarding the trans community, according to the Independent

In an interview with Piers Morgan on July 4, Gray elaborated on the ideas she espouses.

“I will say this and everyone’s gonna hate me, but as a woman, just because you go change your [body] parts, doesn’t make you a woman, sorry,” the 54-year-old singer said, according to the Independent.

She expounded on her position, saying she supports trans rights for “fairness and equality” but draws the line at trans women competing against cis women in sports because of their “superior physical bodies,” according to Entertainment Weekly.

Gray said her views are rooted in her experience from being a little girl and growing into a woman. She added that achieving womanhood is a journey that should be lived from the beginning of one’s life.

“Surgery or finding yourself doesn’t change that. Being a little girl is a whole epic book, you know? And you can’t have that just because you want to be a woman,” she told Morgan, adding that she “doesn’t think you should be labeled transphobic just because you don’t agree.”

“If you want me to call you a her, I will, because that’s what you want, but that doesn’t make you a woman just because I call you a her and just because you got a surgery,” she said.

Critics including the music festival Mighty Hoopla, where the “I Try” singer performed in June, condemned her statements about the trans community.

“We are extremely disappointed by the comments made by Macy Gray on Piers Morgan’s Uncensored TalkTV,” the festival wrote in an official statement, according to MSN. “As an artist at our 2022 event, we would like to make it clear that we do not agree with the insensitive and transphobic statement she made.”

Mighty Hoopla said that “trans people and their bodies are not up for debate, and cis TV personalities and the channels that hire them need to stop discussing them on air.” They concluded their message of solidarity, adding that “Mighty Hoopla will always stand with our trans family.”

Morgan also defended the singer on social media.

“If there’s one thing worse than the vicious trans activist mob coming for women who defend women, it’s virtue-signalling men like this fuelling the pile-on. Repulsive,” he said, attacking a post made by Hacks and Pose actor John Sibilly who said Gray’s words were transphobic.

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, who has publicly aired her views on trans people, gave Gray kudos for standing up for her belief.  

Check out Macy Gray’s interview below.