Rock & Roll Hall of Fame guitarist Carlos Santana has sparked conversation and debate after a recent video emerged in which he expressed his thoughts on transgender individuals. The incident has since taken several twists, including an initial apology, its subsequent removal, and the release of a succinct poetic statement.
The video, recorded during a performance in Atlantic City, captured Santana pausing the show to share his perspective on gender identity with an audience of around 5,000 attendees. The 76-year-old musician stated, “Before we emerged from the womb, God created us with a clear sense of who and what we are. As we grow, we might entertain thoughts that seem appealing but are ultimately misguided. A woman is unequivocally a woman and a man is undeniably a man. Any choices made privately are of no concern to me. I’m accepting of that.” The video, posted on YouTube on August 19, quickly went viral.
Santana initially responded to the ensuing controversy by sharing an apology via email with the Chronicle. He expressed regret for the harm his words had caused, clarifying that causing offense had never been his intent. The guitarist extended his genuine apologies to the transgender community and anyone hurt by his statements. This initial apology was also posted on his Facebook page.
However, the situation took an unexpected turn when Santana removed the apology from his Facebook page the following morning. In its place, he posted a succinct message in the form of a poem: “The force of consciousness Generates its own form. Hate breeds only hate; Love begets solely love.”
During the same series of shows where the video was captured, Santana notably praised comedian Dave Chappelle, referring to him as “my brother.” Chappelle has faced previous backlash for making transphobic jokes in his 2021 Netflix special “The Closer.”
Criticism of Santana’s remarks was swift, with Suzanne Ford and Nguyen Pham, executive director and board president of San Francisco Pride, issuing a joint statement to the Chronicle expressing disappointment in Santana’s comments. They noted that his influential status in the Bay Area made his words particularly disheartening, and they emphasized the importance of responsible discourse, especially in a society where the spectrum of gender is widely recognized.
The incident unfolded against the backdrop of ongoing discussions about LGBTQ rights, as various states considered anti-LGBTQ bills. Roughly 20 states had already implemented laws or policies limiting gender-affirming medical care for minors.
Ford and Pham called for turning this incident into an opportunity for understanding, education, and unity, urging figures like Santana to use their platforms to foster empathy rather than perpetuate harmful stereotypes.
Coinciding with the release of the controversial video, Santana announced an upcoming documentary titled “Carlos: The Santana Journey.” Directed by Emmy Award winner Rudy Valdez, the documentary is set to premiere on September 23. It delves into Santana’s life journey, tracing his rise from a challenging upbringing in Tijuana, Mexico, to international fame in the San Francisco music scene.
While Santana currently resides in Las Vegas and had a temporary hiatus due to a heart procedure in 2021, he is gearing up to resume his 11th year of performances at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay next month.
In these performances, Santana has been vocal about promoting self-worth and significance, delivering a message to his audience that highlights the importance of feeling valued and validated. As the conversation around Santana’s remarks continues, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact his legacy and ongoing engagement with his audience.
