Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider issued a statement after both he and the band’s hit ’80s song “We’re Not Gonna Take It” were dropped from the San Francisco Pride Parade & Celebration.
The controversy began when Snider responded to a tweet from KISS guitarist Paul Stanley questioning “trans-affirming” surgeries for minors. Stanley called out the “sad and dangerous fad” of transgender ideology being accepted by parents.
“You know what? There was a time where I ‘felt pretty’ too. Glad my parents didn’t jump to any rash conclusions! Well said, @PaulStanleyLive,” Snider wrote in reply.
Stanley has since walked back his statement and apologized. Snider, meanwhile, clarified his position while insisting he’s an LGBTQ “ally” who accepts left-wing gender theory for adults but still doesn’t find it appropriate for children.
Snider expanded on his beliefs in a post titled, “So, I hear I’m transphobic. Really?”
The musician began by stating that he’s “ALWAYS stood with the the [LGBTQ] community” which is why he was originally invited to be Grand Marshal in the SF Pride Parade. Snider said he was “honored” to be chosen and for the classic Twisted Sister song to be “this year’s battle cry” with a new version called, “Queer Not Gonna Take It.”
“I was not aware the Transgender community expects fealty and total agreement with all their beliefs and any variation or deviation is considered ‘transphobic.’ So, my lifetime of supporting the Transgender community’s right to identify as they want and honoring whatever changes they may make in how they present themselves to the world isn’t enough? Why not?” Snider wrote in the statement.
“I’ve recently stated I do not believe young children are ready to decide their gender allocation. I believe their choices should be supported and accepted by their parents, but I do not think kids have the mental capabilities to make rational, logical decisions on things of a magnitude that will affect them for the rest of their lives. I do not believe they are mentally developed enough,” he continued.
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Snider next pointed to medical experts who have also questioned trans interventions for minors.
“Dr. Jennifer Katzenstein [director of psychology, neuropsychology and social work, and co- director of the Center for Behavioral Health at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital] says, ‘…it is important for parents to remember that development varies across children, and that one age (such as age 7) is not the end of development, or a ‘deadline for developing reasoning skills.’ Cognitive development continues into adulthood, and as parents, it is our responsibility to continue to challenge and support our children.'” Well said. It’s just good parenting,” he said.
Snider said insisting on complete fealty will only alienate “moderate” allies who are otherwise on board with left-wing gender theory.
“I am a proud moderate. I drive a Tesla and a Hummer. I have too many guns but strongly support intelligent gun control. I have four children yet fight for a woman’s right to choose. I am a motorcycle riding environmentalist. I am a heterosexual who proudly supports LBGTQIA+ rights. To me (and I believe to many of you) none of these things are mutually exclusive. The Transgender community needs moderates who support their choices, even if we don’t agree with every one of their edicts,” Snider wrote.
“For some Transgender people (not all) to accuse supporters, like me, of transphobia is not a good look for their cause,” the musician concluded. “Don’t reject people who are willing to march, sing and stand with you just because we don’t perfectly see eye-to-eye. We are still your allies.”