Problematic rapper Azealia Banks claims that being gay or trans is “not natural”

Problematic rapper Azealia Banks is once again under fire after posting inflammatory comments on social media claiming that being gay or trans is “not natural.” The remarks, made on X (formerly Twitter), have sparked widespread condemnation from fans, LGBTQ+ advocates, and health professionals.

Banks wrote: “Being gay and transgender is not actually a natural thing. At all, it’s a trauma response. Science lied to you all and told you [that] you were normal… No one is born gay and no one is born in the wrong body. You guys have mental disorders [and] science is doing you a major disservice by not medicating".

The backlash was swift, with users labelling the comments as hateful, transphobic, and scientifically inaccurate. LGBTQ+ organisations reiterated that homosexuality and gender diversity are natural variations of human identity, supported by decades of research from institutions such as the World Health Organisation.

This is not the first time Banks has made controversial statements about the LGBTQ+ community. In 2020, she was suspended from Twitter following a tirade against trans healthcare. Despite this, she has continued to reappear online under new accounts, often reigniting controversy.

In 2022, Banks performed at Miami Pride, an event meant to celebrate LGBTQ+ inclusivity. The performance ended in chaos when she stormed off stage after her microphone was cut, prompting boos from the crowd. Critics have since questioned her presence at LGBTQ+ events, with one user stating, “She has no business performing at any LGBTQ+ event ever again".

Earlier in 2025, Banks appeared to backtrack on her previous anti-trans remarks while criticising author JK Rowling’s views on trans people. She claimed her brother is a trans man and described the experience of witnessing “misery, pain, ostracism” faced by trans individuals. She added, “It’s not a mental illness, it’s a spiritual thing,” and urged Rowling to reconsider her stance.

Despite these moments of apparent support, Banks’ inconsistent messaging has led many to accuse her of opportunism and insensitivity. Her removal from the Milkshake Festival in the Netherlands earlier this year over her history of anti-LGBTQ+ remarks further underscores the growing reluctance to platform her in inclusive spaces.