You’ve probably heard the song a hundred times over the years, some have sung it at karaoke or even at singing competitions.
It’s a 1968 classic, by the late great Aretha Franklin, from her Lady Soul album. The song did great on the charts and was even nominated for several awards, including the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
The song is now being deemed offensive by some members of the LGBTQI community.
Trans Cultural Mindfulness Alliance (TCMA), a group based in Norway says it should be removed from streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music.
Aretha Franklin's 1968 song "Natural Woman" perpetuates multiple harmful anti-trans stereotypes.There is no such thing as a "natural" woman.This song has helped inspire acts of harm against transgender women.TCMA is requesting it is removed from Spotify & Apple Music.
— TCMA: Trans Cultural Mindfulness Alliance (@TransMindful) January 20, 2023
“There is no such thing as a "natural" woman. This song has helped inspire acts of harm against transgender women. TCMA is requesting it is removed from Spotify & Apple Music,” the tweet reads in part.
Some reports say the song has since hit the number 1 spot on iTunes after the calls of its removal.
Zsa Zsa Fisher, the founding director of Trans Power Care Center tells Drum that she thinks it is ridiculous for people to try and eradicate history.
Read more | Trans woman Cwenga Titi graduates from initiation school - 'I went in with fear but overcame it'
“That song is iconic and it was sung by an even more iconic queen. Now it would be very silly to try and change history to try and include people.
“Instead of looking back and trying to fix things that do not need fixing, we need to work together as society to find ways of tolerance and living together, peacefully."
Zsa Zsa is a trans woman, who was born a male and transitioned six years ago. Her documentation has also been legally changed.
“As a transactivist I say people are losing sight of really important issues. We should not be focused on music, but rather on policy and trying to convince law makers to ensure things change.
Since Aretha’s 1968 classic was released, many other songs about women have been released. Such as Shania Twains’ Man, I Feel Like a Woman, Ariana Grande’s God is a Woman, I'm Every Woman by Whitney Houston, Run the World by Beyonce, Lesley Gore’s You Don’t Own Me and Independent Women by Destiny’s Child, among others.
Zsa Zsa says getting rid of this one song by Aretha, will open a can of worms because suddenly every other song will be found offensive.
“When will it end? People in my community just need to get their priorities straight and stop trying to be the center of attention all the time.”
South African Tik Toker and influencer Banele Ndaba, known as Moghelingz, says as a gay man who likes to cross dress, he does not understand why the song needs to be banned.
Read more | ‘It was miserable being in toilets for males. But now I’m safe’ – transgender women share their stories
“I don’t think people should feel offended by this song. I really don’t think it was written to offend anyone. She was just appreciating how her partner made her feel. I don’t think there is any need to try erase her contribution to music.”
Transwoman Gaddray Stewards says she was livid when she heard the calls to ban the song.
“First of all, she was not even the original artist that sang that song, she just made it world famous. This is really unnecessary, and I feel like it is not fair to her legacy.
“I have personally performed this song so many times and it always moves me to tears. It has just so much soul. I am a transgender woman who is in the process of transitioning.
“She was a soul artist and she was not like artists like Diana Ross who always sang to the gay community. This song is beautiful and these people must just leave it alone.”
Activist Sangiwe Pandliwe says the song is not about biology, it is just someone who is very happy and in love.
"This song is not excluding anyone. I have even read the lyrics, to try and pin point what the problem is, and I can't find it. Part of the bigger issue that we need to be talking about here is cancel culture. Nowadays people cannot even say something wrong or make mistakes because they will be automatically cancelled.
"The banning of a 1968 song is counterproductive. But, I agree that now, in 2023, we need to be mindful of the language we use and be mindful of the times. As a lesbian woman I can categorically say that I feel like a natural woman and that this song does not bother me at all."
