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Legendary soul singer, Stevie Wonder, had some interesting things to say when he was asked about homosexuality in Hip-Hop and R&B, particularly as it pertains to the furor caused by the coming-out of the amazingly talented Frank Ocean.

“I think honestly, some people who think they’re gay, they’re confused,” Wonder said to The Guardian. “People can misconstrue closeness for love. People can feel connected, they bond. I’m not saying all [gay people are confused]. Some people have a desire to be with the same sex. But that’s them.”

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As previously reported by NewsOne, Ocean revealed that his first love was a man in a poignant statement, that read in part as follows:

“4 summers ago, I met somebody. I was 19 years old. He was too. We spent that summer, and the summer after, together. Every day almost, and on the day we were together, time would glide. Most of the day I’d see him, and his smile. By the time I realized I was in love, it was malignant. It was hopeless.”

Though it’s not that surprising that Wonder shares the view of many people who feel that homosexuality is strictly about physical “desire” and “choice,” because he is well known as a progressive voice on the forefront of equality, his words caused quite a bit of a stir. In attempt to explain his statement, he issued a half-apology, half-defense to The Advocate:

“I’m sorry that my words about anyone feeling confused about their love were misunderstood. No one has been a greater advocate for the power of love in this world than I; both in my life and in my music. Clearly, love is love, between a man and a woman, a woman and a man, a woman and a woman and a man and a man. What I’m not confused about is the world needing much more love, no hate, no prejudice, no bigotry and more unity, peace and understanding. Period.”

It’s easy to see exactly what Wonder meant by his statement and that is his right — and his “choice” — to speak his mind. He is not an advocate for the suppression of the LGBT community; in fact, he is against “hate, prejudice and bigotry.”  His opinion on the physiological legitimacy of homosexuality is his business — however disappointing and archaic that opinion may be.

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