Adele criticized for saying she loves being a woman at gender-neutral Brit awards

Pop star Adele is under fire by fans and activists for telling the crowd “I love being a woman” at the newly gender-neutral Brit awards this week.

In remarks after winning the Artist of the Year, which was formerly split into male and female artist of the year, she said, “I understand why the name of this award has changed but I really love being a woman and being a female artist. I do!” She added, “I’m really proud of us, I really, really am!” 

Shortly after the speech, fans flocked to social media to speak out against the singer’s choice of words at the awards show, which for the first time this year eliminated all male and female categories from its program.

“Who’d have thought Adele was a transphobe and would use her platform to call for the destruction of the trans community. Especially the confused teenagers,” wrote one Twitter user.

Others have come to Adele’s defense, saying the singer was simply acting as a role model for young women and girls. “Adele’s message to women and girls was inspirational. Here was a woman — who has sold tens of millions of albums — telling the world she was proud to be a woman. That’s something to celebrate, not condemn,” wrote teacher Debbie Hayton in an op-ed.

Adele has not yet publicly addressed the issue.