Music Icon Stevie Wonder Says Gay People Are ‘Confused’ When Asked About Frank Ocean’s Homosexuality

Legendary soul singer/songwriter Stevie Wonder may have just stirred the pot of controversy. The 62-year-old music icon revealed his thoughts about Frank Ocean, homosexuality, gun violence, and being ‘disadvantaged’ in a recent interview with The Guardian. When the topic of Frank Ocean was discussed, Wonder expressed praise for the artist, even saying he sang the hook to “No Church In The Wild” for Ocean when they met backstage at an event; however, when asked if he would be surprised to see an openly gay artist in 2012 have succes in the soul genre of music, the legend strayed from answering the question directly and said some gay people are confused. “I think honestly, some people who think they’re gay, they’re confused. 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.” Reviews of Ocean’s 2012 album, Channel Orange, drew comparisons with Wonder’s music at its most expansive.

Aside from discussing Ocean and homosexuality, Wonder revealed that he wants to get involved in more philanthropic endeavors. One issue that presses him is gun violence. ”I’m concerned about how accessible guns are,” he said. When asked if he was referring to the Colorado shooting, he replied  ”No, I’m talking about in the hood. That [Colorado] was also very sad, but this is an occurrence almost every week in various cities. But no politician wants to confront it. The right to bear arms? What about the right to live?”

When asked if he feels he was at a “disadvantage” for being born black and blind, he said: “Do you know, it’s funny, but I never thought of being blind as a disadvantage, and I never thought of being black as a disadvantage. I am what I am. I love me! And I don’t mean that egotistically – I love that God has allowed me to take whatever it was that I had and to make something out of it.“

Wonder currently serves as the Messenger of Peace for the United Nations.