Dee Snider, the lead singer of the rock band Twisted Sister, is taking a stand against the trend of people giving in to cancel culture. Weeks after sparking controversy by supporting another musician’s critique of gender ideology’s influence on children, Snider voiced his frustration during an interview on Fox News Digital.
The 68-year-old musician, hailing from Long Island, emphasized that one should not cave or apologize if they have done nothing wrong. He acknowledged the importance of owning up to mistakes but argued against trying to hide wrongdoing. Snider noted that severe offenses like rape warrant more than just an apology but emphasized the need for individuals to stand firm in their convictions instead of capitulating to opponents.
Snider previously expressed agreement with Paul Stanley of Kiss when Stanley spoke out against sex reassignment surgery for minors. Stanley’s tweets highlighted the distinction between teaching acceptance and normalizing a lifestyle that may confuse young children about their sexual identification. Snider, known for his left-leaning political stance, commended Stanley’s remarks, tweeting “well said” and expressing relief that his own upbringing allowed him to explore different aspects of identity without hasty judgments.
However, San Francisco’s Pride celebration reacted swiftly, canceling Snider’s appearance and removing Twisted Sister’s iconic anthem, “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” from the event’s official lineup. The decision came after the event received a strong response, labeling Stanley’s comments as transphobic. Stanley himself expressed regret for his words, acknowledging that while his thoughts were clear, his expression fell short.
In contrast, Snider disagreed with his fellow rock stars’ apologies, stating that he believed Stanley hadn’t said anything wrong. Snider refused to follow suit in retracting his statement, firmly standing by his own convictions. He emphasized that his composition of “We’re Not Gonna Take It” was not a joke, reflecting his unwavering determination to stand up for what he believes in.
Snider’s unwavering stance against cancel culture and his refusal to back down resonates with his own rock and roll spirit, emphasizing the importance of individual conviction and not succumbing to societal pressures.