Aretha Franklin’s ‘Natural Woman’ Anti-Trans Diss Was Satire, Says Activist

Aretha Franklin‘s classic ‘Natural Woman’ is not only one of her many unforgettable Hot 100 top 10 hits, but it’s stood the test of time as one of the greatest odes to womanhood in the history of recorded music.

Penned by the legendary Carole King, the tune – a signature vocal performance of Franklin’s – has found itself on several ‘greatest song ever’ lists over the last six decades and shines as an anthem of femininity for generations of women.

But, despite its legacy and enduring reverence, one LGBTQ+ activist group is challenging music lovers to take a deeper listen at its lyrics. Those words, the group allege, not only play on harmful anti-Trans stereotypes but also incite violence against women of the transgender experience.

Details inside.

Friday (January 20), the Trans Cultural Mindfulness Alliance – a reported LGBTQ+ activist group based in Norway – took to Twitter to condemn the soulful ballad for allegedly inciting violence against transgender women.

“Aretha Franklin’s 1968 song ‘Natural Woman’ perpetuates multiple harmful anti-trans stereotypes,” the tweet read. “There is no such thing as a ‘natural’ woman.”

What’s more, the organization called for the song to be removed from digital playlists because of its ‘harmful’ nature.

“The song has helped inspire acts of harm against transgender women. TCMA is requesting it is removed from Spotify & Apple Music,” the tweet concluded.

The post quickly went viral, leading a number of Franklin fans to defend the classic tune and slam the TCMA’s ‘harmful’ branding of it as ‘outrageous.’

Once the backlash reached a feverish pitch, the group updated the bio of its Twitter to suggest it was a ‘parody/satire’ page – even saying its request to remove the song from Spotify and Apple Music was done in jest.

Many critics suggest the original post, regardless of its satirical intent, may have done more damage than good given the reported increase in transphobic commentary it aroused.

Even the TCMA says their inbox was flooded with ‘concerning’ anti-Trans messages after the post went viral and was featured on several top news outlets.

The transphobic hate that TCMA has been receiving is very concerning. pic.twitter.com/9dzqzuXHaj

— TCMA: Trans Cultural Mindfulness Alliance (@TransMindful) January 23, 2023

Followers of the page know Aretha isn’t the first diva they’ve set their parodic sights on. Look below to see their mention of Patti LaBelle.

At writing, the Franklin estate has not offered commentary on the hoopla surrounding the viral post.

[main photo source: Amy Sancetta/AP/REX/Shutterstock]