Janelle Monáe Comes Out As "A Queer Black Woman In America"

“I consider myself to be a free-ass motherfucker,” she says…
 
Janelle Monáe officially came out as a queer woman in an interview with Rolling Stone today.
 
“Being a queer black woman in America,” she says, taking a breath as she comes out, “someone who has been in relationships with both men and women – I consider myself to be a free-ass motherfucker.”
 
She initially identified as bisexual, she clarifies for the magazine’s May cover story, “but then later I read about pansexuality and was like, ‘Oh, these are things that I identify with too.’ I’m open to learning more about who I am.”
 
In the interview, she confirmed that while she always avoided questions about her sexuality (saying “I only date androids”), she’s been dropping hints about her sexuality in her music for years. “If you listen to my albums, it’s there,” she says. She cites “Mushrooms & Roses” and “Q.U.E.E.N.,” two songs that reference a character named Mary as an object of affection.
 
Though the 32-year-old star (who is set to release her next album Dirty Computer tomorrow) didn’t speak of her dating life (or discuss the rumours about her alleged relationship with actress Tessa Thompson), she did have a powerful message for her fans.
 
“I want young girls, young boys, nonbinary, gay, straight, queer people who are having a hard time dealing with their sexuality, dealing with feeling ostracized or bullied for just being their unique selves, to know that I see you,” she says in a tone befitting the commander patch on her arm. “This album is for you. Be proud.”
 
For more on Janelle Monáe’s coming out and her next album, head over to Rolling Stone.