Questions about Janelle Monáe‘s sexual identity have followed her since the beginning of her career. With one day until the April 27 debut of her latest album, "Dirty Computer," the multidisciplinary artist gave an answer in her new Rolling Stone cover story today:
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"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, "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."
Her fans, especially other LGBTQ people whom she directly speaks to on "Dirty Computer," celebrated the news on Twitter:
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A pansexual goddess. Congrats @JanelleMonae! ? https://t.co/kRlhZ5cDsP
rnt— Raquel Willis (@RaquelWillis_) April 26, 2018
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janelle monae just came out in her recent rolling stone interview as pansexual why yes we love and stan queer black women and we need more queer black people in music in general
rnt— ?? ♂️ (@beyonseh) April 26, 2018
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Today I’m proud of @JanelleMonae for coming out as pansexual. As a pans black female it’s nice to have representation. ✨?✌?
rnt— Jasmine Pound Cake (@HangoverPizza) April 26, 2018
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We celebrate @JanelleMonae for bringing terms like pansexual and nonbinary into a @RollingStone interview. She didn’t just free herself. Beautiful moment.
rnt— Francisco-Luis White (@FranciscoLWhite) April 26, 2018
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*goes to Webster’s online dictionary*
rntt*searches for definition of a word in order write something about it*
rntt*sees _pansexual_ trending*
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rnttBless you @JanelleMonae. pic.twitter.com/nDbvyNmkUIrnt— Amélie Lamont (@amelielamont) April 26, 2018
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