Janelle Monáe is creating visibility for non-binary people. And we’re loving it.
From Jonathan Van Ness to Sam Smith and now Janelle Monáe, more and more celebrities are coming out as non-binary. Yes, the “Pynk” singer and Harriet actor may have come out as non-binary last night. The tweet came out as a response to another post.
In that initial meme, an animation from Steven Universe is conjoined with the words “Are you are boy or a girl?” and “I am an experience.” Monáe then simply posted #IAmNonbinary in their own post. (Keep in mind, Monáe did not mention what their pronouns were. As such, we’ll be using they/them until Monáe later specifies).
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6vp8kBFR_z/
This isn’t the first time that Janelle Monáe has made an announcement about their sexuality and gender identity. Monáe came out as pansexual in 2018.
“Being a queer black woman in America,” they said in an interview with Rolling Stone, “someone who has been in relationships with both men and women – I consider myself to be a free-ass motherfucker.”
Before that, Monáe identified as bisexual and then clarified, “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.”
No matter how they have identified though, Monáe has openly expressed their sexuality and gender expression in their music and fashion. From the iconic vagina outfit in “Pynk,” to their camp-tastic look at last year’s Met Gala, and all of the lyrics and visuals in their art expressing interest in people of all genders and walks of life. Janelle Monáe is just trying to live their life as authentically and true to self as possible. And we respect them for it.
Sources: Indy100, Rolling Stone
