Janelle Monáe: ‘People Have to Start Respecting the Vagina’

Janelle Monáe issued a strong ultimatum for men who won’t fight for women’s rights.

The actor and singer appeared on one of the five covers of Marie Claire‘s May “Fresh Faces” issue, which also features model and actor Emily Ratajkowski and actors Aja Naomi King, Alexandra Daddario and Zoey Deutch, and touched upon each woman’s burgeoning careers and unapologetic embrace of feminism.

“People have to start respecting the vagina. Until every man is fighting for our rights, we should consider stopping having sex. I love men. But evil men? I will not tolerate that,” Monáe told the magazine. “If you’re going to own this world and this is how you’re going to rule this world, I am not going to contribute anymore until you change it. We have to realize our power and our magic.”

Monáe, who gave a performance at the Women’s March on Washington in January, also advised women to ignore societal standards about appearance and embrace their individuality. “I don’t think we all have to take the same coordinates to reach the same destination. I believe in embracing what makes you unique even if it makes others uncomfortable,” she said. “I have learned there is power in saying no. I have agency. I get to decide.”

Read the full story on MarieClaire.com.