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title: Janelle Monáe Comes Out as Pansexual, Queer, Talks Sexuality
description: Janelle Monáe revealed that she identifies as pansexual and talks about life as a black queer woman in a new interview with Rolling Stone.
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![](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blteb53a05b62dfaab1/69892ec3656a3f0193bd4417/janelle-monae-comes-out-pansexual-talks-sexuality.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9)


# Janelle Monáe Comes Out as Pansexual: 'I'm Open to Learning More About Who I Am'

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<!-- video src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/aXx7YViv.m3u8" -->
## Video: Musician, Singer and Activist Janelle Monáe Shares Powerful Messages Through Her Art

[Watch (HLS stream): Musician, Singer and Activist Janelle Monáe Shares Powerful Messages Through Her Art](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/aXx7YViv.m3u8) (1:12)

![Musician, Singer and Activist Janelle Monáe Shares Powerful Messages Through Her Art](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/aXx7YViv/poster.jpg?width=720)

_Published 2018-06-29. Get ready for the artist's upcoming album: 'Dirty Computer' dropping April 27._


![Cady Lang](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd534f2cb81c3b094/69894087e76ad2e66b633ad3/c_lang.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)

by 

[Cady Lang](https://time.com/author/cady-lang/)


![Cady Lang](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd534f2cb81c3b094/69894087e76ad2e66b633ad3/c_lang.jpg?branch=production&width=96&quality=75&auto=webp)

## Cady Lang


Apr 26, 2018 3:56 PM UTC

![2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones - Arrivals](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blteb53a05b62dfaab1/69892ec3656a3f0193bd4417/janelle-monae-comes-out-pansexual-talks-sexuality.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=3:2)

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - MARCH 04: Janelle Monae attends the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones - Arrivals at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 4, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Presley Ann/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - MARCH 04: Janelle Monae attends the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones - Arrivals at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 4, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Presley Ann/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)Presley Ann—Patrick McMullan via Getty Image

![Cady Lang](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd534f2cb81c3b094/69894087e76ad2e66b633ad3/c_lang.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)

by 

[Cady Lang](https://time.com/author/cady-lang/)


![Cady Lang](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd534f2cb81c3b094/69894087e76ad2e66b633ad3/c_lang.jpg?branch=production&width=96&quality=75&auto=webp)

## Cady Lang


Apr 26, 2018 3:56 PM UTC

[Janelle Monáe](http://time.com/4733274/janelle-monae-marie-claire-respect/) has come out as pansexual in an interview released on Thursday in [_Rolling Stone_](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/cover-story-janelle-monae-prince-new-lp-her-sexuality-w519523). The singer and actress is known for being private about her personal life.

“Being a queer black woman in America,” she said, “someone who has been in relationships with both men and women – I consider myself to be a free–ss motherf-cker.”

Monáe previously alluded to being [bisexual](https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/02/23/janelle-monae-and-tessa-thompson-have-made-a-sexually-charged-bisexual-anthem/), but after learning what [pansexuality](http://time.com/4703309/gender-sexuality-changing/) — that is, being open to sexual attraction towards all members of all sexes and genders — was, she determined that that was her sexuality.

“Later I read about pansexuality and was like, ‘Oh, these are things that I identify with too,'” she said. “I’m open to learning more about who I am.”

Themes of this sexual fluidity run through her upcoming new album, [_Dirty Computer_,](http://time.com/5235013/janelle-monae-grimes-pynk-tessa-thompson/) which she hopes will give her listeners the freedom to be themselves.

“I want young girls, young boys, non-binary, 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 said. “This album is for you. Be proud.”

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