Janelle Monáe Speaks On Responses They’ve Gotten Since Coming Out As Non-Binary: I Try To Challenge People To Listen

Janelle Monáe Speaks On Responses They’ve Gotten Since Coming Out As Non-Binary: I Try To Challenge People To Listen

Janelle Monáe–who uses the pronouns she/her and they/them–is thankful for the positive response she’s received since coming out as non-binary.

During a recent interview, Janelle Monáe, 37, said “it’s been great” since coming out last year. She explained,

“And I say that because I think that there are a lot more discussions, and that’s so important. I think that all of us want to walk in our truth. We’re just trying to find a name to put with how we feel. And I think that’s always great.”

She continued,

“I try to challenge people to listen. Yeah, you may not necessarily understand. But listening is such a free thing we can do. I think that by listening you can give somebody more compassion, more empathy, and that’s just one more step [to] bridging that gap between us.”

Janelle Monae

Janelle Monáe added that being non-binary has changed her perspective when it comes to her art.

“Being non-binary has opened up my mind in terms of the type of art I can make and where I can go, who I can be. I’m all about surprising myself and discovering something new.”

As previously reported, the ‘Tightrope’ singer who identifies as queer, gave insight into her gender identity and officially came out as non-binary during an episode of Red Table Talk last year. Janelle Monáe said,

“I’m non-binary, so I just don’t see myself as a woman, solely. I feel like God is so much bigger than the ‘he’ or the ‘she.’ And if I am from God, I am everything.”

The singer and Glass Onion actress received the seventh annual SeeHer Award at the Critics Choice Awards last weekend. In her acceptance speech, Monáe said:

“There were so many times in my life, y’all, where I did not see me. I couldn’t see my light. I couldn’t see past my circumstances. If you know my story, I wasn’t supposed to make it out of Kansas City, Kansas, to be here tonight. I wasn’t.”

she continued,

“I didn’t see the vision clearly for myself. I couldn’t see my gift. I couldn’t see what my purpose was supposed to be at that time. But thank you, God, so many other people did. They didn’t give up on me, and they gave me opportunities despite my own lack of confidence. I was fakin’ it till I made it.”

She concluded,

“So to anyone out there like me watching right now. I just want you to know that I see you—but I challenge you to see you.”

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below!

[VIA]