Janelle Monae Declares She's a 'Queer Black Woman' and 'Free-Ass Motherf-cker'

She officially came out to Rolling Stone, previously identifying as bisexual but would tell past interviewers that she "only date[s] androids." Apparently, her true sexual orientation was right under our noses (or this case, ears) the whole time.

"Being a queer black woman in America...someone who has been in relationships with both men and women -- I consider myself to be a free-ass motherf-cker," Monáe told Rolling Stone. "But then later I read about pansexuality and was like, 'Oh, these are things that I identify with too.'"

Monáe laid Easter eggs about her sexuality all the way back in 2010. Rolling Stone reported that her song "Mushrooms & Roses," followed by her 2013 song "Q.U.E.E.N.," referred to "a character named Mary as an object of affection."

In "Mushrooms & Roses," Monáe sings, "Blueberry Mary, and she's crazy about me," and in "Q.U.E.E.N." she asks, "Am I a freak because I love watching Mary?" The name "Q.U.E.E.N." was also a change from the original song title, "Q.U.E.E.R." But not all of Monáe's family members, who are dedicated Baptists from Kansas City, Kansas, would approve of her freewheeling sexuality -- an attitude that inspired her new album "Dirty Computer."

"A lot of this album," Monáe said, "is a reaction to the sting of what it means to hear people in my family say, 'All gay people are going to hell.'"

Monáe had something to say to those also feeling that sting: "I want young girls, young boys, nonbinary, 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. This album is for you. Be proud."