In the 10 years that Janelle Monáe has been making her mark on the music industry, she has always chosen to march to the beat of her own drum. This decision is a part of what makes her artistry so appealing; we never know what we're going to get.

A once self-proclaimed android, Monáe has finally decided to live in her truth. She is not, in fact, the "alien from outer space/The cybergirl without a face," but rather a queer black woman in America.

Less than a month ago, the 32-year-old came out to Rolling Stone magazine and the world as pansexual. Her latest project Dirty Computer addresses the issues of her queerness and identity through a cinematic and musical masterpiece. 

The film stars Monáe as a young woman named Jane 57821 who is living in a totalitarian near-future society where citizens are referred to as “computers.” The narrative is meant to explore humanity and life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness when mind and machines merge.

“Dirty Computer is just where I am now," Monáe told Refinery29. "I'm being more vulnerable and even more honest. It deals with what it means to be erased."

Despite the fact that Monáe is overwhelmingly comfortable in her choice to come out, the Covergirl admits that it hasn't been a completely easy breezy process. 

“It hasn't been a perfect response across the board,” the Kansas City native admitted about her family’s reaction to her declaration about her sexuality. She added that although her parents are supportive, they have received concerned phone calls from some extended family members.

“Some people would say certain things that were not supportive. They just don't understand. It's like, ‘this is how it’s supposed to be,’ ‘why is she doing this?’” she added. 

However, the Moonlight actress told Refinery29 that she isn't backing down because, ultimately, her coming out is bigger than her. 

“I am grown. I'm not the little girl living in Kansas who never asks any questions or felt afraid to follow my heart," she said. “I have little cousins who are still there, and they are ostracized and pushed out of their homes. People are telling them that they're sinning or they may be going to hell.”

"For me, it's important to let them know I'm their cousin, I understand what you're going through,” she added. “You're not a freak, you're not a deviant, you're not a sinner. There is nothing wrong with you.”

Monáe's coming out has not been quite the breath of fresh air some may assume because she explained that she's been living her life the way that she is for quite some time. However, what it does seem to be is a declaration of independence that separates herself from the notion that she needs to be anyone or anything other than who she is. If you support her in her truth, great. If not, that won't stop her.

“I've been living my life in the way that I have for a long time," she said. "The truth is that this was a time for me to discuss my sexual identity. I said it before, and I'll say it again: I'm proud to be a young, black, queer, American woman.”

black queernessJanelle Monáepansexual