Janelle Monae On Supporting LGBTQ Community: "I Will Never Sit Back & Be Silent"

Janelle Monae says that they will "never sit back and be silent" about injustices facing the LGBTQ community. The singer discussed the recent passage of laws across the U.S. targeting drag as well as trans people during an interview with NBC4 Washington.

When asked how to respond to the oppressive laws, Monae said: “You respond by fighting back, by speaking out against, standing with our trans community, my siblings. As a nonbinary, queer, pansexual person, I am proud to be in this community. I will never sit back and be silent about the injustices that are happening against our trans community.”

Janelle Monae At The Met Gala

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 01: Janelle Monae is seen attending The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating 'Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty' at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Howard/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

It's not the first time Monae has addressed the topic. They also spoke about supporting the LGBTQ community during a recent interview with The Sydney Morning Herald. “There are a lot of laws being put in place around my trans family and the LGBTQI+ communities and even Black folks — you can’t even talk about certain things in school anymore," they said at the time. "Those who are trans, they’re literally trying to erase their existence and not treat them with human decency. So, of course we fight, but even in the middle of the fight we take time to find joy.”

Monae also remarked: “I feel like I’m one of the most vocal, loud and proud, pansexual, queer, non-binary, black folks who have a platform! I feel I’ve said a lot. I don’t feel uncomfortable now, thank God. But I know there are a lot of people who may be uncomfortable with it, who don’t have to feel rushed or forced into talking about something that is private for most folks. There is no right or wrong way to talk about being in the LGBTQI+ community. As long as it’s with love, it’s fine.”

Janelle Monae Celebrates Pride

The comments from Monae come ahead of the release of their new album, The Age of Pleasure. They announced the project alongside the release of "Lipstick Lover," last month. It's scheduled to release on Friday, June 9, 2023.

[Via]