Janelle Monae Comes Out As Pansexual – Becomes Most Searched Word On Merriam-Webster

Singer Janelle Monae came out as a pansexual during in an interview this week and within 24 hours it became the most searched word on Merriam-Webster’s website.

Monae was featured as the cover story for Rolling Stones where she talked about what it was like to be queer and a woman of color in 2018.

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“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-a– motherf–ker,” she said.

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At first she thought she was bisexual, but then realized she identified more as a pansexual. “I was like ‘Oh, these are things that I identify with too.’ I’m open to learning more about who I am,” she said.

Monae noted she made her new album Dirty Computer for everyone who is “dealing with their sexuality.”

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“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,” Monae said. “This album is for you. Be proud.”

Following the release of her interview, the search for the word “pansexual” went up 11,000%.

The online dictionary defines “pansexual” as “of, relating to, or characterized by sexual desire or attraction that is not limited to people of a particular gender identity or sexual orientation.”