Janelle Monáe Reveals She is Nonbinary with Steven Universe Tweet

Atlanta multi-talent Janelle Monáe revealed on Friday via Twitter that she is gender nonbinary. The singer, actor and activist retweeted a post reading “there is absolutely nothing better than living outside the gender binary,” followed by a meme featuring a nonbinary character from Steven Universe. The show has become known for its trailblazing depictions of gender non-conforming characters.

Monáe made sure to add #IAmNonbinary to the tweet, just in case anyone had any doubts. Monáe came out as pansexual back in 2018. She was previously linked to Westworld actor Tessa Thompson, who co-starred in Monáe’s companion film for her 2018 album Dirty Computer. The performer is notably hush about romantic entanglements, and never confirmed or denied the two’s relationship.

#IAmNonbinaryhttps://t.co/9TN13XAAra

— Janelle Monáe, Cindi (@JanelleMonae) January 10, 2020

Monáe has spent the better half of her career trying to center political and social issues. In 2018 she told Rolling Stone of her work, “Through my experiences, I hope people are seen and heard.” Hopefully now one of the LGBT community’s most invisible groups feels a little more visible.

Watch Monáe perform “Violet Stars Happy Hunting!” from her debut EP Metropolis: The Chase Suite circa 2009 via the Paste archival video below.