Singer and activist Janelle Monáe is speaking out to support the LGBTQ+ community, particularly their unwavering commitment to solidarity with other marginalized groups.
Janelle Monáe gave a moving speech at WeHo Pride’s Outloud Music Festival this past weekend.
The nonbinary singer took the stage on Saturday night at WeHo Pride, using the platform at West Hollywood Park to shed light on the pressing political issues affecting LGBTQ+ and intersectional communities both in the United States and globally.
“I wanna say when I think about Pride,” she began. “What I’m most proud of is how we show up for other marginalized groups. In this country, and across the pond, and in other countries, we understand injustice, discrimination, hatred, and violence deeply.”
“And so when we stand up, when my people, when you stand up, and you are fighting for other marginalized groups when you are fighting to protect the babies and the innocent lives in Gaza, I stand with you. And you are fighting to protect our babies in Sudan and Darfur. I am proud, and I stand with you. In the Congo, I stand with you.”
This is not the first time Monáe has used her platform to promote social justice. The artist has been an outspoken opponent of police brutality and a staunch supporter of Black Lives Matter. Her own music frequently explores themes of identity, empowerment, and questioning societal norms.
“Right here in America, when you stand up to protect your body, our bodies away from politicians telling us what we can’t do… I am proud, and I stand with you,” Monáe continued.
She added, “When you are fighting to protect the books with our names, with our names, LGBTQIA+ in them in schools. So that young kid like us when we were kids can see themselves. I am proud I stand with you. When you are fighting to protect Black history from being erased from our school systems. I stand with you. When you are fighting to protect homeless people or people in different countries being displaced by their governments, I stand with you.”
Monáe’s praise for the Pride community rings true in the context of her own journey. As a Black, non-binary artist, she has faced challenges and has strongly advocated for intersectionality in the LGBTQ+ community.
