“It’s about honoring your truth.”

Janelle Monae talks about the importance of speaking publicly about nonbinary gender identities.

In a new interview with SiriusXM The Jess Cagle Showmusicians and glass onion The actress explained her approach to discussing her identity and how it can affect others.

“I think it’s all about respecting your truth and authenticity and what it looks like,” Monáe told host and former PEOPLE editor-in-chief Jess Cagle. I think it’s about making people say, ‘Find out more about who you are’ because you’re not an arrogant person who thinks you have the answer.”

She went on to encourage anyone questioning their own gender identity to explore it.I feel inside and out.

Axel/Bauer Griffin/Filmmagic Janelle Monae

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“I think it’s all important as we evolve as humans and develop an understanding of gender and sexuality,” added the “Make Me Feel” musician. “So I keep an open mind about everything.”

Last year, Monae opened up about her nonbinary identity during an appearance. red table talk“I don’t just see myself as a woman. I feel all my energy,” she said of show hosts Jada Pinkett Smith, Willow Smith and Adrian Banfield. Told Norris. It feels like God is much bigger than ‘him’ or ‘she’. ”

“If I’m from God, I’m all. But I’m always, always with women,” he continued. of memory librarian The author came out as pansexual in 2018.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Janelle Monae

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Singers nominated for Grammy Awards earlier this month New Yorker about how she prefers to call the process of coming out “coming in.”

“You lead people to who you are. You give them a unique opportunity to further understand how you see yourself,” Monáe told the outlet. “For me, it wasn’t a big declarative statement. It was just, ‘This is who I am.'” I don’t think anyone should feel obligated to talk about their sexuality. ”

She said, “For me, after having the necessary conversations with loved ones, and feeling comfortable enough for it to permeate my writing and art, I know it’s time. I got