The term “pansexual” became the most-searched word on Merriam-Webster’s website after singer Janelle Monae said she identified with it in an interview with Rolling Stone on Thursday.
In the interview for a story that appears on the front cover of the magazine’s May issue, Monae told Rolling Stone writer Brittany Spanos that she recently realized she was pansexual, not bisexual.
“Being a queer black woman in America … someone who has been in relationships with both men and women – I consider myself to be a free-ass motherfucker,” she said. She initially identified as bisexual, “but then later I read about pansexuality and was like, ‘Oh, these are things that I identify with too.’ I’m open to learning more about who I am.”
Merriam-Webster 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.” Meanwhile, it defines bisexual as, “of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to members of both sexes.”
📈 'Pansexual' is our top search today. 👑https://t.co/DJ8gUex3qs
— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) April 26, 2018
https://twitter.com/yo_its_kirstyn/status/989755194631114755
The dictionary said lookups of the term rose 11,000 percent on April 26. Folks who either identify as pansexual or advocate for those who do praised Monae for helping educate the masses.
the best part of @JanelleMonae's coming out, was the inclusion of the very real fact that our sexualities and identities can change as much as we do (if we want). that our language can evolve in whatever ways we need it to. i needed that representation and lots of others do too. https://t.co/jcUApVYhA7
— Your friend, Gus (@_anghost) April 27, 2018
THIS MAKES ME HAPPY. YES, MORE EXPOSURE FOR A VALID SEXUALITY!!!!!!! https://t.co/vcJ3OCPu8e
— 🦋 connor 🦋 (@honeybearsuh) April 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/koriandc/status/989735755365810176
JANELLE MONÁE'S IMPACT https://t.co/hCb8Aj6FP1
— ً (@heymundster) April 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/chrrycxla/status/989727427990405120
THE POWER THAT SHE HAS THE INTERNATIONAL IMPLICATIONS THAT SHE HAS https://t.co/l5xnemqOEH
— hanzo (@EduardoHanzo) April 27, 2018
My pansexual heart is all aflutter right now. Thanks Janelle for being your wonderful self.
— wondrabread, what is the secret of your power ✨ (@wondrabread) April 27, 2018
The undeniable power of @JanelleMonae
— Four Seasons Total Landscaping reception desk (@gingerBFG) April 27, 2018
Q.U.E.E.R. 💪🏾 https://t.co/gRf91vjqkb
https://twitter.com/Permonter/status/989754683718709248
Even actress Tessa Thompson—a close friend of Monae who many speculate may actually be in a secret romance with the singer—tweeted her support. Spanos was also pretty excited to see the impact of the story she wrote.
https://twitter.com/TessaThompson_x/status/989732216182788096
we stan a search spike https://t.co/zuAXUXyRKI
— brittany spanos (@ohheybrittany) April 26, 2018
This is a big week for Monae. On top of the publication of her Rolling Stone cover story, her third studio album, Dirty Computer, dropped on Friday. She embarks on a U.S. tour for the album in June.