An impassioned artist and activist is exclusively stressing to BOSSIP the importance of catapulting the Vice President of the United States to Commander in Chief.
Source: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images / Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for The New York Times
As the November 5 election date approaches, Janelle Monáe is voicing her strong support for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race.
For Monáe, a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community who identifies as queer and non-binary, Kamala’s commitment to protecting the rights of marginalized groups makes her the evident option for the presidency, particularly in contrast to “racist, fascist” Donald Trump.
“I care about freedom,” Monáe told Managing Editor Dani Canada. “I care about my freedom, I care about your freedom, I care about Black and brown people. I’m Black. I care about the LGBTQIA+ community. I’m queer, I’m non-binary. I grew up to working-class parents,” she explained. “I care about poor Black and brown people, I care about my freedom of speech, I care about my reproductive rights. I care about yours, I care about them… I care about humanity.”
Monáe also voiced deep concerns over the drastic contrasts between Trump’s and Harris’s visions for the country, especially regarding reproductive rights and healthcare. She pointed to Trump’s Project 2025, which would devastate reproductive freedom, and cited the late Amber Thurman as a tragic testament of exactly that.
“He’s coming, and has already come for our reproductive rights,” said Monáe referencing Trump’s calls for a nationwide abortion ban. “It pains my heart when I think about Amber Thurman, the Black woman who passed away in Georgia because she couldn’t get the care she needed because doctors were too scared.”
Monáe also didn’t hold back her criticism of Trump’s stance on LGBTQIA+ rights, denouncing his anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric and harmful policies.
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According to Monáe the difference between the flagrant felon and Kamala Harris couldn’t be clearer.
“He’s coming for LGBTQIA+ rights and protections, attacking our communities left and right, our trans siblings left and right,” she said before condemning his recent campaign ads that mock Harris’s support for gender inclusivity, calling them “hateful.” “We have a right to exist in this country and and Donald Trump is a predator. He’s unhinged, he’s a dictator, he’s unstable. And, I’m not gonna allow him to control this country and make us live in fear.”
“We cannot afford to have a country run by someone who is about themselves,” she added.”He’s a hateful person and he wants the rest of the world to exhibit that behavior and that is dangerous. Kamala is about ‘we,’ where Trump is about ‘me.’ That’s the clear difference.”
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That clear difference also includes Harris’s support for both reproductive rights and protections for LGBTQIA+ individuals, which Monaé emphasized represents Harris’ vision for freedom and equality for all.
“Kamala and Tim [Walz] want to make sure we are protected, prohibiting any discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity,” Monáe explained. “They want to protect our reproductive rights, restoring protections for Roe v. Wade so that women in every state can have access to the care they need and deserve.”
They want to protect our voting rights, they want to protect economic justice, and ensure no police officers get immunity for killing us. They’re murdering us.”
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As she continued, Monáe stressed her hope for a future that prioritizes collective rights and equity.
“I hope they know that I care about your rights just as much as I care about my rights,” she told BOSSIP. “When I think about policies, we want to make sure they reflect us, protect us, and get even more progressive. I think about all the lawyers, civil servants, and what I call ‘our angels’ writing up those policies. Somebody is writing policies to protect my rights as an LGBTQIA+ person, and if you’re listening, yours too.”
Monáe spoke about the threats posed to civil rights by a Trump-led administration, expressing concerns shared by friends at the ACLU.
“They’ve told me, ‘My job is not going to be easy if Donald Trump is in office, every decade of us fighting for y’all, it’s going to be erased. We cannot allow a racist, fascist man to erase our freedom.”
In her final message, Monáe left no room for doubt about why Kamala Harris must be elected.
“I’m with Kamala because she’s about us. I’m not going to allow [Trump] to control this country and make us live in fear. I want to live in freedom.”
Source: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin / Getty
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