In her new Netflix special, “My Name Is Mo’Nique,” the Academy Award-winning actress and stand-up comedian, Mo’Nique, candidly opens up about her sexuality journey. In the show, she first talks about a family member known as Uncle Tina, and how her grandmother loved this person privately due to the church’s judgment.
Mo’Nique then shares her personal story about burying her queer desires over the years, ignoring them and sleeping with men. She didn’t want to be loved privately like Uncle Tina, but she did come out to her father. He responded beautifully, patiently, and lovingly, saying that he wanted to be with another woman sexually as well.
The actress clarifies that she doesn’t identify as a lesbian but is somewhere in between when it comes to her sexuality spectrum. She explains that when someone is born with that, there’s nothing they can do about it, and she tried to fight it. Mo’Nique is married to her manager, Sidney Hicks, with whom she has a pair of 17-year-old twin sons.
Mo’Nique and Hicks have reportedly maintained an open relationship in the past. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the actress claimed that she “grew out of” wanting an open marriage. It’s clear from the Netflix special that Mo’Nique’s admission of being somewhere in between when it comes to her sexuality journey is a significant and candid one, and we welcome her to the LGBTQ community.
“My Name Is Mo’Nique” is streaming on Netflix, and the actress’s courage and honesty in discussing her journey serve as a reminder that everyone’s path is unique and valid.