Jason Mraz comes out as Two Spirit
Jason Mraz says his ex-wife helped him to accept his sexuality before their divorce.(Jamie McCarthy/Getty)
Jason Mraz has come out as Two Spirit.
The “I’m Yours” singer prompted a storm of speculation over his sexuality last month when he composed a poem for Pride Month with the line “I am bi your side.”
In a new interview with Billboard, the 41-year-old musician responded to the countless tweets saying he had come out, before defining his sexual identity.
Mraz in Waitress on Broadway (Nicholas Hunt/Getty)
Mraz said: “Honestly, I didn’t realise it was going to be so telling.
“But I’ve had experiences with men, even while I was dating the woman who became my wife. It was like: ‘Wow, does that mean I am gay?’ And my wife laid it out for me.
“She calls it ‘Two Spirit,’ which is what the Native Americans call someone who can love both man and woman. I really like that.”
Two Spirit as a term was coined in 1990 (Wiki Commons)
Two Spirit is a term used by Indigenous North American and First Nations people to represent those who possess both masculine and feminine spirits, and can encompass sexual, gender and/or spiritual identities.
Although Two-Spirited people have been described throughout history, the term was coined in 1990 at the Third Annual Inter-tribal Native American, First Nations Gay and Lesbian American Conference in Winnipeg, Canada.
It was chosen as a means of unifying the different gender identities and expressions of Native American, First Nations and Indigenous people.
Mraz during the Songwriters Hall of Fame 49th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner (Gary Gershoff/Getty)
Mraz first caused fans to wonder whether he was part of the LGBT community with a 2005 interview in which he said that he had “a gay friend I was hanging out with just about everyday.
“We were basically best friends. It took me about three months before I realised: ‘Oh my god, we’re dating.’
“It wasn’t until we were out for dinner on Valentines Day that I realised we both we’re having a very romantic time together.
“Right before I moved to California he gave me a pretty strong-willed kiss goodbye, which I have never experienced before. Unfortunately, he had a little bit more facial hair than I like.”
Mraz performs (Jemal Countess/Getty)
He added: “I have a bisexually open mind, but I have never been in a sexual relationship with a man. If the right one came along, then sure.”
Mraz also revealed to Pride Source in 2012 that he suffered homophobic bullying when he was young, explaining that there were “a few kids in high school who called me a fag or just would always intimidate me.”
In the same interview, he said: “I’m keeping more of my options open these days. The older I get, the more fearless I become,” before adding that “I’ve been invited by couples to join them and I’m really turned on by that.”
Mraz said his wife “laid it out for me” (Christopher Polk/Getty)
Several music stars have already come out this year.
Earlier this month, Panic! at the Disco singer Brendon Urie revealed that he was pansexual.
Urie spoke out in support of people who want to use gender-neutral pronouns earlier this year (Kevin Winter/Getty)
The emo-rock singer, who has donated $1 million to help LGBT kids in US schools, said it was “just people that I am attracted to.”
In March, Demi Lovato explained her sexuality, saying: “I’m very fluid, and I think love is love.
Demi and dancer (Gustavo Caballero/Getty)
“You can find it in any gender.
“I like the freedom of being able to flirt with whoever I want.”
(ddlovato/Instagram)
In April, Kehlani came out as queer, not long after she kissed Lovato on stage during a concert.
The 22-year-old singer made the announcement after years of public speculation and media reports labelling her as bisexual or a lesbian.
(Kevin Winter/Getty)
On April 26, Janelle Monáe came out as queer.
The 32-year-old singer ended years of rumours by calling herself “a queer black woman” who wasn’t sure if she was bisexual or pansexual, adding: “I’m open to learning more about who I am.”
(Cindy Ord/Getty)
And also in April, British pop star Anne-Marie revealed that she was attracted to women.
The rising star said: “I’ve never ever just been attracted to men. I’ve never just been attracted to women.
(Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty)
She added: “I’ve never felt the need to tell anyone that I’m bisexual. I don’t feel like I am.
“I just feel like I’m attracted to who I like.”
