Ah, the dreaded F-Word. Steer clear of it unless you want to elicit sidelong stares and general apprehension from men and traditionally minded women. I mean, who wants the bra burner at their Easter dinner, right?

Avoiding it seems to be the tactic for a lot of celebrity women who frequently talk about empowering women but refuse to actually label themselves … dunh dunh dunh … a feminist.

Well, it looks like Beyonce is stepping up and addressing the F-Word by revealing she considers herself a feminist — sorta.

“I guess I am a modern-day feminist. I do believe in equality,” says Bey in the April issue of UK Vogue.

However, believing in equality doesn’t necessarily mean believing in using labels, according to the music legend.

“Why do you have to choose what type of woman you are? Why do you have to label yourself anything? I’m just a woman and I love being a woman,” adds Beyonce.

On the other hand, Beyonce hasn’t been wary of her newest label as wife to rapper and producer Jay-Z. The two music powerhouses decided to change their last name to Knowles-Carter, and Beyonce’s tour is titled the Mrs. Carter World Tour. Not to mention her latest single “Bow Down” caused some controversy. Like, who was she really labeling “bitches“? I’m guessing it wasn’t directed to other women but to her haters?

I’m just wondering, what’s wrong with saying you’re a feminist? It’s not equivalent to saying you’re a man-hater, but it’s a label that many celebrity women, including Taylor Swift and Katy Perry, steer clear of.

Is this a tactic to avoid alienating non-feminists? Or is it a matter of not wanting to be typecast as the angry feminist who’s consistently offended and outraged at any glimmer of gender inequality? Is talking about being a feminist becoming another faux pas like expounding on religion, politics and exes?

I’m really curious about this. Let me know in the comments.