Beyoncé believes women should "own" their sexuality.

She explained: "I'd like to believe that my music opened up that conversation. There is unbelievable power in ownership, and women should own their sexuality.

"There is a double standard when it comes to sexuality that still persists. Men are free and women are not. That is crazy. The old lessons of submissiveness and fragility made us victims. Women are so much more than that. You can be a businesswoman, a mother, an artist, and a feminist - whatever you want to be - and still be a sexual being. It's not mutually exclusive."

The 'Drunk in Love' hitmaker - who is married to Jay Z and shares two-year-old daughter Blue Ivy with the rapper - says she had a "feminist mentality" while recording the album, but is glad her songs have resonated with other minorities, such as her gay and lesbian fan base.

She enthused to Out magazine: "I'm very happy if my words can ever inspire or empower someone who considers themselves an oppressed minority. We are all the same and we all want the same things - the right to be happy, to be just who we want to be and to love who we want to love."