JoJo Siwais celebrating one year since she came out as a member of theLGBTQcommunity.
Over the weekend, the 18-year-oldDance Momsalum shared a reflective message on Instagram, commemorating her decision to come out as gay and detailing the emotions she has experienced since.
“In the last 364 days I’ve felt more love than ever,” Siwa began in the caption of herpost, which was written alongside the photo she first posted when she came out. The shot shows her wearing a black shirt with the message “Best. Gay. Cousin. Ever.” written across it in blue font.
Noting that she gets “asked a lot” ifcoming outwas scary, the Nickelodeon star said, “The answer is yes of course, anything that’s different about you is scary, however… it’s what makes me… me. so I had no fear with sharing it with the world❤️.”
Siwa also explained that she also gets asked often if she was worried about telling her young fans about her sexuality. In response, she explained: “Truthfully I feel like I was put on this earth to be arole model for kids, and letting all the kids of the world know that loving everyone for who they are no matter what is something that I will always believe in and always share❤️.”
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Continuing her message of love and acceptance, Siwa wrote, “Please never forget that no matter who you are, what you look like, who you LOVE that you are absolutely perfect.”
“Thank you for showing me the most love throughout this year and throughout my entire life. I love you all❤️🙏🏼🏳️🌈,” she concluded.
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“Love you ❤️❤️❤️❤️,” wrote YouTube personalityGigi GorgeousasParis Hiltonsaid, “Love and miss you sis. 🥰 So proud of you!😍🌈🌈🌈.” Added Siwa’s mother,Jessalynn Siwa: “Love you so much ❤️and so proud of everything you do, the big things and the little things ❤️.”
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“I never wanted [my coming out] to be a big deal,” she said at the time. “I’ve known since I was little. I have a lot that could have gone away because of my love life.”
And though a majority of the reaction to her coming out was positive, Siwa explained to PEOPLE that there were some negative takes as well.
But Siwa found clarity: “My thing is, I don’t want people to watch my videos or buy my merchandise if they aren’t going to support not only me, but the LGBTQ community.”
source: people.com
