JoJo Siwa credits social media for helping her come out as LGBTQ: 'It was a safe space for me’

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: JoJo Siwa is grateful for the online community that supported her when she came out as LGBTQ earlier this year. The former 'Dance Moms' star and 'Boomerang' singer revealed her sexuality on Instagram Live in January 2021 after posting some LGBTQ-friendly TikTok videos, including one where she danced to Lady Gaga's anthem 'Born This Way.'

"I always knew that even if the people around me didn't accept me, there would be people online who did," Siwa, 20, told E! News. "And I was really excited to find those people. I always thought it would be easier to come out online than in person. And I think that's very true."

'It actually gave me a safe space when I came out'

Joelle Joanie Siwa said she felt more comfortable being herself on social media than in real life. "Just having social media for me, it actually gave me a safe space when I came out," she said, adding "It was a safe space for me."

The 'Kid in a Candy Store' singer said she now enjoys being part of the LGBTQ+ community online. "It's been fun to figure out how I fit into that puzzle," she said. "You know what I mean? How I fit into that piece of the puzzle there."

Siwa, as per a report, named Freddie Mercury and Elton John as her LGBTQ+ icons. She also recently admired John by dressing up as him to support his new initiative 'The Rocket Fund" which aims to end AIDS for all.

'Whether that's people that I know personally or people that I don't know'

Siwa told People that she wanted to be involved in the project because it affects "so many of my people" whether they are her friends or fellow members of the LGBTQ+ community. "Whether that's people that I know personally or people that I don't know personally that are just in my same family — LGBTQ community, young people," she said.

'That is just going to be such a beautiful thing'

She added, "This new Rocket Fund launch is going to be such a great thing for the world because I think it's going to educate and fund and really just bring awareness — more than there already is — and help take away the stigma," she said. "That is just going to be such a beautiful thing.