JoJo Siwa has social media to thank in part for her positive debut journey.
The “Boomerang” singer, who appeared as LGBTQ on Instagram Live in January 2021, said she found it “easier” to be open about her sexuality online after finding a supportive community there.
“Taking social media for me actually gave me a safe space when I went out,” 20-year-old Siwa told E! News.
This dancing mothers alum was featured in several LGBTQ-positive TikTok videos in early 2021 before it was officially released.
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Speaking of that time, Siwa told E! “Even if everyone around me doesn’t support me, I know there will be people who support me online”.
The TikTok star added, “And I knew I would find those people, and that got me really excited. I always told myself that it would be easier to come out online than in person. And I believe that is very true.”
Siwa said she feels she has now found her rightful place in the social media space.
“It was fun to figure out in what ways I could be a part of it,” he continued. “You know what I mean? How do I fit the piece of the puzzle over there.”
Siwa has listed Freddie Mercury and Elton John as the top LGBTQ+ icons in E! The news and days ago showed further support for 76-year-old John, who dressed as The Rocket Man to support the launch of his new venture, The Rocket Fund.
Announced during Pride Month, The Rocket Fund aims to accelerate progress towards ending AIDS for all.
While Siwa was not personally affected by the AIDS epidemic, she told PEOPLE privately that “many of my people” are, so it was important to her to be a part of it.
“People I know personally, or people I don’t know personally, are just in my same family — the LGBTQ community, teenagers,” she said. “This new Rocket Fund launch is going to be such a great thing for the world because I think it will provide education and funding and really just bring awareness – more than it already has – and help remove stigma.”
“This is going to be a beautiful thing,” the singer added.