JoJo Siwa’s controversial three-word statement after realising she’s ‘not a lesbian’ sparks important conversation

JoJo Siwa’s candid revelation on Celebrity Big Brother has made some people question a particular remark she said.

The 21-year-old singer has always been open about her journey with her sexuality, after coming out as pansexual in 2021.

She previously identified as a lesbian, but while taking part in the current series of Celebrity Big Brother, the star opened up to fellow housemate Danny Beard about identifying as ‘queer’.

"I’ve always told myself ‘I’m a lesbian’, but I think you - I think being here - I've realised I am not a lesbian, I’m queer," the ‘Karma’ singer told Danny.

"And I think that's really cool, I'm switching letters,” she said in a light-hearted manner. “F**k the L I am going to the Q! That's what I love about sexuality."

However her comment about ‘switching letters’ has raised eyebrows among fans, with several claiming that a person can be both queer and lesbian.

“It’s important for people to know you can be both simultaneously as well,” a viewer wrote on Instagram. “You can be a lesbian and queer.”

“Queer lesbians are a thing, no?” an Instagram user penned.

Another fan defended JoJo and said: “She’s just figuring herself out.”

LGBTQ+ charity, Stonewall, defines 'queer' as 'a term used by those wanting to reject specific labels of sexual orientation and/or gender identity'.

In the Reddit forum ‘lesbiangang’, one commenter said: “I love how they can never just be like, ‘Oops, I was wrong, I realised I’m not a lesbian’ they always have to go ‘f**k them d**e bitches’. Like, don’t let the door hit you on the way out, we didn’t want you here anyways.”

Another Reddit user complained: “This is so disappointing to see during lesbian visibility week. saying 'f**k the l' is disgusting behaviour.”

JoJo had a candid conversation about sexuality with Danny Beard (ITV)

A third opined: “Having the audacity to call herself 'queer' while also saying 'f**k the L' is quite something.”

Someone else shared: “I found this very disrespectful…”

Fans of JoJo and the show have defended her during her coming out journey. On X, a viewer said: “JoJo's so young and allowed to still be confused about her sexuality. It took me a long time to figure out mine, she deserves that same opportunity."

And, in a follow-up tweet, the CBB viewer added: "Sexuality can be very confusing, especially when you're young. It's more than OK to think a label fits you and then to realise a few years laters that it actually doesn't."

Tyla has contacted JoJo Siwa's representative for a comment.