Queer meaning explained after JoJo Siwa reveals Celebrity Big Brother has made her realise she’s ‘not a lesbian’

Earlier this week, JoJo Siwa opened up about her sexuality, explaining that her time in Celebrity Big Brother had made her realise that she's 'not a lesbian'.

The Dance Moms star, 21, has been discussing her sexuality openly on the show, after first identifying as pansexual back in 2021.

"Technically I would say that I am pansexual because that's how I have always been my whole life is just like, my human is my human," she told People Magazine at the time.

Identifying as pansexual essentially means you can be attracted to a person, regardless of their gender.

JoJo later identified as gay, telling Entertainment Weekly that she 'realised she was gay at Disney World'.

However, after opening up on the reality show this month, JoJo has explained that she now feels she wants to identify as 'queer'.

During a private chat in the bedroom with housemate and drag queen Danny Beard, she said: "I feel so queer."

"I'm queer!" Danny responded, prompting JoJo - who is in a relationship with her non-binary partner, Kath Ebbs, 27 - to confide in them saying: "I've never - I think I've always told myself, I'm a lesbian."

"I think you - I think being here - I've realised I am not a lesbian, I’m queer," she shared.

JoJo continued: "And I think that's really cool, I'm switching letters! I've dropped the L and I've gone to the Q baby! That's what I love about sexuality."

JoJo opened up on her sexuality (ITV)

What does queer mean?

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

The site goes on to explain how the word was once used as an offensive slur, however 'others have reclaimed and now embrace the term'.

Pink News explains that the term is often preferred because it avoids rigid boundaries that can be associated with labels.

Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood add: "Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people may all identify with the word queer.

"Queer is sometimes used to express that sexuality and gender can be complicated, change over time, and might not fit neatly into either/or identities, like male or female, gay or straight."

JoJo has explained that she now feels she wants to identify as 'queer' (ITV)

ITV viewers have since rushed to social media to share their support for JoJo opening up about her sexuality, with one X user writing: "There's absolutely nothing wrong with her sexuality switching, she needs to be true to herself."

They continued: "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."

Celebrity Big Brother continues tonight from 9pm on ITV, ITVX, STV and STV Player. It will be followed by companion show Late & Live on ITV2 and ITVX from 10pm.

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