JoJo Siwa Says She’s Not a Lesbian—She’s Queer. But Wait, What’s the Difference?

JoJo Siwa is not a lesbian. At least, not anymore. Or maybe she never was. Look, sexuality is a journey, not a Google Doc—you don’t just hit “Save As” and call it a day.

While cozied up to Celebrity Big Brother UK co-star Chris Hughes (yes, the Love Island one, no, he’s not gay), JoJo had a little epiphany.

“I’ve always told myself I’m a lesbian, but… I’m not. I’m queer,” she told fellow housemate and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard, adding with a grin: “I’ve dropped the L and I’ve gone to the Q, baby!”

Cute, chaotic, and kind of iconic.

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Wait… So What’s the Difference Between Gay, Lesbian, and Queer?

Let’s break it down like we’re at a sleepover and someone just whispered, “What is pansexuality anyway?”

• Gay: Traditionally used to describe men who are attracted to men. But it’s also used more broadly—some women prefer it to “lesbian” (which, let’s be real, has been through so much culturally).

• Lesbian: Specifically refers to women who are attracted to other women. It’s clear, it’s powerful, it has Sapphic energy—and it’s also a political identity for many.

• Queer: The wildcard. Originally a slur (and still hurtful to some), “queer” has been reclaimed as a broad, flexible term for anyone who doesn’t fit into cisheteronormative boxes. It’s intentionally ambiguous. It can describe sexuality, gender identity, or just the vibe of existing outside the mainstream.

So when JoJo says she’s not a lesbian but she is queer, what she’s really saying is: Hey, I don’t want a box. I want the whole rainbow.

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A Little History for the People in the Back

The word “gay” used to mean happy. Then it meant promiscuous. Then it became code for homosexuality. By the mid-20th century, it was the word for gay men—mainly because “homosexual” sounded like a medical diagnosis.

“Lesbian” traces back to the Greek island of Lesbos (shoutout to Sappho), and emerged as a distinct identity in feminist and lesbian liberation movements of the 20th century.

“Queer” has been used to mean “strange” or “peculiar” since the 1500s. It was weaponized against LGBTQ+ people in the 20th century—but starting in the 1980s and ’90s, activists began reclaiming it. Now it’s a popular umbrella term for people who want fluidity over fixity, vibes over checkboxes.

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JoJo Siwa Just Dropped the L for the Q—and the Internet Has Questions

JoJo’s moment had people Googling: “Wait… can you be queer and date a man?” Short answer? Yes. Long answer? Labels are tools, not rules. Queer can mean attracted to multiple genders, not attracted to gender at all, or just not straight—and that’s valid. That’s beautiful. That’s queer.

JoJo, who has previously come out as pansexual and is currently dating nonbinary actor Kath Ebbs, isn’t confused. She’s evolving. Publicly. On reality TV. While licking chocolate off some guy’s shorts.

Honestly, it’s performance art.

From Dance Moms to Queer Icon, JoJo Siwa’s Still Just Getting Started

JoJo Siwa is 21. She’s famous, extremely online, and navigating her sexuality. That’s a lot. But what’s refreshing is how open, honest, and unfiltered she’s being. There’s no PR script, no polished labels—just vibes, self-discovery, and chaotic lighting.

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So yeah, she’s switching letters. But more importantly, she’s reminding everyone that identity is personal, change is allowed, and none of us owe the world an easy definition.

Especially not when it’s still this obsessed with boxes—and scared of the people who refuse to fit inside them.