JoJo Siwa came out as queer in 2021, boldly declaring her truth to millions. Since then, she’s spoken candidly about her sexuality being fluid, her gender identity being expansive, and her journey of self-discovery. But the internet, it seems, still isn’t ready for that level of complexity, especially when it comes to who she’s dating.
On June 1, the first day of Pride Month, Siwa announced that she is in a relationship with British reality star Chris Hughes. Almost immediately, the backlash began. Critics flooded her comment sections, accusing her of “queerbaiting,” “performative queerness,” or even “betraying” the LGBTQ+ community. Some went as far as to say she “used” queerness for clout.
But here’s the reality: Queerness doesn’t disappear when someone dates a man. Queerness doesn’t require a same-gender partner. And for many, especially those who identify as bisexual, pansexual, or queer, this type of reaction isn’t just frustrating, it’s deeply erasing.
A Queer Journey, Not a Plot Twist
JoJo’s relationship with Hughes didn’t come out of nowhere. The two met on Celebrity Big Brother UK in April and quickly formed a bond. At first, they referred to each other as “platonic soulmates,” but as time passed, their connection deepened.
“It’s been a beautiful journey,” Siwa said on the Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth podcast on June 6. “The word ‘serendipity’ is Christopher and I’s favorite word now… I don’t know how the universe aligned for Chris to come into my life.”
Still, many online seemed more invested in policing her identity than celebrating her happiness. One viral tweet read, “Chris Hughes posting a picture of himself in bed with the self proclaimed inventor of gay pop, Jojo Siwa, on the first day of pride month has got to be some sort of homophobia??????????” while another commented, “If i see that photo of Jojo Siwa and Chris Hughes on my tl again i will get violent.”
Chris Hughes posting a picture of himself in bed with the self proclaimed inventor of gay pop, Jojo Siwa, on the first day of pride month has got to be some sort of homophobia ??????????
pic.twitter.com/jwiGcgjvCk— yup | (@brvttie) June 1, 2025
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if i see that photo of jojo siwa and chris hughes on my tl again i will get violent pic.twitter.com/xy2LpfLvO9
— thomas (@goodgraces13) June 3, 2025
broadcasting that rancid new jojo siwa and chris hughes photo like it’s my god given purpose pic.twitter.com/vQh5HnfD0I
— scarlett 🍓 (@sscarlettamelie) June 1, 2025
What these criticisms miss is that Siwa has never claimed to fit neatly into a single category. In April 2025, she reiterated on Celebrity Big Brother that she identifies as queer, a label she finds inclusive and freeing. During a livestream with RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard, Siwa said, “I’m switching letters. F— the L — I’m going to the Q. That’s what I love about sexuality.”
In other words, she’s still queer. Her partner being a man doesn’t invalidate that.
The Harm of Bi-Erasure
What we’re witnessing isn’t just personal criticism, it’s bi-phobia and bi-erasure in action. There’s a long-standing pattern, even within LGBTQ+ spaces, of only acknowledging queer identities when they align with visible same-sex relationships. This reinforces the false narrative that bisexual, pansexual, or queer people are only “queer enough” when dating someone of the same gender.
It’s a toxic standard that leaves little room for fluidity, the very fluidity Siwa has embraced.
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This also sets a dangerous precedent: that queer people have to constantly prove their queerness. That their dating history, their gender presentation, or even the timing of their announcements somehow disqualifies them from the community.
JoJo Siwa came out at 17, publicly and unapologetically, and has since become a visible example of LGBTQ+ youth navigating identity in real time. She’s made mistakes, sure. She’s learned publicly. But she’s also modeled growth, nuance, and self-acceptance.
@itsjojosiwa See u soon
@itsjojosiwa Went on Access Hollywood today and they wanted me to do the Guilty Pleasure dance for them. @Access Hollywood
Let Queer People Exist Fully
Being queer doesn’t have to look one specific way. For JoJo Siwa, it looks like falling for someone she didn’t expect and choosing honesty over optics. We shouldn’t punish her for that. We should applaud it.
The LGBTQ+ community is built on the foundation of freedom, the freedom to be who you are, love who you want, and express that identity in your own time and on your own terms.
JoJo Siwa is still queer. If you’re only here to celebrate that when she’s dating a woman, then maybe it’s not her identity you’re supporting, it’s a stereotype.
