2020 was a rough year for many people; it was also a year of changes and finding out voices. We stood up for our beliefs, and we demanded change and our voices to be heard. Protests took place around the world in support of the more significant issues taking place here in America. Furthermore, we voted in hopes for a better tomorrow, real change, and forward progression. This year we have been secluded and distant from those we love, so when 2021 hit, we were all hoping for the best. 2020 has taught us that tomorrow is not guaranteed; we have to cherish the moments we have and be ourselves because we may never get a chance to do that. Jojo Siwa, a Dance Moms alum and Nickelodeon star, seized the moment, the new year, and shared with the world something intimate and personal to herself. Jojo Siwa came out and announced she was gay, and the impact was immense.
I remember watching Jojo on Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition and then seeing her arrive on the Dance Mom’s series in season 5. She was a bubbly little girl full of energy and promise. Her time in the series showed she was determined and not deterred by the negative energy directed her way. Jojo was a sassy girl and was set out to prove she was a star, and she did just that. Since being on Dance Mom’s, Jojo has released music, been on shows, movies, has a colossal merchandise line, and recently made the Times list of 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2020.
Jojo is known to make TikToks and enjoys interacting with her fans and sharing things about her life with them. From tours of her home to dance videos, Siwa always entertains and tends to remain transparent. One of the best things about Jojo is that she always appears to be approachable. Another thing that puts Siwa apart from others is that she remains herself through it all. Some people will comment on her style, her personality, and so on. However, she remains the same. She is an outgoing, bubbly personality who genuinely seems happy all the time and fully aware of who she is and what she wants to be. This influence of self-love, acceptance, and confidence is just what kids need. Even Siwa’s music talks about the haters and her not caring what they say, she will continue to be herself and who she regardless of their words.
In January 2021, Siwa came out as being part of the LGBTQ+ community. She posted a video on Tik Tok of her lip-syncing to Lady Gaga’s Born This Way song, and she later posted a picture of herself wearing a t-shirt she said her cousin bought her. The shirt read, “Best Gay Cousin Ever.” Jojo has gone on Jimmy Fallon to talk about her career and her coming out. Meanwhile, social media weighed in on their feelings about Jojo’s sexual orientation. While many supported Siwa, some did not. I recall immediately seeing comments on Jojo’s picture of her wearing the shirt her cousin bought her and feeling disgusted at how people could say horrible things to another human being.
I saw a comment from one parent claiming that Siwa should consider her audience. Underneath that comment, she said she wasn’t offended by it, but those innocent children that Siwa entertains should be protected. I immediately had to weigh in on the subject. Where I responded, “Consider your audience. What you teach should be love. She’s a good influence on self-acceptance and being yourself. There is nothing wrong with her being herself.”
Not all comments were negative. There were floods of positive reactions from celebrities to fans and parents alike. There was a lot of support both on her Twitter and Tik Tok account, and she even posted a video thanking fans and loved ones for their support.
I have two children, one of who is a Jojo fan. He told me how talented she is and loved her dancing when seeing her on Nickelodeon in 2016. My eldest is almost 13 years old, and my youngest is almost three years old. I would never tell them they cannot watch Jojo because of her orientation, and in fact, I love that she is herself and promotes such a positive self-image. My oldest is on the spectrum; my son was always teased for his interests and much more. In my 13 years of parenting, I have learned that children are taught to hate anything different. They are told to stay away or to cause harm to those who are not like themselves. This behavior is taught and accepted.
Meanwhile, schools say there is a no-bullying policy, but bullies’ creation goes past the playground. Accepting everyone and their differences is a step toward being a decent human being, a better workplace environment in the future. Overall allows everyone to thrive regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, or skin tone.
Some people have protested Jojo’s coming out and refused to let their children watch anything she is in or support Jojo’s career. However, many do not realize when you protest a person based on their orientation or simply just being themselves, you are sending a message to your children and to others to spread hate, not accept others, and they may not feel loved and accepted one day because of their orientation or just being themselves.
Jojo told Jimmy Fallon in a recent interview that, “If I lost everything that I’ve created because of being myself and because of loving who I wanna love, I don’t want it.” While it seems like such a big risk because of her fan base’s age, it also gives those who are her age and older hope. Many are upset with having to explain to their young children about sexual orientation. Still, there seems to be no thought that her shows and music she has created for her fanbase do not touch on sex, sexual orientation and simply suggests loving yourself, being true to who you are, and not let others get you down because you are yourself.
Jojo is nearing adulthood, and with that comes other roles she may take on. We all grow up, take on different careers, roles, and Jojo to continue to be herself in all areas of her life. Above all else, a discussion is one of the most important things we can do as parents and individuals in our society. Many complain about talking to their children about the topic, but it is no different if your child had a play date with a friend who has two fathers or two mothers or a transgender parent. Open the discussion, explain, use this as a learning opportunity for your children because you cannot shelter them forever, and you never know what your child will encounter in the future. Teach them to accept, love, and grow in a healthy way. Jojo taking to social media and doing interviews only proves what an influential person she is and how much of an impact her coming out has on so many people.
So why is it important that Jojo came out about her orientation? There are children and even adults who are struggling with this topic. Some children do not know how to express themselves; they may not have support or have anyone to talk to about how they feel or who they are. Jojo’s coming out shows those who may be struggling with their orientation or even just being themselves that they are not alone. She ran the risk of losing fans and hurting her career because of the loss of fans, but she was brave enough to stand up and say, not being herself would be a more complicated issue in the long run. If Jojo had decided to keep that a secret because she was afraid of losing her career, then she wouldn’t be holding to all that she stands for and promotes. Self-acceptance, being proud of who you are, and dismissing the haters is just part of a huge picture that is Jojo Siwa.
Jojo is just 17 and will be 18 in May; she is a positive role model for so many young people and a great inspiration and reminder to us adults to stay true to ourselves. She gives hope and the possibility of what could be in the future. In a world that is seeing so many changes lately, it is imperative to stop judging and hate and support one another. Most importantly, those who do not support Jojo’s orientation should consider that it in no way changes the ideals, concepts, and positive outlook that she promotes. Someone’s orientation does not change who she is because if it did, it would have made a difference long before she said a word. Consider that who she is as a person, what she is teaching, and stands for positively impacts so many lives.
You may have your reservations on why supporting Jojo is not the right thing. Still, the question remains how can you not support a person that spreads positivity, gives others the strength to keep going, teaches children to be themselves, and not let others bring them down? Sure, you can choose not to support; you can say that you don’t want your kids to be exposed to her lifestyle. Consider that Jojo is almost 18 years old and that how she carries herself is certainly not the same as many her age.
Jojo’s coming out gives hope to those struggling to tell their families and friends; she gives young men and women hope because they know they are not alone. Many people deal with suicidal thoughts because they think something is wrong with them. They are terrified of how others will view them, and they are struggling with feeling alone. Because Jojo was brave enough to declare who she is and share that with the world, others can say, “she’s just like me,” and that impact is far more significant than most realize.
Jojo Siwa is a radiant, uplifting spirit that spreads acceptance and self-love in everything she does, and it’s clear to see that regardless of what her haters say, she is going to “come back like a boomerang.”
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