By Esca Bacordo
Child star Jojo Siwa is no stranger to virtual spectators and viral moments. From her Nickelodeon days, bedazzled bows, and full-on catapults to stardom, she has been a loud and proud presence and people adored her for it. And when she came out in 2021 as a part of the LGBTQIA+ community and later identifying as a lesbian—it felt like a big win for queer representation, especially for younger demographics of her fans that are navigating their own identities. Jojo made queerness visible, glittery, and unapologetically loud.
But recently, on Celebrity Big Brother UK, Siwa made headlines again—this time for a moment that felt more flippant than freeing. In a conversation with fellow housemate Chris Hughes, she remarked: “Fuck the ‘L,’ I’m going to the ‘Q!’” And if that wasn’t enough, it happened during Lesbian Visibility Week.
To say that Siwa’s remark landed poorly is an understatement. The internet was quickly filled with reactions ranging from confusion to frustration to outright disappointment. Some called it a betrayal, others labeled it a classic reality TV stunt, while others straight up labeled Siwa a “fakesbian (fake lesbian) all along”. And while it’s tempting to brush it off as just another chaotic moment in a reality TV show full of cameras and confessionals, this one actually deserves a closer look.
Fluidity’s Fine, But Words Have Weight
Well let’s state the obvious fact – one’s identity is allowed to change. Labels and the queer community is—by design—fluid, flexible, and expansive. However, it is not the primary issue with what has happened. The real issue is the how and the when. Because while Siwa is free to re-express herself however she chooses, she did so in a way that dismissed the lesbian label entirely—during a week specifically dedicated to making lesbians more visible.
To many in the community, it didn’t feel like growth. It seemed like abandonment.
Lesbians have long dealt with being sidelined or erased within the broader LGBTQ+ umbrella. They’re often desexualized or hypersexualized, joked about as a “phase,” or made invisible altogether—especially in pop culture. That’s why Lesbian Visibility Week exists, to carve out space, to highlight narratives to say, “We’re here, we matter, and we’re not a stepping stone to something else.”
So when someone with Siwa’s platform casually says “fuck the L” and seems to move on from the lesbian identity she once publicly embraced—while also forming a connection with a man on national TV—it’s more than just bad timing. It risks reinforcing the exact stereotypes that events like Lesbian Visibility Week are trying to dismantle.
When Words Miss the Mark
Siwa is not the villain here. People change. Identities evolve. No one should be boxed into a label they have outgrown. But public figures aren’t just living for themselves. They influence culture, especially when they have millions of followers, a platform built on teen visibility, and a track record of shaping conversations around queerness.
And here’s the thing: you can explore your identity without throwing your past label under the bus. There’s a big difference between saying “I don’t think ‘lesbian’ fits me anymore” and saying “fuck the L.” The former invites conversation. The latter feels like a punchline at the expense of an entire group of people—many of whom still live with the consequences of being misunderstood or erased.
This moment wasn’t just messy—it was meaningful. Not because Jojo owes the world a rigid identity, but because visibility is more than just being seen. It’s about being seen accurately, respectfully, and without any forms of mockery. And this felt more like an insult to injury amongst the lesbian community.
Visibility Deserves Respect
So no, Jojo Siwa does not necessarily owe anyone any forms of apology for growing or changing. But she, and the media circus surrounding her does need to think twice before discarding identities like costumes. Especially during a week meant to celebrate those who’ve fought to be seen in the first place.
Next year, let lesbians have their week. No edits, no gimmicks, no reality TV chaos. Just visibility, unfiltered.
