JoJo Siwa Celebrates 1st Anniversary Since Publicly Coming Out

JoJo Siwa is celebrating the one-year anniversary of her public coming out in the best way!

Taking to Instagram over the weekend, Siwa posted an emotional carousel of images and videos that showcase some of the highlights and triumphs she's had over the past year, like her successful stint on Dancing With the Stars, making the cover of People Magazine, and the iconic pic of her wearing the iconic "Best. Gay. Cousin. Ever" t-shirt.

"In the last 365 days I've felt more love than ever," she multi-hyphenate dancer, singer, and social media star wrote, reflecting on a year of being out and proud in the public. "A year ago today I posted this picture and shared with the world that I was gay. I get asked a lot, 'was coming out scary for you,' and the answer is yes, of course. Anything that's different about you is scary, however...it's what makes me...me. So I had no fear with sharing it with the world."

"I also get asked a lot 'your demographic is so young are you worried about telling kids your gay,'" Siwa continued. "Truthfully I feel like I was put on this earth to be a role model for kids, and letting all the kids of the world know that loving everyone for who they are no matter what is something that I will always believe in and always share please never forget that no matter who you are, what you look like, who you LOVE that you are absolutely perfect."

"Thank you for showing me the most love throughout this year and throughout my entire life. I love you all."

In January of last year, speculation about Siwa's sexuality started surfacing online after she posted a TikTok of her lip-syncing to Lady Gaga's 2011 hit, LGBTQ+ anthem "Born This Way."

Fellow TikToker Kent Boyd also posted a dance video with Siwa and a bunch of their friends (who form Pride House LA, a queer social media collective) singing and dancing along to Paramore's 2014 track "Ain't It Fun," where they declare that Siwa is "now one of us!!"

Siwa later confirmed that she is, in fact, a part of the LGBTQ+ community, donning a shirt that her cousin gifted for her to wear that says "Best. Gay. Cousin. Ever." and posting it to Twitter.

Since then, Siwa has become one of Gen Z's most visible and shining out stars, and a beacon of hope for many young queer people who want to see someone like themselves living their best, and proudest, lives!

RELATED | Before JoJo: 8 Same-Sex Dancing With the Stars Couples That Made History