For many, coming out is terrifying, especially when you have the whole world watching you. It was no different for Jojo Siwa, Hayley Kiyoko, Troye Sivan, and many others celebrities in the public eye. More often than not, people don’t understand why coming out is so scary. There’s no way of knowing what others are going to say and there’s no way of knowing if you will be accepted or not. 

  Jojo Siwa once said that it was easier to come out to the entire world than to her closest friends and family. In the long run, all you want is for your family to accept you, but you never know what you’re going to get and it is less hurtful when strangers judge you because they don’t know the true you. 

   Siwa initially came out as queer. The term “queer” is used as a general classification for not being straight but not knowing your exact sexual identity. 

   The singer later came out as pansexual. “Technically I would say that I am pansexual because that’s how I have always been my whole life is just like, my human is my human,” Siwa stated in an interview. 

  Jojo faced so much hate from parents of her fans, ignorantly fearing she would “turn their kids gay” making her lose many fans after coming out. 

   On the contrary, she gained many new fans from the LGBTQ+ community along with a new found support from many adults who admired her bravery. So many people who had been silently struggling finally felt heard. Siwa became a safe haven for them. This all began when a relatable young person in the media figured out who she is. 

   Hayley Kiyoko is also someone to whom so many people in the LGBTQ+ community admire. She initially found fame with her role in the 2011 movie Lemonade Mouth, but after coming out as lesbian, she started releasing music that embodied her truest self. 

   Her song “Girls Like Girls’ ‘ made her heard as an artist and more respected in the music community. Because Hayley came out, she was able to be her truest self.

   In 2020, pop star Harry Styles made headlines as he was the first male on the cover of Vogue to wear a dress. The formerly known ‘womanizer’ from the boyband One Direction surprised fans by sharing his more feminine side and experimenting with clothing. Styles was engulfed with both scrutiny and love when the Vogue issue was released.

   Fans either loved it or hated it there was no in-between. When asked about his sexuality in the past, Styles put it plainly, he isn’t straight. He can have a girlfriend and still be queer. Styles proved that your sexuality is your business and that you can choose how much you want to share with the world.  

   Your gender identity and sexuality isn’t anyone’s business. If someone does come out to you, you should feel honored that they trusted you enough to tell you because it is so personal. Siwa admitted that she knew she wasn’t straight for years, but she gained the confidence to tell the world. If your loved one or friend or literally anyone comes out to you, be supportive and kind, that is all they want.

  Celebrities in the LGBTQ  community are an inspiration to fans. Stars like Troye, Jojo, Hayley, and Harry showed their vulnerability and bravery which has greatly inspired their fans to do the same. 

  Coming out is always terrifying and there is no way to avoid that. Sometimes you won’t be accepted and it sucks, but if you have a good support group, they’ll love and support you no matter what. 

  If you don’t have a good support system, remember that the whole LGBTQ+ community has your back. Eastern offers a support group for people that are trying to figure out their gender and sexuality identity. It’s called the gender and sexuality alliance and if you have any questions you can email Mr. Fulton. Always remember, you are who you are and nobody can change that. As Lady Gaga would say, “Baby you were born this way.”