JoJo Siwa Marks First Anniversary of Coming Out with Insta Post

Out celeb JoJo Siwa commemorated the first anniversary of her coming out with a post that shared, once again, the photo of Siwa in a "Best Gay Cousin Ever" T-shirt that got the internet chattering.

In a post festooned with rainbows, pride flags, and hearts, Siwa told her fans, "In the last 365 days I've felt more love than ever.

"A year ago today I posted this picture and shared with the world that I was gay," the post continued, before acknowledging that coming out was "scary" but adding that being LGBTQ+ is "what makes me... me."

Siwa said she is often asked if she's is worried about telling kids, especially those amongst her audience, that she's gay. To that, she responded: "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."

That sentiment echoed what the 18-year-old told talk show host Ellen DeGeneres recently. In a November appearance on the show, Siwa shared her enthusiasm about being a role model for LGBTQ+ youth, telling Ellen, "It's impacted so many young kids in such a way that, hearing adults say, 'I wish I had someone like you when I was little,' that makes me know that the kids that are little have someone like me."

Siwa's anniversary message went on to say: "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," Siwa said to conclude her post.

The celeb origianlly posted the pic on Jan. 21, 2021, together with the message: "My cousin got me a new shirt."

Even before that, though, Siwa had fans speculating when she put up a video of herself singing along to Gaga's "Born This Way."

Siwa's first year as an out celebrity has been a busy one: Among other milestones, she launched her own cereal in partnership with General Mills, and she dazzled audiences as part of the first same-sex pairing on "Dancing with the Stars."