English TV personality Chris Hughes is defending girlfriend JoJo Siwa amid backlash to their surprising romance.The former Love Island contestant and sports presenter told U.K. newspaper The Suns Fabulous magazine that since going public with their relationship in June, Siwa has received hate online and some social media trolls have even questioned his sexuality. Related JoJo Siwa celebrates switching letters after realizing shes not a lesbian Siwas queer identity has been a major theme on this season of Celebrity Big Brother UK. Siwa, who initially described her sexuality using terms like gay and pansexual when she came out in 2021 and later began referring to herself as a lesbian, met Hughes while both were contestants on ITVs Celebrity Big Brother UK earlier this year. The pair formed a close bond, while Siwa, who was then dating nonbinary actor and DJ Kath Ebbs, also admitted on the show that she was more comfortable identifying as queer than as a lesbian. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today I feel, like, so queer, do you know what I mean? she said. Ive always told myself Im a lesbian, and I think being here Ive realized: Oh, Im not a lesbian, Im queer, and I think thats really cool.Siwa and Hughes remained in touch after the most recent season of Celebrity Big Brother UK wrapped, and the Karma singer reportedly ended her relationship with Ebbs at the shows wrap party. During various media appearances, Siwa and Hughes continued to insist that their relationship was platonic, despite rampant speculation that Siwa had cheated on Ebbs with Hughes. Then, in early June, Hughes shared a photo on Snapchat of himself and Siwa in bed together. Siwa later admitted in an interview with The Guardian that the couples relationship was no longer platonic. In an interview with The Daily Mails You magazine late last month, Siwa explained that shed felt pressure to identify as a lesbian, including, at times, from others in the LGBTQ+ community. You just get put in this world where you feel like, because you now have said, Oh, Im a lesbian, you have to be a lesbian. And the truth is, sexuality is fluid, she said.I do feel a sense of responsibility that being with me has led to her getting hate, Hughes told Fabulous. I dont understand how anyone could be mean to someone as caring as her.Hughes went on to affirm that Siwa is not now straight just because shes with me. Sexuality can be fluid, and you should be able to love who you want without judgment, he insisted. She is still part of the LGBTQ+ community, she will always be. And while theres been negativity, there has been so much love.Hughes claimed that hes also come in for some homophobic backlash online. Ive had more people call me gay in the last two months of my life than ever before, he told Fabulous. But, he said, that hate doesnt bother him. I may be feminine in the way I do things, but I wouldnt change the way I am for anything. I cry a lot, but we live in a world where toxic masculinity exists, and there isnt an ounce of that in my body.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.