Heartstopper star Kit Connor ‘forced’ to come out as bisexual
Heartstopper star Kit Connor. (Getty/David M Benett)
Heartstopper star Kit Connor has revealed he is bisexual, saying he has been “forced” to come out amid accusations of queerbaiting.
Connor returned to Twitter after a self-imposed hiatus on Monday (31 October), and simply said: “Back for a minute. I’m bi.”
He continued: “Congrats on forcing an 18 year old to out himself.
“I think some of you missed the point of the show. Bye.”
back for a minute. i’m bi. congrats for forcing an 18 year old to out himself. i think some of you missed the point of the show. bye
— Kit Connor (@kit_connor) October 31, 2022
Kit Connor shot to fame earlier this year in Netflix’s heartwarming, queer tear-jerker Heartstopper as bisexual high schooler Nick Nelson.
He revealed he was quitting Twitter last month (12 September) after a video of him allegedly holding hands with Cuban Girl’s Guide star Maia Reficco led to him being accused of queerbaiting by so-called fans.
‘Queerbaiting‘ is defined by dictionary.com as “the practice of implying non-heterosexual relationships or attraction to engage or attract an LGBTQ+ audience or otherwise generate interest without ever actually depicting such relationships or sexual interactions”.
After the video was posted online and alleged fans accused the young actor of said practice, he tweeted he would be deleting Twitter as it was a “silly, silly app”.
Connor had previously refused to label his sexuality, and tried to put a halt to anyone publicly debating his orientation with a tweet in May 2022, saying that people on social media “know my sexuality better than I do”.
Heartstopper creator Alice Oseman tweeted her support for the actor who brought her character Nick Nelson to life, saying she didn’t “understand how people can watch Heartstopper and then gleefully spend their time speculating about sexualities and judging based on stereotypes”.
She added: “I hope all those people are embarrassed as F**K. Kit you are amazing.”
I truly don’t understand how people can watch Heartstopper and then gleefully spend their time speculating about sexualities and judging based on stereotypes. I hope all those people are embarrassed as FUCK. Kit you are amazing ?
— Alice Oseman Updates (@AliceOseman) October 31, 2022
Many more were quick to support Kit Connor over his “forced” outing.
“I love u kit im sorry this has been so disgustingly rough on you,” tweeted Heartstopper co-star Kizzy Edgell. “been treated so unfairly.”
Fan account Heartstopper News added: “so proud of you for sharing this with us but I’m so so sorry it happened this way.
“hope you’re doing ok and surrounded by supportive people besides it all.”
Journalist David Chipakupaku said it was “deeply upsetting” Kit Connor had felt forced to come out at such a young age due to “constant internet speculation and accusations of queerbaiting”.
“Some of you didn’t take any lessons despite profession a love for this show,” he explained, “this isn’t a cause of celebration, just very sad.”
Writer Mark Harris said that “no actor should be forced into this position”. He added: “When it’s done by a fandom that pretends to righteousness about whether someone should be allowed to play a role or talk in certain terms, it is no less toxic.”
Labour MP Nadia Whittome, who is also a member of the LGBTQ+ community, also tweeted her support, saying: “Being forced to come out is being outed and it’s disgusting. I’m sorry you’ve been put through that.
“Sending you so much love and solidarity, Kit.”
And Insider journalist Irene Anna summed it up by saying: “y’all have seriously got to stop forcing people into this position. Hope Kit’s doing ok.”
Meanwhile, Heartstopper executive producer Patrick Walters simply replied with three heart emojis.
❤️❤️❤️
— Patrick Walters (@patwalterstv) October 31, 2022
Netflix has renewed Heartstopper for two more seasons and was celebrated by many for its depiction of young queer relationships.
