It is yet another unfortunate example of a person within the LGBTQ+ community not being able to come out on their own terms.
18-year-old Kit Connor has revealed on Twitter that he is bisexual - but the 'Heartstopper' actor feels that he has been "forced" to come out due to "queerbaiting" speculation from people online.
Kit Connor stars as Nick in the young adult live-action series on Netflix, which is based on the incredibly popular comics by Alice Oseman. Rugby-loving Nick falls in love with a fellow schoolboy, Charlie (played by Joe Locke), and season one sees him come to terms with his own sexuality while attending high school. Eventually realising that he likes both boys and girls, Nick's story has been praised for raising awareness for a part of the LGBTQ+ community that can oftentimes be forgotten about, or even sometimes be viewed as frivolous.
Writing to his one million followers in a rare appearance on Twitter yesterday, Connor wrote: "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 has been accused of "queerbaiting" on social media recently after photos emerged of him holding hands with actor Maia Reficco. The pair star together in an upcoming movie version of the book 'A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow'.
'Heartstopper' creator Alice Oseman and fans of the series have been rallying around the young star in the wake of his tweet. Oseman wrote: "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 [love heart emoji]."
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
some people really didn’t get the message from heartstopper and it breaks me that kit had to go through this
— t a y l a🪴 (@hugsforstyless) October 31, 2022
i hope he’s surrounded by love and support right now, he should never feel as alone as this app can make people feel.
— charlie 🍂 (@hrtstoppermalec) October 31, 2022
i'm so sorry some people didn't see the point of heartstopper. we love you and i will forever protect you.
— abi ⁷ 🍂 (@bangtwicetea) October 31, 2022
proud of you for coming out but i’m so sorry it had to be like this ❤️❤️
— jess🧸 (she/her) (@ojessum) October 31, 2022
This isn't the first time that a member of the LGBTQ+ community has been forced to publicly reveal their sexuality ahead of when they are ready to do so - far from it. The most recent case of this happening was earlier this year when Rebel Wilson was pretty much blackmailed by an Australian journalist who said he knew about her relationship with Ramona Agruma. Wilson posted on Instagram that she had found her "Disney Princess".
'Heartstopper', which also stars Olivia Colman as Kit Connor's on-screen mother, proved to be a runaway success when it debuted on Netflix earlier this year. The series has been commissioned for a further two seasons.
Watch 'Heartstopper' on Netflix.
