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‘Heartstopper’ Actor Kit Connor Comes Out in a Tweet After Fandom Pressure

November 01, 2022

Kit Connor has come out as bisexual on Twitter last night. But not for the reasons the “Heartstopper” actor was fully comfortable with.

Connor tweeted “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.”

https://twitter.com/kit_connor/status/1587218539236188160?s=20&t=nHbQVtGQPGIhawNmqwL4qw

Netflix’s Heartstopper is a touching series based on graphic novel about a teenage boy, played by Joe Locke, who encounters his first love with a rugby player, played by Connor. The series was a huge hit, growing a large fandom after premiering in the spring.

With the rise of the show, some fans were speculating about the sexuality of Connor. Last month photos came out of Connor and Maia Reficco, his co star in the upcoming film “A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tommorrow”, holding hands in Paris. Connor was then accused by some fans of “queerbaiting.”

Is this the pic where ppl mad over kit connor and maia? yall stupid asses pic.twitter.com/kBTNcueGl6

— Kiz ᥫ᭡ (@heeseungkiths) September 13, 2022

Queerbaiting is an online fan culture term more commonly used against creators for making a fictional character appear queer to bring in a LGBTQ audience but never deliver on making the character fully embody their queerness. It has been used to accuse real performers over the years. Bad Bunny and Harry Styles have been names tossed around. But for Connor, who turned 18 this past March, it became a part of immense pressure to label himself and his sexuality. He deleted Twitter after the photos of him and Reficco surfaced.

https://twitter.com/kit_connor/status/1569277820702171136?s=20&t=nHbQVtGQPGIhawNmqwL4qw

“this is a silly silly app. bit bored of it now, deleting Twitter” Connor tweeted on September 12th.

After Connor’s tweet went viral, many fans of the show have shared their support. Connor’s costar, Joe Locke, added his support as well

https://twitter.com/joelocke03/status/1587404252808417282?s=20&t=mec87M8Y40iNs2dqizoQYA

I hope kit knows how many of us love and support him I can’t imagine how he feels right now :((

— blake ⚣ (@springIvr) October 31, 2022

Many more have shared their disappointment in the fandom that pushed Conner out of the closet before he was ready. Some question why queerbaiting is used to describe real life people and not fictional characters as it was intended.

Coming out should be empowering, but instead, unfounded queer-baiting accusations have forced Kit Connor to come out as bi to everyone before he was ready. This is so messed up. I hope he’s ok and I hope the people who harassed him feel bad and actually learn something from this. pic.twitter.com/Km1f8PaMX1

— David Opie (@DavidOpie) October 31, 2022

https://twitter.com/jakeandhispain/status/1587230923011100672?s=20&t=mec87M8Y40iNs2dqizoQYA

Kit Connor didn’t queerbait you

Taylor Swift isn’t queerbaiting you

Harry Styles isn’t queerbaiting you

Misha Collins didn’t queerbait you

REAL PEOPLE CANT QUEERBAIT YOU! It’s a term used in media literacy. No actual person owes you any clarification on their sexuality. PERIOD.

— Amber Jonas Brothers The Tour🩷 (@Plaatje_Amber) November 1, 2022

Notably, Alice Oseman the author of the Heartstopper graphic novels tweeted their disgust with fans missing the entire message of the novel and show.

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

“I truly don’t understand how people can watch Heartstopper and then gleefully spend their time speculating about sexualities and judging based on stereotypes”, Oseman tweeted.  “I hope all those people are embarrassed as FUCK. Kit you are amazing”.