Kit Connor

The creator of "Heartstopper" and fans rally around series star Kit Connor after he said he was "forced" to come out as bisexual.

Connor added, “To have a show where you see queer people being happy and being together and united as a group, I think there’s something really beautiful about that. I think it’s really important to have a show that is just portraying queer love and queer beauty.” “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 wrote. The 18-year-old actor made a rare appearance on Twitter Monday, writing: “Back for a minute. I think some of you missed the point of the show. Kit you are amazing.”

Kit Connor slammed "Heartstopper" fans for "forcing" him to come out as bisexual after he had slammed people's desire to "label" his sexuality.

I feel like that’s a very interesting, slightly problematic sort of assumption to make.” “We’re still all so young. been treated so unfairly.” bye,” Connor — who plays a closeted rugby player on “Heartstopper” — I hope all those people are embarrassed as F–K. “back for a minute.

Kit Connor, an actor on the Netflix hit Heartstopper, received support from fans after he publicly revealed he's bisexual Monday, saying he was 'forced' to ...

He added, 'I don’t feel like I need to label myself, especially not publicly. 'To start sort of speculating about our sexualities and maybe pressuring us to come out when maybe we’re not ready. bit bored of it now, deleting twitter :)' One user wrote to Connor, 'You know you didn’t have to do that right? He was seen in London earlier this month Congrats for forcing an 18 year old to out himself.

On Tuesday (1 November), the 18-year-old actor revealed that he's bisexual on Twitter. “Back for a minute. I'm bi,” he wrote. “Congrats for ...

[Terms of use,](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/user-policies-a6184151.html) [Cookie policy](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/cookie-policy-a6184186.html) and [Privacy notice.](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/privacy-policy-a6184181.html) Journalist Max Gao added: “Kit, I’m so sorry that it had to come down to this, because you deserved so much better. [Privacy policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en) and [Terms of service](https://policies.google.com/terms?hl=en) apply. Been treated so unfairly.” I’m sorry this has been so disgustingly rough on you. His character later comes out as bisexual. “Congrats for forcing an 18-year-old to out himself. bye.” I’m bi,” he wrote. “Back for a minute. You don’t owe anyone anything, but I hope you’re doing okay. By clicking ‘Register’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our

Heartstopper star Kit Connor was forced to out himself as bisexual after receiving constant harassment from fans.

[added:](https://twitter.com/NadiaWhittomeMP/status/1587232968942166016?s=20&t=buXQX6hRHL_Ve545WkbUnQ) “Being forced to come out is being outed, and it’s disgusting. I feel like that’s a very interesting, slightly problematic, sort of assumption to make.” And I don’t feel like I need to label myself, especially not publicly. “In regards to my tweets, I just think that there’s a danger with things on social media. “I mean, for me, I just feel like I’m perfectly confident and comfortable in my sexuality, but I’m not too big on labels and things like that. I’m infinitely proud of you and I send you all the love xx.” I’m sorry this has been so disgustingly rough on you. “I truly don’t understand how people can watch Heartstopper and then gleefully spend their time speculating about sexualities and judging based on stereotypes. You deserve so much better.” I’m so sorry, Kit. “I think some of you missed the point of the show. Congrats for forcing an 18-year-old to out himself,” he wrote.

KIt Connor, star of the Netflix series 'Heartstopper', has received support from his fellow cast mates after coming out as bisexual.

Connor plays Nick, a rugby player who is not officially out but finds himself clicking with Charlie (Joe Locke), who is out of the closet. [saying](https://twitter.com/AliceOseman/status/1587226699036610561?s=20&t=_-vU_RHlE7q7GtDSvXMOqQ), “I truly don’t understand how people can watch Heartstopper and then gleefully spend their time speculating about sexualities and judging based on stereotypes. [Kit Connor](https://deadline.com/tag/kit-connor/) has taken to social media to come out as bisexual after he says he was forced to. Boys fall in love. congrats for forcing an 18 year old to out himself. “back for a minute.

Heartstopper fans have rallied around lead star Kit Connor after he claimed he was forced to come out as bisexual on Monday night.

I feel like that’s a very interesting, slightly problematic sort of assumption to make.’ you are so incredibly valid and we love you💖’ (sic) The 18-year-old actor, who plays Nick Nelson in the teen Netflix drama, took to Twitter where he wrote: ‘back for a minute. ‘I’m so sorry you had this moment taken away from you Kit, but let’s hope people will learn from it! especially when Heartstopper taught so many people around the world the true value of someone’s personal coming out story,’ one wrote. congrats for forcing an 18 year old to out himself.

The British teenage actor stars as gay school boy Nick Nelson in the coming-of-age-drama based on the bestselling graphic novels by Alice Oseman. Scroll to ...

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The young actor faced accusations of queerbaiting after he was seen holding hands with A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow co-star Maia Reficco.

TV critic and broadcaster Scott Bryan tweeted: “What happened to Kit Connor is unforgivable. Been treated so unfairly,” Kizzy Edgell, who plays Darcy in the series, tweeted. More recently, however, queerbaiting accusations have been levelled against celebrities, such as Harry Styles and Taylor Swift. Popular TV shows and films that have been accused of queerbaiting include Glee, Sherlock, Supergirl, Teen Wolf and Pitch Perfect. He then briefly returned on Monday 31 October to tweet: “back for a minute. Connor had taken to

People across social media are sharing their anger after Heartstopper star Kit Connor was "forced" to come out as bisexual.

Bi-erasure was a big reason I was afraid to come out as bi. A happy moment to celebrate. literally about to start crying because of kit connor being forced to come out. You should be fucking ashamed of yourselves! Did you not understand Nick's journey and how terrified he was of coming out & this exact thing happening to him?! kit connor did not queerbait by remaining unlabeled and being seen with a woman in public. It is such a deeply personal part of figuring out who you are. Honestly, I’m so devastated to read this. At 18 I had no idea who I was and certainly wouldn't have been able to articulate it, nor should I have had to. Especially when it comes to this.” congrats for forcing an 18 year old to out himself. [didn’t want to label his sexuality](https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/05/25/kit-connor-sexuality-heartstopper/), after continued harassment, on Monday (31 October) he tweeted: “Back for a minute.

Co-stars rally around the 18-year-old star after he revealed his sexuality on Twitter.

[Ranj Singh](https://twitter.com/DrRanj/status/1587356361091944448), who wrote: "I wish this tweet was never necessary. Kit you are amazing." "I feel like I'm perfectly confident and comfortable in my sexuality, but I don't feel the need to... [The English actor posted](https://twitter.com/kit_connor/status/1587218539236188160): "I'm bi. I'm not massive about that and I don't feel like I need to label myself, especially not publicly." Apparently some people on here know my sexuality better than I do..."

Heartstopper star, Kit Connor, took to Twitter to lambast users who accused him of “queerbaiting” saying “I think some of you missed the point of the show.”

“Queerbaiting” is when two same-sex characters in media are hinted to be homosexual, only for nothing to come of it. Congrats for forcing an 18 year old to out himself.” The tweet comes after Connor was accused of “queerbaiting” by Connor has had a lucrative career for such a young age. As a result, Connor took a hiatus from Twitter, returning to reveal his sexuality. The idea of “queerbaiting” is to “bait” Connor, 18, tweeted “Back for a minute.

Some viewers of the Netflix show had accused Connor of “queerbaiting” – including playing an LGBTQ+ lead without publicising his own sexuality.

Kit you are amazing,” commented author Oseman. “I truly don’t understand how people can watch Heartstopper and then gleefully spend their time speculating about sexualities and judging based on stereotypes. And that’s not ideal.” congrats for forcing an 18 year old to out himself. “back for a minute. [Heartstopper](https://www.stylist.co.uk/entertainment/heartstopper-netflix-season-2/662729) star Kit Connor has spoken out after being “forced” to [come out](https://www.stylist.co.uk/tag/coming-out) as [bisexual](https://www.stylist.co.uk/tag/bisexual) after pressure from fans of the Netflix show.

Heartstopper creator Alice Oseman has shared support for Kit Connor after he was 'forced' to come out as bisexual.

I feel like that’s a very interesting, slightly problematic, sort of assumption to make." And I don’t feel like I need to label myself, especially not publicly. Kit you are amazing." Bye." "Back for a minute. "I think some of you missed the point of the show.

Los Angeles: 'Heartstopper' star Kit Connor came out as bisexual amid accusations of queerbaiting and slammed his critics for “forcing an 18 year old to out ...

“I don’t feel like I need to label myself, especially not publicly.” “I’m perfectly confident and comfortable in my sexuality, but… Los Angeles: ‘Heartstopper’ star Kit Connor came out as bisexual amid accusations of queerbaiting and slammed his critics for “forcing an 18 year old to out himself” in response to the hurtful allegations.

Queerbaiting accusations have led Heartstopper actor to take to Twitter to explain his sexuality to fans.

[Speaking to Health](https://www.health.com/mind-body/lgbtq-health/queerbaiting), research assistant professor at Northwest University Ricky Hill, who is a faculty member of the Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, said, “Queerbaiting is a ‘marketing ploy’ that suggests at queerness, but never actually delivers it.” We’re all a little bit gay.” [Former One Direction singer Harry Styles](https://www.standard.co.uk/topic/harry-styles) also previously defended himself against accusations of queerbaiting that have been levelled against him by critics. I’m bi,” and added “Congrats for forcing an 18-year-old to out himself. and I mean, we’re all a little bit gay, aren’t we? Nick is a star rugby player who questions his sexuality after meeting and becoming friends with Charlie Spring (Joe Locke).

People across social media are sharing their anger after Heartstopper star Kit Connor was "forced" to come out as bisexual.

Bi-erasure was a big reason I was afraid to come out as bi. A happy moment to celebrate. literally about to start crying because of kit connor being forced to come out. You should be fucking ashamed of yourselves! Did you not understand Nick's journey and how terrified he was of coming out & this exact thing happening to him?! kit connor did not queerbait by remaining unlabeled and being seen with a woman in public. It is such a deeply personal part of figuring out who you are. Honestly, I’m so devastated to read this. At 18 I had no idea who I was and certainly wouldn't have been able to articulate it, nor should I have had to. Especially when it comes to this.” congrats for forcing an 18 year old to out himself. congrats for forcing an 18 year old to out himself](https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/10/31/kit-connor-bisexual-heartstopper-twitter/).

Coming out should be a celebration, but there was little jubilation on social media when Heartstopper actor Kit Connor confirmed that he's bisexual.

It speaks to the endless erasure bisexual people have to contend with on a daily basis. Only then can he get away from unfounded, nonsensical accusations of “queerbaiting” and get on with the work of playing his character. It’s a shame that Connor’s coming out has been overshadowed by internet trolls and their relentless speculation about his sexuality. We’ll say this loudly for those at the back – it’s well and truly time we stopped guessing how a person defines their sexuality based on who they’re dating. At its core, Heartstopper is a reflection of what life is like for young LGBTQ+ people today, with an added dash of euphoric romance. The result is that somebody like Connor can’t play a bisexual character on screen unless he explicitly states in real life that he’s bisexual. Young fans see a word, invent a completely wrong definition, and run with it to aid their own arguments. Victims of the intense queerbaiting debate include It wasn’t long before he was accused of “queerbaiting”. It’s a device that keeps queer viewers coming back for more, but also allows creators to avoid alienating wider audiences or hampering profits. They get to have relationships, they get to be happy, and they also face many of the challenges that LGBTQ+ people in real life have to deal with. The fiasco is frustrating for a myriad of reasons, from the bi-erasure to the cruelty of forcing a teenager to come out online to justify his place in a television show – but it’s also enraging because the entire backlash rests on wilful misrepresentation of the word “queerbaiting” and what it’s actually supposed to mean.

After Heartstopper's Kit Connor was forced to come out, Samuel Burnard questions if this is "the progress" LGBTQ+ people are "fighting for".

The actor’s job is to act, to bring the character to life in a performance for the camera. Is that part of the job? Certainly outing someone is crossing the line. [Just Like Us](https://www.justlikeus.org/home/get-involved/volunteer/?utm_source=Gay+Times&utm_medium=Press&utm_campaign=Gay+Times+Rebel+Wilson+Nov+2022&utm_id=Gay+Times+Rebel+Wilson+Nov+2022), the LGBTQ+ young people’s charity. So if an actor is stepping into the limelight they should probably be prepared for people to speculate. Maybe we have to ask: is this really the progress we are fighting for? Coming out would maybe even cease to be a concept because being straight wouldn’t be the expected ‘norm’. But when the pressure builds, do actors owe it to us to come out and share their private lives? Is this the price that some people are paying for our more well-represented screens? Joe in his response also said “You owe nothing to anyone” and while I agree, that doesn’t seem to be the case. The Twittersphere often attacks those playing queer roles but who aren’t open and loud about their sexuality. She came out at the time she did because of a threat.

After the 18-year-old was accused of queerbaiting, he took a break from Twitter—and came back with news he may not have been ready to share.

[replied to his tweet](https://twitter.com/joelocke03/status/1587404252808417282), writing, “You owe nothing to anyone. [queerbaiting](https://www.them.us/story/what-is-queerbaiting), in which presumably straight people, often cisgender men, pretend to be queer in a bid to get attention from the LGBTQ+ community and raise their own platform. “I’m not too big on labels and things like that,” he continued. I’m so proud of you my friend.” Heartstopper author Oseman also took to Twitter to lend support to Connor, [replying to his tweet](https://twitter.com/AliceOseman/status/1587226699036610561), “I truly don’t understand how people can watch Heartstopper and then gleefully spend their time speculating about sexualities and judging based on stereotypes. Locke, Connor’s costar and love interest on the show, On Monday, the 18-year-old returned to Twitter after a seven-week absence from the social media platform and came out:

The 18-year-old actor told fans he was bisexual after some accused him of 'queerbaiting'

[W Magazine ](https://www.wmagazine.com/culture/kit-connor-heartstopper-netflix-series-interview)in June, he said: “People can get a bit too comfortable on social media. It’s a very personal journey that people have to go on.” [Terms of use,](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/user-policies-a6184151.html) [Cookie policy](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/cookie-policy-a6184186.html) and [Privacy notice.](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/privacy-policy-a6184181.html) Been treated so unfairly.” [Privacy policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en) and [Terms of service](https://policies.google.com/terms?hl=en) apply. I’m sorry this has been so disgustingly rough on you. 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,” Alice Oseman, who created the graphic novels the show is based on, wrote. “Congrats for forcing an 18-year-old to out himself. Bye.” I’m bi,” he wrote. “Back for a minute.

Connor was denied the time to figure himself in the same way that he was praised for portraying so beautifully in Heartstopper.

That’s what Connor felt he had to do, after hundreds of people demanded to know his sexuality or told him that he shouldn’t be playing Nick if he was straight. He has time to figure out who he is, and is in control of who he comes out to and when he’s ready to share that information. We can’t celebrate this as progress – this is queer people tearing people in our community apart because they don’t perfectly conform to how we think they ‘should’ behave. It’s amazing that more and more people can proudly say who they are – it gives me so much hope, and gives young people role models that previous generations of queer folks never had. That is what we forced a teenager to go through before he was ready. I thought I was a I can still remember the sick dread that lodged heavily in my stomach after I texted them and waited for their reply. His hand was forced in coming out to the world – and it’s wrong. Growing up in an isolated, religious community, I couldn’t imagine coming out as a teenager. For me, coming out to my parents was the hardest part, because no one else had the power to hurt me with rejection as much as they did. The time that he is rightfully entitled to. Nick is bisexual – and now we know that Connor is, too.

Heartstopper star Kit Connor tweeted yesterday that he was bisexual. Such a disclosure is usually accompanied with celebration and congratulations.

In Connor’s case, it insinuates that being seen with someone of the opposite sex leaves no room for someone to be bisexual or pansexual, and it assumes that being with someone of the opposite sex while identifying in such a way is wrong. Then there may be people who choose not to publicly label themselves because they are in the process of figuring out their sexuality in the first place. Not only is our sexuality a part of us that is intrinsically personal, it may also be a part of our identity many of us do not wish to label publicly.

Actor Kit Connor attends a special screening of "The Gray Man" at BFI Southbank on July 19 in London. David M. Benett/WireImage/Getty Images.

That makes some people uncomfortable (read: the current culture wars targeting [trans kids](https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/01/us/texas-gender-affirming-care-minors-agency-employees-court-filing/index.html), [LGBTQ rights](https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/17/politics/state-legislation-lgbtq-rights/index.html), [literature](https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/22/us/lgbtq-book-bans-race-deconstructed-newsletter-reaj/index.html) and school policies, among other things). While it’s progress that openly queer actors are being cast in leading roles, weaponizing criticisms of queerbaiting and appropriation as an excuse to force a teen or any actor out of the closet is not the answer. There is only person who should drive that decision, and no, it’s not a Twitter troll. [openly trans actor Elliot Page](https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/02/entertainment/elliot-page-transitioning-essay/index.html) today, performers have long had to live double lives and hide their true identities to remain on the A list – even to remain safe and alive. What we shouldn’t do is publicly shame someone into disclosing a part of themselves they may not be ready to or want to share. Does a cisgender person playing a transgender character amount to a White actor in blackface, or playing a role of a BIPOC person, or is there a different litmus test? Coming out is not a one-time act, or something that remains fixed, and why should it be? Would a television series or movie get attention if a star-studded cishet cast was replaced for the sake of aligning representation? It is not the way we ought to be operating as a culture. We’ve come a long way in a short time in terms of representation in media. [he addressed in a tweet](https://twitter.com/kit_connor/status/1521245416901296128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1521245416901296128%7Ctwgr%5Ecc032a48fc17da20ce25881e58f9f9b2c81e8ecf%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.buzzfeednews.com%2Farticle%2Fdavidmack%2Fkit-connor-heartstopper-bisexual-comes-out), saying, “twitter is so funny man. In the coming-of-age series with a refreshing, queer-forward plot, Connor plays a British high school rugby Nick Nelson, alongside classmate Charlie Spring, played by Joe Locke, who falls in love with him.

Young Royals has also touched on the topic, with its story about the romance between Prince Wilhelm of Sweden (Edvin Ryding) with fellow student Simon Eriksson ...

[added](https://twitter.com/OmarRudberg/status/1587237608530345985): "This makes me so sad! And I don’t feel like I need to label myself, especially not publicly." [tweeted](https://twitter.com/AliceOseman/status/1587226699036610561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1587226699036610561%7Ctwgr%5E20c0e1ba69d040d942b9936f4eacdd58f3afc16d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalspy.com%2Ftv%2Fa41828375%2Fheartstopper-kit-connor-forced-bisexual%2F). F**k ‘em!!" [Doctor Who and Heartstopper share the same fan issue](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a39942776/ncuti-gatwa-kit-connor-sexuality/) [Young Royals](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a41821191/young-royals-season-3-release-date-netflix/) have shared their support for fellow [Netflix](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a806114/netflix-new-series-shows-originals-accounts-releases/) star Kit Connor after the [Heartstopper](https://www.digitalspy.com/heartstopper/) actor said [he felt "forced" to come out as bisexual](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a41828375/heartstopper-kit-connor-forced-bisexual/).

The Little Mix singer, 29, and the actor, 43, took to social media to show their support for Kit, 18, and branded online trolling about his sexuality as ...

'HOW can one watch a show like Heartstopper and the take away being that you as a viewer/fan/whatever have the right to know the most private aspects of the actors life? He should have been able to speak his own truth in his own time. Alice is also releasing The Heartstopper Yearbook in October. The pressure on people to publicly label who they are when it is their personal life. He added: 'I don't feel like I need to label myself, especially not publicly. For me, I just feel perfectly confident and comfortable with my sexuality. You have an entire family who welcome you with open hands and hearts.' Power to you! In his brief tweet, he wrote: 'Back for a minute. 'You owe no explanation to anyone. Love to Kit.' Congrats for forcing an 18 year old to out himself.

After Heartstopper fans demanded to know if Kit Connor is straight/gay/bisexual, he outed himself. Our commentary on the controversy here.

(Sorry, Comet.) As you work on Season 2 of Heartstopper, I hope that you don’t come to associate the role with the way that you’ve been badgered but with the way that you, the whole gang and the whole show have been embraced. I hope that, as you grapple with your reaction to soulless trolls, you bear in mind the uncountable number of viewers who have been moved — often helped — by the show. [Kit Connor](https://tvline.com/tag/kit-connor/) has such a solid support system that he doesn’t have any reason to take comfort in the words of random website editors.