Heartstopper celebrity Kit Connor has revealed on Twitter that he’s bisexual, but he claims the fact that he came out was due to being forced to reveal his sexuality.
A English actor tweeted: “I’m bi. Congratulations for forcing an 18 year old to come out. I’m thinking that some of you didn’t get the message of the story. Bye.”
Connor is Nick in the cult Netflix love story of two teenagers.
He’s previously talked about the social media users “pressuring us to be ready even if we’re not prepared”.
The actress of the show, who has also been seen in the Elton John biopic Rocketman and the television adaptation of His Dark Materials, tweeted in May: “Twitter is so funny. Evidently, some of us have a better understanding of my sexuality than I do. …”
Then he stated on that on the Reign by Josh Smith podcast there was “a risk” to speculate on social media.
He stated: “In the cast, we’re all aged 18 and have a few actors in their early 20s and even those older cast members We’re all just so young. It’s not a good idea to begin making up stories about our sexuality, and possibly urging us to reveal our sexuality even though we’re probably not yet ready…
“I feel completely at ease and confident in my sexuality. I’m not in a rush to… I’m not too keen on the labels and other such things. I’m not too concerned about it and I don’t feel that I should label myself and especially not publicly.”
He said: “That tweet was slightly criticizing them, but I found it to be amusing to see that they are making an assumption.
“It’s 2022. It’s kind of odd to draw conclusions about someone’s sexuality from listening to their voice or observing their physical appearance. I think that’s quite an intriguing, and possibly challenging, presumption for me to draw.”
A few social media users have been accusing Connor for “queerbaiting” following a photo of him photographed holding his hands in the presence of actress Maia Reficco, his co-star in the indie documentary A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow.
Queerbaiting occurs the act of claiming to belong to an LGBTQ+ community, sometimes to gain publicity, even though they aren’t; or when a show or film implies that the characters who are LGBTQ+ to attract those viewers, but refrains from making explicit the sexuality of their characters.
A number of co-stars as well as Heartstopper Creator Alice Oseman sent messages of encouragement.
Oseman said: “I truly don’t comprehend how people could be able to watch Heartstopper and then speculate about sexualities , and then make judgments by stereotypes. I’m sure that all of the people who watch Heartstopper are ashamed. Kit, you’re incredible.”
Joe Locke, who plays Nick’s boyfriend on this show said: “You have nothing to do with anyone. I’m so proud of my best friend.”
Sebastian Croft, who plays Ben in the show, tweeted: “Kit Conor The world doesn’t need you. I love you my dear friend.”
Kizzie Edgell is Darcy, wrote: “i love u kit I’m sorry it’s been so brutally harsh on you. Been treated unfairly.” Reficco tweets an emoji of a heart that is simple.