Fans show their support for ‘Heartstopper’ star Kit Connor after he is “forced” to come out as bisexual

Heartstopper fans and the show’s creators are rallying around series star Kit Connor who shared that he was “forced” to come out as bisexual.

Taking to Twitter on Monday, the former HUNGER cover star 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.”

Shortly after he uploaded the tweet, an array of fans and industry peers flocked to his profile to showcase their support while slamming the fans who forced him to come out. Alice Oseman, the creator, writer and show-runner of Heartstopper, immediately shared her support for Connor in a reply to his tweet.

“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. “I hope all those people are embarrassed as FUCK. Kit you are amazing.”

Kizzy Edgell, who stars in Heartstopper alongside Connor, tweeted: “I love you Kit. I’m sorry this has been so disgustingly rough on you. Been treated so unfairly.” 

“This is awful. I’m so sorry, Kit. No one should have to out themselves unless it’s on their own terms and they’re ready to come out. We love you. You deserve so much better,” wrote one fan.

“I’m so disappointed in this fandom. In three days we bullied one of the show’s stars off twitter for absolutely no reason, and now we’ve forced the other star to out himself. HS is the most warm and loving show, but this fandom is extremely toxic. I’m so sad and disappointed [sic],” wrote another.

Connor previously commented on the intense fan interest in his sexuality in his HUNGER cover story, where he said: “For one thing, I am not a big believer in labels. I believe that they are extremely helpful for some people in terms of self-understanding and self-realisation, but I prefer not to think too much about labels. I don’t feel like I have to tell the world about my sexuality.”

“I completely understand that many fans want queer representation to be authentic and they want to know whether it is authentic, but at the same time you shouldn’t make someone feel uncomfortable to the point where they have to tell a stranger about their sexuality.”

Before Connor’s forced admission, fans accused the adored star of “queerbaiting” after they began to speculate about his connection with his A Cuban Girls Guide to Tea and Tomorrow co-star Maia Reficco – who’s also openly queer. Due to the constant harassment, Connor took to Twitter and announced his exit from the platform. “This is a silly silly app. Bit bored of it now, deleting Twitter,” he wrote.

A few days after his departure, the 18-year-old actor spoke about the situation on the Reign with Josh Smith podcast. “In regards to my tweets, I just think that there’s a danger with things on social media. In the cast, I’m 18, and we have a few people in their early 20s and even with those older members of the cast, we’re all so young, and to start speculating about our sexualities and maybe pressuring us to come out when maybe we’re not ready,” he explained.

“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 not massive about that. And I don’t feel like I need to label myself, especially not publicly. That tweet was slightly calling them out but also find it funny. It’s 2022, it feels a bit strange to make assumptions about a person’s sexuality just based on hearing their voice or seeing their appearance. I feel like that’s a very interesting, slightly problematic, sort of assumption to make.”