Kit Connor’s ‘unforgivable’ forced outing slammed by Heartstopper co-stars and fans

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

The actor has fought queer-baiting allegations for several months since he was spotted with fellow actor Maia Reficco and eventually quit Twitter due to the volume of abuse.

Despite saying he didn’t want to label his sexuality, after continued harassment, on Monday (31 October) he 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.”

The tweet has sparked outrage across social media with thousands of people flocking to support Connor and call out those who pressured him to come out.

As Kit Connor’s tweet hits more than 500,000 likes, #Heartstopper and #KitConnor have become two of the top trending topics on Twitter.

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 (@kit_connor) October 31, 2022

Alice Oseman, author of the Heartstopper series, tweeted in support: “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 F**K. Kit you are amazing.”

Many backed Oseman up, sharing a clip of her comic which explicitly says “you don’t have to do anything until you’re ready” when it comes to telling people your sexuality.

I mean, you said here first. Not sure the trolls can actually be called fans. pic.twitter.com/0eVajgmu9e— Wispa (@venart) November 1, 2022

Connor’s co-star Sebastian Croft, who plays Ben in Heartstopper, wrote: “Kit Connor, the world doesn’t deserve you. Love you my friend.”

Kizzy Edgell, who plays Darcy Olsson, added: “I love u Kit, I’m sorry this has been so disgustingly rough on you. Been treated so unfairly.”

Stars of the other popular queer teen Netflix show Young Royals also tweeted their support for the actor.

“Feel for you Kit, sending all the love i have your way,” Edvin Ryding wrote, while Omar Rudberg added: “This makes me so sad! People are mean. Sending hugs your way. F**k ‘em!!”

Young Royals creator, Lisa Ambjorn echoed the sentiments: “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? Especially when it comes to this.”

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? Especially when it comes to this. All love in the world to you Kit ❤️— lisa ambjorn (@lisaambjorn) November 1, 2022

People across the creative industries have shared their dismay at the world for forcing an 18-year-old out of the closet, and shared their own thoughts and experiences.

Digital Spy TV writer David Opie said: “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.”

Swimmer and TV personality Michael Gunning added: “Didn’t sleep well last night… What happened to Kit Connor MUST change!

“He’s 18 years old & there should never be a pressure for public figures (or anyone) to label their sexuality before they are ready. Everyone’s journey is their own!

Reading tweets like this is heartbreaking… especially when Heartstopper taught so many people around the world the true value of someone’s personal coming out story. I’m so sorry you had this moment taken away from you Kit, but let’s hope people will learn from it! ❤️❤️— Michael Gunning (@MichaelGunning1) October 31, 2022

Being forced to come out is being outed and it’s disgusting. I’m so sorry you’ve been put through that. Sending you so much love and solidarity, Kit ❤️— Nadia Whittome MP (@NadiaWhittomeMP) November 1, 2022

It is so unbelievably grim what happened to Kit Connor. 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. Grown adults engaging in discourse about teenagers 'queer baiting' are the most embarrassing of losers.— Laura Kay (@lauraelizakay) November 1, 2022

Honestly, I’m so devastated to read this. This journey is your own and you should never have had to share it with anyone unless you wanted to. We’re all here for you x ?.— James Barr (@imjamesbarr) November 1, 2022

No one should have their coming out journey robbed from them. It is such a deeply personal part of figuring out who you are. It took me 22 years. So sorry this happened to @kit_connor. I can only hope this is a reminder to put more compassion back into the world. #Heartstopper https://t.co/LDHhNIuhfB— Tommy DiDario (@tommydidario) November 1, 2022

What happened to Kit Connor is unforgivable. The pressure on people to publicly label who they are when it is their personal life. The absolute worst.— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) November 1, 2022

Meanwhile many are suggesting that, despite the recent trend to accuse celebrities of queer-baiting, it is actually impossible for real human beings to queer-bait – only the media can do that.

“Real people can’t queer bait with their real lives. Individual actors can’t queer bait. Queer baiting is the act of a corporation intentionally profiting off a queer audience without effectively representing queer people,” one person explained.

Another added: “Kit Connor‘s situation is a very clear example of why the idea that real people can queer-bait is harmful. accusing celebrities of queer-baiting can force them to come out when they’re not ready or simply don’t want their identity to be public. real people cannot queer-bait.”

just a reminder going forward. real people CANNOT queerbait. queerbaiting is what the MEDIA does. by misleading you. NOT PEOPLE. kit connor did not queerbait by remaining unlabeled and being seen with a woman in public.

— hanoween ミ☆? kit connor defense bot (@eddiesbegin) October 31, 2022

kit connor being forced to out himself because people fail to understand that no one owes them an explanation on their private lives and choices.
a human being can't queerbait, that's not what the expression refers to. do some research.

i hope you learn how to be respectful.— pat loves you (@thirteenick) October 31, 2022

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 ✨Galaxy Con✨ ??? (@Plaatje_Amber) November 1, 2022

Queerbaiting is a media term.
Real people cannot queerbait.
Harassing an 18yo kid until you force him to come out is ABHORRENT.

Heartstopper is a cute queer show.
Kit Connor is a PERSON who should NEVER have had to defend himself against queerbaiting accusations in this way.— Theo Foxx (@FoxxDoesThings) November 1, 2022

While others are saying this has proven there is still rampant biphobia in the LGBTQ+ community.

“Kit Connor being forced to come out as bisexual is a DIRECT result of the rampant & violent biphobia within the lgbt community

“You lot saw a boy engaging in a heterosexual passing relationship and (harassingly) invalidated his sexuality to breaking point,” one fan wrote.

The biphobia by some terrible fans in the #Heartstopper fandom is absolutely disgusting. Did you not understand Nick's journey and how terrified he was of coming out & this exact thing happening to him?! You should be fucking ashamed of yourselves!

Kit Connor deserves better ❤️ https://t.co/lTVd1zGz7F— Lyra Hale ✍️???️‍? (@TheAltSource) November 1, 2022

literally about to start crying because of kit connor being forced to come out. growing up bi, it’s confusing and there is so much biphobia even coming from people in the lgbtq community. kit, speaking for a lot of people, we don’t care how you identify we love you. #heartstopper— jesus (@JesusChristReel) November 1, 2022

The biphobia is incredibly prevalent in our community. It needs to stop. Kit, my heart breaks for you. Your choice to come out should have been that, a choice. A happy moment to celebrate. Not this. To the fans of HS and Kit, do better. These are real people with real lives.— Aiden (@h7n4bvc6s8) November 1, 2022

Bi-erasure was a big reason I was afraid to come out as bi. As a bi guy I feel so upset knowing Kit Connor felt forced to come out after so many queer-baiting accusations made towards him that were quite frankly full of bi-erasure. He's 18! His sexuality is no one's business!— Ethan Luke | RTD2 era (@Ethan_LMP) November 1, 2022