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Netflix star Kit Connor says he was forced out amid questions about his sexuality
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Netflix star Kit Connor says he was forced out amid questions about his sexuality

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‘Heartstopper’ actor Kit Connor has come out as bisexual on Twitter after being accused of ‘queerbaiting’ fans of the LGBTQ Netflix show.

“I’m bi. Congrats on forcing an 18-year-old to speak out,” he tweeted on Monday. “I think some of you missed the point of the show.”

Queerbaiting is a critical term for when the media intentionally panders to LGBTQ audiences by using queer signifiers like jokes and token references to attract an LGBTQ fanbase, without actually portraying LGBTQ characters.

JP Karliak, the founder of the LGBTQ+ dubbing community Queer Vox, says queerbaiting puts media close enough to remain acceptable to heteronormative or anti-LGBTQ audiences. However, the term has also been used to criticize people who take on LGBTQ roles or are perceived to be gay, without publicly claiming an LGBTQ identity.

Karliak said this criticism can be problematic — although he understands why fans might want to know if an actor’s portrayal of an LGBTQ character is authentic — because it can pressure people to come out publicly. their LGBTQ identity even if they are not. ready.

“It’s unfair, especially when it comes to expecting them to have it all figured out and they can put it on their CV, what their identity is. We didn’t want to get into that scrutiny” , said Karliak. “When casting directors scour Instagram profiles, looking for rainbow flags to gauge whether or not the person they’re bringing in is ‘pretty weird’, that’s where we get in trouble.”

Connor plays Nick in “Heartstopper”, a character whose relationship with a male friend turns romantic. He begins to question his sexuality and stays locked away while he figures things out for himself.

Connor has addressed his own sexuality in the past, as actors’ identities have become a focal point for some fans.

“We’re all still so young to start speculating about our sexualities and maybe pressuring each other to come out when we might not be ready,” Connor said in a May interview on the “Reign With Josh Smith” podcast. “.

“I’m not too big on labels and things like that. I’m not massive about it. I don’t feel like I need to label myself, especially not publicly.”

Connor also addressed rumors and questions about his sexuality on Twitter before finally taking a break from the social media platform in September.

“Twitter is so funny man. Apparently some people here know my sexuality better than I do…” he tweeted in May.

“The system that we have in place kind of has this underlying message: ‘If you’re not going to express yourself publicly as LGBTQ, then you’re somehow less valid,'” said Mackenzie Harte, of the LGBTQ advocacy organization PFLAG’s Learning and Inclusion Team.

“I just want to make it very clear that you don’t have to be out to be valid as an LGBTQ+ person,” Harte added.

Feeling pressured or forced to come out can make someone feel like they have no control over their identity and life, advocates say.

“Coming out is a deeply personal decision and should be done on your own terms and on your schedule,” said Tony Morrison, Senior Director of Communications at GLAAD.

“Kit Connor received global support for speaking his truth and creating an important moment of visibility for bisexual men, but his coming out is also an important reminder that no young person should be forced to share parts of his life. identity before you’re ready to do it, do it,” he added.

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