Photo: John Phillips/Getty
Kit Connorhas the full support of hisHeartstopperfamily.
Joe Locke, who plays Connor’s love interest Charlie on the series, praised his 18-year-old costar Tuesday morning after Connor felt forced to come out as bisexual.
“You owe nothing to anyone.I’m so proud of youmy friend,” Locke tweeted.
And Locke wasn’t the onlyHeartstopperactor toshow love for Connor— costarSebastian Croftadded, “Kit Connor, the world doesn’t deserve you. Love you my friend.”
Heartstopper’s showrunner Alice Olsen alsochimed inwith strong words for those who accused Connor of “queerbaiting” — which led to him coming out.
“I truly don’t understand how people can watchHeartstopperand then gleefully spend their time speculating about sexualities and judging based on stereotypes,” Oseman tweeted. “I hope all those people are embarrassed as F—. Kit you are amazing.”
Netflix
It all started when photos surfaced of Connor holding hands with hisA Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrowcostar Maia Reficco. Connor, who plays a bisexual teen onHeartstopper— still coming to terms with his sexuality — was then accused of “queerbaiting”, or hinting and being a part of the LGBTQ+ community, but never actually crossing the line from a heteronormative lifestyle. Many see the practice as offensive because it offers the benefit of building an LGBTQ+ fanbase without actually being part of the community.
Connor — who was taking a social media break — returned to Twitter to debunk the claims. “Back for a minute,” he tweeted on Monday night. “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.”
For some Twitter users, Connor’s coming out started a muchbigger conversation on sexuality. “Accusing Kit Connor of queerbaiting people just bc he was seen w someone of the opposite sex is proof that you guys don’t consider bisexual people ‘queer enough’ unless they’re dating the same sex,” read one tweet with more than 60,000 likes.
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source: people.com
