“This is a silly silly app…” Kit Connor wrote on Twitter before announcing he is leaving the social media platform.
Actor Kit Connor made waves in LGBTQ+ media for his role in the groundbreaking Netflix series, Heartstopper – a TV adaptation of the popular webcomic by Alice Oseman. Since the first season aired, many fans of the series have speculated online whether or not Connor is a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Connor Fights “Straight Allegations”
During a podcast episode of Reign With Josh Smith, Connor addressed the critics online and said he does not feel the need to label his sexuality, especially not publicly.
“I mean, for me, I feel like I’m perfectly confident and comfortable with my sexuality.
“It feels a bit strange to make assumptions about a person’s sexuality just based on hearing their voice or seeing their appearance,” he continued. “I feel like that’s a very interesting, slightly problematic sort of assumption to make.”
His character in Heartstopper, Nick Nelson, comes out as bisexual to his mom (Olivia Colman) and boyfriend Charlie (Joe Locke) at the end of the season. Though Connor has not publicly shared his sexuality, he still faces queerbaiting accusations online.
twitter is so funny man. apparently some people on here know my sexuality better than I do…
— Kit Connor (@kit_connor) May 2, 2022
The criticism worsened when users recently found a video of Connor and his Cuban Girl’s Guide costar Maia Reficco holding hands in Paris. The actor did not address any rumors about his love life and decided to take himself off the app completely.
this is a silly silly app. bit bored of it now, deleting twitter 🙂
— Kit Connor (@kit_connor) September 12, 2022
One user wrote, “I have never in my life seen another person have to fight as hard as Kit Connor to beat the straight allegations and you people only think that because he’s what society deems masculine and that equates to straight for you…missing the ENTIRE point of Nick Nelson’s character.”
i have never in my life seen another person have to fight as hard as Kit Connor to beat the straight allegations and you people only think that because he’s what society deems masculine and that equates to straight for you…missing the ENTIRE point of Nick Nelson’s character .
— Maira (@maiylue) August 21, 2022
Celebrities Discuss the Need for Labeling Sexuality
Harry Styles is another actor who can’t escape allegations of queerbaiting. The 28-year-old “Late Night Talking” singer told Better Homes & Gardens,” “The whole point of where we should be heading, which is toward accepting everybody and being more open, is that it doesn’t matter, and it’s about not having to label everything, not having to clarify what boxes you’re checking.”
Hopefully, these artists and their actions can help stop the online accusations and rumors about celebrity’s sexualities.
