Kit Connor, who starred in Heartstopper, said coming out has made him feel more “assured” about himself.
When he was 18 years old, the actor, now 19 years old, came out as bisexual.
Kit and his co-stars, including Joe Locke, who portrays Charlie Spring, were propelled to prominence as a result of the phenomenal success of the Netflix coming-of-age series, which brought millions of social media followers with it.
As a result of being accused of “queerbaiting” by his own audience, Kit felt under pressure to come out to the public.
In November of last year, Kit tweeted: “I’m bi. kudos for getting an 18-year-old to come out of the closet. Some of you, in my opinion, missed the show’s main purpose. bye.’
Although Kit has said that he wishes events had played out differently, he now feels he has greater “pride” in himself.
Speaking in a new interview ahead of Heartstopper season 2’s release, the child star told The New York Times: ‘I’m a bit more confident in myself in a very open sense, about who I am, what I can do, the way that I hold myself and the people I spend my time with.
‘I have a lot more pride.’
Of his public coming out, he added: ‘Telling someone you’re gay or bi or part of the queer community, there’s a thing where you feel like they might see you differently or think that it would change who you are.
‘For me, it’s just who I am. Coming out didn’t change me.’
Kit added that he finds the term “queer” to be “more liberating” and “less about labels” for himself.
Joe, who is also 19 years old, thought back on his own experience coming out as gay.
At the age of 12, he first came out to his mother, but following an Instagram post, he later went back into the closet and came out once more two years later.
‘I think coming out is stupid, that it’s still a thing that people have to do,’ he declared.
‘I had just told my mum, and I was on top of the world. I quickly realised I was ready to tell my mum but I was not ready to tell the world. So I quickly deleted it and said my Instagram had been hacked.’
He added: ‘I went back in the closet for three years. I retold all my friends and they’re like, “Yeah, you told us two years ago”.’
Joe immediately broke down in tears as he considered how Heartstopper could have benefited him as a little boy.
I’m feeling emotional, he added, adding that his 12-year-old self would be “extremely pleased” and “terrified.” Even though I’ve thought a lot about the show, I’ve never considered it in that way before.
Heartstopper’s second season premieres on August 3; a third season has already been announced.
After coming out as bi in the season 1 finale, Nick Nelson is charged with coming to grips with his sexuality in season 2.
While friends Elle Argent (Yasmin Finney) and Tao Xu (William Gao) struggle with their own feelings for one another, his connection with Charlie continues to grow.
Along with the introduction of new characters, Tara Jones (Corinna Brown) and Darcy Olsson (Kizzy Edgell) face challenges in their relationship.
Fans will travel with the gang as they plan a glamorous prom, go on a school trip to Paris, and deal with the difficulties of examinations, mental health issues, family, and friendship.
Heartstopper season 2 lands on Netflix on August 3.
Source My Celebrity Life.
