• Kit Connor is the lead actor of Netflix’s hit coming-of-age dramedy, Heartstopper.
• The bisexual community has a “shockingly low amount of representation,” he said.
• He came out of the closet after being forced to come out as gay.

Kit Connor, an 18-year-old actor, is using his voice to better amplify his call for equal representation of the bisexual community on television and in films after being forced to come out of the closet.

The lead actor of Netflix’s hit coming-of-age dramedy, Heartstopper, stated during the Critics Choice Awards panel that the bisexual community has a “shockingly low amount of representation.”

Connor, who co-starred in Heartstopper with Joe Locke, emphasised the importance of bisexual people seeing themselves represented on television and in films. “”I believe that the bisexual community has a shockingly low amount of representation, particularly male bisexual characters,” the actor said, adding, “It is shocking because a huge amount of the LGBTQIA+ community is made up of bisexual people. It’s a huge community, but we really don’t get much representation.”

He also discussed what it’s like to play Nick Nelson in the popular series and contribute to the bisexual representation that exists. “It was an honour to be able to depict that journey and those experiences,” he added. “Playing those kinds of moments felt like the character’s main arc, if that makes sense.”

He continued:

“It’s not just so much of working out whether or not you are a boy attracted to another boy. It’s also, you know, discovering whether or not everything that [Nick] sort of previously thought about his sexuality is suddenly invalid, or whether or not it’s something that he wants to still acknowledge.”

Connor was not the first artist to express concern about the lack of LGBT representation in the entertainment industry.

Yasmin Finney, his Heartstopper co-star, has previously confirmed that her Doctor Who character, Rose, is trans, saying, “I hope you see Doctor Who, because I exist, and I know you know I exist. We all exist, and we’re not going anywhere!” More recently, non-binary award-winning star Emma Corrin told  that the award show categories are not “inclusive enough at the moment.”

Connor stated earlier this year that “Queerbaiting accusations and rumours about his sexuality compelled him to come out on Twitter, writing, “Back for a minute.” I’m bi. Congratulations on forcing an 18-year-old to come out. I believe some of you missed the show’s point. Bye.” Moreover, despite the show’s fans’ open harassment, Conner’s voice on the subject has only grown stronger, making him the best bi representation of this generation.

Heartstopper is an eight-part television series about a star rugby player named Nick Nelson (Connor) who is questioning his sexuality. He quickly became friends with Charlie Spring (Locke), an openly gay classmate, and their friendship grew into something more as time passed.

Season 1 of the popular series is now available on Netflix. The second season has no set release date, but filming has already begun.

Meanwhile, you can watch the Season 1 trailer down below.

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