Oscar-nominated actor Elliot Page, the star of ‘Juno,’ ‘Inception’ and ‘The Umbrella Academy,’ has come out as transgender.
“I love that I am trans. And I love that I am queer,” Page said in a statement on social media.
The Canadian-born actor, formerly known as Ellen Page, said his decision to come out as trans, which also involved changing his first name, came after a long journey and with much support from the LGBTQ community.
“I can’t begin to express how remarkable it feels to finally love who I am enough to pursue my authentic self,” Page wrote.
“The more I hold myself close and fully embrace who I am, the more I dream, the more my heart grows and the more I thrive,” added Page, who said his pronouns are “he” and “they.”
Page also used the post to address discrimination towards trans people.
“The truth is, despite feeling profoundly happy right now and knowing how much privilege I carry, I am also scared. I’m scared of the invasiveness, the hate, the ‘jokes’ and of violence,” the 33-year-old wrote.
Page signed his statement with the words, “All my love, Elliot.”
The announcement was greeted as a watershed moment for the trans community in Hollywood. It was celebrated widely on social media by LGBTQ rights advocates and many in the film industry. Netflix, maker of the comic book series ‘The Umbrella Academy,’ said, “So proud of our superhero! We love you Elliot!”
“Elliot Page has given us fantastic characters on-screen, and has been an outspoken advocate for all LGBTQ people,” said Nick Adams, GLAAD’s Director of Transgender Media. “He will now be an inspiration to countless trans and non-binary people. All transgender people deserve the chance to be ourselves and to be accepted for who we are. We celebrate the remarkable Elliot Page today.”
Page came out as gay in 2014, telling an audience in Las Vegas: “I am tired of hiding and I am tired of lying by omission.”
He broke out in Jason Reitman’s 2007 film ‘Juno’ in a performance as a pregnant teenager that earned him an Academy Award nomination.
He has frequently worked to bring the lives of LGBTQ characters to screen, including the 2015 film ‘Freeheld,’ which he produced and starred in as the partner of a dying New Jersey police detective who had been denied pension benefits.
Rita Osakwe