Elliot Page’s Powerful Open Letter About Coming Out as Transgender, Non-Binary
“I can’t begin to express how remarkable it feels to finally love who I am enough to pursue my authentic self,” Elliot Page wrote in a statement heard around the entertainment industry and the world on Tuesday. The Oscar-nominated actor and one of the stars of Netflix’s current hit series The Umbrella Academy announced he is transgender. Formerly known as Ellen Page, Elliot shared this news via a moving Instagram post.
“Hi friends, I want to share with you that I am trans, my pronouns are he/they and my name is Elliot. I feel lucky to be writing this. To be here. To have arrived at this place in my life. I feel overwhelming gratitude for the incredible people who have supported me along this journey. I can’t begin to express how remarkable it feels to finally love who I am enough to pursue my authentic self. I’ve been endlessly inspired by so many in the trans community. Thank you for your courage, your generosity and ceaselessly working to make this world a more inclusive and compassionate place. I will offer whatever support I can and continue to strive for a more loving and equal society,” he wrote.
You can read that post in full here:
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Page has long been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, supporting, defending, and inspiring the community. Page first came out as gay in 2014 in a speech at the Time to Thrive conference, which promotes the welfare of LGBTQ youth.
“I’m here today because I am gay,” Page told the audience at the conference, “and because maybe I can make a difference, to help others have an easier and more hopeful time. Regardless, for me, I feel a personal obligation and a social responsibility. I am tired of hiding and I am tired of lying by omission. I suffered for years because I was scared to be out. My spirit suffered, my mental health suffered, and my relationships suffered. And I’m standing here today, with all of you, on the other side of all that pain.”
Nick Adams, GLAAD’s Director of Transgender Media, said this in a statement following Page’s announcement: “Elliot Page has given us fantastic characters on-screen, and has been an outspoken advocate for all LGBTQ people. 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’s wife, Emma Porter, shared her support on her Instagram account:
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Page’s message will make a difference. His continued work on the behalf of the LGTBQ+ community is something for us all to cheer. As for his work onscreen, we’ll see him in season three of The Umbrella Academy, which Netflix greenlit to start production next year. It’s thrilling to know he’ll be credited for his performance by his proper name.
Featured image: HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 12: Ellen Page attends the premiere of Netflix’s “The Umbrella Academy” at ArcLight Hollywood on February 12, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images)
