Juno, Umbrella Academy Actor Elliot Page Comes Out As Transgender In A Post We All Need To Read
Oscar-nominated Canadian actor Elliot Page (born Ellen Page), who worked in movies like Juno, Inception and the X-Men films, has come out as transgender. Page uses he/they pronouns and describes himself as transgender and non-binary, i.e., they identify as neither man nor woman. He announced this on his social media pages, early on Tuesday morning (evening in IST). The actor who currently plays Vanya Hargreeves in the American superhero Netflix series The Umbrella Academy, had come out as gay in February 2014. In 2018, he revealed that he got married to Canadian dancer and choreographer Emma Portner.
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The news took the internet by storm, not just because it was a huge announcement, but because of the beautiful and heart-touching words in Elliot’s social media post.
“I love that I am trans. And I love that I am queer. And 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.”
He put out his truth, and he also addressed the harsh reality of being a transgender, as crimes against them continue and total acceptance is still far away. What these scary statistics do the mental health of transpeople is unfathomable. And Elliot Page called out political representatives who refuse to understand and work towards making the society a better, safer place for transpeople.
In his parting thoughts, Elliot promised his fellow transpeople that he hears and sees them, and will do everything in his power to change the world for the better for them. The post becomes such an important read for people, because while it celebrates Elliot Page for embracing themselves after what must’ve been a really long search for their identity, it also highlights the kind of hate and discrimination that he is opening himself up to. As Elliot points out, he is happy and this doesn’t exactly put a dampener on his joy, but it is essential to understand that if we want more people to finally speak their truth and don’t live a life stifled and afraid, we have to give them a society that normalises this and is safe and accepting and loving.
“To all the trans people who deal with harassment, self-loathing, abuse, and the threat of violence every day: I see you, I love you, and I will do everything I can to change this world for the better,” wrote Elliot Page.
Read the post here:
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Several of Elliot’s peers, co-stars, members of the LGBTQ+ community and even brands like Netflix, which hosts his show The Umbrella Academy, offered their support and lauded him for his brave words.
🖤🎻🖤So proud of our superhero! WE LOVE YOU ELLIOT!!!
— Umbrella Academy (@UmbrellaAcad) December 1, 2020
.@TheElliotPage has given us fantastic characters on-screen, and has been an outspoken advocate for all LGBTQ people. Elliot will now be an inspiration to countless trans and non-binary people. We celebrate him. All trans people deserve to be accepted. https://t.co/Ba7HOBgU5G pic.twitter.com/qFR1qG4H6q
— GLAAD (@glaad) December 1, 2020
Your heart has always been big and you've used your platform to show up for the entire community for years. Thanks for the gift of your truth! 💫
— Raquel Willis (she/her) (@RaquelWillis_) December 1, 2020
Sending love to my friend, @TheElliotPage. You inspire me with your strength, courage and honesty.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@EllenDeGeneres) December 1, 2020
Elliot Page’s words here are so beautiful and so eloquent, and he is reminding me that we can all be brave and joyful, even when things are scary. And this year especially, that reminder is such a GIFT. Sending them love/praise/gratitude/well-wishes etc etc etc etc ❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/BX6DRXHzmz
— Anna Kendrick (@AnnaKendrick47) December 1, 2020
I fully support @TheElliotPage. I applaud your courage and authenticity. Much love HJ.
— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) December 1, 2020
Wishing you every blessing and happiness as you begin your new adventure dear Elliot!! How great! X❤️x❤️x❤️
— Mia Farrow🌻🇺🇸 🏳️🌈 (@MiaFarrow) December 1, 2020
Congratulations, king <3 SO happy for you!!!
— James Charles (@jamescharles) December 1, 2020
https://twitter.com/PattyArquette/status/1333833776229658628?s=20
Thank you, Elliot, for sharing these words and speaking your truth. Your bravery and strength are inspiring, and your authenticity and vulnerability will mean so much to so many. Sophie and I wish you the very best, and we send you – and the trans community – all our support. https://t.co/6F2rtXB85U
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) December 2, 2020
https://twitter.com/kumailn/status/1333846516209860608?s=20
So proud of our superhero! WE LOVE YOU ELLIOT! Can't wait to see you return in season 3! 🎻 🖤
— Netflix (@netflix) December 1, 2020
His wife, Emma Portner also commented on his post, sayings they were proud of him.
All of his acting credits, whether it’s on Wikipedia, IMDB or even on Netflix have been promptly updated to Elliot Page to reflect their new identity. The reaction to the news has been mostly positive, and we hope Elliot feels accepted and loved! As an Umbrella Academy fan, I cannot wait to see him back in Season 3!
