CINEMA
Elliot Page Comes Out as Transgender
Widespread support after announcement that went viral
BY MATT TRACY
Elliot Page, a prominent
actor who has starred
in movies and TV shows
ranging from “Juno” to
the 2019 Netfl ix continuation of
the “Tales of the City” franchise,
came out as transgender and nonbinary
on December 1.
“Hi friends, I want to share with
you that I am trans, my pronouns
are he/ they, and my name is Elliot,”
the trailblazing actor wrote in
a social post that has drawn millions
of interactions.
Page’s lengthy post, which was
published across multiple social
media platforms, elaborated on his
gender identity and latest coming
out experience. Page is now one of
the most high-profi le out trans or
non-binary actors, joining stars
such as Laverne Cox, Brian Michael
Smith, and Theo Germaine.
“I can’t begin to express how remarkable
it feels to fi nally love who
I am enough to pursue my authentic
self,” Page wrote. “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.”
Page also used his massive following
— with 3.5 million followers
on Instagram and 1.5 million
followers on Twitter — to bring attention
to the profound challenges
facing transgender individuals. He
offered a sobering perspective of
the realities facing trans and nonbinary
individuals and called on
others to step up and support the
community.
Page asked for patience, noting
that his “joy is real but it is also
fragile.”
“The truth is, despite feeling
profoundly happy right now and
knowing how much privilege I
carry, I am also scared,” he added.
“I’m scared of the invasiveness,
the hate, the ‘jokes,’ and the violence.
To be clear, I am not trying
Actor Elliot Page came out as trans and non-binary in an extended written statement on December 1.
to dampen a moment that is joyous
and one that I celebrate, but
I want to address the full picture.
The statistics are staggering. The
discrimination torwards trans
people is rife, insidious, and cruel,
resulting in horrifi c consequences.
In 2020 alone it has been reported
that at least 40 transgender people
have been murdered, the majority
of which were Black and Latinx
trans women.”
Page went on to decry the concerted
effort underway to restrict
the healthcare needs of transgender
individuals, blasting political
leaders “who work to criminalize
trans health care” — as has been
the consistent policy of the lame
duck Trump administraiton.
He also tore into those “who continue
to spew hostility towards the
trans community,” saying those
individuals “have blood on your
hands.”
“Enough is enough,” Page wrote.
TWITTER/ @THEELLIOTPAGE
“You aren’t being ‘cancelled,’ you
are hurting people. I am one of
those people and we won’t be silent
in the face of your attacks.”
Page’s announcement was met
with a large wave of support from
individuals across the LGBTQ
commnity and beyond. The Twitter
account for his most recent
show — “The Umbrella Academy”
— gave him a shoutout in a reply
to his post, writing, “So proud of
our superhero! WE LOVE YOU ELLIOT!!!”
Indya Moore, an out trans and
non-binary actor who is best
known for their role in the FX show
“Pose,” posted a brief message of
solidarity on Instagram.
“ELLIOT we love you,” Moore
wrote. “I love you. Take all the time
and space.”
Page’s spouse, Emma Portner, a
dancer and choreographer, voiced
support for Page in an Instagram
post following the announcement.
“I am so proud of @elliotpage,”
Portner wrote. “Trans, queer and
non-binary people are a gift to this
world. I also ask for patience and
privacy but that you join me in the
fervent support of trans life every
single day. Elliot’s existence is a
gift in and of itself. Shine on sweet
E. Love you so much.”
Nick Adams, GLAAD’s director
of transgender media, noted in a
written statement that Page’s coming
out will make a positive difference
in the lives of transgender
and non-binary people.
“Elliot Page has given us fantastic
characters on-screen and has
been an outspoken advocate for
all LGBTQ people,” Adams said.
“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 has been acting since his
youth but exploded onto the scene
in 2007 with the hit movie “Juno.”
Page’s work in that fi lm catapulted
him to stardom and yielded Academy
Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe,
and Screen Actors Guild Award
nominations. He is currently on
the cast of “The Umbrella Academy,”
a Netfl ix TV show, and Page
also starred in “Tallulah,” “Whip
It,” “Super,” Inception,” and a pair
of X-Men movies, among other TV
and fi lm roles.
The “Tales of the City” reboot in
which Page appeared featured a
trans character, played by the nonbinary
actor Garcia, fi rst embracing
their gender identity.
“I love that I am trans,” Page said
as he concluded his social media
announcement. “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.
To all 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. Thank you for
reading this.”
December 3- December 16, 2 14 020 | GayCityNews.com
/GayCityNews.com
