In a letter posted across his social media channels yesterday, Elliot Page, 33, came out as transgender and instantly became one of the highest profile out trans people in the world.
“I am trans, my pronouns are he/they and my name is Elliot,” Page wrote.
Page’s breakthrough role was as the lead in 2007’s Juno, for which he earned nominations for an Academy Award, BAFTA Award, Golden Globe Award, and other accolades. After coming out as gay at a Human Rights Campaign event speech in 2014, he played some queer roles, including the portrayal of Stace Andree in 2015’s Freeheld, a film based on the true story of a woman with terminal cancer attempting to transfer her pension benefits to her female partner before marriage equality. He was also the co-host of the documentary series Gaycation, which shined a spotlight on international LGBTQ rights issues.
He is currently a star of Netflix’s superhero series The Umbrella Academy. Both the Netflix and Umbrella Academy accounts on Twitter and Instagram replied to Page’s announcement with “So proud of our superhero!”
Many LGBTQ celebrities replied on social media with support and congratulations as well, including Ellen DeGeneres, Nyle DiMarco, Chella Man, Sarah McBride, Janet Mock, Kate Moennig, Indya Moore, Sarah Paulson, Jen Richards, Adam Rippon, Ruby Rose, and Raquel Willis.
The public replies to the letter across Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter were mostly positive and celebratory. Most mainstream news outlets used Page’s correct name and pronouns immediately when announcing the news. Wikipedia, IMDb, Google, Netflix, and other websites updated Page’s name and pronouns within minutes.
“I can’t begin to express how remarkable it feels to finally love who I am enough to pursue my authentic self,” Page wrote in the letter. “I also ask for patience. My 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.” Page then recounted the horrifying statistics and facts about discrimination and violence against transgender people and declared “we won’t be silent in the face of your attacks.”
Page also identified himself as queer in the letter. He is married to dancer Emma Portner, who re-posted Page’s letter on Instagram with a caption that said she is “so proud” of her spouse.
The actor concluded his coming out letter with a message to his trans community: “I see you, I love you and I will do everything I can to change this world for the better.”
