Elliot Page, 'Umbrella Academy,' 'Gaycation,' Star Comes Out as Trans

On Tuesday actor Elliot Page revealed publicly that he is trans in a message posted to Twitter and Instagram.

"Hi friends," he wrote to his accounts, all of which had been updated to reflect his name. "I want to share with you that I am trans, my pronouns are he/they, and my name is Elliot."

Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Page had his breakout role in 2007's Juno. With that gig he was nominated for an Oscar, BAFTA, Critics' Choice Award, Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He has since played roles in X Men as well as The Umbrella Academy. He played as host to two season Viceland travel series Gaycation as well and this year directed There's Something in the Water, a Netflix documentary.

"I feel overwhelming gratitude for the incredible people who have supported me along this journey," he wrote. "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. "

According to a release from GLAAD, Page is both nonbinary and transgender, meaning that their gender identity is neither man nor woman.

"I also ask for patience," Page continued. "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. 'm scared of the invasiveness, the hate, the "jokes" and of violence. To be clear, I am not trying 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 towards trans people is rife, insidious, and cruel, resulting in horrific 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."

That figure refers only to Americans as the international number is much higher.

"To the political leaders who work to criminalize trans health care and deny our right to exist and to all of those with a massive platform who continue to spew hostility towards the trans community: you have blood on your hands," he wrote. "You unleash a fury of vile and demeaning rage that lands on the shoulders of the trans community, a community in which 40% of trans adults attempting suicide. Enough is enough. You aren't being 'canceled,' you are hurting people. I am one of those people and we won't be silent in the face of your attacks."

"Elliot Page has given us fantastic characters on-screen, and has been an outspoken advocate for all LGBTQ people," GLAAD Director of Transgender Media Nick 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."

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