Elliot Page coming out as trans and living his truth might be one of the most empowering things for the queer community this year. He is the star of movies and shows like Juno, Inception and Umbrella Academy has been a vocal queer rights activist ever since the beginning of his career. In a letter shared on Page’s social media handles, he wrote, “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.”
Page, who has been one of the few out and proud queer movie icons Millennials and Gen Z had while growing up embracing his authentic self is truly inspirational. He thanked all those who supported, especially members of the trans community who have contributed immensely towards making the society more inclusive and compassionate.
While rejoicing in the happy announcement, he also pointed out the sad reality of being a trans person in today’s socio-political scenario. The trans community faces the worst of discrimination, abuse and violence around the world, particularly Black and Latinx trans people in the US and Bahujan and Dalit trans people in India. Page said that he won’t be a mute spectator as politicians direct rage and hate towards trans people and deprive them of basic rights by criminalizing their existence. Ever since the announcement, he has been getting congratulatory messages from co-stars, other actors and fans all around the world. He said that while his ‘joy is real’ it is also ‘fragile’, anticipating the hate comments that might come his way now and has therefore asked for patience. Despite the valid fears, he said “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.” These words are sure to comfort many queer kids and help them love their true self unabashedly.
