Elliot Page, the Oscar-nominated star of “Juno”, has announced he is transgender. Formerly know as Ellen Page, the native of Halifax made the announcement via social media.
Page uses both he/him and they/them pronouns and describes himself as transgender and non-binary. Page said he "can’t begin to express how remarkable it feels to finally love who I am enough to pursue my authentic self", but also acknowledged feeling some fear, despite the joy.
"The truth is, despite feeling profoundly happy right now and how much privilege I carry, I am also scared," Page wrote. "I’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 transgendered people have been murdered, the majority of which were Black and LaatinX trans women. 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. 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 report attempting suicide. Enough is enough. 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 currently stars in the Netflix series The Umbrella Academy, playing superhero Vanya Hargreeves.
