‘Umbrella Academy’ star Elliot Page comes out as transgender and non-binary
This week, The Umbrella Academy star Elliot Page, formerly Ellen Page, publicly announced that they are transgender and non-binary.
The actor shared an open letter to fans where they revealed their new pronouns and new name.
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Over the years, Page has forged a career as a successful actor in Hollywood. Along with starring in the indie classic Juno with Michael Cera, Page starred in Christopher Nolan‘s Inception and acted in X-Men: Days Of Future Past, X-Men: The Last Stand and Whip It.
In 2008, Page went on to earn an Oscar nomination for Best Actress following their leading role in Juno. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Page made their directorial debut with 2019’s There’s Something in the Water. The film focuses on environmental racism faced by indigenous and African Nova Scotian women.
Back in 2014, Page came out as gay at Time To Thrive, a conference to promote the welfare of LGBTQ+ youth.
“I’m here today because I am gay,” Page said. “And because maybe I can make a difference, to help others have an easier and more hopeful time. Regardless, for me, I feel a personal obligation and a social responsibility.”
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Since then, Page has heavily advocated for the LGBTQ+ community over the years. Just last year, Page called out the Trump administration and the politicization of gay rights in America.
“It’s not a debate, whether Donald Trump is racist or not,” they told the Guardian. “Gay marriage is not a debate. And the media needs to stop claiming it is.”
Now, Page has revealed they are transgender and non-binary. On Tuesday, the actor took to social media to share a heartfelt message to fans and also reveal that they are now called Elliot Page and their pronouns are him/they.
“Hi friends, I want to share with you that I am trans, my pronouns are he/they and my name is Elliot,” they say. “I feel lucky to be writing this. To be here. To have arrived at this place in my life.”
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Page goes on to thank the trans community for their courage and support to help make the world a more accepting place.
“I feel overwhelming gratitude for the incredible people who have supported me along this journey,” Page continues. “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.”
By finally announcing the news to the world, Page looks forward to fully embracing who they are. As well, they are committed to further fighting for trans right and support to all of those in the community that have felt injustice for who they are.
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“I love that I am trans,” Page says. “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.”
— Elliot Page (@TheElliotPage) December 1, 2020
Page currently stars as Vanya Hargreeves in Netflix‘s The Umbrella Academy. Earlier this month, we learned that production for the highly-anticipated season 3 is set to begin in February 2021. Additionally, showrunner Steve Blackman revealed the season’s debut episode’s title which alludes to what’s in store for the Hargreeves siblings.
