Canadian actor Elliot Page has come out as transgender.
The star, known for roles in Juno, Inception and The Umbrella Acadamey announced the news on social media this evening.
“I want to share with you that I am trans,” he wrote. “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.”
— Elliot Page (@TheElliotPage) December 1, 2020
Page said he feels “overwhelming gratitude” to the people who have supported him to get to this point.
“I can’t begin to express how remarkable it feels to finally love who I am enough to pursue my authentic self,” he said.
“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.”
"Gift to this world"
Elliot's wife Emma Portner said she was "so proud" of the announcement.
"Trans, queer and non-binary people are a gift to this world," she wrote. "I also ask for patience & privacy but that you join me in the fervent support of trans life every single day. Elliot’s existence is a gift in and of itself
Page's announcement was also celebrated by a host of his peers, including Myley Cyrus and Alyssa Milano.
Meanwhile his fellow Umbrella Academy star Justin H. Min, wrote: "Welcome to the fam, Elliot."
Discrimination
In his letter, Page asked for patience, noting that his joy is 'real, but also fragile.'
“The truth is, despite feeling profoundly happy right now and knowing how much privilege I carry, I am also scared.
"I’m scared of the invasiveness, the hate, the ‘jokes’ and of violence.”
He said the discrimination towards trans people is "rife, insidious and cruel" and noted that the "statistics are staggering."
"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," he said.
“To the political leaders who work to criminalise 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 said he loves that he is trans and loves that he is queer and noted that: "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."
