In 2020, Elliot Page, the iconic actor from “Juno” and “The Umbrella Academy“, came out as transgender, formally announcing to his fans that “I am trans, my pronouns are he/they, and my name is Elliot.”
Page has come far since that announcement and is now very open about the freedom he has felt since they came out. During a recent interview, he spoke about the importance of community building and the trans joy he has experienced in his life.
Page also shared examples of how trans joy has manifested in his life and referenced his wearing a men’s suit to the recently held Oscars Award ceremony.
Read on to find out what else Page said.
Elliot Page Was On An Instagram Live With Trans Activists
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In celebration of Trans Week of Visibility and Action, Page was part of an Instagram Live interview with trans activists Raquel Willis and Chase Strangio from the American Civil Liberty Union. They discussed several topics, including the elevation of trans joy and combating media misinformation.
During the interview, Page said, “I feel the best I’ve ever felt like, like, I feel the way that I really never thought was possible. I know the challenges I’ve gone through and I know how difficult it has been for me.”
“The enormous amount of privilege, the enormous amount of resources I’ve had absolutely, unequivocally saved my life — from therapy to my surgery, and so many things between.” He also acknowledged that the resources he had are “inaccessible for many trans people.”
He Said His Access Allowed Him To Tap Into ‘Trans Joy’
The Umbrella Academy actor also explained that this access has allowed him to tap into “trans joy,” something he always wanted and knew was possible. Willis and Strangio then asked him how trans joy has manifested in his life.
He replied, “It’s been on such a core level. Just the degree now that I can feel present, simply that I can feel present in a space without this incessant underlying anxiety or some sort of feeling like I need to flee.”
“And then, in the more specific ways, it’s wearing a suit last night, at the Oscars,” he continued, “All those things are really special, wonderful, joyful moments where you’re looking at a photograph and it’s really cool to see yourself for the first time — or the person you already saw but here they are, like, they’re f****** emerging.”
Page Also Spoke About The Trending Anti-trans Bills
During the interview, Page also spoke about the string of anti-trans bills that have sprung up across the United States. The most popular of these have been the “Don’t Say Gay” bill in Florida and the declaration in Texas that gender-affirming medical care for trans youth constitutes child abuse.
The “Inception” actor stated that the level of misinformation in the media today about trans people has brought all these challenges and made it difficult for society to understand how trans people feel and what they experience every day.
He said, “We’re tired of having to say, ‘Oh no, I actually do exist.’” It’s an emotional space for people to be in. Misinformation really affects people.” Page also said that it had created wedges between him and his friends who “aren’t transphobic” but repeat harmful views about trans kids and sports athletes due to their misinformation.
Elliot Page Uses His Platform For Trans Advocacy
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This is not the first time Page has used his social media platform to raise awareness of trans lives and causes. In February, he openly denounced the Texas declaration that trans kids’ medical care is child abuse.
In a statement to Variety, he said, “I am horrified by the inhumane and downright dangerous declarations by the Texas Governor and Attorney General. Trans youth deserve gender-affirming care and to be able to live their true, authentic selves without fear and oppression. I stand with trans youth and their families.”
During an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Page talked about his trans advocacy and how open he is about his transition and said, “With this platform I have, the privilege I have, and knowing the pain and the difficulties and the struggles I faced in my life, let alone what so many other people are facing, it absolutely felt just crucial and important for me to share that.”
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