The Truth About Elliot Page's Sexuality
Elliot Page first burst onto the acting scene at just 10 years old, starring in a Canadian television show, according to Time. Of course, the actor — who uses the pronouns he/they, per his Twitter — might be best known for his role in the 2006 cult hit "Juno," penned by the master of the awkward-meets-heartfelt comedy, screenwriter Diablo Cody.
Page's film career blossomed as he starred in blockbusters like "Inception" and the "X-Men" films (via IMDb), and he quickly moved up the A-list, though the pressures of the film industry began to weigh on him. In 2014, he shared in a speech at the Human Rights Campaign Time to Thrive conference, "You have ideas planted in your head, thoughts you never had before that tell you how you have to act, how you have to dress and who you have to be."
He also addressed his desire to stay true to himself in Hollywood, calling it "an industry that places crushing standards on all of us." He shared in the speech, "I have been trying to push back, to be authentic, to follow my heart, but it can be hard."
His coming out journey started in 2014
In 2014, Elliot Page shared that he is a member of the LGBTQ community in an impassioned speech delivered at a Human Rights Campaign conference. He said, "I'm here today because I am gay . . . 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."
Page also explained that the decision to come out came with necessary healing after remaining in the closet during his rise to stardom (via Pink News). "My spirit suffered, my mental health suffered and my relationships suffered," he said. "And I'm standing here today, with all of you, on the other side of all that pain."
Page married his girlfriend of six months in 2018, dancer and artist Emma Portner, though the couple sadly announced their split in early 2021 after separating during the summer of 2020 (per Page Six). Their shared statement read, "After much thought and careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to divorce following our separation last summer. We have the utmost respect for each other and remain close friends."
The actor received support when coming out again in 2020
According to Time, the COVID-19 pandemic gave Elliot Page the necessary space to reflect on his identity in a deeper way, leading him to an important personal realization. He told the outlet, "I had a lot of time on my own to really focus on things that I think, in so many ways, unconsciously, I was avoiding." He addressed a build-up of unaddressed feelings and discomfort in his own skin, concluding, "I was finally able to embrace being transgender, and letting myself fully become who I am."
On December 1, 2020 Elliot Page came out as a transgender man in an Instagram post. He wrote, "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." Though Page's new visibility would be instrumental for queer and trans youth looking for representation in the media, he told Time he ultimately came out in order to honor his own experience. "It's for me. I want to live and be who I am."
In a now-deleted Instagram post, Elliot Page's then-wife Emma Portner re-shared Page's powerful words, writing, "Trans, queer and non-binary people are a gift to this world... Elliot's existence is a gift in and of itself," (via Page Six). He also received shoutouts from celebrities including Ellen DeGeneres and Mark Ruffalo, Wion reported.
One of Elliot Page's characters is transforming with him
In his coming out journey, Elliot Page has also made sure to address the greater societal inequities and violence facing trans folks globally, emphasizing the disproportionate violence toward Black and Latinx trans women. In the Instagram post announcing his pronouns, he wrote, "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."
Page has kept his promise to advocate for trans folks and use his platform to spotlight injustice. In 2021, he tweeted, "Efforts to criminalize trans kids are deadly and we need to fight back against Alabama's HB1/SB10. Trans kids' lives depend on stopping this bill."
The actor has also acknowledged the privilege he experiences as a white trans person and as a celebrity. "My privilege has allowed me to have resources to get through and to be where I am today," Page told Time. "And of course I want to use that privilege and platform to help in the ways I can." Page's character on Netflix's "Umbrella Academy" now also has a trans storyline, coming out as Viktor to his family and consequently creating more positive trans representation in the media, per Variety.
According to Glaad, Elliot Page describes himself as non-binary and queer, as well as trans — he certainly seems to be proud and thriving as his true self.