'Juno' star Ellen Page comes out as transgender, changes name to Elliot

US actor Ellen Page has come out as  transgender and now goes by the name Elliot, six years after revealing he was gay.

The Juno star revealed this in a statement shared on his Facebook and Twitter accounts, on Monday evening.

In the lengthy piece, Page revealed he now uses he/they pronouns and shared his feelings about coming out.

“I feel lucky to be writing this. To be here. To have arrived at this place in my life. I feel overwhelming gratitude for the incredible people who have supported me along this journey. 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.”

The Oscar-nominated actor went on to ask fans for their patience, revealing that while his joy is “real, it is 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. 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 transgender people have been murdered, the majority of whom were Black and Latinx trans women. 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.

“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.”

Elliot concluded the statement by saying, “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.

“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, 33, was nominated for an Academy Award for playing a pregnant teenager in 2007 film Juno and starred in other movies including 2010 sci-fi thriller Inception. The actor currently appears in Netflix superhero series Umbrella Academy.

- Additional reporting by Reuters

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