Elliot Page Speaks Out in TIME Cover Story, Says He Experienced a Lot of ‘Love’ and ‘Hatred’ After Coming Out as Transgender
Time
Elliot Page is speaking out for the first time about his decision to publicly come out as transgender.
In a new Time cover story, the Juno star revealed that he “felt like a boy” since an early age, but had to make a compromise when he started acting at 10-years-old, scoring the role of a little girl in the TV movie Pit Pony. “Of course I had to look a certain way,” he said.
When asked about his decision to come out as transgender in December, Page said, “What I was anticipating was a lot of support and love and a massive amount of hatred and transphobia. That’s essentially what happened.”
Page, however, felt it was important to share his truth as “extremely influential people are spreading these myths and damaging rhetoric—every day you’re seeing our existence debated.” He added, “Transgender people are so very real.”
The Covid-19 pandemic also played a part in Page’s decision to reveal his gender identity. “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 said, adding that “shame and discomfort” also led to his revelation. “I was finally able to embrace being transgender, and letting myself fully become who I am.”
Page also revealed that he underwent top surgery as part of his transgender journey. “It has completely transformed my life,” he said, while also noting that surgery isn’t integral to being trans as it can be unnecessary and unaffordable for many people.
Page said for him, however, it proved “not only life-changing but lifesaving,” adding that more transgender people should have access to surgery through affordable medical care.
“My privilege has allowed me to have resources to get through and to be where I am today,” Page added, “and of course I want to use that privilege and platform to help in the ways I can.”
As for what Page’s revelation has meant for his career, the actor said he’s receiving more acting offers than he has in years. Many of those offers are trans-related, but there are also some “dude roles,” he said.
Page is currently filming the third season of the Netflix superhero series The Umbrella Academy, in which he plays a female, but returning to set after coming out as transgender has been a rewarding experience.
The actor noted “it’s going to be an adjustment” as some of his co-workers have accidentally used the wrong pronouns, but they’ve all been supportive of him.
“I’m really excited to act, now that I’m fully who I am, in this body,” Page said. “No matter the challenges and difficult moments of this, nothing amounts to getting to feel how I feel now.”
