03 December 2020 - Actor Elliot Page announces he is transgender
Elliot Page, actor known for ‘Juno’ and ‘The Umbrella Academy,’ comes out as transgender
Emily Yahr (The Washington Post, 01/21/2020)
Elliot Page, the Oscar-nominated actor best known for the 2008 film “Juno,” came out as transgender on Tuesday, sharing the news in a long social media post.
“Hi friends, I want to share with you that I am trans, 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,” Page wrote. “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.”
Page, 33, who has been credited in film and TV roles as Ellen Page, currently stars in Netflix’s hit superhero series “The Umbrella Academy.” Moments after his announcement, both the streaming service and the show’s Twitter account tweeted their support: “So proud of our superhero! WE LOVE YOU ELLIOT! Can’t wait to see you return in season 3!” Netflix wrote.
Using Elliot Page's 'Deadname' is a Problem—Here's Why
Samuel Spencer (Newsweek, 02/12/2020)
Elliot Page released an Instagram post announcing that he is transgender—but many fans of the Umbrella Academy and Juno actor were unhappy with the way that the news was reported. Particularly, fans, member of the LGBTQ+ communities and allies were displeased at the media's continued use of the actor's birth name—or, as it is known among the trans community, his "deadname."
In many articles about Page's Instagram post, news outlets clarified the story with phrases like "formerly known as [birth name]". From a journalist's perspective, there is a temptation use a high-profile transgender man's birth name, especially when that person was well known under that name—as it adds clarity to the story and (more cynically) maxmizes search traffic on the article with the use of both names.
Elliot Page Disclosure Gives Trans Visibility ‘Huge’ Boost, Hollywood Insiders Say
Matt Donnelly (Variety, 01/12/2020)
By announcing that he was transgender, Oscar nominee Elliot Page has increased the visibility of a community that has been calling for just that, as well as more accurate representation in movies, TV shows and other forms of entertainment.
The actor, known both for beloved indies like “Juno” and superhero franchises like “X-Men,” also said he was gender nonbinary, with he/they pronoun preferences, in an emotional Instagram post. The statement both celebrated his revelation and underscored the dangers trans people face around the world.
“The vast majority of Americans still believe they’ve never met someone in their family, workplace, or school, who is transgender,” said Nick Adams, director of transgender media at GLAAD. “When someone like Elliot Page tells the world that he is in fact transgender, an actor that people have respected and admired and loved for years, it allows them to feel as if they now know a trans person. It’s really important.”
"Powerful and inspiring": Elliot Page receives support and gratitude on social media after announcing he's trans
Caitlin O'Kane (CBS News, 02/12/2020)
After Elliot Page announced on Tuesday that he is transgender, celebrities and fans took to social media to show support for the actor, whom many called brave. Page, the Oscar-nominated actor known for roles in "Juno" and Netflix's "The Umbrella Academy," wrote in a long Instagram post that he felt "overwhelming gratitude for the incredible people who have supported me along this journey."
"So happy for and inspired by you, Elliot," comedian Ilana Glazer commented on Page's Instagram post.
"So proud of our superhero!! WE LOVE YOU ELLIOT!!!" said the account for "The Umbrella Academy."