By David T. Valentin
It’s been four months since Elliot Page has been out as a transgender man and living their authentic self. And although the actor has largely been quiet since then, and going through a divorce with their ex-wife back in late January, Elliot doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon in their career and activism.
Just last week the 34-year-old actor, famously known for their roles in the 2007 hit film Juno and the Netflix series Umbrella Academy, became the first ever openly trans man to make the cover of Time magazine. The headline read, “I’m fully who I am” Actor Elliot Page and the Fight for Trans Equality.
It is Page’s first major interview since coming out as a transgender man back in December with a letter written to fans on social media. The letter began simply, “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.”
Although Page received some backlash online about their coming out, the actor received mostly support from both fans of their work and from current cast members from Umbrella Academy.
On social media, Justin H. Min who plays Ben Hagreeves in the show wrote, “Love you so much.” Top Hopper who plays Luther Hargreeves joined in and wrote “Elliot, I’m so proud of you, and even prouder to call you family. All the love.” Immediately, Netflix amended Elliot Page’s deadname from the credits and included their chosen name.
In the Time interview, Elliot points out that the massive love and support was not what they were expecting. “What I was anticipating was a lot of support and love and a massive amount of hatred and transphobia,” Page said. “That’s essentially what happened.”
But, according to the Time interview, what Elliot did not expect was to be the most famous out trans man after announcing their coming out. “He gained more than 400,000 new followers on Instagram on that Day alone.”
Page recalls at a very young age they always knew of their trans identity and wanting to live their authentic life. They recall the moment of triumph the moment they were allowed to cut their hair short when they were 9.
“I wanted to be a boy. I would ask my mom If I could someday.”
Despite being able to explore a bit of their identity as a young child, going into professional acting at the age of 10 forced the actor to look a certain way, cover up a certain way, and put on a façade. He recalls feeling strange playing women in shows, feeling the discomfort of pretending something he was not.
Like many people forced into isolation due to the pandemic, Page was almost forced to reconcile and tackle head on many subverted feelings and thoughts about their identity. After some self-discovery, Page turned their guilt and shame into revelation and confidence.