January's Queer profile: Elliot Page

Elliot Page is a Canadian actor most famous for his roles in movies like Juno (2007), Inception (2010), and the X-Men franchise, particularly in X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) and X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014). Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1987, one of Page’s first brushes with acting came in the 2005 indie thriller Hard Candy. Page went on to star in X-Men: The Last Stand and then perhaps one of his most well-known roles in Juno.  

Juno, which is considered Page’s breakout role was a movie revolving around a witty and sharp teenage girl facing an unplanned pregnancy. The film was both a critical and commercial success, earning Page an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress and making him one of Hollywood’s rising stars. In more recent times however, you can see Page in his starring role in The Umbrella Academy, a popular Netflix series where he plays Viktor Hargreeves, a member of a dysfunctional superhero family. 

In December 2020, Page made a ground breaking announcement on social media, revealing that he is transgender and non-binary. He shared that he now goes by the name Elliot Page, using he/they pronouns. This moment marked a significant milestone not only for Page but for the representation of transgender people in the entertainment industry, which has historically been underrepresented. Page’s announcement was met with an outpouring of support from fans, peers, and advocates for the LGBTQ+ community. His transition is even addressed in The Umbrella Academy with Vanya Hargreeves transitioning to Viktor explaining to his siblings that "It's who I've always been". Netflix hired trans writer Thomas Page McBee to write this plotline into the show and the way it was written resonated with people across the globe. 

Page has been and continues to be a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, using his platform to speak out against transphobia and to champion greater acceptance of gender diversity. In addition to his advocacy for the transgender community, Page has been vocal about broader social justice issues, including climate change, racial inequality, and reproductive rights. 

Page is a symbol of courage and authenticity in a world where gender identity is still a deeply personal and sometimes challenging subject. By being open about his journey, Page continues to inspire countless individuals in the LGBTQ+ community, showing that it’s possible to be true to oneself and thrive in an industry that is gradually becoming more inclusive and diverse.