On Friday, at Time to THRIVE, a conference designed to support LGBT youth, Ellen Page came out as gay. The Juno actress, 26, made a short but inspiring speech in which she admitted to have been “lying by omission” and hoped that her coming out would “make a difference.”
Page expressed a certain fatigue that was the result of hiding her sexuality, and also discussed the way that Hollywood has impacted her in the same way it impacts the rest of the world, saying “[Hollywood] places crushing standards on all of us…Standards of beauty. Of a good life. Of success. Standards, that I hate to admit, have affected me.” She went on to say that she hoped that by coming out, she could help others who are struggling to come out, saying that in being open about her sexuality, she has come “beyond the pain.”
Celebrities, including Lance Bass, Anna Kendrick, and Kate Mara, expressed support and congratulations for Ellen on the Internet.
I just watched Ellen Page come out! Wow! What a speech! Congrats!! #HRC #TimeToThrive http://t.co/XqKyusVq9A
— Lance Bass (@LanceBass) February 15, 2014
Mad mad mad mad mad mad crazy love and praise for @EllenPage today. Congrats to you, you light, talent, and beauty.
— Anna Kendrick (@AnnaKendrick47) February 15, 2014
Hey @EllenPage…Be my Valentine? #respect
— Kate Mara (@_KateMara) February 15, 2014
Here’s the video clip of Ellen’s speech, check it out!
Props to Ellen for her courage; we will continue to stand behind you, girl!