Actor Elliot Page, star of Juno and The Umbrella Academy, has this week came out as transgender. In a statement released on their social media accounts, Elliot said “’Hi friends, I want to share with you that I am trans, my pronouns are he/they and my name is Elliot.”
Continuing on further down in their statement they say, “’I can’t begin to express how remarkable it feels to finally love who I am enough to pursue my authentic self.” They added that they have been “endlessly inspired by so many in the trans community” and continue “to strive for a more loving and equal society”.
There was an outpour of support for Elliot across all social media, from fans and celebrities, praising their bravery and honesty. The amount of love outweighed the hate after they announced their coming out.
However, we still have a long way to go when it comes to LGBTQ+, as a society. A lot of education regarding the LGBTQ+ community is still very few and far between, especially with the transgender community in particular. The LGBTQ+ continues to grow and it is up to us to educate ourselves.
Continuing in their statement, Elliot hit us with a powerful statistic. “The discrimination towards trans people is rife, insidious and cruel.” Elliot continued, “In 2020 alone it has been reported that at least 40 transgender people have been murdered, the majority of which were Black and Latinx trans women.”
Abuse against the LGBTQ+ community is still very much here, we have begun the small steps to making the world a kinder place, but we need to do more.
In relation to the transgender community, the way in which you speak to them is very important. Coming out as transgender is imaginably terrifying and difficult. So, us as friends and families and fans can really do a small bit to help.
Do not use their birth name. Yes, at first this must be hard to comprehend but remember their new name is how they feel most comfortable and that is the main thing we need to remember and respect.
When around others, if the wrong pronouns are being used, correct them! Your transgender friend or family member may be afraid to correct someone. So, in a polite manner, correct the person and continue the conversation. You, yourself may even slip up sometimes and that’s okay too. Just correct yourself and move on.
There is no need to make a big deal out of it. It will be appreciated and help the persons transition to feel easy as they go on.
Remember to always ask what you can do to support their transition; everyone transitions in their own way and at their own pace so your support through that time will mean everything. A main thing to avoid speaking about is their change of sexuality, let them speak in their own time.
Don’t push or ask too many questions. They will speak when they are ready to. The best thing we can do is to support them, do as they wish and be respectful during their transition.