Ellen Page, best known for portraying intelligent and quirky characters in hit films including “Juno,” “Inception,” and “X-Men: The Last Stand,” Friday told an audience attending HRC’s Las Vegas conference for LGBT teens, “I’m here today because I am gay. And because maybe I can make a difference. To help others have an easier and more hopeful time. Regardless, for me, I feel a personal obligation and a social responsibility.”
The Halifax, Nova Scotia native who will turn 27 next week received “a raucous standing ovation,” from the “LGBT teens at Time to THRIVE” audience, according to the New York Daily News, which added, “Page cited ‘football hero Michael Sam’ and Laverne Cox from ‘Orange is the New Black’ as two inspirations for her decision.”
“It’s weird because here I am, an actress, representing — at least in some sense — an industry that places crushing standards on all of us,” Page said. “Not just young people, but everyone. Standards of beauty. Of a good life. Of success. Standards that, I hate to admit, have affected me.”
Page received a standing ovation upon coming out as a lesbian. Watch Ellen Page’s beautiful speech:
Page, who began acting at age 10, will also be starring in the upcoming “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” currently in post-production. The Hollywood Reporter noted, “Lance Bass tweeted ‘Wow! What a speech! Congrats!!’ after watching from the audience, while Ellen executive producer Andy Lassner tweeted ‘I can only imagine the weight that has just been lifted off of Ellen Page’s shoulders.'” UPDATE:
“@_KateMara: Hey @EllenPage…Be my Valentine? #respect†yes please
— Ellen Page (@EllenPage) February 15, 2014