Speaking at Time To Thrive, a conference focused on the welfare of LGBTQ youth, actress of Juno fame, Ellen Page yesterday revealed she is gay.
The announcement, unsurprisingly was met with an applause as well as a standing ovation. This in turn led to the actress responding with a relieved “whoo!” before continuing her endearing speech,
Yes kids, there are tears of relief pouring out of me that finally we can admit to ourselves our true nature without fear of repercussion. At least this time.
Here is what Ellen Page said:
‘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.”
‘I am tired of hiding and I am tired of lying by omission,’ Page proudly and defiantly declared. ‘I suffered for years because I was scared to be out. My spirit suffered, my mental health suffered and my relationships suffered. And I’m standing here today, with all of you, on the other side of all that pain.’
Which raises the awkward question why had Ellen Page held her secret so closely guarded for so long? Is it because Hollywood forces entertainers to play make a certain role, image for the sake of wholesome values? But what are wholesome values anyway if one is denied the expression of their essence? What is it about the entertainment business, or better still still, society at large that forces individuals to feel shame and discomfort about their sexuality in the first place?
The question some of us might be wondering along with the actress is will Hollywood punish her for coming out or will it just shrug its shoulders and pretend none of that stuff never mattered in the first place, not that Ellen Page was ever made to feel that way…
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