Actress Ellen Page attends the 28th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California on February 23, 2013. UPI/Jim Ruymen |
License Photo
LAS VEGAS, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Ellen Page, best known for her work in films like Juno, Inception, and X-Men: The Last Stand, told an audience Friday at the Human Rights Campaign's first annual THRIVE conference that she finally found the courage to live openly.
"I'm here today because I am gay," the 26-year-old Canadian said to a standing ovation, "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," she continued. "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."
Page said that Hollywood's stands of beauty and happiness had impacted her life, and spoke of a blogger who once asked why she "insist[ed] upon dressing like a massive man?'"
"Because I like to be comfortable," she answered.
"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," she 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."
"Happy Valentine's Day," Page concluded.
Here's her speech in full:
Page took to Twitter after her speech to thank her supporters, including the HRC, Sir Patrick Stewart, Kate Mara and Anna Kendrick.
[Just Jared, HRC]
