Ellen Page Comes Out As Gay: 'I Am Tired Of Hiding'
Ellen Page gave a moving speech on Valentine's Day about being brave and being herself — a lesbian!
Valentine's Day was extra special for Ellen Page: It was the day the Juno star came out of the closet as a lesbian!
At the 2014 inaugural Human Rights Campaign's Time To Thrive Conference, Page delivered a touching speech in which she confirmed a lot of suspicions dating back to 2008.
"I'm here today because I am gay," Page declared, pausing for a standing ovation (go girl!). "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."
She continued, "I am tired of hiding and I am tired of lying by omission. 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's speech also touched on the crushing Hollywood standards of perfection and the expectations and speculation that being in the public eye brings. Speculation like, uh, that she was dating Alexander Skarsgård, perhaps? At least we know now that he's 100 percent not her type. You can watch her full speech below:
Incidentally, it's not the first time Page has said she's gay. In 2008, the preternaturally youthful starlet poked fun at speculation surrounding her sexuality when she hosted Saturday Night Live.
In the sketch, Page comes home from a Melissa Etheridge concert and gushes about the experience to Andy Samberg. "It was so inspiring! And then the Indigo Girls came out! Ahhh! And then Ellen DeGeneres did this bit about being in the closet when she was young and I was like — ahhh! And it was so funny and so true, and I didn't know what to do with myself!"
Samberg then asks if she "went gay" at the show, to which she replies, "I just feel like an oil lamp that's never been lit. And now I'm finally burning bright with sister fire!"
It's unclear if Page now would celebrate those comments or be embarrassed at proliferating stereotypes further. In any case, see? There's always a kernel of truth in humor. A kernel or, in this case, an entire Iowa-sized cornfield. Congrats, Ellen Page!