Elliot Page encouraged people to educate themselves about LGBTQ+ politics, especially in this current climate, and everyone should take note.
The Oscar-nominated actor, who came out as trans in 2020, has come out The View to discuss his role in the fourth and final season of The Umbrella Academy and the future movie Close to you
The Umbrella Academy is a hit Netflix series based on a comic book series by Gerard Way. The TV adaptation introduced innovative LGBTQ+ storylines, including the transition of one of the main characters played by Elliot.
In what way close to you is Elliot’s first big screen role since 2017. It’s a drama following Sam, a trans man who returns home for a family reunion for the first time in five years and rekindles a connection with an old flame.
Remarkably, Elliot took on these roles that give visibility and voice to trans characters, but as The View the guests noted, these freedoms are challenged more and more in the real world.
Cohost Ana Navarro asked Elliot about the current presidential election cycle and anti-trans sentiment, and his thoughtful response should be heard by all.
“Republicans are obsessed with what they call LGBTQ agenda, and, throughout the country, they have introduced hundreds of anti-LGBTQ+ billsincluding those that ban gender-affirming health care for trans youth,” Ana began. “How do you feel about that, and what advice do you have for someone who wants to be a community ally?”
Elliot responded that he was “incredibly sad about it, angry and appalled” by the recent rhetoric from political figures and the Republican National Convention.
“I think about, for example, the trans community and how most people don’t know or think they don’t know a trans person,” Elliot said. “The amount of misinformation and true, hidden lies about our lives, who we are, our health, is spreading.”
“I really want to encourage people to educate themselves, to listen to trans people, to listen to young trans people, to listen to the parents of young trans people, many of whom were in denial about a certain situation, and if they have the means, having to flee some states, they are afraid that their children will be taken away from them when they have done everything they can to ensure that their child feels loved and prospers in their life”.
“As for the ACLU website, you can look it up and follow it…they have a real one tracker to see how these bills spread.”
Elliot continued: “You can watch great documentaries like Disclosure o Changing the game, Framing Agnes by Chase Joynt…”
The View cohosts also suggest reading Elliot’s book Page boy, which prompted the June actor to shout many more books that people should read to educate.
The information is there for those willing to look. It is essential to educate ourselves about the many ways people exist in this world before ignorance, fear and anti-LGBTQ legislation threaten to steal the lives and rights of people of all ages. What you know and don’t understand is always available to learn.
Watch the entire segment here.
