The Umbrella Academy Star Elliot Page Comes Out As Transgender

Elliot Page – who plays Vanya Hargreeves aka The White Violin in Netflix's The Umbrella Academy – has just publicly come out as transgender.

In a lengthy statement posted on social media, the Canadian actor (who has also starred in the likes of Juno, Super, Inception and the X-Men franchise) says his pronouns are now "he/they".

Responding to the post on Twitter, The Umbrella Academy team wrote: "So proud of our superhero! WE LOVE YOU ELLIOT!!!"

Read Elliot's full statement below:

"Hi friends, I want to share with you that my name is Elliot, my pronouns are he/they and I am trans. I feel lucky to be writing this. To be here. To have arrived at this place in my life.

"I feel overwhelming gratitude for the incredible people who have supported me along this journey. I can’t begin to express how remarkable it feels to finally love who I am enough to pursue my authentic self. I’ve been endlessly inspired by so many in the trans community. Thank you for your courage, your generosity and ceaselessly working to make this world a more inclusive and compassionate place. I will offer whatever support I can and continue to strive for a more loving and equal society.

"I also ask for patience. My joy is real, but it is also fragile. The truth is, despite feeling profoundly happy right now and how much privilege I carry, I am also scared. I’m scared of the invasiveness, the hate, the “jokes” and of violence. To be clear, I am not trying to dampen a moment that is joyous and one that I celebrate, but I want to address the full picture. The statistics are staggering. The discrimination towards trans people is rife, insidious and cruel, resulting in horrific consequences. In 2020 alone, it has been reported that at least 40 transgendered people have been murdered, the majority of which were Black and LaatinX trans women. To the political leaders who work to criminalize trans health care and deny our right to exist and to all of those with a massive platform who continue to spew hostility towards the trans community: you have blood on your hands. You unleash a fury of vile and demeaning rage that lands on the shoulders of the trans community, a community in which 40% of trans adults report attempting suicide. Enough is enough. You aren’t being 'cancelled', you are hurting people. I am one of those people and we won’t be silent in the face of your attacks.

"I love that I am trans. And I love that I am queer. And the more I hold myself close and fully embrace who I am, the more I dream, the more my heart grows and the more I thrive. To all trans people who deal with harassment, self loathing, abuse and the threat of violence every day: I see you, I love you and I will do everything I can to change this world for the better.

"Thank you for reading this.

"All my love, Elliot"