" I really want to encourage people to educate yourselves . "
Elliot Pageencouraged people to educate themselves on LGBTQ+ politics, especially in this current climate, and everybody should be taking notes.
The Oscar-nominated actor, who came out as trans in 2020, appeared onThe Viewto discuss his role in the fourth and final season ofThe Umbrella Academyand the upcoming filmClose to You.
The Umbrella Academyis a hit Netflix series based on a comic book series by Gerard Way. The TV adaptation introduced groundbreaking LGBTQ+ storylines, including the transition of one of the main characters portrayed by Elliot.
As forClose to You,it’s 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 has taken on these roles that give visibility and voice to trans characters, but asThe Viewhosts have noted, these freedoms are being challenged more and more in the real world.
Cohost Ana Navarro asked Elliot about the current presidential election cycle and the anti-trans sentiment, and his thoughtful answer needs to be heard by everyone.
“Republicans are obsessed with what they call theLGBTQagenda, and, across the country, they’ve introduced hundreds ofanti-LGBTQ+ bills, including those banning gender-affirming healthcare for trans youth,” Ana started. “What do you feel about that, and what advice do you have for anybody who wants to be an ally to the community?”
Elliot responded that he was “incredibly sad about it, angry, and frightened” by the recent rhetoric from political figures and the Republican National Convention.
“I think of, for example, the trans community and how the vast majority of people don’t know or think they don’t know a trans person,” Elliot said. “The amount of misinformation and true, flat-out lies about our lives, who we are, our healthcare, spread.”
“I really want to encourage people to educate yourselves, to listen to trans people, to listen to trans youth, to listen to the parents of trans youth, many of whom were in denial about a certain situation, and if they have the means, having to flee certain states, are terrified that their children are going to be taken away from them when they’ve been doing everything they can to make sure that their child can feel loved and thrive in their lives.”
“In terms of the ACLU’s website, you can look and track…they have an actualtrackerto see how these bills are spreading.”
Elliot continued, “You can watch great documentaries likeDisclosureorChanging the Game, Framing Agnesby Chase Joynt…”
The Viewcohosts suggested even reading Elliot’s bookPageboy,which prompted theJunoactor to shout out several more books people should read to educate themselves.
The information is out there for those willing to seek it. It’s essential to educate ourselves on the many ways people exist in this world before ignorance, fear, and anti-LGBTQ legislation threatens to steal livelihood and rights away from folks of all ages. What you do know and don’t understand is always available to learn.
Watch the entire segmenthere.
