Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Elliot Page’s wife Emma Portner shares message of support after actor comes out as transgender

‘Trans, queer and non-binary people are a gift to this world’

Clémence Michallon
New York City
Tuesday 01 December 2020 17:31 EST
Comments
Elliot Page comes out as transgender

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Elliot Page’s wife Emma Portner has shared a message of support for the actor after he came out as transgender.

Page made the announcement on Tuesday on social media, writing: “I want to share with you that I am trans, my pronouns are he/they and my name is Elliot.”

Portner, a professional dancer, shared Page’s message on Instagram and added as a caption: “I am so proud of @elliotpage. Trans, queer and non-binary people are a gift to this world.

“I also ask for patience and privacy but that you join me in the fervent support of trans life every single day. Elliot’s existence is a gift in and of itself. Shine on sweet E. Love you so much.”

Page announced his marriage to Portner in 2018, sharing a photo of both of their hands sporting wedding rings on Instagram. “Can’t believe I get to call this extraordinary woman my wife,” Page wrote at the time of Portner.

Page currently stars as as Vanya Hargreeves in Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy. Back in 2007, the actor had a breakthrough role in Juno, the  coming-of-age film directed by Jason Reitman and written by Diablo Cody.

In Tuesday’s social media post, Page asked the public for patience, writing: “My joy is real, but it is also fragile. The truth is, despite feeling profoundly happy right now and knowing how much privilege I carry, I am also scared. I’m scared of the invasiveness, the hate, the ‘jokes’, and of violence.”

GLAAD also shared a message of support for Page, writing: “.@TheElliotPage has given us fantastic characters on-screen, and has been an outspoken advocate for all LGBTQ people. Elliot will now be an inspiration to countless trans and non-binary people. We celebrate him. All trans people deserve to be accepted.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in