On February 21, trans actor Elliot Page turns 39, marking another year of openly embodying and sharing trans joy with the world. Since publicly coming out as trans in December 2020, Page has become a beacon for many in and beyond the LGBTQ+ community, using his platform to celebrate his identity and advocate for trans rights.
From Coming Out to Becoming an Icon of Trans Visibility
In late 2020, the star known for roles in Juno and The Umbrella Academy announced his transgender identity through a heartfelt message across social media. He expressed profound gratitude, saying,
“I feel incredibly lucky to be writing this. To be here. To have arrived at this place in my life,”
and
“I can’t begin to express how remarkable it feels to finally love who I am enough to express my authentic self.”
Since then, Page’s visibility and advocacy have only grown stronger.
By the end of 2021, Page had emerged as one of the most prominent transmasculine figures in mainstream media. He courageously spoke out against proposed anti-trans legislation in the United States and made history as the first openly trans man to appear on the cover of Time magazine, following in the footsteps of trans actress Laverne Cox, who featured in 2015.
Journalist Ezra Maloney reflected on Page’s role in boosting trans visibility, writing for PinkNews that
“voices like Page’s have been an antidote, combatting the overwhelming negativity with images of pure trans joy.”
Moments of Radiance and Personal Milestones Shared Publicly
Throughout 2022, Page frequently shared expressive moments of happiness and authenticity. One such moment was a selfie where he wore a black t-shirt under a grey jumper, complemented by a silver chain, lighting up social media with his unmistakable trans joy. Fellow trans actor Tommy Dorfman, known from 13 Reasons Why, responded enthusiastically, calling Page hot.
In February 2022, Page announced his memoir “Pageboy,” and in May 2023, he excitedly revealed receiving the first physical copies. On Instagram, he said,
“Wow. It’s real,”
and
“Can’t wait for you to read it.”
Page also opened up in 2023 about how gender-affirming care significantly improved his life. Sharing a topless selfie, he described how
dysphoria used to be especially rife in the summer,
and added,
“It feels so f****** good soaking in the sun now, I never thought I could experience this, the joy I feel in my body.”
He concluded his post with gratitude:
“I am so grateful for what gender-affirming care has allowed me and I look forward to sharing more of my journey soon,”
finishing with the hashtag #TransJoy.
Personal Life and Support from Industry Allies
In 2023, Page publicly announced his first relationship since coming out as a trans man by posting a photo with Julia Shiplett, co-star of Ad World, alongside a rainbow-paved street. Their post featured celebratory rainbow and double pink heart emojis. Page was previously married to Emma Portner from 2018 until their split in 2020.
Page’s influence stretches into educational settings as well, where he has been recognized as a positive role model of masculinity at London’s Streatham Wells Primary School. Reflecting on his work environment, he shared how supportive The Umbrella Academy’s showrunner Steve Blackman was during his coming out process. Page recalled,
“He was actually probably one of the first people I came out to.”
He nervously reached out to Blackman before the third season’s filming to discuss surgery plans, and was met with encouragement. Page explained,
“If anything, he was the one who was very insistent on me having it be a part of the show and supported me to be able to access the care I was hoping to get at that time.”
Reflecting on Identity and Community Connections
In a 2024 conversation on The Pink House podcast with singer Sam Smith, Page expressed a deep appreciation for his gender identity. He said,
“I love being trans because I love trans people. I feel so lucky to have had this experience in my life, what it’s offered me and what it’s given me, how much it’s taught me, and the community it’s allowed me to connect to.”
Elliot Page continues to shine as a symbol of joyous authenticity and resilience, inspiring many with his journey and advocacy. As he celebrates his 39th birthday, his presence and impact within the trans community and wider audiences remain profoundly influential.
