Actress Ellen Page and star of Juno, announced at the Human Rights Campaign’s THRIVE conference on Friday in Las Vegas that she is gay. Her message was so powerful and resonated far beyond her own personal sexual orientation. She spoke out about the impossible standards often placed on youth, inspiring us all to take a closer look at the influence that media and celebrity culture has on our everyday lives.
“I’m here today because I am gay and because maybe I can make a difference. To help others have an easier and more hopeful time. Regardless, for me, I feel a personal obligation and a social responsibility,” Page announced to the crowd, adding how the impossible standards of Hollywood affect not just her, but society as a whole.
“It’s weird because here I am, an actress, representing — at least in some sense — an industry that places crushing standards on all of us. Not just young people, but everyone. Standards of beauty. Of a good life. Of success. Standards that, I hate to admit, have affected me.”
Ellen’s speech ended with a standing ovation and possibly the most poignant line of all, “This world would be a whole lot better if we just made an effort to be less horrible to one another.”
We could’ve have said it better, Ellen! Thank you for standing for what’s right and sending out the message that everyone on this planet deserves dignity, compassion, and equality.
Watch Ellen’s full speech:
