Oscar-nominated actor Elliot Page, formerly known as Ellen Page, has revealed they are transgender and non-binary, announcing a name change and new pronouns.
The Juno star published an open letter on his social media pages in which he thanked the trans community for inspiring him and pledged his support in striving for a more inclusive society.
"Hi friends, I want to share with you that I am trans, my pronouns are he/they and my name is Elliot," the letter began.
"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."
Page said he couldn't express "how remarkable it felt" to love himself enough to pursue his 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," he wrote.
Page landed his breakout role in the 2005 thriller Hard Candy before shooting to fame with a starring role in Juno, for which he received an Academy Award nomination.
In 2014, the Canadian actor came out as gay during a speech at a Human Rights Campaign conference, saying he was "tired of lying by omission" about his sexuality.
In his latest announcement, Page said that despite "feeling profoundly happy" about sharing his truth, he was also scared.
"I'm scared of the invasiveness, the hate, the 'jokes' and of violence... the statistics are staggering. The discrimaination towards trans people is rife, insidious and cruel, resulting in horrific consequences," he wrote.
"I love that I am trans. And I love that I am queer," Page concluded the letter.
"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 the 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."
Page's Instagram post has been liked over 970,000 times at the time of writing, and his statement has been retweeted more than 210,000 times in just a few hours.
