Kylie Rancor
Umbrella Academy star Elliot Page came out as transgender earlier this week, and the amount of support that has poured in across the internet has been heartening to watch.
“I want to share with you that I am trans, my pronounces are he/they and my name is Elliot,” the actor wrote. “I feel lucky to be writing this. To be here. To have arrived at this place in my life.”
Always well-spoken and an adamant activist for equality throughout the world, Page went on to discuss some of his fears regarding coming out as trans, as “the discrimination towards trans people is rife, insidious and cruel, resulting in horrific consequences.”
“I love that I am trans. And I love that I am queer. 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,” he said. “To all the trans people who deal with harassment, self-loathing, abuse and the threat of violence eery day: I see you, I love you and I will do everything I can to change this world for the better.”
After Page’s statement, some eyes turned towards his wife of nearly three years, curious what her reaction to the Juno star’s coming out would be.
Emma Portner shared Page’s letter to her own Instagram, alongside a caption that turned out to be a touching tribute to her husband.
“I am so proud of @elliotpage. Trans, queer and non-binary people are a gift to this world. I also ask for patience & privacy,” she wrote, echoing Page’s sentiments, “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.”
Portner also took the time to respond to a dismissive and invalidating comment suggesting that Page’s gender identity could change Portner’s own as they are married (though Portner reportedly identifies as queer, not as a lesbian).
“I hope you know that my sexual preferences and gender identity are none of your business,” she fired back. “For me to decide, thank you. Release your labels of me. I am as fluid as can be.”
The couple married back in January 2018, after going public with their relationship the previous summer. Portner is a successful dancer and choreographer, and actually met Page after one of her videos on Instagram caught his attention. So it was only appropriate that Instagram was also how they informed the public that they had gotten married.
“Can’t believe I get to call this extraordinary woman my wife,” Page wrote.