Elliot Page slams 'flat-out lies' about trans community in conservative politics (original) (raw)

Oscar-nominated actor Elliot Page is dismayed by growing anti-trans sentiment amid a particularly contentious presidential election cycle, the Umbrella Academy star said Friday on The View.

The 37-year-old Juno star, who came out as trans in 2020, responded to cohost Ana Navarro's question about the current political climate for the queer community, amid the actor's interview for his role in the upcoming film Close to You.

"Republicans are obsessed with what they call the LGBTQ agenda, and, across the country, they've introduced hundreds of anti-LGBTQ+ bills, including those banning gender-affirming healthcare for trans youth," Navarro began. "What do you feel about that, and what advice do you have for anybody who wants to be an ally to the community?"

Page replied, admitting that he feels "incredibly sad about it, and angry, and frightened" over the developments — which, recently, have included several political figures spouting anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric on a national platform at the Republican National Convention.

Elliot Page on 'The View'.

ABC

"I think of, for example, the trans community, and how the vast majority of people don't know or think they don't know a trans person. The amount of misinformation and true, flat-out lies about our lives, who we are, our healthcare, spreads," Page said. "I really want to encourage people to educate yourselves, to listen to trans people, to listen to trans youth, to listen to the parents of trans youth, many of whom were in denial about a certain situation, and if they have the means, having to flee certain states, are terrified that their children are going to be taken away from them when they've ben doing everything they can to make sure that their child can feel loved and thrive in their lives."

After Page's statement, Navarro sent the show to commercial by reminding the audience, "If you're an ally, don't vote for people who can hurt your friends."

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In Close to You, which releases in August, Page plays a trans man who rekindles a past connection with a woman while visiting his childhood home for a family reunion. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly about the film at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, Page said that playing a character grappling with relatable issues was a "liberating" experience and a highlight of his career — mostly after years of playing characters he hasn't felt comfortable inhabiting.

"The way I get to feel working now is far more embodied coming from that foundation, versus entering and not feeling that way. It's a huge shift. Doing something like this, complete improv, before, would've been close to impossible," Page explained at the time. "The sensation of being able to do it and feel that present enough to do it, I just felt exhilarated every day. What a special film to do, first time [back on film], because it lets you feel embodied to the extreme."

The View airs weekdays at 11 a.m. ET/PT on ABC.