Ellen Page Comes Out in Inspiring Speech

Everyone's favorite Homeskillet has a big revelation for all of her fans. The star of 2007's Juno and the upcoming X-Men: Days of Future Past, Ellen Page, has come out as a gay woman. The actress, who is most well-known for her breakout role as the Sunny D-loving pregnant teen in Diablo Cody and Jason Reitman's comedy, made the announcement in a public forum in front of an audience at Time to THRIVE, a pro-LGBT conference held in Las Vegas.

Page's speech was deeply personal, referencing interviews during which she evaded any questions about her sexual preference. Said the actress:

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 ... I am tired of hiding and I am tired of lying by omission. I suffered for years because I was scared to be out. My spirit suffered, my mental health suffered and my relationships suffered. And I’m standing here today, with all of you, on the other side of all that pain.

Page also criticized Hollywood in her speech, mentioning that the industry "places crushing standards on all of us," that "I hate to admit, have affected me." Hence her reason to stay silent about her sexual orientation, regardless of how many tabloids unfairly speculated about her sexuality. Continued Page:

You have ideas planted in your head, thoughts you never had before, that tell you how you have to act, how you have to dress and who you have to be. I have been trying to push back, to be authentic, to follow my heart, but it can be hard.

Watch her full speech below:

Page's admission comes eight months after her personal life last made news, when media speculated that the X-Men star had a romance with True Blood 's Alexander Skarsgard. News of their romance quickly dissipated, and, since, it seems Page has turned a media page, hoping to make headlines for something far more progressive than a vampire courtship. Regardless of the X-Men: Days of Future Past star's past, following her brave revelation, her future seems pretty inspiring, and as bright as a container of orange Tic Tacs.

Image: Getty Images