Ellen Page's Coming Out Speech

Canadian actress, Ellen Page (from Juno and one of my favorite TV shows, ReGenesis ), came out today at a Las Vegas conference for LGBT teens.

This is one of the most beautiful, sincere, and authentically human speeches I've ever heard (from anyone - gay, straight, or otherwise).



"You're here because you've adopted, as a core motivation, the simple fact that this world would be a whole lot better if we just made an effort to be less horrible to one another.

If we took just 5 minutes to recognize each other's beauty instead of attacking each other for our differences - that's not hard - it's really an easier and better way to live, and ultimately it saves lives.

Then again, it can be the hardest thing, because loving other people starts with loving ourselves and accepting ourselves."

You know I think I might make a lesson on 'Coming Out' that collects together a lot of these different speeches

Never understood the purpose of "coming out".

ren wrote: Never understood the purpose of "coming out".

It could be because you've never had to, neither to yourself nor to all those who had 'other' expectations of/for you.

:dry:

or necessity.

The thing is ren, I sort of see your point about making 'announcements to the World' ...

... the hardest part about 'coming out' is self-acceptance. Rather, in the course of 'self-discovery' one finds properties that run contrary to the familial, cultural & religious conditioning undergone since infancy. One often spends some time trying to fix it, or thinking that it is perhaps a 'phase' even in oneself before getting that treatment from other (often very close) people. Even the 'risk' involved with voluntarily informing others or being found-out, it has to do with the attachments to the the way life was 'from the closet' to the way it may become once "out".

Out of all the dragons one may have to put down, that beastie there is a monster !

I understand both perspectives of this. If asked, I wouldn't deny it, but I wouldn't go out of my way, or to make it a big point, to make it known. It isn't because I don't accept myself, I just don't care to make that my 'centerpiece' in life. It is but a part, and not the whole, of who I am. What Ellen did here was most likely a turning point in her mental state in that now she doesn't feel the need to hide herself, anymore. Being an actor, it's probably better for her to do this instead of 'being found out' in that it makes her feel like she has more control over her life. Please correct me if I'm wrong here.

Things are a big deal when people make a big deal out of them. In that respect the coming out speeches are no different from those "god hates fags" crowds.

It's all just attention seeking, reinforcement of the validity of one's own choices or beliefs.

Besides, there are far worse secrets to keep than one's own sexuality.

So that dragon really is so small it may even only exist in one's mind.

While it may be annoying when people assume you're heterosexual (and are in fact homosexual), I don't see why it can't be handled in exactly the same way as when people assume you're omnivore (and are in fact vegetarian).
-Here have a steak
-No thanks I'm vegetarian

Sure you run a risk of being disowned by your hunter, jewish parents for adopting hitler's views on animal welfare and dietary habits, but let's be frank, all sorts of people have constantly been disowned or kicked out for all sorts of reasons (my neighbour was, for eloping with her husband )

ren wrote: So that dragon really is so small it may even only exist in one's mind.

Dude...

We are a very high percentage of "mental"...

So, what might seem like a small dragon, can, in fact, be a HUGE deal...

It's all well and good saying "Well it just shouldn't matter" or "We make too big a deal out of it" but that, and I will be frank, is entirely and utterly ignorant. People die because of their sexuality, they get thrown out of their homes and suffer mental breakdowns and bullying.

That is why "coming out" can be such a big ordeal. Why does it have to be attention seeking? Sometimes "coming out" can be liberating. As for "validity of one's choices", sometimes validity is good if you are taught for your entire life that something in the core of your being is wrong.