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Elliot Page Opens Up About the 'Shame' of Growing Up Queer

Actor Elliot Page has shared the "shame" and isolation he felt growing up as a queer child. He is promoting the documentary 'Second Nature,' which explores gender fluidity and overlooked truths in the animal world. Page hopes the film challenges cis-heteronormative ideas and sparks discussions about censorship. Since coming out as transgender, Page says he now feels a sense of "peace and happiness."

Key Points: Elliot Page Recalls 'Shame' of Growing Up Queer

  • Elliot Page opens up about childhood shame and isolation
  • He promotes the documentary 'Second Nature' about gender fluidity in animals
  • The film challenges cis-heteronormative views in nature
  • Page hopes the documentary sparks conversations about censorship
2 min read

"You feel excluded": Elliot Page recalls "shame" of growing up queer

Elliot Page shares the 'shame' and isolation of growing up queer, and how a new documentary 'Second Nature' challenges cis-heteronormative views.

"You feel like something's wrong with you... You feel excluded, you feel like something's wrong with you. - Elliot Page"

Washinton DC, April 27

Actor Elliot Page has opened up about the "shame" and isolation he experienced while growing up as a queer child, saying such feelings often stem from exclusion and lack of representation, according to People.

Speaking to People, while promoting the new documentary 'Second Nature', which he narrates and co-produces, Page said the project highlights overlooked truths about same-sex relationships and gender fluidity in the animal world.

"To really have this real, thorough investigatory piece about the reality of this information, the reality of what has been left out and what we've not been taught," Page said, explaining his motivation for joining the project, according to People.

Reflecting on his personal journey, the 39-year-old actor said queer children often grow up feeling isolated.

"You feel like something's wrong with you... You feel excluded, you feel like something's wrong with you," he said, adding that such experiences create "bricks of shame" due to censorship and erasure.

Page also challenged the idea of a strictly cis-heteronormative framework in nature, calling it "completely false," and said the documentary helps spark conversations around censorship in science, art, and society.

The Umbrella Academy star added that the film, directed by Drew Denny, is both "beautifully made" and "entertaining," while also offering "incredibly valuable information" for audiences regardless of identity.

Page said he hopes the documentary encourages viewers to question what has been left out of mainstream education and understand the wider impact of censorship.

The film, which premiered at SXSW and was recently screened at the Reel Wild Festival in New York City, will release in theatres in Los Angeles on May 24 and in New York City on June 26.

Page, who came out as transgender in 2020, previously told People that public support from young people means a great deal to him and that he now feels a sense of "peace and happiness" he never thought possible, describing it as a feeling of presence and ease in his life, according to People.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
The documentary idea is interesting—showing that gender fluidity exists in nature too. That challenges the 'unnatural' argument some people use here. But I worry about censorship in India: even basic sex education is taboo. How can we have honest conversations about this?
V
Vikram M
Elliot Page is brave to share his story. The 'bricks of shame' phrase really hit me—I've seen that in my own relatives who grew up hiding parts of themselves. In our society, we talk about 'log kya kahenge' so much that we forget the person's own happiness. Arre yaar, let people live.
T
Tyler Y
From an American perspective, it's good to see celebs like Page using their platform for education. But I get that in countries like India, where family and community ties are stronger, coming out is even harder. Props to those fighting that battle daily.
R
Rohit L
I appreciate the honesty, but calling nature 'cis-heteronormative' as completely false is a stretch. There are reasons most species reproduce male-female. But yes, exceptions exist. Still, the point about censorship in science is valid—we need critical thinking, not just blind tradition.
P
Priya S
As a teacher in Bangalore, I see queer students struggling silently. This article gives me hope that conversations are starting. But we need more than Hollywood—we need Indian stories, Indian activists, and changes in our education system. Let's stop the 'shame' here too. ✊🏽

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