Elliot Page Has Become the First Trans Man to Grace the Cover of Time Magazine

Trigger Warning: this article discusses transphobia and violence.

In awesome news, The Umbrella Academy actor Elliot Page has become the first trans man in history to grace the cover of Time Magazine.

As Page uses both he/him and they/them pronouns, we will use he/him when referring to him in this article.

Page came out as transgender and non-binary just four months ago and has already made waves in trans advocacy and inclusion.

This spread is Page’s first interview since he came out in late 2020. As Page said in an Instagram post, he hopes the interview can help put a stop to anti-trans legislation, discrimination and hate crimes. 

"With deep respect for those who came before me, gratitude for those who have supported me and great concern for the generation of trans youth we must all protect, please join me and decry anti-trans legislation, hate and discrimination in all its forms," he wrote.

The Time story tells Page’s journey of growing up in Canada, experiencing feelings of gender dysphoria from a young age, and his continuing struggle in the public eye as he rose to worldwide acclaim for his role in Juno.

"I felt like a boy. I wanted to be a boy. I would ask my mom if I could be someday," Page told the publication.

"I just never recognised myself. For a long time, I could not even look at a photo of myself."

However, due to the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, Page explains that he was able to finally confront his gender identity and become more open about who he felt he is.

"I was finally able to embrace being transgender, and letting myself fully become who I am," Page said.

The story also delves into Page’s experience of being trans, the media, violence against trans people and conversations around surgery.

Stories, images and articles like this one by Time helps to give trans people representation, which is exactly what Page hopes to do by using his platform to speak up.

Elliot Page said some real important shit in that interview and I hope a lot of people actually listened pic.twitter.com/HI8JRF1Png

— Lily Simpson (@LilySimpson1312) March 17, 2021

Page also described both the fear and excitement that he felt in the days leading up to his coming out, explaining that it was full of fear and anxiety.

"[I felt] this feeling of true excitement and deep gratitude to have made it to this point in my life, mixed with a lot of fear and anxiety," Page said.

"What I was anticipating was a lot of support and love and a massive amount of hatred and transphobia. That’s essentially what happened."

Since the story was released, celebrities and fans have expressed their support of Page, sharing images of the shoot and fully stanning his look.

ELLIOT PAGE MY BELOVED pic.twitter.com/Ov5zX7eocn

— 击 Xavier // Tod’s Husband 击 (@PartyFrankIero) March 17, 2021

i wish elliot page a very good evening pic.twitter.com/7CLKqVhmGE

— illegal vaccine distributor (@gravel_eater_) March 16, 2021

Last year, both Page and Netflix confirmed that Elliot Page would return as Vanya in The Umbrella Academy.

You can read Page's full interview with Time here.

Me and the squad looking at Time’s Elliot Page pics pic.twitter.com/wNqfsyhvKC

— Suffering (TM) (@mini_coops2) March 16, 2021

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Header Image: Time Magazine