Elliot Page Will Continue to Bless Our Screens As Vanya in “The Umbrella Academy”

Trigger warning: this article discusses transphobia and violence.

This morning, Canadian actor Elliot Page—known for his roles in The Umbrella Academy and Juno—posted a heartfelt letter on social media announcing that he is transgender and non-binary. 

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

pic.twitter.com/kwti60bZLw

— Elliot Page (@TheElliotPage) December 1, 2020

In Elliot’s post, he expressed how he can finally love who he is.

"I love that I am trans. And I love that I am queer," he wrote in the post.

"I feel overwhelming gratitude for the incredible people who have supported me along this journey."

Elliot currently stars as Vanya Hargreeves on the hit Netflix superhero drama The Umbrella Academy. He will continue to play the character. 

Vanya is a cisgender woman who holds the superpower to unleash a strong force using sound. Insiders from the Netflix show told Variety that there are no plans to change the character's gender.

Some commentators online suggested that the role should be recast, however, GLAAD pushed back at this notion, supporting Elliot and his choice to play both trans and cisgender characters.

"Trans actors can and do pay both trans and cisgender characters," GLAAD Director of Transgender Media Nick Adams told Variety.

"I'm sure Elliot will continue to be brilliant in Umbrella Academy and many different types of roles in the future."

Elliot also has the support of Netflix and IMDb as they have already updated his credited name on all of their platforms and titles he’s involved with.

So proud of our superhero! WE LOVE YOU ELLIOT! Can't wait to see you return in season 3! 🎻 🖤

— Netflix (@netflix) December 1, 2020

While Elliot was happy and thankful for the support and chance to be open, he also spoke on his fear of hate and violence, which is something the transgender community continues to experience.

"I’m scared of the invasiveness, the hate, the ‘jokes’ and of violence," he wrote.

"The statistics are staggering. The discrimination towards trans people is rife, insidious, and cruel, resulting in horrific consequences.

"In 2020 alone it has been reported that at least 40 transgender people have been murdered, the majority of which were Black and Latinx trans women."

Elliot also directly addressed politicians and personalities who oppose trans health care and opportunity.

"To the political leaders who work to criminalize trans health care and deny our right to exist and to all of those with a massive platform who continue to spew hostility towards the trans community: you have blood on your hands," he wrote.

Elliot’s wife Emma Portner also shared Elliot’s announcement, stating how proud she is.

"I am so proud of @elliotpage. Trans, queer and non-binary people are a gift to this world," she wrote social media.

"I also ask for patience & privacy but that you join me in the fervent support of trans life every single day."

The announcement is awesome news for the LGBTIQ community and trans representation in film and television.

His statement has been celebrated online and all throughout Hollywood, with GLAAD describing Elliot as "an outspoken advocate for all LGBTIQ people."

Header Image: George Pimentel via Getty Images