No, Elliot Page Coming Out as Trans is Not a ‘Loss’ for Queer Women
By: Catherine Caruso
Tags: Culture, Transgender, LGBTQ, Equality, Media

No, Elliot Page Coming Out as Trans is Not a ‘Loss’ for Queer Women

Coming out is never a loss.

Rich Polk/Getty Images

Elliot Page, known for his work in Juno and The Umbrella Academy, publicly came out as nonbinary in a letter posted on Twitter and Instagram on Tuesday. In response, Page received an outpouring of love and support, as well as a wave of transphobic backlash.

While some people asked ignorant, albeit well-meaning, questions about what it means to be nonbinary, others straight up mocked Page’s gender identity and likened being trans to waking up one day and identifying as an inanimate object. And still, others referred to his coming out as a “loss” or “betrayal.”

One Twitter user wrote, “I find it depressing how many young lesbians now feel that, because they do not perform or feel invested in conventional femininity, they can no longer be women. And so they shift from identifying as lesbian women to straight men. Compulsory heterosexuality all over again.”

“If coming out as transgender brings the actor…any measure of peace, then I am glad for them. But my heart also breaks as the lesbian community grows smaller. Again. And loses a role model. Again.”

Now, there’s a lot to unpack, but it’s clear that this person is making a lot of assumptions and ultimately does not understand what compulsory heterosexuality actually is.

First of all, Page clearly states that he is trans and queer in his coming out letter, not straight, so this bad faith argument does not even apply. He’s also nonbinary, not a trans man. Secondly, compulsory heterosexuality deals with sexual orientation, not gender identity. So again, not applicable.

Of course the most salient takeaway from the aforementioned tweet is that Page’s coming out is viewed as a loss because he is no longer a role model for the lesbian community. And I’m here to tell you that’s ridiculous.

Page does not owe anyone anything. It is not his job or responsibility to be a role model for any given community at the expense of his own happiness and well-being.

Not to mention, he can still be a role model for the entire LGBTQ+ community. Page is a queer, nonbinary person in TV and film who uses his platform to shine a light on the many injustices queer and trans people face every day. That sounds like a role model to me.

As far as representation goes, there are still lesbian and bisexual women in media. They haven’t all disappeared into thin air. Kristen Stewart was just in a gay holiday movie. And it goes without saying, but trans people need representation too.

Page is also just one person, who is now one of a handful of nonbinary people in Hollywood. His identity as a trans person is not a threat to queer women or lesbian representation.

There is nothing more freeing than coming out and living as your authentic self, and lesbians and queer women should know that better than anyone else. Sometimes it just takes time to find the right words and language for people to come to terms with who they are.

So no, Page’s coming is not a loss. In fact, coming out is never a loss. Being trans is never a loss.

You know what is a loss? Losing people to bigotry and violence. 2020 has been the worst year on record for anti-trans violence. At least 40 trans and gender non-conforming people have been murdered this year, a majority of whom were trans women of color. And Page, being the role model that he is, highlighted that in his coming out letter.

I’m proud of Page for coming out and letting the world know his truth. That kind of honesty and vulnerability isn’t easy. I hope the people in his life show him the kindness and acceptance he deserves, and I hope he continues to make art and use his platform for good, TERFs be damned.