Jennifer Galm | Blogger

Ellen Page, a young movie actress, announced that she is gay at a Human Rights Commission (HRC) event on Valentine’s Day. Her speech was personal, heartfelt, and uplifting, especially for those who understood her journey up to that moment. Despite being an actress whose work is to learn lines and get into character, Page fidgeted rhythmically and spoke with a shaky voice. Coming out isn’t easy for anyone, including those who are famous.

Lately, quite a few celebrities have come out, including actors, actresses, and sports figures. I have heard some people make flippant remarks in response:

“Big deal.”
“Who cares.”
“I already knew.”
“Another one?!”
“I don’t get why all these celebrities have to come out.”

I’m going to address each of these statements as it relates to Ellen Page’s, or anyone else’s, coming out and living an authentic life.

“Big deal.”
If you haven’t ever had to avoid questions about dating, or who you are going out with, or who you are partnered with, then you have got it easy. She said, “I’m tired of lying by omission.” It is a HUGE deal to not have to hide from your friends and family anymore. It is an even bigger deal to not have to hide from yourself.

“Who cares.”
Uh, lots of people. People who need to see others survive the process of coming out, notably young people and people who have lived a life of fear. The fear of rejection is probably one of the biggest hurdles a person has to overcome in order to feel comfortable with coming out. If someone doesn’t have an open relationship with family members, it makes the process even that more challenging.

“I already knew.”
Unless Ellen Page/your friend/your family member tells you, you cannot speculate on anyone’s sexuality.

“Another one?!”
Today more than ever people are coming out, not just people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Queer (LGBTQ), but people who are also straight allies. Societal views have shifted dramatically, which makes it much more comfortable to talk openly about who you are or who you support. There is also more support from government entities and spiritual leaders than ever before.

If this comment was made because Ellen is no longer available to the opposite sex, I’d like to know what chances the commenter thought they had in the first place?

“I don’t get why all these celebrities have to come out.”
Imagine that you are a public figure. Would it be easier to just tell everyone in one fell swoop, or to come out over and over and over? Coming out can be an exhilarating experience, but it can also be exhausting. Some people also feel a sense of responsibility to come out to give others some hope. Suicide rates among the LGBTQ community are much higher than those of their straight counterparts. I think one way to combat the high suicide rates among the LGBTQ community is the visibility of the LGBTQ community. It wasn’t that long ago that very few people were out. For those who are struggling with coming to terms with their own sexuality, seeing and hearing other people’s coming out stories can have a huge impact on a person’s self-worth. People who felt like outsiders can feel a little less alone.

So, yes, Ellen Page is out of the closet. There are some who may not understand what all the fuss is about, but to Miss Page or the teenager in small town America struggling with coming out to their family, it is a big deal. It’s important to realize that when someone does come out, it is like emerging from a chrysalis into a new life.

Graphic by Justice Gage