In 2014, Academy Award nominee Ellen Page came out.
The Canadian actress gave a tearjerking eight-minute speech at Time to Thrive, a Human Rights Campaign conference for LGBTQ youth.
She told the crowd, "I suffered for years because I was scared to be out. My spirit suffered, my mental health suffered, and my relationships suffered. And I'm standing here today, with all of you, on the other side of all that pain."
Since then, Page continues to shine on and off the screen, appearing at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 13, 2015.
While Page is no stranger to Hollywood glitz and glamour, the appearance at the Toronto International Film Festival was especially significant.
It marked the first time the actress appeared on the red carpet with her girlfriend, Samantha Thomas.
She shared her love for Thomas, telling E! News that "walking down the carpet holding my girlfriend's hand is pretty special."
Thomas and Page at the Toronto International Film Festival. Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images.
Page attended the festival for the premiere of her new film, "Freeheld," inspired by the real story of a lesbian couple.
Detective Lt. Laurel Hester served 25 years for the people of Ocean County, New Jersey. When she was diagnosed with terminal cancer, she hoped to transfer her earned pension to her domestic partner of six years, Stacie Andree. However, Ocean County's elected officials denied the request, and Hester ended up in the fight of her life, in more ways than one.
"It's so gratifying to be a part of this story." — Ellen Page
Hester and Andree's story was the subject of an Academy-Award-winning documentary short in 2008. The feature-length film, starring Julianne Moore as Hester and Page as Andree, premieres nationwide Oct. 2, 2015.
Page has been connected with the film for eight years (eight years!) and said she is thrilled to see it come to fruition.
“It does take a long time to finance a movie, let alone a movie that stars two women," Page told The Daily Beast. “But it's so gratifying to be a part of this story."
Page and Andree at the "Freeheld" premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images.
A long-time supporter of LGBTQ rights, Page serves as a proud voice for equality in Hollywood and beyond.
While filming her new television show, Page confronted Sen. Ted Cruz at the Iowa State Fair over religious freedom bills and LGBT rights.
And in a recent interview, she challenged the notion that straight actors should be considered brave for playing LGBTQ characters.
"When people are [called] brave in regards to playing LGBTQ people, that's borderline offensive," Page told Time. “I'm never going to be considered brave for playing a straight person, and nor should I be."
Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images.
Way to go, Ellen.
From the silver screen to the state fair, you are changing minds and standing up for what's right. This, right here, is the role you were born to play.
