Member-only story
How You Talk About Elliot Page’s Coming Out is a Matter of Life and Death
You never know who is listening when you discuss transgender people
Elliot Page, a Canadian actor, and star of Juno and The Umbrella Academy, came out as trans today. Way to go Elliot! I’m sure there will be a lot of conversations surrounding this over the next several days.
I’m here to implore you to please, please, please be careful how you talk about Elliot and what may feel like surprising news to you. It could literally be the difference between life and death for someone you love.
Sound hyperbolic? The suicide risk for transgender youth is much higher than for other teenagers. One recent study found between 30–50% of transgender teens attempted suicide at least once.
Many transgender people know they are a gender different from that assigned them at birth long before they tell others.
Read this excellent story from Cassie Brighter to get one woman’s perspective on what this can look like.
