Actor Elliot Page recently revealed in his upcoming book, Pageboy: A Memoir, that he had a relationship with actress Kate Mara while she was still dating Max Minghella. According to The Playlist, Mara confirmed the relationship and stated that Minghella encouraged her to explore her feelings for Page. The relationship happened while they were filming X-Men: Days of Future Past, and before Page publicly came out as a transgender man.

Page, who came out as trans in 2020, has been open about how being able to express himself as who he really is has greatly improved his life. In addition, his role in the series The Umbrella Academy will also see his character transition in the upcoming third season.

Public figures like Page play an important role in reshaping how society perceives gender and sexual identities. When actors come out as LGBTQ+, they become reference figures and generate a significant impact on the social vision towards the LGBTQ+ community. Media visibility is a powerful tool for challenging preconceived notions and changing attitudes and perceptions about diverse gender and sexual identities.

Trans and queer actors, like Laverne Cox and Elliot Page, provide role models for LGBTQ+ youth who may be struggling with their own identity or acceptance. By being openly trans and still being accepted in the industry, they also challenge the notion that coming out will hurt an actor’s career. This is especially important in the entertainment industry, which has historically lacked representation and diversity.

In the end, the courage and visibility of these trans and queer actors have a profound impact. Encouraging representation and diversity in the entertainment industry is essential because it can change public perception, foster acceptance and understanding, and eventually help make the world a more inclusive and tolerant place for all people.