Ellen Page's new movie, Freeheld, is the true story of New Jersey State Police Lieutenant Laurel Hester and her 2006 battle to have pension benefits passed along to partner Stacie Andree upon learning she had terminal cancer. Page portrays the role of Andree in the film, and she recently spoke to Out magazine about how that role inspired her to come out. The magazine quotes her as follows:
"For me, lots of stuff surfaced [playing Stacie]. Recreating a sort of closeted relationship in a film caused some stuff to surface, for sure. And then there’s [the matter] of speaking up or potentially owning an identity that I think does require a responsibility of trying to help move things forward.”
On finally deciding to come out:
"I remember thinking, ‘Ellen, how in God’s name could you make this film and not be out?’ What’s interesting to me is how long it took to make the movie — for it to finally come together — and how my internal progression toward coming out was naturally in line with it. Stacie and Laurel’s story is incredibly inspiring and did take a lot of courage, particularly in a time of such unimaginable difficulty. It really did make me go, ‘Dude, just tell people you’re gay. Just get over yourself, honestly, and support those who are not as privileged.’ It’s like, ‘You have f—–g privilege, so do something with it.’’
Read the full interview at Out magazine.
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