“This world would be a whole lot better if we just made an effort to be less horrible to one another.”
-Ellen Page, Actress

On 2/14/2014, talented actress Ellen Page gave an emotional and inspiring talk at the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Time To Thrive Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.  She started by discussing the “crushing standards” placed on all people by the film/tv industry – “standards of beauty, of a good life, of success” that get into so many people’s minds and put pressure on them to be someone other than who they really are.

She noted the courage of members of the HRC, as well as others in the public eye that are challenging the stereotypes and fighting the discrimination targeting the LGBTQ community.  The Academy Award Nominee for her outstanding performance in the film Juno, then came out to the crowd as gay, stating “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 that pain.”  She closed by highlighting the fact that all people, regardless of their differences, “deserve to experience love fully, equally, without shame and without compromise.”

Watch the entire 8 minute speech below!