Actor Elliot Page over the weekend took to Instagram to speak out against the numerous anti-trans bills that are cropping up in state legislatures around the country.
“As I watch the movement of these bills attacking trans youth across the US, especially this week in Florida, Alabama, Texas, and North Dakota, I am thinking of my trans siblings and the collective pain that our community must endure to battle again and again for our right to exist,” Page writes. “These bills are upsetting, cruel, and exhausting.”
Page also calls on followers to contact their state representatives and “Tell them to oppose legislation that discriminates against us.” The message is accompanied by a picture of Page holding a sign that reads “Protect Trans Kids.”
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Across the country, numerous states have passed or proposed legislation that would ban trans student athletes from playing on teams associated with their gender identity, and to prevent trans minors from accessing gender-affirming healthcare. Proponents of the legislation say that the measures are to protect cisgender women and girls from competing against biological males, and to protect minors from potential harm caused from gender-affirming medical treatment.
Opponents, however, say that the measures are designed to target transgender and gender non-forming youth. They point to a lack of evidence to suggest that trans athletes pose an unfair advantage to cisgender girls and women, and to consensus within the medical community that gender-affirming care is necessary, and not harmful for, trans youth.
Page, who came out as trans late last year, has largely avoided social media since the announcement. His recent cover story in Time magazine made him the first openly trans man to appear on the publication’s cover. In that interview, Page said that he wanted to use his “privilege and platform to help in the ways I can.”
“Thank you for using your platform to raise awareness of this,” one follower responded to his recent post. “All trans people were once trans kids.”
Another follower wrote that “having you as an advocate and a member of the trans community is so precious to me. Thanks for going out there and helping us have a safer place to live. It means so much!! :)”
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