Tag Archives: Ellen Page

Ellen Page: Straight Actors Who Play LGBT Characters Shouldn’t Be Called ‘Brave

Ellen Page has said it is ‘borderline offensive’ to call straight actors ‘brave’ for taking on gay roles.

In an interview with TIME Magazine, Page said that when people call straight actors courageous for becoming a gay character for a film or TV show it’s “borderline offensive” to the LGBT community.

Maybe this is a bad thing to say, but I have a hard time when people call actors brave. I don’t really get that, because our job is to read something on a page.”

Page who portrays one-half of a lesbian couple in Freeheld opposite Julianne Moore — explained why such a characterisation is inherently insulting by way of contrast:

When people are [called] brave in regards to playing LGBTQ people, that’s borderline offensive. I’m never going to be considered brave for playing a straight person, and nor should I be.”

She also discussed the growing level of diversity in entertainment that’s been cropping up lately — and what it could mean for the future of the biz.

It’s evident from what people are watching on television that people want diversity. They want it. Whether they consciously know it or not, I’m not sure, but look at Orange Is the New Black. You’re seeing actors that, if that show didn’t exist, we might not have ever seen — that are extraordinary.”

This trend makes Page “excited,” she said,

because the whole reason to go to a film is to disappear into another world, and to have your humanity connect with someone else’s, who you might not ever meet in your life!

To be moved and have more compassion, that’s the wonderful thing all art can do, and particularly film!”

For Page, this goes well beyond a celebration of the LGBT community, too.

I want to see gay stories, of course, because I’m gay, and I want to connect to a reflection of my life on film, but I also want to see what it’s like to be a young Native person, African-American, African-Canadian. Hopefully that will keep changing.”

Page recently confronted Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz about his discrimination of LGBTI people in the name of ‘religious freedom,’ and she addressed the debate in the interview.

The tricky thing about religion is you can’t even have a conversation. You just cannot have a conversation. It doesn’t affect me: For me it goes in one ear and out the other. But when you think of young people who are potentially being preached to by said person and their parents believe it, and they happen to be gay or trans or what-have-you, they’re going to have a really, really challenging time.”

Page said she is often told that she will find God and be with a man.

And that’s what’s so sad about it. Getting infused with that amount of shame into your body and into your mind. Potentially getting kicked out of your house. Potentially in a place where you’re homeless and every night of your life is life-or-death. That’s when I have no time for this religious argument. I don’t understand being part of a religion where your religious liberty or your religious freedom is based on other people not being treated equally. I don’t understand that – I really don’t.”

Ellen Page Says Her Role in ‘Freeheld’ Impacted Her Decision to Come Out

Ellen Page and Julianne Moore recently did an interview with Glamour to discuss their new film Freeheld, which centres on New Jersey police lieutenant Laurel Hester, who while battling lung cancer fought to pass on her pension benefits to her partner, Stacie Andree, and won her case just weeks before her death in 2006.

In the interview, Page says, seven years ago, she was sitting in a hotel room in Detroit with her then girlfriend when she received an email asking whether she was interested in being cast in a movie.

It contained a link to the trailer for Freeheld, the documentary about a New Jersey detective Laurel Hester, who, while dying of lung cancer, fought until her last breath to pass on her pension benefits to her partner Stacie.

She won her case weeks before her death in 2006.

Page was asked whether she would be interested in playing Stacie in a cinematic version, and after three minutes, said she was ‘in tears’.

I was super closeted at the time. I was moved, so unbelievably moved. I wanted to be involved.”

She then became a producer of Freeheld, and working on the project helped her to come out on Valentine’s Day last year.

I thought, how can I make this film if I’m a closeted person? Keeping that part of myself hidden was affecting my work, my ambition, my relationships. It was a constant burden — it was so toxic. As a gay woman, playing a gay character is a pretty monumental moment.”

Julianne was also clearly moved by this couple.

These women were forerunners of this year’s case. They were very regular people. Laurel was a detective, and Stacie a mechanic. And for the first time in their lives, they were public about their sexuality in a way that they hadn’t wanted to be. So what they did was major. They really put themselves on the line.”

Watch the trailer for Freeheld, starring Page and Julianne Moore, below:

For more on Ellen and Julianne, read the rest of their interview in Glamour’s September issue.

Gossip Alert | Here’s What You Need to Know About Ellen Page’s New GF

So, Ellen Page was been spotted on the streets of New York City this week, with her arms wrapped around a lovely, tall blonde.

And according to Us Weekly, this lady is her new girlfriend, Samantha Thomas.

Well not so new – as a source revealed to the mag that the couple has been dating for seven months already, but who is this new lady in Page’s life?

So who is this new lady…

1. She’s a talented artist (and Page is clearly a fan of her work.)

Thomas is described by Baku magazine as an artist who is “carving out a name for herself with her 3D painting”

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2. She’s a fan of ice hockey

Thomas has posted several pictures of herself watching hockey. And just in case you were wondering who she supports, she’s a big fan of the Anaheim Ducks.

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3. She loves the sea

On Thomas’ Instagram bio, she describes herself as an “Artist Surfer Ladybug,” and her pictures prove it.

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4. She’s an animal lover

One glance at Samantha’s Instagram page will tell you that she’s an animal lover. With multiple posts starring one seriously adorable pup

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5. Water sports may be her thing, but so is skateboarding

Sometimes a picture is all you need to say thousand words.

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Ellen Page and Evan Rachel Wood Take Their New Film ‘Into the Forest’ to Toronto Festival

YES! We’re getting sneak peck at Ellen Page and Evan Rachel Wood together in their upcoming drama about seclusion, Into the Forest.

Their new movie premiers at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival

A brief description states:

In a not-too-distant future, sisters Nell and Eva find themselves shuttered in their home. Surrounded by nothing but miles of dense forest, the sisters must fend for themselves using the supplies and food reserves they have before turning to the forest to discover what it will provide. They are faced with a world where rumour is the only guide, trust is a scarce commodity, gas is king and loneliness is excruciating. And yet somehow miraculously, love still grows.”

We’ve no idea when will get to see this one in the cinemas, but all we can say is ‘Ellen keep them coming’ – 🙂

Ellen Page Shows Support in Kingston at Jamaica’s First LGBT Pride Event

Out actress and Hollywood A-lister, Ellen Page was on-hand to show her support for the first ever Pride Jamaica, in Kingston.

Last week it was reported that the local LGBT advocates and supporters were preparing for a week of Pride events – including a flag-raising opening ceremony and open-mic cabaret night.

However, due to security fears (in a country notorious for its widespread homophobia) organisers decided that a parade should not take place. Instead, they arranged a flash mob event to take place on Saturday in Kingston, outside of Emancipation Park.

And Page was a surprise attendee at the opening ceremony, which attracted around 40 participants.

According to Page’s social media account, the actress had been in Jamaica in the days leading up to Jamaica Pride on a self-dubbed #gaycation.

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The Pride week events were timed to coincide with Jamaica’s annual Independence and Emancipation celebrations, as organizers thought the theme of ‘emancipation’ was appropriate to LGBT Pride.

Page will be soon seen in her much anticipated new movie Freeheld, playing the partner of Julianne Moore in a true-life story of a same-sex couple battling for equal rights.

Ellen Page And Julianne Moore Fight For Gay Rights In First Trailer For ‘Freeheld’ (Video)

Ellen Page’s Freeheld is based on the Oscar-winning short documentary by Cynthia Wade about Stace Andree, a woman who was denied the pension benefits of her longtime female partner, New Jersey police detective Laurel Hester, when the latter became terminally ill.

Together they mounted a legal battle for Stace’s benefits to be assigned to her partner.

Page, who is also a producer on the film, told EW

I remember just seeing the trailer for the documentary and I was instantly brought to tears. Tremendous love stories between women have been made, of course. Some of them are my favorite movies. But to have a love story that brings up the civil rights issue, in relation to women—that we haven’t seen enough in the forefront.”

The movies cast includes Julianne Moore, Steve Carell, and Michael Shannon, plus a score by Hans Zimmer. And with a fall release date set for October 2nd, could we be looking at an awards contender? The first trailer has arrived.

Watch it below and let us know what you think.

Ellen Page Prepares To Become Lioness

Ellen Page already has her next project lined up. She’ll play real-life US Marine Lance Corporal Leslie Martz, in producer James Dahl’s developing war drama Lioness (not to be confused with the English women’s football team).

Martz was stationed in Iraq for a time, but Lioness is concerned with her stint in Afghanistan, leading a ‘Female Engagement Team’. Her agenda was ostensibly to gain the trust of Afghan women and prepare them for independence, but Martz was also tasked with surreptitiously extracting intelligence from those same women about their Taliban husbands.

The soldier, who now lives in San Diego, was also waging a personal war on several fronts. She was hiding the fact that she was a gay woman in the military, and on top of that found herself torn between the desire to prove herself and her superiors and the allegiance she developed toward the women and children whose strength and courage she grew to admire.

Lioness doesn’t have a director yet, but newcomer Rosalind Ross has written the screenplay and will join Dahl on the producers list. Dahl is also behind the Rolling Stones movie The End Of The Tour, starring Page’s To Rome With Love co-star Jesse Eisenberg.

Page has two films set for release – the sci-fi drama Into The Forest and the biohraphical romance Freeheld, although neither currently has a release date.

Ellen Page Discusses Marriage Equality, Her Career as a Lesbian Actress

Ellen Page made our hearts skip a beat last year when she came out of the closet.

This week the actress spoke to Variety about how she feels Hollywood helped pave the way for LGBT rights, and what coming out meant for her.

I’m happier than I probably could imagine. Now it doesn’t feel like I was ever not out. It’s hard for me to imagine not existing in the way that I’m existing now. It boggles my mind that it seemed so difficult and so impossible. I wish I’d done it sooner, quite frankly. Some dark cloud has completely evaporated, thank goodness.”

She added

There are still not many young people out in Hollywood. There’s this narrative that people are attached to: You cannot come out because it’s going to hurt your career. And that’s potentially true. When I made the decision to come out, I wasn’t naive to that.”

On Hollywood, being out and acting she said

… the roles that do exist, you’re specifically a device for the male character or you’re hypersexualized in regards to the male gaze. For whatever reason, people can believe straight actors playing gay roles, but there’s this idea they can’t believe gay actors playing straight roles. And for me, it got to a point where it didn’t matter.”

Hollywood (for all it failings) has helped drive LGBT stories to a larger audience. There is now growing acceptance for gay and lesbian story lines; and gay rights and marriages.

Aside from all the silliness of Hollywood and what we do, stories are told that are really important, and that touch people and transform how they feel about things, whether it’s been “Philadelphia,” “Brokeback Mountain” or “Milk.” And I think it definitely can change minds and push things forward.

Whenever you’re telling a story about a minority group, it’s potentially not as appealing because there’s a feeling it’s not going to get the audience a financier needs. I feel like that’s been proven wrong time and time again, particularly when you’re looking at the diversity on TV right now. You can tell that’s what people want.”

On coming out, and her new role as LGBT spokesperson, the actress added

I feel extremely fortunate and humble when I have experiences with LGBT people who come up to me and say how I helped them come out. Those moments are really extraordinary. They are typically really emotional. The biggest feeling I get is gratitude. I totally stayed in the closet, and I felt guilty about it. I was finally able to get out, and that was my life journey. I’m interested in gay issues. It’s natural for that to be a part of my life.”

13 Women Who Dare To Challenge Gender Stereotypes in the Media

From Miley Cyrus to Ruby Rose, stars are shedding a light on a different kind of gender identity.

These women refuse to adhere to dated, oppressive standards set on gender and beauty. They are changing the game and using their fame to help level the playing field for the women of tomorrow.

1. Ruby Rose

The 29-year-old stars as inmate Stella Carlin on season 3 of the show and thanks to her performance, her gorgeous androgynous looks and her openness about her gender fluidity, the model-now-actress is making waves when it comes gender perceptions in the media.

We’re all really breaking down the whole gender binary system. It’s like hold on, I don’t identify as this and I don’t identify as that, I’m kind of somewhere in the middle and what does that mean? And society is being more supportive than ever before.”

2. Lena Dunham

Despite Lena Dunham being an enormously successful writer, actress, and producer, she has been the subject of harsh criticism regarding her appearance. In an interview with Gothamist , Lena explained her body ‘Zen’ philosophy:

We’re one weight one day, we’re one weight another day, and some day our body just doesn’t even exist at all! It’s just a vessel I’ve been given to move through this life. I think about my body as a tool to do the stuff I need to do, but not the be all and end all of my existence.”

3. Samira Wiley

Samira Wiley breakout role came playing Poussey Washington in the Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black. Wiley’s androgynous beauty is ever present in the show. However, even though her character is always dressed in khaki slacks and a baggy sweatshirt, she does like to mix things up in real life.

Over the past few years since my own public image has increased tenfold, I have been overwhelmed to witness the profound ways that I am able to make a difference simply by living my life openly, and with love.”

4. Lea Delaria

Actress, comedienne, jazz musician, Lea Delaria has gained media traction with her recurring character on Orange is the New Black. However, before then she was the first openly gay comic to break the late-night talk-show barrier with her appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show in 1993.

DeLaria has performed stand-up comedy for more than 25 years and is a prominent figure in the world of LGBT comedy. She began her career billing herself as “That [expletive] Dyke,” explaining that when she walked down the street, people would yell that at her.

I think the most basic prerequisite of being a woman is that you must WANT me. if you don’t want me, then your not a woman.”

5. Gwendolyn Christie

Christie knew that having traditional aspects of feminity (long hair, heels, make-up) stripped away would be important for her work and in terms of her own development. “I would be confronting elements of myself that I didn’t want to confront.”

6. Ellen Degeneres

Ellen Degeneres’s career was all but lost when she came out of the closet in 1997. Now she has a successful daytime talk show and has reclaimed not only her career, but has blazed a new path for people of the LGBT community who seek careers in the entertainment industry. She is an advocate for being true to oneself, and shows how beautiful honesty can be.

7. Rebel Wilson

Actress and comedian Rebel Wilson knows the pressure on women in Hollywood to have skinny bodies, but she doesn’t let that get to her. Instead, she focuses on what her body can do, and how to take care of it.

8. Kristen Stewart

Kristen Stewart has made it clear time and time again that she has never been much of a girly girl. So stepping out make-up free is the norm, and just look at how well she wears androgyny, hair short and tousled, a bare face, and rolled up sleeves.

The strangest part about being famous is you don’t get to give first impressions anymore. Everyone already has an impression of you before you meet them.”

9. Ellen Page

At the Human Right’s Campaign inaugural Time To Thrive conference, Ellen Page memorably came out as a lesbian in a speech that grabbed headlines across the country. After calling E! News out for calling her gym style that of a “massive man,” Ellen articulated the suffocating burden of sexism and stereotypes in the mainstream media flawlessly.

There are pervasive stereotypes about masculinity and femininity that define how we’re all supposed to act, dress, and speak, and they serve no one. Anyone who defies these so called norms becomes worthy of comment and scrutiny, and the LGBT community knows this all too well.”

10. Mindy Kaling

Writer, actress, producer, and all-around-amazing entertainer Mindy Kaling set the record straight about how some people in the media address her appearance. She’s not white or rail thin, yet she’s comfortable in her own skin, and is proud of the way she looks, regardless of how it compares to mainstream standards. Now THAT is real beauty.

11. Melissa McCarthy

Comic powerhouse Melissa McCarthy has been the subject of harsh criticism regarding her weight, but she rarely acknowledges any of it. By opting out of a discussion about her weight, she’s creating a better world for her daughters as she explains on Anderson Cooper.

I want them to be confident, strong, healthy, happy women. And I want them to define themselves by their actions…and by how they treat other people…and I know everyone else is going to get all caught up in it, but my job is to always bring it back to what do you do, and how do you live, and what do you say to other people.”

12. Laverne Cox

Laverne Cox, an actress on the Netflix series Orange Is The New Black, is the first transgender woman of colour to play such a role on a scripted television show. She’s also an activist for the transgender community. During her interview with Katie Couric, she was asked about her genitalia. Instead of getting mad about such an invasive question, she answered with authority and grace about what is truly happening when she’s asked such things:

The preoccupation with transition and with surgery objectifies trans people and then we don’t get to really deal with the real lived experiences. The reality of trans people’s lives is that so often we’re targets of violence and discrimination disproportionately to the rest of the community.”

13. Miley Cyrus

With the help of famous photographer Terry Richardson, Miley Cyrus set fire to the cute and innocent image of Hannah Montana back in 2013 with the iconic topless photo shoot. Since then, Cyrus has continued to test the limits. In recent months, the Grammy nominee has been vocal with her support for LGBT homeless youth and showed her disgust for the rich and powerful.

Ruby Rose: “It Did My Head in for Years to be Described as a ‘Lesbian Model’ (and) ‘a Lesbian Actress’.”

There is more to Ruby Rose than her ‘Celesbian’ Status.

Talking to Net-a-porter.com’s digital magazine The Edit, Ruby Rose – who set to shine in season 3 of Netflix’s Orange Is The New Black – slammed the title she’s often given — “celesbian’’.

God, I hate that word. It did my head in for years to be described as a ‘lesbian model’ (and) ‘a lesbian actress’ but if they do that for the rest of my career, and it means the next generation doesn’t have to have their sexuality listed as part of their job description, then I’m happy with that.”

However, her newfound fame in the US means she has met and often mingles with various Hollywood types, which is has provided her comfort in a world where some gay people still live in fear.

(The group) is so supportive. When I grew up I thought I was the only person like me in the whole world and I would never have a support system

Now it’s like every lesbian I ever looked up to is my best friend.”

Her new posse includes fiancée Phoebe Dahl, actress Evan Rachel Wood and actress Ellen Page.

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A Line From ‘Orphan Black’ Just Became the Internets Best Ever Lesbian Meme

As we all know, season 3 of Orphan Black is underway, and has us all crazy with anticipation.

In the last episode, Cosima — as Alison Hendrix — almost outs herself to a room of suburban moms while making a school trustee campaign speech.

Orphan Black fans on Tumblr quickly took the scene and ran with it.

But they were not the alone.

Soon, the floodgates were opened and no show was safe:

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Could ‘Lesbian Themed’ Movies Rule Next Years Oscars?

Indiewire have updated their 2016 Oscar predictions, and they predict a very real possibility that over half of this year’s female acting nominations could go to portrayals of gay women.

Lesbians have represented at the Oscars before. Charlize Theron won for playing serial killer Aileen Wuornos, Nicole Kidman played Virginia Woolf, and Annette Bening almost won for her rule in the The Kids Are All Right.

Also read: When It Pays To Be A Lesbian At The Oscars

So who has been tipped?

There is a possibility that openly gay actress Lily Tomlin could get a nomination for playing someone openly gay in Grandma. Which is actually a first – a lesbian actress being nominated for playing a lesbian character – shock horror!

Tomlin would also become the only second gay person to be nominated for playing a gay person. Ian McKellen is currently the only other example.

In Paul Weitz’s Grandma, Tomlin plays a lesbian poet who goes on a road trip with her granddaughter after she breaks up with her long-term partner.

This is her first lead role in a film in over 27 years, and she’s incredible in it. Sony Pictures Classics is surely going to rev up a campaign for her come fall, in hopes of giving 75 year old Tomlin her first Oscar nomination since 1975, when she was nominated for Nashville. Our fingers are firmly crossed.

Also read: Watch | New Clip Released from Lily Tomlin’s New movie ‘Grandma’

If Tomlin does get nominated, she would almost certainly be competing against Cate Blanchett, who got insanely good reviews out of Cannes for Todd Haynes’ Carol. Blanchett plays half of a 1950s lesbian romance in the film, the other half being played by Rooney Mara, who beat out Blanchett for Cannes’ Best Actress award.

Mara is a very likely nominee too, though The Weinstein Company could very well campaign her in supporting.

Also read: Watch | First Teaser of Cate Blanchett’s new Lesbian / Bi-Feature Film ‘Carol’

Either way, this is three possible lesbian nominees.

And then there’s Freeheld, which we’ll likely be released at the Toronto Film Festival.

The movie stars last year’s best actress winner Julianne Moore, who is paired with Ellen Page. The film is a classic Oscar bait story of real life lesbian Laurel Hester (Moore), a police officer in Ocean County, New Jersey. Following her diagnosis with terminal lung cancer in 2005, Hester repeatedly appealed to the county’s board of chosen freeholders in an attempt to ensure her pension benefits could be passed on to her domestic partner, Stacie Andree (Page).

Also read: Will Ellen Page’s “Freeheld” Be A Surprise Box Office Hit?

The film is actually based on a documentary short that won an Oscar, and is written by the same man who got a nomination for his screenplay for Philadelphia.

We obviously won’t know until we see it, but both Moore and Page sure seem like contenders for best actress and best support. That would also make Moore the only person to receive two nominations for playing queer characters.

Will Ellen Page’s “Freeheld” Be A Surprise Box Office Hit?

Later this year, we will get to watch Ellen Page’s much-anticipated movie Freeheld. And sources are tipping the film to become a box office hit, with some entertainment observers and fans noticing the growing anticipation for this movie since Lionsgate won the bidding war for its rights at the Berlin Film Festival.

Page is one of the most talented actresses in Hollywood, a critically acclaimed artist whose acting range is beyond reproach. However, this is a film which could do something different for her reputation and that is it could turn her into a major ‘box office draw’. Especially as in this project she has been coupled with an A-list, Oscar winning, movie star Julianne Moore – who can bring large numbers of fans to any movie.

Also read: Ellen Page and Julianne Moore’s New Drama ‘Freeheld’ Is Backed Big For Nationwide Distribution

Freeheld is a film that has the potential to draw ‘huge’ numbers at the box office because of its ‘human story’ of a couple fighting to have one of the partner’s pension benefits transferred to the other, a story which many entertainment fans can relate to. Moreover, many heterosexual movie fans will be drawn to any project which she is part of because of both women’s sensational acting range.

This is also a great movie for lesbian visibility. As we all agree its not often lesbian stories are told or documented on the big screens of Hollywood. However, Freeheld could be seen as a film of the equal to Philadelphia or Brokeback Mountain in queer visibility.

Page would never really admit that becoming known, as a major box office draw is important to her. However, one thing that she has revealed in her interviews is she is “ultra-competitive” – something she has known since her days as a competitive soccer player in Canada, and that trait has not all of a sudden disappeared as an actress.

Ellen Page Looked to Take Legal Action Against Sony After Nude Video Game Images Leaked Online

Ellen Page has never appeared nude in a film. She has, however, appeared nude in a video game.

However, according to the Wikileaks archive of leaked Sony emails, because of that nudity in a video game, Page explored taking legal action against the developer and the company.

The game in question is PlayStation 3’s Beyond: Two Souls.

In one scene, Page’s character takes a shower. Her character model is never shown fully nude, nor is it possible to manipulate the game’s camera to see her naked character. However, if you run the game in a “debug” PlayStation 3 mode, players are able to see Page naked.

Page didn’t allow the game’s developers to scan her naked body. Instead, programmers and artists at the game’s development studio, France-based Quantic Dream, created a fully rendered naked model of Page’s in-game character, Jodie.

Here’s the “shower scene” from 2013’s “Beyond: Two Souls” as it appeared in the normal version game:

According to the leaked emails, Page’s legal team got in touch with Sony, and eventually Sony Computer Entertainment America, the PlayStation arm of Sony.

Her attorney attempted to work out a fix with the game’s developer, Quantic Dream, first, the emails say. Representatives for Quantic Dream “would not engage in mediation, and objected to arbitration,” Page’s lawyer wrote in an email to Weil in January 2014.

When that didn’t work, they contacted Sony to warn of an impending lawsuit on behalf of Page.

Responding on February 4, 2014, Sony said they had “started to look into this,” but would need a few days to get all his facts together. Russell said that the game’s developer is ultimately culpable for the content of the game, not its publisher, Sony. Moreover, he said in one leaked email, “The developer has the responsibility, but that doesn’t mean that I won’t get sued.”

The issue was enough for Sony to send takedown notices to websites publishing the images of Ellen Page’s naked in-game character.

It’s unclear where the legal action went, if anywhere, after that. The email thread between Weil and Russell ends there, and we weren’t able to find any legal cases in Los Angeles pertaining to Ellen Page, her legal representation, and Sony (or Quantic Dream). Representatives for Sony Computer Entertainment, and Jeffrey Abrams, did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

OUT Power 50: Apple CEO Tim Cook Dethrons Ellen DeGeneres to be Named Most Powerful Queer Person In America

Apple CEO Tim Cook has dethroned Ellen DeGeneres in OUT’s 9th annual Power 50 list. The list, which looks at “which LGBT voices have power, how they wield it, and who it affects,” was released April 15 and contains TV personalities, politicians, activists and businesspeople.

Similarly high on the list were Rachel Maddow (No. 3), Jane Lynch (No. 12) and Orange is the New Black star Laverne Cox, who is the only transgender person on the list (coming in at No. 9).

Also making the cut were Brittney Griner, Ellen Page and Robin Roberts.

Click here to read more on who made this year’s list of the most powerful LGBT people in America

How Coming Out Allowed Ellen Page to Reconnect With Fashion

If you’ve been feeling a stronger-than-usual desire to purchase a Saint Laurent suit lately, then Ellen Page is probably the cause.

Page is stepping up a gear when it comes to fashion visibility, and it would seem her coming out has helped pave the way for this.

In the new issue Vogue (April 2015), Page confirms that coming out as gay has reignited the spark when it comes to getting dressed.

Also: More on Ellen Page and Julianne Moore’s New Lesbian Drama ‘Freeheld’

The out actress and activist said:

“I used to feel this constant pressure to be more feminine; a quiet or sometimes not-so-quiet demand — You need to wear a dress or people will think you’re gay.’ Now I feel a sense of freedom in dressing, and I’m enjoying it so much. I love wearing a Saint Laurent suit to an event… I mean, what a gift.”

Page will be playing Julianne Moore’s lesbian love interest in the upcoming film Freeheld, a role which has gained further significance since she publicly came out last year.

Lets take a moment to really appreciate Page’s post coming out wardrobe.

More on Ellen Page and Julianne Moore’s New Lesbian Drama ‘Freeheld’

The highly anticipated film Freeheld is due out some time this year. Written by Ron Nyswaner, who also wrote 1993’s Philadelphia, the part love story and civil rights drama film tells the true story of Laurel Hester (Julianne Moore), a New Jersey police detective who was dealt a devastating blow when she was diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Hester is in a relationship with her domestic partner, Stacie Andree (Ellen Page), and the film follows the couple as they both fight against the illness and government officials, who were preventing Hester’s pension benefits from going to Andree.

While a release date has yet to be confirmed, the film was shot last summer and is now in post-production.

Ellen Page came out as a lesbian in 2014. Julianne Moore starred as a lesbian in The Kids Are Alright and is a staunch gay rights campaigner.

Steve Carell, Michael Shannon, and Luke Grimes also star in the drama, which is based on the 2007 Academy Award-winning documentary short of the same name.

Rumour Round-Up | Ellen Page Flying Solo, Katie Stevens’ Girl Crushes, And Kristen Stewart Doesn’t Give A F**k… Plus More

Ellen Page Flying Solo

Despite rumours a few weeks back about Ellen Page’s potential dating interests (aka Shailene Woodley), the actress has stated she is still single in a recent interview in Brazil. Not only does she halt all discussion on her romantic life, but the star was keen to express that her coming out was the best decision she has ever made.

The Juno actress, who came out on Valentine’s Day last year, spoke out about what it has been like to be open to the world.

“I decided [to come out] because I was sad, I felt uninspired, I felt uncomfortable, it hurt relationships, I felt guilty for not being out, and it was time. It’s been the best decision I’ve ever made. I was immediately felt like a new person.”
Ellen Page

P.S. Ellen Page is on Instagram now, so get following

Katie Stevens’ girl crushes

Faking It‘s Katie Stevens is in Maxim this month, and of course she discusses what kind of women she’s into:

“I love girls that have bodies. Scarlett Johansson, Sofia Vergara – they’re all just gorgeous. I aspire to look like J. Lo when I’m her age. Another girl crush of mine, like the crush, is Jennifer Aniston. I just want to be their friends and find out what the secret formula is.”

Katie Stevens

Kristen Stewart Is Really ‘F*cking Proud’ Of ‘Twilight’

The Twilight Saga might not have the best critical reputation, and Kristen Stewart’s days fronting the tween franchise are firmly in her past, that doesn’t mean she thinks it was a failure in any way. In a smoking hot interview with Interview magazine, Stewart discusses the trilogy.

“I mean, it was a long process, so it’s hard to generalize about it as a whole. It wasn’t entirely cohesive. We ebbed and flowed. I will definitely acknowledge that. But the intention is so fucking pure in a weird way. Anybody who wants to talk shit about ‘Twilight,’ I completely get it, but there’s something there that I’m endlessly, and to this day, f*cking proud of. My memory of it felt — still feels — really good.”

Kristen Stewart

Check out Stewart play the perfect cover girl for Interview’s March fashion issue.

Patricia Velasquez Talks Coming Out and Sandra Bernhard

Venezuelan model, Patricia Velasquez, has new book out and in it she shares her coming out story. She also talks about her process of hiding her sexuality, being terrified of coming out to her mother, and her relationship with comedian Sandra Bernhard.

Patricia Velasquez also touched base with Access Hollywood this week.

Michelle Rodriguez isn’t afraid of a nip-slip

Michelle Rodriguez isn’t worried about wardrobe malfunctions while wearing revealing outfits during Fashion Week — in fact, Cara Delevingne ex-girlfriend welcomes flashing unintended flesh.

Rodriguez was hitting the catwalk for Naomi Campbell’s Fashion for Relief last week, in a dangerously low-cut Halston Heritage number.

“This outfit makes me feel very natural and sexy. If a little nipple pops out, I don’t care.”

Michelle Rodriguez

We do not care either Michelle 😉

Rumour Round-Up | Ellen Page in Court, Kristen Stewart Hires U-Haul, Rosie O’donell In Cougar Town & Queen Latifah’s Getaway

WTF – Ellen Page in Court?!

Ellen Page and her lawyers found themselves in court this week, after police arrested a stranger crashing in her front yard. WTF?!

The guy had set up camp and made himself cosy with all the necessities – bedding, a cell phone, a laptop, iPod, a pot pipe, and for some reason, one PlayStation game controller (why just one… we have no idea).

Ms Page was unaware of her intruder, until he repeatedly knocked on her window and tried to bust in through her front door.

Ellen says the guy told police she’s a “nice” person who wouldn’t mind him squatting on her property – I think she did mind.

A restraining order was issued against the man for trespassing, with a judge ordering him to stay 100-yards away for Ellen and her pad.

Where’s the U-Haul at?

The saga continues with the is-she-isn’t-she Kristen Stewart. This week it has been all over the papers that Ms Stewart and her rumored BF/GF, Alicia Cargile, are taking the next big step in their relationship – they’re renting an U-Haul people!

“Kristen recently bought a huge loft in downtown LA and she asked Alicia to move in. It seemed pointless to live apart, since they were with each other every day.”

Anonymous insider

For months now, rumours have been flying that the two are in a lesbian relationship. But Ms Stewart has yet to confirm their romance or living arrangements, despite the continued media hounding.

Welcome to Cougar Town

Rosie O’Donnell recently announced that she was splitting from wife Michelle Rounds, and then went on to shock the nation by quitting her job on The View.

However, Rosie appears to be looking on the bright side of life. Speaking at a recent film festival in New York City, the 52-year-old comedienne joked that she now feels like a ‘lesbian cougar’ when meeting young pretty fans – Grrrrrrr!

Ms O’Donnell went on to say temptation is everywhere now that she’s single … especially when she’s face to face with some obsequious students from Barnard College – huba huba

Queen Latifah Hits Carnival City

Queen Latifah looked to be having a ball Rio de Janeiro with her girlfriend, Eboni Nichols, as the two enjoyed a romantic getaway in the South American.

The couple headed to the Paul Landowski, Christ the Redeemer, and lapped up the incredible sight alongside a host of equally impressed tourists.

Can we just say they make a great couple – we just love it when celebrities just acted normal.

Ellen Page and Julianne Moore’s New Drama ‘Freeheld’ Is Backed Big For Nationwide Distribution

Although the new Ellen Page movie is still in post production, companies have been via for the rights to distribute the film across the North American, which is fantastic news as this movie is about a lesbian couple.

In fact, a bidding war erupted after execs saw only a 12-minutes of the film, and it was finally Lionsgate who won the bidding war to the rights to Freeheld, which tells the true story of the late Laurel Hester. Julianne Moore stars as Hester while Ellen Page, who is also one of the producers, plays Hester’s life partner, Stacie Andree.

The film part love story and civil rights drama, and follows Hester’s relationship with her domestic partner, Stacie Andree, as they both fight against the illness and government officials, who were preventing Hester’s pension benefits from going to Andree.

Steve Carell, Michael Shannon, and Luke Grimes also star in the drama, which is based on the 2007 Academy Award-winning documentary short of the same name.

Julianne Moore is a likely best actress Oscar winner this year for her work in Still Alice, so her role in this movie was already generating interest

Rumour Round-Up – Kristen Stewart Outing, Ellen Page Dating, Angle Haze Single & Cara Delevingne Parties

Kristen Stewart & Alicia Cargile spotted together again, and again, and AGAIN!

Kristen Stewart is still driving the tabloids wild, not only is she the face of Wonderland, BUT she still insisting on travelling the world with make-up artist, and LESBIAN friend, Alicia Cargile. Are they, aren’t they… we’re not too sure, but they certainly have everyone’s attention.

Ellen Page dating Shailene Woodley?!

Really – but they’re just BFFs. Well apparently Ellen’s coming out and Shailene’s fluidity in love means there is plenty of room too gossip.

According to certain sources, the pair are rumoured to be dating, having been spotted dining in West Hollywood. A dinner, which comes on the back of Shailene hinting at her possible bisexuality – telling The Hollywood Reporter:

“I fall in love with human beings based on who they are, not based on what they do or what sex they are.”

Shailene Woodley

Personally I think everyone needs to calm down a little bit. Yes they would make a great lesbian power couple, but a dinner date with a lesbian doesn’t automatically make you gay.

High drama for Angel Haze

On a slightly sadder note – rumours were buzzing that Angel Haze and her girlfriend Ireland Baldwin split. Noooooooo!

It was only 48 short hours ago, we were blissfully happy, listen to Haze’s brilliant new track, Candlxs, a love song she says she wrote for her girlfriend.

But then something terrible happened, with the rapper tweeting:

But like all lesbian relationship the heartache was short lived and today the couple are back in love again… phew.

Cara Delevingne bounces back…

And final we have Cara Delevingne. Oh Cara, Cara, Cara… how you make our office buzz. According to source, Ms Delevingne love affair with Selena Gomez is over… when did it even start?! Hmmm, I seem to remember this little rumour started circulating last year for some reason vaguely to do with Justin bieber, but this short-lived romance has now been dashed by Gomez moving onto DJ Beau Zedd. Shame.

Alas we cannot be too sad for Ms Delevingne, as she has quickly been embraced by two Hollywood tribes – the Willis (Bruce Willis and Demi Moore children).

…and by the Kardashian sisters. Hurrah – may the partying continue.

KitschMix’s Top 10 Out Women Who Totally Rocked 2014

In terms of representation, queer women have had a fantastic year. From the many queer female characters in our movie theatres (e.g Life Partners) and in our TV shows (e.g Orange is the New Black) to the monumental human rights decisions that have taken place this year (e.g the many US states that now have same-sex marriage), things are on the up.

We’ve also seen many queer women come out – or, if they were already out, they’ve been kicking ass and taking names all year round. And so, to celebrate these out and proud ladies, we’ve put together this list!

1. Ellen Page

Possibly the biggest coming out story of the year was when Oscar nominated actress Ellen Page came out.

After years of rumours and speculation the tiny Canadian actress put them all to bed, telling the crowd at the HRCF Time to Thrive Conference she was ‘tired of lying’ about who she is. The moving speech brought many to tears and plenty of credited it with being the reason that they themselves have come out.

And, as if her amazing speech wasn’t enough, Page also spent the year being wonderful on Twitter, most preciously by renaming people’s pets!

2. Brittney Griner

A trailblazer by many accounts, Brittney Griner made headlines last year when she came out ahead of the 2013 WNBA draft (where she was the number 1 pick). Then, with the Phoenix Mercury she broke the WNBA dunk record in her very first game. With her phenomenal talent she also won over fans when she helped take the Phoenix Mercury to a championship title in September.

As for other records she became the first out athlete to get a Nike campaign, showing that no, being gay does not harm your marketing potential.

Furthermore, Griner also got engaged to fellow WNBA player Glory Johnson in August, which may not have set any records but it was certainly adorable.

3. Mary Lambert

While you know her best for doing the backing vocals of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ track ‘Same Love’, Mary Lambert is also a massively outspoken gay rights activist.

An out and proud lesbian herself, Lambert very often talks about religion and how it relates to sexuality as well as body image and how to appreciate yourself. Earlier this year she also launched the Body Love campaign to encourage people to love themselves.

4. Emily Rios

Emily Rios’ name will be familiar to those who watch cult TV classics Friday Night Lights and Breaking Bad but more recently you may have seen her play a young gay reporter in The Bridge.

While the show was sadly cancelled back in October after two seasons, Rios’ character in The Bridge was significant because we got to see a queer Mexican woman on our TV screens, which doesn’t happen very often. Rios also explained that “I’m gay, personally, so being Mexican and a lesbian — this is why I love the character because I deal with the same type of things with my own family.”

5. Angel Haze

Whilst straight rapper Macklemore may have picked up plenty of awards for Same Love, its this cover by out pansexual rapper Angel Haze that feels like a more honest rendition.

This year, Haze has made headlines not just with her discography of fantastic, hard hitting lyrics but due to her love life too. Earlier this year Haze confirmed that she’s dating model Ireland Baldwin and the couple both flirt on Twitter and hilariously take down those who dismiss their relationship as ‘gal pals’.

6. Djuan Trent

When we think of the beauty pageant scene, few people would ever refer to it as a ‘progressive industry’ yet surprisingly, at least one former contestant is outspoken about equality.

Djuan Trent, Miss Kentucky 2010, came out as ‘queer’ earlier this year explaining that she needed to hit back against those who thought that she agreed with their anti-equality views.

Trent says that she chose ‘queer ‘ because it’s a more inclusive term and that she hopes to open up the conversation about sexuality being fluid and she also wants to foster more visibility and representation of young women of colour.

7. Samira Wiley

Samira Wiley is familiar to us as the funny and emotional inmate Poussey Washington in Orange is the New Black. Her amazing performances this season as Poussey dealt with her feelings for her best friend Taystee and as we saw flashbacks to Poussey’s difficult life as the child of an overseas soldier garnered praise and interest, but plenty were talking about Wiley this year for an altogether different reason.

It became public in September that Orange is the New Black writer Lauren Morelli would be divorcing her husband, after striking up a romance with Wiley. The pair had been acting cute together on Instagram for the past year (they were also seen looking close at the Emmys) and the fact that the couple was now out was just the previous icing on the cake.

Wiley also took to New York City’s Pride Parade with the rest of the OITNB cast, making her a bit of an advocate too.

8. Joanna Lohman

Also garnering headline for dating a colleague is Joanna Lohman. A professional football (soccer) player for the Boston Breakers, she became engaged to fellow Breakers player Lianne Sanderson earlier this year.

Whilst players dating each other is not a total rarity in the world of women’s football (current USWNT player Abby Wambach is married to now retired player Sarah Huffman) they are the first to date a teammate.

In an interview earlier this year Lohman told a reporter that “When someone comes up to you and says, ‘Thank you for being who you are,’ it has much more of a profound impact than, ‘Good game.’”

9. Vicky Beeching

Like the aforementioned beauty pageant scene, the world of Contemporary Christian Music is also an unlikely source of progressive opinion yet that’s exactly what gay Christian singer Vicky Beeching delivered when she came out earlier this year.

Beeching told The Independent: “What Jesus taught was a radical message of welcome and inclusion and love. I feel certain God loves me just the way I am, and I have a huge sense of calling to communicate that to young people.” helping to foster a more accepting viewpoint in the religion.

10. Anna Paquin

Finally, we have bisexual actress Anna Paquin.

Paquin came out as bisexual several years ago, following her marriage to her True Blood co-star Stephen Moyer. But does the fact that she’s married to a man make her bisexual identity any less legitimate? Of course not. however, she was forced to explain this to TV host Larry King earlier this year when he was baffled by the concept of bisexuality. Her explanation is an absolute must-see.

Who is your choice for out woman of the year? Leave a comment and let us know!

Changing the Face of Lesbian & Bi Visibility in Entertainment – The Women Who Came Out in 2014

LGBT people often worry about the ramifications of coming out to their families, friendships, work-places, and in their relationships. However, when you live your life in the spotlight the consequences of coming out can be harder. While coming out as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) in the entertainment world, sports or politics has become increasingly less taboo, these experiences are still extremely personal and not met without backlash.

This year we have seen a number of women celebrities step forward, and tell the world they are queer. So here is a list of prominent individuals who came out publicly this year.

Ellen Page, Actress

Actress Ellen Page, best known for her role as a pregnant teen in Juno, came out as a lesbian during a speech at Human Rights Campaign ‘Time to Thrive’ youth conference in February 2014.

“I am here today because I am gay… and because maybe I can make a difference to help others have an easier and more hopeful time. Regardless for me I feel a personal obligation and a personal responsibility. I also do it selfishly because I’m tired of hiding and I’m tired of lying by omission. I suffered for years because I was scared to be out. My spirit suffered, my mental health suffered, and my relationship suffered. And I’m standing here today with all of you on the other side of that pain.

I am young yes. But what I have learned is that love — the beauty of it, the joy of it and yes even the pain of it — is the most incredible gift to give and to receive as a human being. And we deserve to experience love, fully, equally, without shame and without compromise. There are too many kids out there suffering from bullying, rejection or simply being mistreated for who they are. Too many dropouts. Too much abuse. Too many homeless. Too many suicides. You can change that and you are changing it. But you never needed me to tell you that.”

Ellen Page

Zoie Palmer, Actress

Canadian actress Zoie Palmer revealed for the first time publicly that she is gay at the 2014 Canadian Screen Awards in March when she thanked her partner Alex Lalonde as she accepted her “Fan Choice Award for Favourite Canadian Screen Star”.

Palmer plays Dr. Lauren Lewis in the Showcase Canadian TV supernatural drama Lost Girl.

Patricia Yurena, Miss Spain

Reigning Miss Spain Patricia Yurena came out of the closet via an intimate photo of her and her girlfriend Vanesa Cortes which she posted to Instagram. She is now the first openly gay national pageant queen in the world.

“I published the picture completely spontaneously and in an impulsive manner. Thank you for all your support.”

Said Yurena

Angel Haze and Ireland Baldwin

Ireland and Angel first sparked romance rumours when they posted pictures on Instagram. The rapper then confirmed their relationship in June, but admitted some people were still struggling to accept them as a couple.

“There are still certain limitations for women. If we were two guys, it’d be insane, negatively insane with the attention. With us it’s all being very positive, the media are like, ‘Oh they’re so cute, they’re best friends.’

An interracial gay couple, I mean that’s just weird for America right now. We f**k and friends don’t f**k. I have never f**ked one of my friends. Once I see you in that way, it doesn’t happen. But we do f**k and it’s crazy and that’s weird to say because I think about it in terms of an audience reading it and them thinking, ‘What the hell?’ But it happens.”

Angel Haze

Emily Rios, Actress

Actress Emily Rios (The Bridge, Friday Night Lights, Men of a Certain Age and Breaking Bad) has came out as gay in 2014.

“I’m gay, personally, so being Mexican and a lesbian – this is why I love the character because I deal with the same type of things with my own family. Mexican-Americans especially — because this generation, we come into America and your family wants to be proud.

Emily Rios

Maria Walsh, the Rose of Tralee

The Rose of Tralee is an international competition started in 1959 and open to women of Irish descent from all over the world. It’s held in Kerry County, Ireland and each year a woman who best matches the attributes “lovely and fair” as described in the nineteenth century ballad. This year, the winner was Philadelphia Rose Maria Walsh, and she’s gay, a fact she revealed shortly after winning in August.

“I’m confident in who I am as a person. The Rose of Tralee is about celebrating women’s intelligence, careers, their volunteer work. The question of sexuality never came up. To me, being gay is normal. It’s natural.”

Maria Walsh

Casey Stoney, Professional Football and England Captain

It was footballer Thomas Hitzlsperger and Tom Daley who inspired Casey Stoney, a defensive player for both the England women’s football and Arsenal Ladies teams, to say she is gay after years of speculation by fans.

“I’ve never hidden it within football circles because it is accepted. But to the outside world, I’ve never spoken about my sexuality I feel it’s really important for me to speak out as a gay player because there are so many young people struggling with being gay.

You hear about people taking their own lives because they’re homosexual, now that should never happen. They should never feel those pressures. How can I expect other people to come out and speak about themselves if I’m not willing to do that myself?”

Casey Stoney

Djuan Trent, Former Miss Kentucky

Djuan Trent, Miss Kentucky 2010, came out of the closet in March shortly after a federal judge ruled that Kentucky must recognize same-sex marriages from other states.

“For months, I have been contemplating how I would write this post, how I would position it, when would be the right time to post it. Should I make it funny? Should I make it mysterious? Should I make it serious? Should I pick a special date to do it? Should I build some kind of anticipation around it? Hmmm…ain’t nobody got time for that. I have written and re-written and deleted and restarted this post more times than I care to share, and after all of that I have finally realized: “There ain’t nothin’ to it, but to do it.” So, here we go folks… I am queer.”

Djuan Trent

Monica Raymund

Monica Raymund, who plays paramedic/firefighter-in-training ‘Gabriela Dawson’ on Chicago Fire, came out publicly as bisexual via a tweet in January in support of efforts to protest Russia’s anti-gay laws during the Olympic Games.

https://twitter.com/monicaraymund/status/432669348281729024

Vicky Beeching

When Vicky Beeching was diagnosed by with an auto-immune disease triggered by the years of stress, caused by being in the closet, she decided to reject the years of desolation the church, and decided to live her own truth. Beeching, the UK star of the American Christian rock scene, whose music is sung at mega-churches across the heartland, had had enough. In August she choose to come out.

“I increasingly began to feel like I was living behind an invisible wall. The inner secrecy of holding that inside was divorcing me from reality – I was living in my own head. Anybody I was in a friendship with, or anything I was doing in the church, was accompanied by an internal mantra: ‘What if they knew?’ It felt like all of my relationships were built on this ice that would break if I stepped out on to it.

When I [told a priest] that I had feelings for the same sex he prayed the prayer of absolution, for me to be forgiven. And that was it….I felt there was something really wrong with me, that maybe I was so sinful and awful I couldn’t be healed.

I felt like it was ripping me in half. I knew I couldn’t carry on. I was trying to align the loving God I knew and believed in with this horrendous reality of what was going on inside me….I remember kneeling down and absolutely sobbing into the carpet. I said to God, ‘You have to either take my life or take this attraction away because I cannot do both.'”

Vicky Beeching

Lauren Morelli and Samira Wiley, Orange is the New Black’s Lead Writer and Actress

In one of the best revelations of the year, was ‘Orange is the New Black’ lead writer Lauren Morelli, who back in May wrote an article for Policy Mic describing how working on the Netflix series helped her come to terms with her sexual orientation.

In September, Morelli appeared hand-in-hand at the Emmy Awards with Samira Wiley, who plays Poussey Washington on the show.

“I went through it all on set: I fell in love with a woman, and I watched my life play out on screen….And now, as we are gearing up for the release of season 2, it feels liberating and appropriate to live my life in front of you.”

Lauren Morelli

Out100 Honors Our Favourite Lesbian Icons of 2014 ft Ellen Page, Angel Haze, Evan Rachel Wood, and OINTB’s Samira Wiley

In Out Magazine yearly portfolio, they capture the year’s most entertaining, heroic, and compelling people, from all walks of life—including professional athletes, trans pioneers, actors, activists, designers, journalists, emerging musicians, artists, and dancers.

For their special 20th anniversary OUT100, “On the Shoulders of Giants,” all of the subjects reference pivotal moments in LGBT history.

Here is a selection of our favourite ladies.

Ellen Page: Actress

On coming out Ellen Page says,

“You just feel different in the world. Once you’ve done something that you used to think was impossible, what could ever really scare you again? Even now, press is more enjoyable because I don’t have to have certain conversations. For instance, I’m never going to have to have a conversation about a dress, or heels, ever again.”

Angel Haze: Rapper

The rap artist Angel Haze, who identifies as pansexual and eschews gender pronouns in her music, exhibits an insatiable thirst for authenticity and a take-no-prisoners attitude, making her rapid-fire rhymes all the more compelling.

“This year has been remarkable because I have been finding myself. It feels good.”

Evan Rachel Wood: Actress

The year, two-time Golden Globe nominee Evan Rachel Wood has been increasingly vocal about the things she’s passionate about – including the importance of coming out.

Samira Wiley: Actress

On coming out Samira Wiley says,

“I remember it so vividly. There was this girl who went to my school, and she did a Nikki Giovanni poem, ‘Ego Tripping,’ and it was just different from everyone else’s. It wasn’t flat recitation. It had an energy and a life to it. And it made me sit up in my seat, and my eyes got wide, and I really felt inside myself, She’s making me feel things. I want to do that.”

Ariel Schrag: Writer, Illustrator

You may know Ariel Schrag from her graphic memoirs, each detailing a year in her life at Berkeley High School in excruciating, heartfelt detail. But this year she channeled all of that awkward energy into her first novel, Adam.

Lena Waithe: Comedian

This year, Lena Waithe turned 30; took the first film she ever produced, Dear White People, to Sundance; sold a pilot to BET based on her Web series Twenties; and was named one of Variety’s 10 Comedians to Watch.

“But the coolest thing I did was fall in love with an amazing woman. That put all the other things into perspective.”

Lisa Kron: Playwright And Actress

This year, while performing in a wacky production of Bertolt Brecht’s Good Person of Szechwan, Kron also served as the book writer and lyricist for the musical adaptation of Fun Home, based on Alison Bechdel’s modern classic, a graphic memoir about her own coming out and her father’s complicated life and death.

Source: Out Magazine – Photography by JUCO | Retouching by Anna Glen at Wet Noodle.

Julianne Moore and Ellen Page Banned From Filming Gay Rights Film in Catholic School

‘Freeheld’ is based on Cynthia Wade’s Oscar-winning documentary, which tells the true story of lesbian couple Laurel Hester and Stacie Andree, and Hester’s battle to assign her pension benefits to Andree in 2005.

The new film stars Julianne Moore and Ellen Page (who is also a producer on the film), with Moore playing the New Jersey detective dying of lung cancer, and Page playing her New Jersey mechanic girlfriend.

In one scene, the couple applies for a civil union, and the production team needed a building that could pass for a town hall.

Salesian high school in New Rochelle was to provide as a location. However, after review the Catholic high school informed filmmakers that it had changed its mind initially after approving a shoot and allowing still photographs to be taken because of the ‘subject matter’.

Producer, Kelly Bush, said:

“Freeheld captures the inequality and bigotry that one couple faced while coping with cancer and the end of life. That our film was denied access to a location because of the subject matter — a same-sex couple fighting for their legal rights — illustrates just how important it is that this story be told.”

Ellen Page tweeted:

Using religion to justify bigotry makes me sad. Sending my support 2 the LGBT students at the school who I hope r able 2 find acceptance.

— Elliot Page (@TheElliotPage) October 21, 2014

HRC is Asking All to Celebrate the 26th Annual National #ComingOut Day

The HRC (Human Rights Campaign ), the United States’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, is asking all to celebrate the 26^th annual National Coming Out Day (NCOD) – a globally recognized event, which embraces the coming out of all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or as an ally.

Yesterday, HRC President Chad Griffin penned an op-ed in the Los Angeles Times, in which he shared his coming out experience, and encouraged folks across the country to live openly and authentically.

“For lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans all across this country, coming out is one of the hardest things they will ever do. No matter what state you call home, a conservative church, community, or even your own family can inadvertently force you to suffer in silence. Even today, living openly in the face of that pressure can require almost superhuman personal strength…..If you feel like you’re not living as openly as you could, consider changing that on Saturday. And if someone close to you chooses Saturday – or any other day – to honor you by revealing the truth about his or her life, know what courage that took, and offer every reassurance and affirmation you can.”

Chad Griffin, HRC President

As part of NCOD 2014, Griffin will be traveling to college campuses in the South next week to participate in forums about the critical importance of LGBT people and allies coming out and sharing their stories.

In addition, through exclusive videos and a week-long blog series leading up to Saturday, HRC has been sharing the diverse experiences of people from all walks of life who’ve come out, and highlighting stories via Facebook, Twitter, and for the first time, Snapchat.

HRC also released a compilation video of celebrities and public figures who made the decision to live openly earlier this year, including Former Miss Kentucky Djuan Trent and actress Ellen Page, who came out at HRC Foundation’s inaugural Time to THRIVE Conference.

For more information and resources on National Coming Out Day, visit HRC’s Coming Out Center and follow the hashtag #ComingOut.

Ellen Page and Kate Mara are #TinyDetectives

Watch Ellen Page and Kate Mara poke fun at the rumors they’re set to be the next detective duo in HBO’s ‘True Detective’. The ‘Funny Or Die’ sketch has 5’1” Ellen and 5’2” Kata play the ‘Tiny Detectives’, characters that are completely opposites to Vince Vaughn and Colin Farrell – two tall actors who actually ended in the roles.

Tiny Detectives with Kate Mara and Ellen Page from Kate Mara

Shadowcat and Sue Storm! The crossover is here. Two of the world’s greatest actresses: pic.twitter.com/IssUSmdxtj

— Simon Kinberg (@Kinberg) September 3, 2014

#TrueDetectiveSeason2 rumors are funny. But, @EllenPage+I already shot it. #tinydetectives @funnyordie #comingsoon pic.twitter.com/EJDS4eL8DO — Kate Mara (@_KateMara) September 16, 2014

Ellen Page Plays Cover Girl For W Mag’s New Royals Issue

W Mag’s October issue features Ellen Page as its cover girl. Where she can be seen suit and booted. BUT, inside we see a different side to the newly outed actress – Abs out, wearing noting but a cap.

The 27-year-old actress is not the only cover star this month. This issue pays tribute to 12 groundbreakers in entertainment, fashion, film, and comedy. Model Cara Delavingne, who dated Michelle Rodriguez earlier this year, plus Kristen Wiig, Naomi Campbell, and Charlotte Casiraghi also take their own covers as the new royalty of film, fashion, comedy, and more.

Here’s what the ladies shared:

Ellen, on her first audition:

“I was 10 when I started acting. A casting director came to my school looking for kids. I auditioned for a TV movie called Pit Pony, and I got it. Acting became an immediate fixation. I was a child, but I was so ambitious. At 17, I costarred in Hard Candy, about a pedophile and his victim, whom I played. My character had to castrate the pedophile. I’ve always loved learning things for a part, and I remember researching castration and thinking, This is so interesting. I’m a nerd that way: I love the challenges of this job.”

Cara, on being naked:

“As a child, I loved being naked. My parents would have to force me to be dressed because otherwise I’d take my clothes off and run around the supermarket. Nudity was liberation to me. Freedom. My entire family is pretty nudist-y. We went to nude beaches a lot. I always wondered why the men on nude beaches had the smallest penises.”

For more from the ladies, visit Wmagazine.com.

7 Wonderful Quotes From Lesbian Celebrities On Coming Out

Here are 7 wonderful quotes

Ellen Page came out at a Human Rights Campaign conference.

Brittney Griner recently proposed to her girlfriend, Glory Johnson.

Emily Rios came out after her character on The Bridge had a lesbian storyline.

Ellen Degeneres came out in 1997.

Portia de Rossi came out publicly in 2005 in an interview with Amanda De Cadenet.

Laura Jane Grace came out in an interview with Rolling Stone.

Sara Gilbert came out publicly in 2010 on The Talk.

Image source – BuzzFeed

A Happy Ellen Page Speaks Out

If Ellen Page seems especially upbeat and happy during her interviews promoting X-Men: Days of Future Past it’s because she is.

X-Men: Days of Future Past star, who came out as a lesbian on Valentine’s Day, did not anticipate how happy she’d feel after going public.

‘The reaction been really beautiful and I think it’s been so beautiful because, to me it’s so indicative of the change that’s happened and how society has evolved. I couldn’t be more grateful for just the support I’ve had, and quite frankly for me, it was just pretty immediate, and I felt like all this toxicity and worry and baggage that I was carrying, just sort of vanished. I don’t think I could even have anticipated how happy I feel.‘

Ellen Page

Another reason for her to be happy is the box office reception for the latest X-Men film which grossed more than $110 million at the box office in the US Canada over the Memorial Day weekend.