Ellen Page Opens Up About Dealing With Hollywood's Double Standard for LGBT Actors

Ellen Page isn't about to let Hollywood's double standards for out LGBT actors tie her down. In an interview with Elle UK that's on stands today, Ellen opens up about what it's been like to face Hollywood's expectations for queer actors and how, though the situation is improving, it's still far from perfect. 

"Zachary Quinto is out, and he stars in one of the biggest blockbuster franchises," Ellen explains, "I have four projects coming up – all gay roles. People ask if I’m concerned about getting pigeonholed. No one asks: ‘Ellen, you’ve done seven straight roles in a row – shouldn’t you shake it up and do something queer?"

Ellen goes on to point out the absurdity of what people can and can't accept from LGBT actors in their roles. 

"There’s still that double standard. I look at all the things I’ve done in movies: I’ve drugged a guy, tortured someone, become a roller-derby star overnight. But now I’m gay, I can’t play a straight person?"

Since coming out in February, 2014, Ellen has been incredibly vocal about her experiences as a lesbian actor, the challenges she's faced, and her personal life with her girlfriend, Samantha Thomas. Ellen credits her film Freeheld - the true story of lesbian partners fighting for equal rights after one of them is diagnosed with cancer -  in many ways for encouraging her to come out to the public, telling Elle UK:

"It was part of it. What blows my mind is how my own personal journey paralleled the development of that movie. It felt wildly inappropriate to be playing this character as a closeted person. Coming out was a long process, though."

Ellen still won't let Hollywood's expectations steer her away from projects telling LGBT stories. She and her friend Ian Daniel recently traveled the world learning about all different types of LGBT cultures for Viceland's new show Gaycation. The first trailer was just released, and you can check it out here.  In other upcoming project news, Ellen's also been receiving reviews (including this comprehensive one from Variety) for her upcoming film Tallulah, which premiered at Sundance last week. Talullah is written byOrange is the New Black staff writer Sian Heder and was acquired by Netflix, so hopefully we'll be able to catch it soon.

Once again, we commend Ellen Page for her honesty and look forward to following all her upcoming projects - no matter what her characters' sexualities may be.