Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
5.8K
‘Basic Trans Etiquette’ Goes Viral After Elliot Page Comes Out As Transgender
Interview With Author
The star Elliot Page made an announcement that’s rocking the internet. They shared on their social media pages that they’re transgender, talked about their new pronouns (he/they), and explained that, from now on, their name is Elliot. With other celebrities coming out in support of Elliot, others on the internet are raising the question of ‘basic trans etiquette.’
One of the people who created a handy guide on Twitter is Martin, a trans and queer creator from Canada. Their thread went viral with over a whopping 179k likes and more than 65k retweets in less than a day. Check out what Martin had to say below and, when you’re done, let us know what you think of Elliot coming out, dear Pandas. And scroll down for Bored Panda’s interview with Martin about their guidelines.
Elliot’s breakthrough role was playing the title character in 2007’s Juno. For this role, Elliot received nominations for the Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actress while publicly identifying as female at the time.
More info: Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
RELATED:
Elliot Page came out as transgender to huge support on the internet
Image credits: elliotpage
Image credits: elliotpage
Image credits: elliotpage
Martin makes all kinds of videos on YouTube, does cosplay on TikTok, and is “working on living in the now.”
Elliot, an Academy Award nominee and “Juno” and “The Umbrella Academy” star, spoke about trans issues and thanked their fans and followers for their support. Elliot also pointed out how great it is to be their real self despite the discrimination that trans people face in everyday life.
“I feel overwhelming gratitude for the incredible people who have supported me along this journey,” Elliot said. “I can’t begin to express how remarkable it feels to finally love who I am enough to pursue my authentic self. I’ve been endlessly inspired by so many in the trans community. Thank you for your courage.”
They weren’t shy about pointing to the biggest issues surrounding trans people: “The statistics are staggering. The discrimination towards trans people is rife, insidious and cruel, resulting in horrific consequences. In 2020 alone, it has been reported that at least 40 transgender people have been murdered, the majority of which were Black and Latinx trans women.”
Elliot continued: “I love that I am trans. And I love that I am queer. And the more I hold myself close and fully embrace who I am, the more I dream, the more my heart grows and the more I thrive. To all trans people who deal with harassment, self-loathing, abuse, and the threat of violence every day: I see you, I love you, and I will do everything I can to change this world for the better.”
Twitter user Martin, who is trans, shared their trans etiquette guide
Image credits: unsolvedtwt
Image credits: unsolvedtwt
Image credits: unsolvedtwt
Image credits: unsolvedtwt
Image credits: unsolvedtwt
Martin told Bored Panda that it was jarring to learn that their thread went viral. “I saw that Elliot came out and I was super happy for him. And then I realized there would probably be a whole lot of people who just didn’t know the kind of stuff that I put in that thread. I wish it were common knowledge, and I hope there’s a day when things on that thread don’t need to be spelled out, but it unfortunately does,” they said.
“So I just figured making the thread would be an easy way to compile some basic stuff for allies who are trying to learn. I really didn’t expect it to blow up in the way it did, it got as far as Emma Portner’s Instagram story, which is wild. If I had known it was going to get that big, I maybe would have added just a quick guide on “he/they” pronouns. I use them myself, and there were a lot of people in the replies asking how to use them.”
Martin said that most of the replies they’ve seen about Elliot coming out online were positive. But not all of them. “There are some horribly transphobic replies just to my thread, people saying he was ‘playing make-belief’ and such. I went to look up Emma Portner’s Twitter to see if she had one, and all of the related tweets were asking intrusive questions on her sexuality. But I believe I’ve seen more positive than negative, which is a really good sign,” they explained.
Martin also shared a bit more about themselves. They’re studying in their first year of film school and they plan to put more effort into their YouTube channel when they get the time.
Others pitched in with their pointers
Image credits: epallyon
Image credits: unsolvedtwt
Image credits: SSS_music
Image credits: unsolvedtwt
Image credits: LionelParker16
Image credits: poko_hahaha
Image credits: CapJamesCarter
Image credits: pb609plus1
What do you think ?
Kirsten Kerkhof 5 years ago
Remember how you sometimes see a pet and say, "What a cute boy!" and the owner says, "It's actually a girl." And you say to the pet, "Aren't you a cute girl? Yes, you are!" Boom. It's as easy as that.
KatHat 5 years ago
A good friend of mine comes from a conservative part of Texas and could be expected to have conservative views. But he doesn't and stands up for all kinds of groups. Re trans folk, he recently said "I don't understand it, but I don't have to. I just have to not be an asshole and let people live their lives with respect." I thought that was a great thing to state on his FB page in front of his friends many of whom do act like assholes to anyone they don't understand. It really is this simple. Don't be an asshole. Show respect. Done.
Philip Williams 3 years ago (edited)
Yes, I think it's right to always treat others how you wish to be treated. If I disagree you are a woman I won't waste my time talking to you or saying to anyone I feel you are on the spectrum of mental illness affliction. A lot of the media online shows trans people and their advocates being aggressive. I think this is the exception which does become sensationalized. But in many of those cases the trans advocates would get knocked the fxxx out as grown men in my face like that.
Load More Replies...
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 5 years ago
I have a cousin that went through this. The religious family members think they disowned him and us that support him, but we really disowned them. The few times the last few years we all have been together the religious ones would pull him aside, call him a her, say god does not approve of them, and throw bible verses. WHO NEEDS THAT??? They helped me decide to ditch Christianity. One of the many reasons. Luckily my immediate family(mom, brother and all my kids and their significant others feel the same way I do about my cousin and the rude family members. Love wins!!
KT 5 years ago
Why ditch your religion? it's not Christianity's fault your family was horrid. Two completely separate things. There's nothing in the bible about trans being evil.
Load More Replies...
Al Christensen 5 years ago
I'm pro trans. Hurray for being your true self. I absolutely mean that. But what these etiquette rules seem to say is, "We want to be totally accepted by general society but still want to be treated exceptionally. Let's start with the conventions of grammar, and references to the past, and see what other barriers we can erect around ourselves."
Beans 5 years ago
Good for you for being pro trans. I think the only problem with the etiquette rules is that a few vocal people think they speak for everyone who is transgender. I know that there is a minority of people that don't consider their 'deadname' as a taboo thing to utter, and prefer to use the term 'birth name' etc. But proponents of the term 'deadname' say using one is akin to violence, and I personally don't agree to that. Because it's basically attributing malice to every action, and that's never helpful. Some people may use the 'deadname' as a way to hurt the other person, but I'm betting the fast majority of people who slip up do it because they aren't used to the change yet. It's no different from your name being changed by deed poll, are you going to go nuts every time someone uses the old name? Intent matters. People who are outraged and presume intent don't do themselves or others any favors.
Load More Replies...
Gergely Kiss 5 years ago
How does this work in regards to his awards / accolades? For example, he won several "best actress" awards for his performance in Juno.
hobbitly 5 years ago
Maybe just say it like you say it here: he won the award for best actress in Juno.
Load More Replies...
OrangeChicken 5 years ago
I was so excited to learn of this. He's just like me! He's proof that I can grow up and live my life as a he/they. And that may not sound like a big deal to some, but for someone else to be out there who is like me feels... validating for me and my confusing gender (not totally trans guy, but not totally non-binary... It's frusterating, I know). I love umbrella acadamy, and the fact tha Elliot plays one of my favs (sorry, but my FAV is Kluas... yeh I'm THAT bitch) is just... y e s p l e a s e. Thanks for reading this very confusing comment... I'm just a VERY bored feral child.
Wendillon 5 years ago
On the note of being polite in these cases, what happens if you slip up? I feel like it would be pretty common to have a slip of the tongue in the beginning and accidentally refer to him as "she" or still use their birth name just because you've done it for so long. Should you apologize after correcting yourself or simply correct yourself and move on?
Sleazy Weaver 5 years ago
Trans man here! As it said in the list, don't make a big deal over it. It's awkward & annoying. Just correct yourself & move on. "Wow, I love Elliot's work! She - I mean he - is so talented!"
Load More Replies...
Kirsten Kerkhof 5 years ago
Remember how you sometimes see a pet and say, "What a cute boy!" and the owner says, "It's actually a girl." And you say to the pet, "Aren't you a cute girl? Yes, you are!" Boom. It's as easy as that.
KatHat 5 years ago
A good friend of mine comes from a conservative part of Texas and could be expected to have conservative views. But he doesn't and stands up for all kinds of groups. Re trans folk, he recently said "I don't understand it, but I don't have to. I just have to not be an asshole and let people live their lives with respect." I thought that was a great thing to state on his FB page in front of his friends many of whom do act like assholes to anyone they don't understand. It really is this simple. Don't be an asshole. Show respect. Done.
Philip Williams 3 years ago (edited)
Yes, I think it's right to always treat others how you wish to be treated. If I disagree you are a woman I won't waste my time talking to you or saying to anyone I feel you are on the spectrum of mental illness affliction. A lot of the media online shows trans people and their advocates being aggressive. I think this is the exception which does become sensationalized. But in many of those cases the trans advocates would get knocked the fxxx out as grown men in my face like that.
Load More Replies... Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 5 years ago
I have a cousin that went through this. The religious family members think they disowned him and us that support him, but we really disowned them. The few times the last few years we all have been together the religious ones would pull him aside, call him a her, say god does not approve of them, and throw bible verses. WHO NEEDS THAT??? They helped me decide to ditch Christianity. One of the many reasons. Luckily my immediate family(mom, brother and all my kids and their significant others feel the same way I do about my cousin and the rude family members. Love wins!!
KT 5 years ago
Why ditch your religion? it's not Christianity's fault your family was horrid. Two completely separate things. There's nothing in the bible about trans being evil.
Load More Replies... Al Christensen 5 years ago
I'm pro trans. Hurray for being your true self. I absolutely mean that. But what these etiquette rules seem to say is, "We want to be totally accepted by general society but still want to be treated exceptionally. Let's start with the conventions of grammar, and references to the past, and see what other barriers we can erect around ourselves."
Beans 5 years ago
Good for you for being pro trans. I think the only problem with the etiquette rules is that a few vocal people think they speak for everyone who is transgender. I know that there is a minority of people that don't consider their 'deadname' as a taboo thing to utter, and prefer to use the term 'birth name' etc. But proponents of the term 'deadname' say using one is akin to violence, and I personally don't agree to that. Because it's basically attributing malice to every action, and that's never helpful. Some people may use the 'deadname' as a way to hurt the other person, but I'm betting the fast majority of people who slip up do it because they aren't used to the change yet. It's no different from your name being changed by deed poll, are you going to go nuts every time someone uses the old name? Intent matters. People who are outraged and presume intent don't do themselves or others any favors.
Load More Replies... Gergely Kiss 5 years ago
How does this work in regards to his awards / accolades? For example, he won several "best actress" awards for his performance in Juno.
hobbitly 5 years ago
Maybe just say it like you say it here: he won the award for best actress in Juno.
Load More Replies... OrangeChicken 5 years ago
I was so excited to learn of this. He's just like me! He's proof that I can grow up and live my life as a he/they. And that may not sound like a big deal to some, but for someone else to be out there who is like me feels... validating for me and my confusing gender (not totally trans guy, but not totally non-binary... It's frusterating, I know). I love umbrella acadamy, and the fact tha Elliot plays one of my favs (sorry, but my FAV is Kluas... yeh I'm THAT bitch) is just... y e s p l e a s e. Thanks for reading this very confusing comment... I'm just a VERY bored feral child.
Wendillon 5 years ago
On the note of being polite in these cases, what happens if you slip up? I feel like it would be pretty common to have a slip of the tongue in the beginning and accidentally refer to him as "she" or still use their birth name just because you've done it for so long. Should you apologize after correcting yourself or simply correct yourself and move on?
Sleazy Weaver 5 years ago
Trans man here! As it said in the list, don't make a big deal over it. It's awkward & annoying. Just correct yourself & move on. "Wow, I love Elliot's work! She - I mean he - is so talented!"
Load More Replies... You May Like 97 Pride Month Quotes From Fabulous LGBTQ+ Activists And Allies 48 Pride Month Memes To Celebrate The Queerest Month Of The Year
Natallia Pisarenka
Justina Čiapaitė
Related on Bored Panda
199
271