Ellen Page never wants to be considered “brave” for playing a straight character.
The 28-year-old actress came out as gay in February 2014. While her next film role sees her portray a lesbian in Freeheld alongside Julianne Moore, Ellen is insistent that her sexuality should not determine the kinds of roles she is offered.
“When people are [called] brave in regards to playing LGBTQ people, that’s borderline offensive,” she told TIME magazine. “I’m never going to be considered brave for playing a straight person, and nor should I be."
However, despite her comments, Ellen found it somewhat freeing to be given the opportunity to play a gay character in Freeheld.
The thespian added in the interview she found an inner tranquility through taking on the role.
“There was something about being out, getting to play a gay character, and getting to play a woman who is so inspiring to me—it was such an amazing experience for me,” she said. “Honestly, if I played gay characters for the rest of my career, I’d be thrilled. I wish I could, honestly!”
While Ellen thoroughly enjoyed shooting Freeheld, the film is just one of very few which features lesbian lead roles.
And the former Juno actress would love to see more LGBT movies being made in Hollywood.
“It’s evident from what people are watching on television that people want diversity,” Ellen said, calling attention to transgender actress Laverne Cox’s fame through the TV show 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.
“To be moved and have more compassion, that’s the wonderful thing all art can do, and particularly film! 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.”
