Ellen Page has come out as gay. The X-Men star appeared at the Time to THRIVE conference and made a moving speech in which she announced she was gay and wanted to "make a difference".

Ellen Page
Ellen Page gave a speech at the Time to Thrive conference in Las Vegas on Friday (14th February).

The conference was held in Bally's Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and the event was intended to promote the welfare of LGBT youth, as stated in The Hollywood Reporter. Page spoke on Friday (14th February) and came out publically as gay. She expressed her admiration of the organisation and the people involved in the Human Right's event. 

In the speech she said "I'm 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 social responsibility."

Watch Ellen Page's speech:

She continued by explaining her personal reasons for publically discussing her sexuality, stating "I am tired of hiding and I am 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 relationships suffered. And I'm standing here today, with all of you, on the other side of all that pain."

The 26-year-old Juno actress also felt she had been placed in a difficult position owing to the media attention placed on her as an actress. She felt that the film industry places "crushing standards on all of us". She embellished on her point, saying "Not just young people, but everyone. Standards of beauty; of a good life; of success. Standards that, I hate to admit, have affected me."

Towards the end of her speech she commented on general principles which are applicable to everyone, regardless of their sexuality. She said "We deserve to experience love fully, equally, without shame and without compromise."

Ellen Page
Ellen Page is best known for starring in X-Men and Juno.