I texted you right after I saw that.
And I also texted Stephen.
I just thought it was amazing.
And I know--
I think you-- that didn't--
that wasn't planned.
I think it was just a conversation,
and then, you just started saying that, right?
Yeah.
I mean, I think what people need to know is it's life or death.
People need to know that when you're growing up
in a society that makes you feel like there's
something wrong with you that something needs to be fixed.
It's extremely dangerous and harmful.
I think you see that a lot, too.
I think because you had a show where you're traveling around
and you're meeting a lot of people all over the world--
and there are laws in most countries
against homosexuality.
So I think you're seeing things that most people don't even
see.
Yes.
So you see the extreme of it all.
But I think that--
I think most of us, you know, we're so bombarded.
You watch the news.
You watch-- we're bombarded with horrible things going
on all the time in every area, not
just, you know, anti just gay.
It's just-- it's everything.
And I think sometimes, we just keep our heads down,
and we just keep trying to do what we can.
And the other issue, too, is we have such little representation
in the media.
Yeah.
And we don't learn about LGBTQ history in schools.
And these are the things that we need.
Because you know what it's like, Ellen.
I do.
You know what it's like to grow up and internalize
homophobia and live with that shame
and how much that poisons you.
Yeah.
Oh, I do.
Yeah.
And I do, too.
Yeah.
And we need to have these conversations
because kids kill themselves, are kicked out of their homes,
run away from home.
40% of homeless youth are LGBT.
We need to be having these conversations.
We need to be treating these moments
as learning opportunities.
Right.
And what's the reaction?
Like after you did the interview with Steven,
I know that you have gotten a lot of praise.
And I texted you, and I'm sure you've gotten lots of text
from a lot of people saying how brave you are
and how important it is.
But you've gotten criticized for this.
Yeah, naturally.
I get criticized for a lot of things just for being who I am
and speaking out for equality.
You know, I guess I'm just trying to communicate.
And I was-- you know, this is the goal with the show,
Gaycation, to help people see the repercussions
and the consequences of harmful rhetoric
and the normalization of anti LGBT beliefs
and laws in this country.
In 29 states, you can be fired just
for being who you are, denied housing.
The attack on trans rights is appalling.
Just completely dehumanizing people.
Yeah.
And people are going to be mad at me when I say that.
And that's the problem.
Yeah.
Well, they get mad, too.
I mean, you're not just--
you're an activist.
You're a political person.
And you care about things.
And you talk about the environment.
You talk about lots of things.
But I think that that's the one thing that people are
singling out and upset about.
But it's just the truth.
Yeah.
And the thing that needs to shift, too, in the media
is like it's not a debate.
Marriage equality should never have been a debate.
It's not a debate.
[APPLAUSE]
I'm fortunate enough that I have been married now 10 years.
We got married as soon as it became legal.
You are now married one year.
And congratulations on that.
[APPLAUSE]
She's a dancer, right?
Yeah.
Phenomenal.
So does she-- yeah, she's a--
I saw you doing a routine with her.
And I was like, oh, my god, that was incredible.
Is that how you met her?
I saw her on Instagram.
And a band I love re-posted a video of her dancing.
And I just was like, wow, she's incredible.
And I followed her.
And then, she direct messaged me a little bit later.
We're both Canadian, so you know that classic line.
No.
I'm just kidding.
I'm teasing.
Like, hey, I'm from Ottawa.
You're from Halifax.
Let's hang out.
And then, yeah, we just--
I fell madly in love.
And I feel so fortunate to be married to her.
Yeah.
I look forward to meeting her.
All right.
So let's talk about your Netflix show.
Yeah.
So The Umbrella Academy, it's called.
And everyone's a superhero.
Yes.
And yet, you had to learn how to play violin.
Yes.
And that's a hard instrument to learn.
It's so hard.
Just like learning how to hold the bow is so hard.
Well, and also, you have to lean like that
and get a crick in your neck because you have
to hold the violin like that.
All right.
I think we have a clip of it, right?
OK.
How long has it been since Five disappeared?
It's been 16 years, four months, and 14 days.
Your father insisted I keep track.
I always used to leave the lights on for him.
I was scared that he would come back.
It would be late, and the house would be dark.
And he wouldn't be able to find us, so he'd leave again.
Your father always believed that Number Five was still
out there somewhere.
He never lost hope.
And look where that got him.
So cool how they do that.
That's amazing.
Yeah.
All right.
It's The Umbrella Academy.
It's available now on Netflix.
Ellen Page, I'm proud of you.
I know you get a lot of criticism
for what you're doing, but keep doing what you're doing.
I appreciate it.
We'll be right back.