At The Human Rights Foundation’s inaugural Time to Thrive conference actress Ellen Page presented the audience with a speech she used to publicize her sexuality. In her speech she talks about how the organization inspired her as well as many other young people around the nation. The Time to Thrive Human Rights Association is meant to “promote safety, inclusion and well-being for LGBT youth everywhere.”

Personally I have never been one to have a strong opinion regarding lesbians, gays, bi-sexuals or transgenders. Being from the south I think everyone has a strong disapproval; there is a church on every street corner and since I was a child I have been told anything other than man and woman is wrong. I do agree, but I also believe everyone should have the opportunity to love fully and deeply without shame. Love isn’t something that should be confined by the binds of society. Moreover our society is changing rapidly and the ‘social norms’ are no longer relevant to the youth of America or anywhere for that matter. The argument that marriage should be between a man and woman is no longer as strong. Today we denounce marriages by divorce and Americans typically disapprove of gay marriage simply because it goes against their beliefs but a loving couple should not be asked to hide their love or compromise for the comfort and satisfaction of others.

In her speech Page says “it’s a little weird, [to be here]. Here I am in this room because of an organization whose work I deeply, deeply admire, and I’m surrounded by people who make it their life’s work to make other people’s lives better.” She later goes on to say, “This world would be a whole lot better if we just made an effort to be less horrible to one another.”

That to me is the symbol of a true humanitarian concerned about the well-being of others as well as a person who is appreciative of the work people do. This is why I don’t understand why some people try so hard to knock down those that are different. I have admired Ellen Page since I first saw her in “Juno” and then later on in “Whip It.” The fact she is gay does not change my opinion at all. She is still the same person we saw when she acted in those movies we just know something new about her.

“I also do it selfishly, because 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,” she said. “And I’m standing here today, with all of you, on the other side of all that pain. I am young, yes, but what I have learned is that love, the beauty of it, the joy of it, and yes, even the pain of it, is the most incredible gift to give and to receive as a human being.”

Love is the most beautiful thing and “there are too many kids out there suffering from bullying, rejection, or simply being mistreated because of who they are. Too many dropouts. Too much abuse. Too many homeless. Too many suicides. You can change that, and you are changing it. But you never needed me to tell you that, and that’s why this was a little bit weird.”