Juno star Ellen Page comes out as gay and says she hopes to help others struggling with their sexuality

Page made her announcement during an appearance at the Human Rights Campaign's THRIVE conference

Page previously has been romantically linked to several male celebrities, including Alexander Skarsgard

Thousands of people have taken to social media to express their support for Page's 'courageous' decision

Ellen Page, the 26-year-old Canadian actress best known for her lead role in the 2007 blockbuster film Juno, revealed Friday that she is gay, despite having been romantically linked to several male actors in the past.

The star - who is known for her activism and says she identifies herself as a pro-choice feminist - made her announcement while delivering a speech at the Human Rights Campaign's Time To THRIVE conference for LGBTQ [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning] youth in Las Vegas on Friday , noting that she is 'sick of lying by omission.'



In her speech, Page said she hoped her news would help others struggling with their sexuality, saying: 'I'm here today because I am gay. And because maybe I can make a difference.



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'Maybe I can make a difference': Ellen Page came out as gay while speaking at the Human Rights Campaign's Time To THRIVE conference for LGBTQ youth in Las Vegas Friday Breakout performance: Page shot to fame after starring in the lead role of the 2007 film Juno 'To help others have an easier and more hopeful time. Regardless, for me, I feel a personal obligation and a social responsibility. ' Time to THRIVE organiser Human Rights Campaign tweeted the news and wrote: 'Congratulations, @EllenPage for taking the steps to live openly and come out as lesbian. #comingout #timetoTHRIVE (sic).' Ellen admitted she has found it difficult to be herself since shooting to fame in 2007's Juno.

Time to thrive: The 26-year-old starlet said she was 'sick of lying by omission' despite having been previously linked to Hollywood hunks Elijah Wood, Ben Foster, Sam Riley, Emile Hirsch, and Alexander Skarsgard

According to the Hollywood Reporter, she said: 'It's weird because here I am, an actress, representing - at least in some sense - an industry that places crushing standards on all of us.

'Not just young people, but everyone. Standards of beauty. Of a good life. Of success. Standards that, I hate to admit, have affected me.

'You have ideas planted in your head, thoughts you never had before, that tell you how you have to act, how you have to dress and who you have to be. I have been trying to push back, to be authentic, to follow my heart, but it can be hard.'

Out and proud: The Juno actress said she hopes her announcement will help others who are struggling with their sexuality

Ellen mentioned other stars who she sees as courageous for coming out and revealing their sexuality.



She cited football player Michael Sam, Orange Is the New Black star Laverne Cox, and lesbian identical twin musicians Tegan and Sara Quinn for being out and proud.

Page previously has been romantically linked to True Blood star Alexander Skarsgard, with whom she stars in the film The East and was seen cuddling in a San Francisco park last year. She also was rumored to be dating Into the Wild star Emile Hirsch.



It didn't take long for Page to inspire her celebrity pals, who eagerly tweeted their support for her brave move.



Page has been romantically linked to several male stars over the years, including The East co-star Alexander Skarsgard