When Ellen Page came out, we were initially really happy for her, and, in some cases, really happy for us. And then there were the obvious parallels to be drawn between her and other Ellen, Ellen DeGeneres, who came out in 1997, when coming out as a woman was basically unheard of.
So, it's fascinating to watch Ellen DeGeneres interviewing Ellen Page – who, earlier this week, said she used to feel 'awkward' around gay people. (Also, from a purely aesthetic level, how great are their blazers? No wonder YSL dressed them both in their signature sharp tailoring for the Oscars)
Congratulating the younger Ellen for the speech she made at the Human Rights Campaign Conference on Valentine's Day this year, the older Ellen said, 'I am so proud of you for coming out and I am happy for you. I know what a scary thing that is – your speech was incredible. I thought it was the most-brilliantly written...'
The brunette Ellen then explained why she was shaking like a leaf when she spoke, saying, 'The most nervous I've ever been in my life, for sure. I think my biggest fear of doing it was even just having a panic attack, quite frankly. But, you know, I was just so ready to do it and quite frankly so excited to do it.'
She also thanked the talk show host for her own coming out, saying she is 'grateful' to her because she 'did it at a time when it was much harder and much scarier'.
And how has life been for Ellen (Page) since her coming out? Much improved.
'I knew I would be a happier person, I knew I was gonna feel better, but I did not anticipate just how happy I would fee,' she revealed. 'Just every aspect of my life [there is] an ease and a comfort. It's really been quite extraordinary to feel the shift. It was pretty much overnight, too.'
Looking at this video, you do sort of wonder why each of these talented women had to go through so much struggle just to be who they are. Hopefully, with these trailblazers around (and they really are, even in this supposedly accepting society) more women – of any sexuality – will have the confidence to be who they are.
Follow Sophie on Twitter @sophwilkinson
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.