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PREFACE: I know there is controversy concerning everything transgender at the moment, but I believe it's important to clarify that supporting people who are struggling with gender issues can save lives. On the other hand, I'm well aware that there are politics involved and hidden agendas. It's wise not to put everyone in the same basket, as everyone's journey is different and challenging in its own way. Please use your own discernment.

I’m grateful for books like "Pageboy" by Elliot Page. Besides what I learned from watching interviews with transgender people about two decades ago, I know very little about what it’s like to be a transgender person. I believe in my heart that everyone deserves to be happy, healthy, and to experience joy regardless of their past, skin color, race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.

It is our responsibility not only to accept diversity, but to make a conscious effort to understand how others who may be different from us experience the world. It’s not easy to face and acknowledge the systemic racism, abuse, repression and inequality that still exist in today’s society - but it is necessary. Sometimes it feels like no matter what I do, it’s never enough, but we must remind ourselves that every individual effort counts.

When I saw Elliot Page’s book, I was curious and I looked forward to reading it. I immediately recommended it to a friend once I'd finished it, and now I am compelled to share my takeaways from the book with you as well in order to illustrate why I highly recommend it to everyone.

When reading autobiographies, especially from celebrities in the film and music industry, it’s always fun to see how they rose to success. Sadly, Page’s journey hasn’t been an easy one. In the book he shares intimate details of traumatic events and the different kinds of abuse that he experienced. But it was part of his process, his journey, and what led him to become the person he is today. I will give readers fair warning though: there are some very graphic examples and recollections in the book that may be triggering to some. 

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One of the biggest lessons I learned from this book is that when he "came out" as gay in his 20s, he was accepted and cheered-on by everyone close to him, as well as by the general public. But in his 30s, when he revealed to the world that he was transgender, he wasn't met with the same kind of acceptance and encouragement. That in itself is confirmation that we, as a society, have a lot of work to do.

I remind myself that people fear what they don’t understand. The hatred Page experienced, sadly, is primarily rooted in fear, and fueled by an unwillingness to get to know him as a person - as a human being - regardless of his gender identity.  

@elliotpage Instagram Account

The book gave me the impression that he's a good person with a kind heart. It’s sad that he has to fight ignorance and hatred simply to be able to be himself - something many of us take for granted. Those who experience gender dysphoria often feel miserable and uncomfortable in their own skin no matter what they do. They feel like they are lying to themselves and pretending to be someone they’re not. It’s impossible to live in alignment unless you fully embrace who you are, which is a concept that we all can relate to.

By sharing his story, you can see that from a very young age Page was a boy stuck in a female body. Can you imagine what it would feel like to inhabit a physical body that doesn’t reflect who you are? You can see and feel through the book the years of suffering and torment that he endured in a society that pressured him and dictated what he was supposed to look like and how he was supposed to act.

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It’s with great courage that he started his journey by focusing on what HE needed despite the societal pressures and stigmas. It was time that he put himself first. He deserved it. Every human deserves it. You might look at successful people and envy what they portray on the surface, but in reality, you have no idea what they are going through internally.

In his book, Page bravely and openly shares what it is like to be transgender in today's world in such a way that readers can't help but to feel compassion for him as they are given the chance to form a new understanding by seeing life from his perspective. I’m happy that people like him can use their influence and fame to bring awareness and shed light on the issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community. 

@elliotpage Instagram Account

I believe that inclusivity is something that people can and should learn. My hope is that the more these stories, like Page's, are shared, the more acceptance and compassion will fill the hearts of everyone in the world and shift our society from being one that acts out of hatred and fear into one that acts out of love and understanding.

All in all, this is a must-read!

Explore this book on Audible with a FREE book trial by using my link here.

Your angel of change,
 

Joliane