Acting legend Annette Bening applauds Eddie Izzard and Elliot Page for living their truths
Annette Bening (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
Four-time Oscar nominee Annette Bening says it’s “a beautiful thing” that Elliot Page and Eddie Izzard are living their truths.
Bening, who has a transgender son with husband Warren Beatty, made a fierce speech about supporting trans rights at a virtual Human Rights Campaign fundraiser earlier this year.
Speaking to the Daily Beast about her journey as a trans ally and why she feels it’s important to speak up, Bening said: “My son has taught me a lot about what it means to be a human being, and be responsive to your own development, and your own notions of self.
“These are evolving issues for a lot of people, and that’s why some people don’t come out until they’re older – or they come out and as they come out, they might shift and change the way they express their sexuality or their gender.
“I think seeing this close-up as well as having friends who are trans – this is a great boon, because it emphasises how important it is that we tolerate, and love, and understand other people in the way they choose to represent themselves.
“It’s not a threat to anyone else if someone has a different gender or identity. That is important to me, and being part of that message is important to me.”
Annette Bening, who was nominated for an Oscar for starring opposite Julianne Moore in iconic 2011 lesbian movie The Kids Are All Right, has previously talked about why cis actors should never play trans roles, saying that having a trans son forced her to confront problematic casting choices in Hollywood.
She also commented on Eddie Izzard stating her pronouns recently, saying it was “really important” that Izzard had “claimed her pronouns”, and added that Elliot Page coming out as trans is “a beautiful thing”.
“These are evolving matters, and it’s like how some people come out as gay, bi or non-binary – this can happen at any point in life, and we all have that right and that freedom to express ourselves and to continue to explore the way we express ourselves our entire live,” Bening said. “It’s a beautiful thing and it’s always happened, it’s just never been understood, recognised, and validated.”
Finally, Bening was asked to comment on JK Rowling and her trans views.
“I don’t understand it,” Bening said. “I certainly can’t explain it to you. I don’t understand it at all.”
