BY EMMA O'NEILL (MP)

 

Actress Ellen Page has come out as gay at a human rights event in Las Vegas.

 

Ms Page was making a speech at the conference, Time to Thrive, which helps promote the lives of LGBT youth, where she made the announcement.

 

The 26-year-old told the audience, “I am here because I am gay and because maybe I can make a difference, to help others have an easier and more hopeful time. Regardless, for me, I feel a personal obligation and a social responsibility.”

 

As an actress, she talked about the “crushing standards the industry places on all of us. Standards, that I hate to admit, have affected me. They tell you how you have to act, how you have to dress and who you have to be.”

 

“Trying to create that picture of your life is crushing, toxic and deeply unfair.”

 

In her emotional speech, with complete support from the audience in the form of a standing ovation which lasted almost a minute, the young actress spoke candidly.

 

"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. And I'm standing here today, with all of you, on the other side of all that pain."

 

The actress received a flood of support from peers and fans across the globe, with her X-Men co-star Sir Ian McKellen congratulating her in a live interview. He commended the courage it took to come out in such a public forum.

 

“For people who are lonely, reading that about someone whose career they follow is a little bit of a help and encouragement to them, to think it does get better. All this has come to a happy conclusion, hasn't it? With Ellen Page - Kitty Pryde - coming out. That gladdened my heart so much.”

 

House of Cards star Kate Mara also tweeted the actress “Be my valentine”, to which Ellen replied, “Yes please”.