Ellen Page Comes Out as Gay

Actress Ellen Page told an audience at the Time to THRIVE conference in Las Vegas this week that she's "tired of lying by omission" about being gay. Her Valentine's-Day announcement came as a surprise to most, but it's inspired a mostly positive, encouraging reaction.

Page, who is best known for her roles in "Juno" and "Inception," told the crowd that she hoped her coming out would help others to be less afraid about doing the same.

"I’m here today because I am gay, and because maybe I can make a difference," she said, "to help others have an easier and more hopeful time. Regardless, for me, I feel a personal obligation and a social responsibility."

Page's revelation comes at the end of a week that also saw the high-profile coming out of University of Missouri football star Michael Sam. Sam said in an ESPN interview on Feb. 9 that he is "an openly proud gay man," raising the possibility that the All-American defensive end could be the first openly gay player to be chosen in the NFL draft. Sam's announcement, like Page's, was greeted with largely positive responses, although some NFL scouts were quoted as saying the Sam's draft prospects might have been hurt by his coming out.< /p>