Ellen Page received the Vanguard award over the weekend at the Human Rights Campaign's Washington D.C. gala, and spoke mostly about how her life has changed in the year and a half since she came out of the closet at the group's Creating Change conference.
Said Page:
“I am very, very happy. And I finally feel that I am truly living my life. There was a time when I thought it would be impossible to be out. And 18 months ago, with the help of your love and support, I shared my story. And everything changed for me, and I'm still feeling the effects of that moment today. And I know how lucky I am to be in this position. I acutely remember the pain I was in before I was out. And I have been able to experience a lot of things for the first time in the last year and a half. Having my arms wrapped around my girlfriend Samantha while we walk down the street. Holding her hand on the red carpet. Kissing her in the ocean while we surf…and getting to say, in public, I am in love. But living an authentic life should not be something we feel we must fight for.”
Also speaking at the HRC event Saturday: Vice President Joe Biden (watch it HERE), and Apple CEO Tim Cook, (watch it HERE). Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton spoke at an afternoon event (watch it HERE) before appearing on Saturday Night Live that evening (watch it HERE).