Ellen Page honoured her "hero" Laverne Cox at the 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards on Saturday night.
The 'Juno' actress, who revealed she is gay in February, credited the transgender 'Orange Is The New Black' star for inspiring her to come out before she presented her with the Stephen F. Kolzak award, for "making a significant difference in promoting equality for the community," at the star-studded ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.
16 April 2014
The 27-year-old star said: "Many of you know that I officially came out on Valentine's Day, and one of the best things that came from that is to publicly show support for the people who I admire and give me courage. And I'm here to do just that tonight for one of my hero's Laverne Cox."
'Inception' star Ellen admitted she was scared to open up about her sexuality for a long time when she announced she is gay at Human Rights Campaign's Time to Thrive event in Las Vegas earlier this year.
She said at the time: "I'm here today because I'm 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. I also do it selfishly, because 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."
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