Actor Elliot Page has argued that traditional biology education is often used to marginalise LGBTQ+ people, claiming that lessons on the natural world can reinforce what he described as a “cis hetero-patriarchal” view of society.
Speaking on the TransLash podcast with host Imara Jones, the Juno and The Odyssey star said discussions of biology frequently fail to reflect the diversity found in nature, including examples of same-sex behaviour and gender variation among animals.
“The natural world and what we learn in biology class in terms of it seemingly being this cis hetero-patriarchal system... I feel is used against queer and trans people in terms of us being made to seem maladaptive, like there's something wrong with us or we're some modern thing, which we of course know is untrue,” Page said.
The Oscar-nominated actor argued that greater awareness of diversity in the animal kingdom could help challenge misconceptions about LGBTQ+ identities.
“Human beings are the only species that are ridiculous enough to seem to have a huge problem with trans folks,” Page added.
During the interview, Page also discussed portraying Sinon in Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster adaptation of The Odyssey. The character plays a role in the legendary Trojan Horse deception, though Page explained that Nolan’s interpretation presents Sinon as unaware of the true nature of the plan.
“In this situation, my character does not know that these men are on this horse,” Page said. “In the confrontation with Odysseus in Hades, he's confronting him with, ‘How could you lie to me? I sacrificed myself for you and for this. How could you lie to me?’”
Page said the character is burdened by guilt and regret after becoming entangled in events that lead to widespread death and destruction.
“I think the character of Sinon is carrying this horrible weight, of course, and regretting being a part of this, as well as, in many ways, being used and himself tricked into this situation,” the actor said.
Nolan’s The Odyssey has become one of the biggest film releases of the year, topping the box office on its opening weekend and earning more than $700 million worldwide. The epic adaptation has also received strong reviews from critics and audiences, making it the director’s highest-grossing film to date.
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