After years of quietly fighting gender dysphoria, the Juno alum got here out as transgender in December 2020. “My joy is real, but additionally it is fragile,” he wrote in a social media statement on the time. “The reality is, despite feeling profoundly completely satisfied straight away and knowing how much privilege I carry, I’m also scared. I’m afraid of the invasiveness, the hate, the ‘jokes’ and of violence.”

He added, “To all trans individuals who cope with harassment, self-loathing, abuse and the specter of violence every single day: I see you, I like you and I’ll do every thing I can to alter this world for the higher.”

True to his word, Elliot has since continued to be open about his journey, including his recovery from top surgery. “Dysphoria was once especially rife in the summertime,” he captioned a shirtless selfie in May. “No layers, only a T-shirt – or layers and oh so sweaty – consistently looking down, readjusting my oversized T. It feels so f’ing good soaking within the sun now, I never thought I could experience this, the enjoyment I feel in my body.”

The Umbrella Academy star also detailed his transition in his newly released memoir, Pageboy.