**Transgender Actress Alleges Hate Incident in LA, But Doubters Cry Smollett 2.0**
Transgender actress Elliot Page, formerly Ellen Page, reported a verbal attack last year in Los Angeles citing her membership in the LGBT community. However, the tale is met with skepticism, as critics draw comparisons with the Jussie Smollett hoax.
According to a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Page recounted an incident where she was threatened and verbally assaulted during a walk to the Pink Dot convenience store. Page claims an unidentified man hurled anti-LGBT slurs before yelling, “This is why I need a gun!” This event allegedly affected her level of comfort in Los Angeles, but asserts she is able to seek refuge in a “fancy hotel room” and hire security if necessary.
Nevertheless, not everyone is convinced of Page’s version of events. Critics liken it to Jussie Smollett’s elaborately staged hate crime, with Twitter user Catturd dismissing it as “Jussie Smollett 2.0.” Podcaster Tim Pool also shared his skepticism on the platform, questioning the likelihood of such an incident in LA specifically. Political commentator Ada Lluch further chimed in, stating that the story felt “fishy” and reminiscent of Smollett’s infamous ruse.
Elliot Page, best known for her role in “Juno,” came out as transgender in 2020 and is presently promoting her new memoir, “Pageboy: A Memoir.” She maintains that sharing experiences is crucial for resisting those who seek to harm the transgender community.
**In light of recent controversies, skepticism regarding incidents of hate persists, potentially diluting the impact of genuine cases of targeted violence.**
