ellen page goes public with girlfriend samantha thomas at tiff

Last year, Ellen Page came out with an emotional speech at the HRCF's Time to Thrive Conference. Authenticity was a driving force behind it, and her latest movie had a lot to do with it, too. Freeheld tells the real-life story of a lesbian woman in New Jersey seeking pension benefits for her domestic partner after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. The story became something of a national story about equal rights, so it’s only fitting Page and her girlfriend, Samantha Thomas, walked the carpet together—the first time they’d ever done so.

Speaking with E! News, Page said she’s in love and that “walking down the carpet holding my girlfriend’s hand is pretty special.” The two wore similar tuxedos for the Toronto International Film Festival premiere and looked so happy together. There ain’t nothing better than seeing people in love with one another, and the love here is infectious. Love wins, y’all. Always.