Close

Mind in the Mediais an ongoing series discussing mental health and psychological topics in popular movies and television

When Elliot Page came out as transgender in 2020, making him perhaps the most famous trans man on the planet, it was unclear if he would continue in his role as one of the super-powered Hargreeves siblings on Netflix’s popular series “The Umbrella Academy.”

For two seasons Page had played “Number 7,” the sibling most likely to be overlooked and undervalued, but also the one who has the most explosive power of any of the Hargreeves. Now, with the release of the show’s third season, not only is Page back, but his character Viktor has also transitioned in a storyline that parallels the Oscar-nominated actor’s real-life transition.

The Gender Identity Milestones of Trans People

Although no two trans people have the exact same experience, there aregender identitymilestones many go through.

First, they may realize they don’t feel like they meet the gender expectations of the sex they were assigned at birth; next, they recognize their identity as a trans person; then, they start to live in their trans identity, which can mean coming out to family and friends as well as adjustingtheir name, the pronouns they use, andtheir appearance; and finally, some seek out gender-affirming care, which can include hormones and surgery.

While these milestones are not all neatly laid out in Viktor’s story in “The Umbrella Academy,” that doesn’t mean his story is missing anything. Transgender people may go through each of these milestones, only one or two, or none at all. For Viktor, the road to transitioning could be seen as starting in Season 1.

In the memorable scene early in the show’s first season in which Viktor and his siblings dance in separate rooms to the Tiffany song “I Think We’re Alone Now,” Viktor appears to be the least comfortable as he moves to the music.

Aditi Paul, PhDThis increased media visibility of trans people provides more opportunities for anyone who’s questioning their gender to understand that their gender identity doesn’t have to be limited to the sex they were assigned at birth.

Aditi Paul, PhD

This increased media visibility of trans people provides more opportunities for anyone who’s questioning their gender to understand that their gender identity doesn’t have to be limited to the sex they were assigned at birth.

Even though the writers hadn’t planned for the character’s transition at that point, looking back on that scene now gives it new meaning, as Viktor’s awkward moves could be seen as suggesting that he doesn’t feel at ease in his body, even if he’s not yet aware of his trans identity.

On the show, Viktor credits the realization that he’s trans to his romance with Sissy Cooper (Marin Ireland), which happened in the show’s second season. For the first time, Viktor experienced a relationship in which he was genuinely loved and accepted for his authentic self.

When they initially express surprise, Viktor explains that this is “who I’ve always been,” suggesting that he may have always been aware of his trans identity on some level but only recently learned to label and define it. Now that he has, he’s ready to live as his authentic self.

Everything Everywhere All At Once & the Immigrant Parent-Child Relationship

When Do People Realize They’re Transgender?

Like Page, Viktor is in his 30s, but people can realize they’re transgender at any age. A recent studyof 695 trans people found that, on average, people recognize they feel like adifferent gender that the sex they were assigned at birthat approximately 11 years old, with some participants coming to this conclusion as young as 2.

Despite that early age of realization, people usually didn’t start living as their gender identity until later in their lives, with the timing varying greatly based on the generation they were born into.

AsDr. Aditi Paul, PhD, Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Pace University observes, “This increased media visibility of trans people provides more opportunities for anyone who’s questioning their gender to understand that their gender identity doesn’t have to be limited to the sex they were assigned at birth, even if they don’t know any trans people in their real lives.”

Moreover, if people don’t identify ascisgender, exposure to shows like “The Umbrella Academy” and support through social media can help validate and affirm their gender identities.

Mental Health of Trans People

While trans visibility has improved, this has also led to backlash in America, which has resulted in political efforts to, for instance,prevent trans girls from playing sportsor prevent children from receivinggender-affirming care.

Moreover, due to their gender identity, trans people are frequently discriminated against, something Page himself describes experiencingin an essay, and victims of violence.

Studies have shownthat many trans people suffer from mental health issues, including suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts, especially if they lack social support.

Yet, in his essay, Page also discusses the joy of transitioning, a feeling that points to the positive mental health benefits of affirming one’s gender.

For example, one studyshowed that transitioning improved trans people’s quality of life, increased relationship satisfaction, and led to higher confidence and self-esteem while reducing substance use, anxiety, depression, and suicidality.

Similarly, another studyfound trans young adults who used puberty blocking drugs and then underwent gender reassignment surgery had improved psychological well-being that resulted in them functioning as well or better than same age individuals from the general population.

Although Viktor doesn’t express the positive mental health outcomes of his transition in an exuberant way, his improved mental health is signaled at several points throughout the third season of “The Umbrella Academy.”

For the first time, Viktor is at the center of his family’s adventures and is more assertive and outspoken about making decisions, a signal of the confidence his transition has instilled in him. In addition, in another dance scene at his brother Luther’s (Tom Hopper) wedding, Viktor is seen contentedly swaying to the music without a hint of the self-consciousness he betrayed in the Season 1 dance sequence mentioned above, signaling how his transition has helped him feel more at home in his body.

Growing Prevalence of Anti-Transgender Legislation Takes a Toll on Mental Health

How Can Loved Ones Support Trans People

One of the things the third season of “The Umbrella Academy"demonstrates well is how to support someone who transitions. Viktor has brief conversations about being trans with his siblings, especially his sister Allison (Emmy Raver-Lampman), who he’s particularly close to, and all of them are steadfast in their love and support.

Dr. Lee Phillips, LCSW, psychotherapist and certified sex and couples therapist says, “Even if someone starts their transition in childhood or adolescence, the best thing parents and family members can do is ‘support and validate’ them while avoiding challenging this part of their identity. The support of family and friends can decrease distress and suicidal ideation.”

Lee Phillips, LCSW…the best thing parents and family members can do is ‘support and validate’ them while avoiding challenging this part of their identity. The support of family and friends can decrease distress and suicidal ideation.

Lee Phillips, LCSW

…the best thing parents and family members can do is ‘support and validate’ them while avoiding challenging this part of their identity. The support of family and friends can decrease distress and suicidal ideation.

The best thing loved ones can do to support someone who comes out as trans is to continue to love and support them as they always have. While it’s okay to ask questions, as some of Viktor’s siblings do, it’s never helpful to attempt to question a trans person’s gender identity or try to convince them it’s a phase they’ll grow out of.

The Hargreeves siblings' open-minded acceptance of Viktor’s gender identity provides an excellent model for people with trans friends and family to follow. For trans people who need additional support, it can be helpful to speak to a mental health professional or to join asupport group.

The third season of “The Umbrella Academy” also illustrates that Viktor’s transition hasn’t turned him into a completely different person whose past is forgotten or relationships are reset. In fact, Viktor’s past actions and how they impact the present are frequently brought up throughout the season.

This is valuable for both people who transition and their loved ones to keep in mind. After all, while transitioning is often valuable to a trans person’s mental health, gender isn’t the sum total of everything an individual is.

A person’s transition doesn’t change everything about who they are, but it enables a trans person to be more authentically themselves, a fact their loved ones should accept and celebrate.

Mind in the Media: How Stranger Things 4 Uses Vecna to Symbolize Mental Illness

4 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Puckett JA, Tornello S, Mustanski B, Newcomb ME.Gender variations, generational effects, and mental health of transgender people in relation to timing and status of gender identity milestones.Psychol Sex Orientat Gend Divers. 2022;9(2):165-178. doi:10.1037/sgd0000391What does the scholarly research say about the effect of gender transition on transgender well-being?What We Know Project, Cornell University.de Vries ALC, McGuire JK, Steensma TD, Wagenaar ECF, Doreleijers TAH, Cohen-Kettenis PT.Young adult psychological outcome after puberty suppression and gender reassignment.Pediatrics. 2014;134(4):696-704. doi:10.1542/peds.2013-2958Olson KR, Durwood L, DeMeules M, McLaughlin KA.Mental health of transgender children who are supported in their identities.Pediatrics. 2016;137(3):e20153223. doi:10.1542/peds.2015-3223

4 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Puckett JA, Tornello S, Mustanski B, Newcomb ME.Gender variations, generational effects, and mental health of transgender people in relation to timing and status of gender identity milestones.Psychol Sex Orientat Gend Divers. 2022;9(2):165-178. doi:10.1037/sgd0000391What does the scholarly research say about the effect of gender transition on transgender well-being?What We Know Project, Cornell University.de Vries ALC, McGuire JK, Steensma TD, Wagenaar ECF, Doreleijers TAH, Cohen-Kettenis PT.Young adult psychological outcome after puberty suppression and gender reassignment.Pediatrics. 2014;134(4):696-704. doi:10.1542/peds.2013-2958Olson KR, Durwood L, DeMeules M, McLaughlin KA.Mental health of transgender children who are supported in their identities.Pediatrics. 2016;137(3):e20153223. doi:10.1542/peds.2015-3223

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Puckett JA, Tornello S, Mustanski B, Newcomb ME.Gender variations, generational effects, and mental health of transgender people in relation to timing and status of gender identity milestones.Psychol Sex Orientat Gend Divers. 2022;9(2):165-178. doi:10.1037/sgd0000391What does the scholarly research say about the effect of gender transition on transgender well-being?What We Know Project, Cornell University.de Vries ALC, McGuire JK, Steensma TD, Wagenaar ECF, Doreleijers TAH, Cohen-Kettenis PT.Young adult psychological outcome after puberty suppression and gender reassignment.Pediatrics. 2014;134(4):696-704. doi:10.1542/peds.2013-2958Olson KR, Durwood L, DeMeules M, McLaughlin KA.Mental health of transgender children who are supported in their identities.Pediatrics. 2016;137(3):e20153223. doi:10.1542/peds.2015-3223

Puckett JA, Tornello S, Mustanski B, Newcomb ME.Gender variations, generational effects, and mental health of transgender people in relation to timing and status of gender identity milestones.Psychol Sex Orientat Gend Divers. 2022;9(2):165-178. doi:10.1037/sgd0000391

What does the scholarly research say about the effect of gender transition on transgender well-being?What We Know Project, Cornell University.

de Vries ALC, McGuire JK, Steensma TD, Wagenaar ECF, Doreleijers TAH, Cohen-Kettenis PT.Young adult psychological outcome after puberty suppression and gender reassignment.Pediatrics. 2014;134(4):696-704. doi:10.1542/peds.2013-2958

Olson KR, Durwood L, DeMeules M, McLaughlin KA.Mental health of transgender children who are supported in their identities.Pediatrics. 2016;137(3):e20153223. doi:10.1542/peds.2015-3223

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?