Ellen Page used to feel "awkward around gay people".
The 27-year-old star, who announced she is gay in February, revealed her sexuality to her parents when she was just 19 but she admits it took her longer to come out in public because she felt ashamed of who she was.
Speaking in the June issue of Flare magazine, she said: "You think you're in a place where you're all, 'I'm thrilled to be gay, I have no issues about being gay anymore, I don't feel shame about being gay,' but you actually do.
"You're just not fully aware of it. I think I still felt scared about people knowing. I felt awkward around gay people; I felt guilty for not being myself."
However, the 'Juno' star felt the need to come out as she got older because she wanted to be able to show her girlfriend off to the world without anyone judging her.
She explained: "The more time went by, the more something just happened, and, Oh my god -- I want to love someone freely and walk down the street and hold my girlfriend's hand."
The brunette beauty admits her revelation has since lifted a great weight off her shoulders and she feels confident and content within herself.
She added: "I felt happy and confident and the difference was huge ... I feel more creatively inspired than I have in years. And I'm sure it has to do with a lot of bricks being taken out of the backpack."
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