Names and faces

Ellen Page, who won the hearts of movie goers as the pregnant teenager in the 2007 film Juno, has come out as gay. The 26-yearold told a Las Vegas audience Friday, “I’m here today because I am gay.” She was speaking at a conference of counselors who work with teenagers who identify as lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual or queer. A video of her speech was posted on the Los Angeles Times website. Page said she suffered for years because she was afraid to come out. She told the audience, “I’m standing here today, with all of you, on the other side of all that pain.” Page received an Oscar nomination for her performance in Juno. She also had major roles in X-Men: The Last Stand in 2006 and Inception in 2010.

Malcolm X’s family and estate said Nicki Minaj’s use of a famous photo of the black nationalist with a rifle in his hands, juxtaposed with a racial slur, for her new song’s artwork is disrespectful and offensive. Malcolm X’s daughter, Ilyasah Shabazz, said on Friday that Minaj’s use of the picture “in no way is endorsed by our family.” “Ms. Minaj’s artwork for her single does not depict the truth of Malcolm X’s legacy,” Shabazz said in a statement. Minaj apologized Thursday. She pulled the artwork after she was criticized on social-media platforms for using the photo for the cover of her new man-bashing song, “Lookin A * * N****.” Minaj said the single cover was “never the official artwork.” Mark Roesler, chief executive officer of CMG Worldwide - which is the business representative for Malcolm X’s estate - called Minaj’s use of the photo “dehumanizing.” “This is a family photo that was taken out of context in a totally inaccurate and tasteless way,”said his statement on behalf of the family. Minaj posted the artwork Wednesday on her Instagram page and website. The photo shows Malcolm X holding a rifle as he was trying to protect his family from death threats after his home had been firebombed.

Front Section, Pages 2 on 02/16/2014

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