Shaving company Gillette, has released an emotional and heartwarming new ad featuring a young trans man being taught to shave for the first time by his proud father.
The beautiful ad and its tagline “Whenever, wherever, however, it happens – your first shave is special,” is the first video of the brand’s new campaign titled: #MyBestSelf.
The video features Samson Bonkeabantu Brown, a young trans teen from Canada. In the ad, which was originally posted to the brand’s Facebook page, Brown explains, “Growing up I was always trying to figure out what kind of man I want to become and I’m still trying to figure out what kind that I want to become.”
The young man then receives encouragement and advice from his father as he shaves for the first time: “Now don’t be scared. Shaving is about being confident. You are doing fine,” his father supportively says.
Brown finishes off the ad saying, “It’s not just myself transitioning. It’s everyone around me transitioning.”
Speaking after the ads release Brown said, “My dad always told me that whatever I do, I should be the best at it; and I wanted to be a part of this campaign because Gillette is encouraging everyone to be their best, just like my dad for me.”
The artist and trans advocate added, “My dad’s encouragement came from a place of love and gave me the confidence to express my true authentic self.”
In a Facebook post, Brown thanked Gillette for the opportunity to share the important milestone with his father.
“I shot this ad for Gillette and wanted to include my father, who has been one of my greatest supporters throughout my transition, encouraging me to be confident and live authentically as my best self,” Brown said.
“I’m keenly aware of how blessed I am to be able to exist in this world being supported by my family in ways that all too often many of my trans brothers, sisters, and siblings who exist outside the binary are not always as fortunate,” Brown said in his Facebook post.
You can watch Gillette’s First Shave video on express below:
First Shave, the story of Samson | #MyBestSelf
Whenever, wherever, however it happens – your first shave is special.
Posted by Gillette on Thursday, May 23, 2019
