Gillette's Newest Ad Highlights The Bond Between A Trans Artist And His Father

By Lauren Rearick


As President Donald Trump his administration keeps it up and continues to propose and pass legislation that denies transgender people of their generic rights, representation of trans people and other members of the LGBTQ+ community in commercials and entertainment remains as critical as ever. Unfortunately, the film industry’s continued lack of transgender representation remains an ongoing allocate, as Hollywood keeps it up and continues to work towards a more inclusive future, one company’s casting decision is earning support from social media.


The shaving organization Gillette tapped Samson Bonkeabantu Brown, a Toronto-based artist who focuses his work on LGBTQ+ advocacy, for its newest ad; he is the initial transgender man to star in an ad for the organization, NBC News reported.


The clip was launched on Thursday, May 23, and shows Brown and his father completing Brown’s first shave. Before the moment starts, Brown addresses the method of transitioning. “Growing up, I was routinely attempting to identify what man I wanted to be, and I’m still attempting to calculate what sort of man I wanted to become,” he says. “I didn’t know that there was a term for the kind of person I was. I went into my transition just wanting to be happy.”


Social media users commended the brand for the “huge, cute, and very important” moment. One person tweeted, “As a black trans man who works in advertising, this is... Everything,” while another mentioned, “During a time as soon as our trans brothers and sisters are under attack by the Trump administration, this ad demonstrates the aesthetics and humanity of each person being able to celebrate their true selves.”


Alex Schmider, GLAAD’s Colleague Director of Transgender Representation commended the ad for representing one trans man’s experience. In a statement given to MTV News, Schmider mentioned, “Gillette has sent a powerful message of inclusion and family member support that is affirming for young trans boys and enlightening for broader crowds. The ad has garnered emotional reactions across social media, showing how eager LGBTQ people and allies are to be able to see themselves in stories of all kinds, including advertising.”


For its part, Gillette agrees.“Gender conversations are happening all around us and we believe brands play a role in influencing culture and have a responsibility to use their voice to champion issues of wonderful relevance to both the brand and our customers,” corporation spokesperson Corey Manuel told NBC News.