The Gillette company, manufacturer of razors and skincare products, has entered the culture wars with an ad showing a father teaching his daughter who identifies as a boy, how to shave. It’s been viewed more than 1 million times on Facebook and ignited a social media debate.
The ad shows Toronto’s Samson Bonkeabantu Brown – who is biologically female – talking about transgenderism.
“I always knew I was different,” Brown says. “I didn’t know that there was a term for the type of person that I was. I went into my transition just wanting to be happy. I’m glad I’m at the point where I’m able to shave.”
The ad then shows Brown standing over a bathroom sink, holding a razor. Brown’s father gives instructions: “Now, don’t be scared. Shaving is about being confident.”
READ: Giving Children a Biblical Response to Transgenderism
Brown says: “I’m at the point in my manhood where I’m actually happy.”
“It’s not just myself transitioning,” Brown says. “It’s everybody around me transitioning.”
Viewers then read a message from Gillette: “Whenever, wherever, however it happens. Your first shave is special.”
About 3,000 people commented on Gillette’s Facebook page. Some were positive.
“Been buying your products for the past few years,” one person wrote… you’ve just earned yourself a loyal customer for LIFE!!!”
Others, though, said Gillette should have stayed on the sidelines in the debate over the condition officially labeled gender dysphoria, though it is referred to in the media as transgenderism.
“I won’t be buying Gillette ever again,” one person wrote.
