Gillette praised for new advert that features a transgender man being taught how to shave by his father

Gillette’s new advert that shows a transgender man being taught how to shave by his father has been praised online, with many describing it as “amazing” and “beautiful”,

The video follows Samson Bonkeabantu Brown, a young transgender teen from Canada, as he shaves his face for the very first time under the guidance of his father.

“I always knew I was different but I didn’t know there was a term for the type of person that I was,” Brown says in Gillette’s "First Shave" advert.

“I went into my transition just wanting to be happy. I’m glad I’m at the point where I’m able to shave.”

As he puts the advice into practice, Brown is comforted by his father who tells him not to be scared.

“Shaving is about being confident. You’re doing fine,” Brown’s father says.

The advert’s tagline, released as part of its #MyBestSelf campaign, then reads: “Whenever, wherever. However it happens, your first shave is special”.

In a separate Facebook post, Brown said that his father has been his greatest supported throughout his transition and has always encouraged him to “be confident and live authentically as my best self”.

“This moment overwhelmed me during filming and again today seeing the ad since it's been launched,” Brown wrote.

“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.

“I am confident that this ad will encourage many of my trans siblings and fill them with the knowledge that our existence in this world can be filled with the love and support we deserve.”

The video, which was posted on Gillette’s Facebook page, has been viewed by more than 470,000 people and received thousands of comments praising the company for the advert.

“Beautiful ad! Please continue to include transmasculine folks in your advertising, and to support the LGBT community in concrete ways. As a non-binary person, I appreciate this message!”one person commented.

Another added: “It feels so nice to be represented. Thank you for displaying my kind of normal.”

A third person wrote: “I love this Gillette, thank you! You have no idea how much this means to our family. Representation matters.”

This isn’t the first time Gillette has been praised for its advertising.

In January, the company unveiled an advert about the dangers of toxic masculinity which was commended on social media with one person describing it as an “amazing call to action”.

The campaign, which turned the brand’s slogan “The Best A Man Can Get” on its head to create “The Best Men Can Be” tagline, addressed several topical issues, including the impact of the #MeToo movement.

“Is this the best a man can get?” the narrator asked, as men of different ages were shown looking pensively at their reflections in the mirror.

Various clips were then shown on screen depicting cyber bullying, sexual harassment and mansplaining, with the narrator stating: “It’s been going on far too long.”

The advert also highlighted the proliferation of the phrase “boys will be boys” as a means of excusing harmful or violent behaviour exhibited by young boys.