The recent decision by Vanity Fair to put Caitlyn Jenner on its cover brought the transgender debate into the mainstream media consciousness, and virtually everyone with a Twitter handle suddenly had an opinion on the matter. Somewhere within this maelstrom there was the human aspect that involved a person making the difficult transition from the sex she was born with. If Jenner’s decision to go public with her transition achieved anything it was to raise awareness for those who have similarly struggled with the judgement that comes with being transgender.
And now, given media focus on the transgender community, Google has shown its support through a moving ad that provides a glimpse into the life of Jacob, a transgender man who finds a gym where he can safely exercise without the fear of being ostracised (or worse). The spot tracks Jacob’s journey through a series of archived YouTube clips and shows how hard the transition has been both physically and emotionally.
While all ‘for good’ spots have a commercial element in the sense that they aim to shed a positive light on the brand involved, it is good to see the tech juggernaut throw its weight behind an important cause in a way that is sensitive to the struggles of all the people involved.
