Good NewsTransgender man’s “coming out” video is fun and instructive
[Henry Tadebois is using humour to highlight his experience being trans/YouTube]
A young Australian transgender man has created an entertaining coming out video, and it’s taking the internet by storm.
Henry Tadebois is a 24-year-old train driver and previously studied film and television, so he’s got some video-making chops. He teamed up with a friend, Kaylene Tyler, to make the three minute video, reports BuzzFeed News.
“I didn’t want to be all serious, doom and gloom,” Tadebois told BuzzFeed. “Humour creates trust, and if you can laugh at something, it’s not a big deal.”
Henry first came out as lesbian in high school, but recently came to terms with the fact that he is transgender. He decided that making a fun and informative video to share with family, friends and coworkers would be a positive way of sharing his news.
The video, titled “Further out of the closet,” starts with Henry explaining what it means to be trans:
“Dictionary.com describes transgender as a person whose gender identity does not match their biological sex assigned at birth,” says Henry with a friendly smile.
Over a montage of scenes depicting Henry doing “guy” stuff — smoking a cigar while reading Men’s Health, fixing a car, picking his wedgie — he explains that he’s always felt “pretty manly on the inside.”
With the help of an animated graphics of a syringe featuring the face of Mr. T, Henry explains how testosterone will help him go through a variety of changes that will result in things like a deeper voice, more body hair, and body fat redistribution.
“It will take a little getting used to and you might slip up in the beginning, but don’t worry, I won’t get offended,” says Henry reassuringly.
“I’ll still be the same person you’ve always known,” he says. “I just need to make the outside match the inside.” Then Henry flashes a huge grin and a thumbs up and adds, “I’m super excited!”
It’s hard not to get excited right along with him.
The video has had a hugely positive response online. Viewers have requested to use it for their own coming out trans announcements, and everyone seems to be a big fan of Henry’s lighthearted and clearheaded approach.
