You’ve been raising a daughter. One day, she tells you that she wants to be a boy. “At the time I felt like I was losing my daughter. I just couldn’t see that I was gaining a wonderful son,” Dee states in NZ telco, Spark’s, transgender awareness film by Colenso BBDO.

But Dee wanted her child to be happy. To be who he needed to be.

And Spark needed to tell that story simply. Without exaggerated emotion. Without doco-drama. With honesty.

That’s exactly what Colenso has delivered. A story about a mum and her child’s transition, that’s pared down to its essentials. Told entirely in Dee’s own voice in simple sentences stripped down to the facts.

The film was made for Pride 2019, Spark and OUTLine, a charity that offers a free support line to members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their friends and family. Its message is that when we talk – love wins.

Beth O’Brien and Thom Darlow, the creative team behind the work, stated, “We couldn’t be more proud to work with a company like Spark, who have the integrity to stand behind the rainbow community.”

Frith Wilson-Hughes, Spark’s social lead, added, “It was a privilege to meet Dee and Hunter and give them the space to tell their story. We’re in awe of their courage.”

OUTLine chief executive officer, Alexander Stevens II, noted, “Coming out to friends and whānau about gender or sexual identity can be a challenging and confronting process. And for family and friends, it can be an emotional time as well. Supporting each other is key.”

The campaign film is backed by social content shared over Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Credits

Agency: Colenso BBDO  

Production company: FINCH

Director: Abigail Greenwood

Media: PHD

Client: Spark

Brand COE Lead: Sarah Williams

Brand Lead Partner – Social: Frith Wilson-Hughes