Trans guy receives a heartwarming birthday surprise that he’ll literally never forget
A trans guy was given a life-changing gift on his 18th birthday. (TikTok/@fluffiestboy)
A trans teenager shared a heartwarming video to TikTok, showing the moment he was given the surprise of a lifetime for his 18th birthday.
Andrew shared a TikTok video of his school-friends surprising him the day after his birthday.
After the group serenaded him with a rendition of “Happy Birthday”, his friends announced that they had all chipped in for a special present.
“Since you’re a legal adult, we raised enough money for you to change your name,” one told him, leaving him in tears.
HI THIS IS LITERALLY THE CUTEST FUCKIBG THING OH KY GOD pic.twitter.com/ZU70m47VbQ
— ren ? arcade’s simp (@komahina__) February 8, 2020
Andrew told PinkNews that he “had absolutely no clue” what his friends were up to.
“They’ve been planning it for a month and I’m surprised none of them slipped up or even hinted at it happening,” he said.
A student at Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy in Texas, USA, Andrew said his school “is a really safe place for people in the LGBTQ+ community”.
“All my teachers and fellow students have been so supportive of me ever since I came out,” he added.
Andrew wasn’t alone in feeling emotional. On Twitter, where one of his friends shared the video, complete strangers were reduced to tears over the beautiful act.
To the people who were involved in this video: pic.twitter.com/XHUlibhvLl
— ?push (@Pushiean2RBLX) February 8, 2020
pic.twitter.com/not9T5DxxF
— Sketchy Kay (@Glasses2themax) February 8, 2020
I IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO CRY I- pic.twitter.com/se9fNlBScD
— TIME (@TIMEinst) February 8, 2020
The kids are so much better than the rest of us.
— Anatole Jenkins (@AnatoleJenkins) February 8, 2020
A number of Twitter users questioned why Andrew would need money to change his name.
According to The National Center for Transgender Equality, to obtain a legal name change in Andrew’s home state of Texas requires a petition to the court.
The Texas Law Help website says that there is usually a filing fee associated with submitting a petition, which can vary by county.
Once a trans person has changed their name legally, there are usually further costs associated with replacing documents such as passports and driver’s licenses.
Name changes aside, many trans Americans who choose to undergo medical treatment are also often burdened with the costs of healthcare.
Under the Affordable Care Act insurance providers are legally required to cover any necessary costs for trans people, but according to the Human Rights Campaign only 83 per cent do.
