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This Microsoft Ad Featuring Jazz Jennings Gets Us in the Holiday Spirit

This Microsoft Ad Featuring Jazz Jennings Gets Us in the Holiday Spirit

An Xbox for everyone this year!

Microsoft released a commercial celebrating the spirit of the season, and we’re definitely feeling the love. The advertisement begins with a message: "This holiday season, we brought together a group of people who are making a difference in the world. This is their vision of hope, peace and beauty." Among those featured are the Human Rights Campaign's Youth Ambassador Jazz Jennings, artist and activist Mona Haydar who builds understanding about Muslims through performance art, and nine-year-old Black Lives Matter activist Zianna Oliphant who gained attention when she gave a moving statement to the Charlotte City Council in the wake of the police shooting of Keith Lamont Scott.

The commercial, set to the tune of Macy Gray’s "Beauty in the World," features an excerpt of Jazz Jennings’ speech at the 2016 Human Rights Campaign’s Time to THRIVE conference. "Knowing that at least one adult cares can make all the difference in the world to transgender youth," says Jennings. "Be that person."[iframe https://giphy.com/embed/siioUjMlAX4Yw allowfullscreen="" class=^{{"giphy-embed"}}^ frameborder="0" height="421" width="750"]Zea Bowling, the seven-year-old Ohio girl who calmly waved a rainbow flag as a homophobic street preacher yelled at her, is also featured in the commercial. Bowling went on to help raise money for Kaleidoscope Youth Center, an LGBT community center in Columbus.
[iframe https://giphy.com/embed/ycfHv3drpi0Ug allowfullscreen="" class=^{{"giphy-embed"}}^ frameborder="0" height="421" width="750"]"We wanted to lift people up and remind them that ordinary people can make a difference," says Microsoft’s YouTube description. "Our message focuses on the spirit of the holidays, people coming together and celebrating what is good and right with the world—what unites us, instead of what divides us."

Those featured in the advertisement collaborate on a mural scrawled with messages like "peace" and "love always" using Microsoft products. Though the goal may be to get us to stuff our stockings with Xboxes and Surface Books this holiday season, we can’t help but love the progressive message.

Watch the full commercial below, or view clips about those featured here

EqualPride supports the National LGBTQ Task ForceOut / Advocate Magazine - Jonathan Groff and Wayne Brady

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Cassie Sheets