YOUTUBE TRANS STARS WHO TARGET CHILDREN
TRANSGENDER YouTube star Ash Hardell is idolised by hundreds of thousands of teenagers around the world, with more than 500,000 subscribers to his video channel.
Ash, who was born female but now identifies as non-binary – neither male nor female – introduces one video about breast removal, entitled I Got Top Surgery!!, with the words: ‘Watch my journey to flat and happy!’
In it, Ash tells fans: ‘After surgery there was not only this wave of euphoria, but also the biggest wave of relief… I’m telling you it was the right decision and I’m so happy.’ Commenting on the video, one follower said: ‘When I’m older I will get top surgery no matter what my parents say!!’
British-born Alex Bertie, 23, also has a hit channel where he has been sharing details of his transition from female to male since the age of 15 with his 300,000 followers. He told one young person who contacted him saying that they felt ‘confused’ and ‘not trans enough’ that they were repressing their true feelings.
‘Just because you are pushing it down and covering it up doesn’t mean it’s not still there,’ Alex said.