A controversial step in the right direction for gender equality has been made by CoverGirl, a leader in the beauty industry, by making 17 year old James Charles the first male ambassador of their company. Charles is showing the world that anyone should be able to wear makeup without being ridiculed, regardless of gender.

Charles assuming his position as the world’s first “CoverBoy,” exposes the world to a person who is completely comfortable with himself. He wears makeup and acts more feminine in front of a world that doesn’t completely understand him. According the American Psychological Association, many LGBT youths are afraid of coming out because of the prejudice in society against them. Charles is showing these teens that it is okay to unapologetically be themselves.

Ever since Charles became a beauty trend-setter, I have felt more comfortable with myself. Now that times are changing and there are boys wearing makeup beautifully and confidently, I’ve noticed that I am less critical of my feminine side. I think this is because when I see other people who are celebrated for the things I don’t like about myself, I feel empowered enough to be myself with more confidence than before.

Some argue that it is not okay for Charles to be on television, doing commercials for CoverGirl, with a full face of makeup. Nicole Dean is one of those people. She wrote an opinion piece on a website, Homeschool Base, in which she discussed how she saw Charles on T.V. with her 6 year old son in the room. Naturally, her son started asking questions. She was conflicted and told her child that makeup was for girls and that Charles’s parents raised him wrong. It is somewhat understandable to be upset, but to go as far as to lie to your child just to shield him from something he will inevitably learn about is slightly gratuitous. The only thing a child can learn from Charles is that it is okay to be yourself.

If you ask women why they wear makeup, most of them are likely to say that makeup makes them feel beautiful. I believe it is unfair for women to then say it is wrong for boys to wear makeup because if you can feel beautiful, then why can’t I? Makeup has no gender and anyone should be able to feel pretty.