Trans Great-Granddaughter Finds Love and Acceptance from Great-Grandma: A Heartwarming Story

“She always tells me I’m beautiful, and hearing that is just the sweetest,” Jenna Tea, aged 21, shared with PEOPLE.

A touching “coming out as trans” video from a resident of Utah, featuring her great-grandmother’s supportive voiceover, has reached over a million views.

Jenna Tea, a transgender woman from Salt Lake City, uploaded a video to Instagram on August 10 which captured her great-grandmother Katherine’s supportive response to her coming out. The video quickly gained a wave of positive reactions.

“Ever since I was young, she’s been incredibly supportive,” Jenna Tea told PEOPLE on Friday, October 4. “She always sensed I was different from other kids and saw it as something positive. She frequently compliments my appearance, which is incredibly sweet to hear.”

The viral clip starts with her great-grandma stating, “Well, it’s your life, honey.”

In the Instagram video’s voiceover, Katherine remarks, “You have to do what makes you happy,” revealing the conversation she had with her great-granddaughter, who disclosed to PEOPLE that she initially announced she was a transgender woman on social media on January 19 and began hormone therapy in April.

“This is something we all need to adjust to, and it might be hard for others, but they’re not the ones living your life, you are,” Katherine continues. “It’s their issue to re-adjust. It’s best to just put it out there, deal with it, and accept that it is what it is.”

“I’ve always noticed you were gentler, preferring dolls over trucks and such. There were signs, but we never mentioned them because it’s not fair until you realize it yourself,” she adds. “I don’t want you to be unhappy or let this struggle destroy you because others are not accepting. They’re just foolish.”

Katherine concludes her heartfelt message by affirming, “I love you. It doesn’t matter to me if you’re male or female. Whoever you are, I love you.”

Jenna responds, “That means the world to me.”

Jenna Tea, who is a makeup artist and drag performer, informed PEOPLE that her great-grandma attends her drag shows.

“She has loved every show she’s attended,” she remarked. “It’s truly special to see her enjoy herself and tip the performers — it fills my heart with joy. She supports my dream of pursuing drag as a full-time career.”

Jenna Tea draws inspiration not only from historical figures in the trans rights movement such as Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and Miss Major but also from contemporary trans entertainers.

“As someone who is also documenting my transition online, I greatly admire Dylan Mulvaney,” she mentioned about the content creator and actress. “Seeing so many beautiful trans actresses on Pose really inspires me. It’s wonderful to see trans women prominently featured and excelling in such a major series.”

She also considers drag legend RuPaul a significant influence.

“Though RuPaul isn’t trans, she has been a major influence in my life,” Jenna explained. “Without her and RuPaul’s Drag Race, I might never have discovered my own identity.”

“I’m inspired by many queens from the show, particularly the trans performers, because they show me that I can achieve the same,” she added, citing Gottmik, Peppermint, Sasha Colby, Kerri Colby, and Adore Delano as examples.

Her great-grandma believes Jenna Tea has the potential to reach stardom.

“She recently told me, ‘You’re a star! I love watching you perform and seeing you thrive in your element,’” Jenna shared. “That comment really resonated with me.”