Making Black Queer History: Yasmin Benoit
Yasmin Benoit is one of the first, if not the only, openly asexual and aromantic models in history. Born on June 10th, 1996, Benoit is one of Gen Z's most vocal black queer activists - and researchers. She is of Trinidadian, Jamaican, and Barbadian descent and was raised in the British town of Reading, Berkshire.
Benoit's modeling career began in 2010. She knew from an early age that she was interested in modeling "alt" (alternative) fashion clothes, a scene very much dominated by white models, visions and interpretations of the style. She later broadened her scope, taking on lingerie modeling gigs as well, a career choice that she received significant online backlash for after coming out as a-spectrum, the vast majority of which came from people who used her choice of work to argue why she "could not possibly" be asexual. Nevertheless, no amount of pushback has stopped her from staying true to herself and using the queer labels that she feels best fit her.
Early in her work as an activist, Benoit appeared on Attitude magazine's 2019 issue, "The Activists," making her the first openly asexual woman to appear on the cover of a UK magazine. She was also featured in a BBC Three documentary on asexuality that same year, but criticized the piece on grounds of misrepresentation. In 2022, she launched the Stonewall x Yasmin Benoit Ace Project, an asexual rights initiative made exceptionally significant by its partnership with Stonewall. Benoit continued her advocacy for herself and fellow aros and aces, becoming the first out-and-proud ace to act as grand marshal for the NYC Pride March in June 2023.
From a young age, Benoit knew she wasn't interested in physical or romantic intimacy with others, choosing to attend an all-girls school in order to avoid uncomfortable conversations about sex and dating. She first came across the term "asexual" in high school, but didn't fully identify with it until later on, coming out to the public in a YouTube video in 2017. Benoit hosted the first asexual-themed bar at Pride in London in 2019, joining the board of directors of AVEN in October of the same year.
You might not know that she...
Collaborated with Gothic Lamb, a black-owned gothic fashion brand, in March 2018
Founded the hashtag '#ThisIsWhatAsexualityLooksLike' in 2019
Co-founded International Asexuality Day (April 6) in 2021
Is a Visiting Research Fellow at King's College London's Policy Institute
Was given an Attitude Pride Award in 2021, and nominated for a 2022 British LGBT Award in the 'Online Influencer' category
"We live in a society obsessed with relationships; where to love and be loved by another person is not only the ultimate aspiration, but the expectation." ― Yasmin Benoit
“In 2024, it’s time to talk about asexuality – and the discrimination asexual women face” (Yasmin Benoit, Stylist)
"I'm Asexual and These Are The Myths I Wish I'd Stop Hearing" (Yasmin Benoit, Teen Vogue)
How Yasmin Benoit is Championing Asexual Rights in the UK (Abi Scafe, Smiley Movement)
Yasmin Benoit Is On a Mission to Make Asexuality More Visible (Louis Rabinowitz, Notion)
Yasmin Benoit: ‘I had no idea people would be so angry about asexuality’ (Emma Henderson, The Independent)
Yasmin Benoit is flying the flag for asexuals everywhere (David Hudson, Queerty)
Yasmin Benoit on Bi Pride, asexuality, and coming out (Ella Gauchi, Diva Magazine)
"I'm Asexual and These Are The Myths I Wish I'd Stop Hearing" (Yasmin Benoit, Teen Vogue)
Stonewall x Yasmin Benoit Ace Project (Apollo Flux, Stonewall Scotland)
