‘I work with manufacturers like Ann Summers regardless of being asexual – it is simply appearing’
A mannequin revealed she identifies as asexual, despite the fact that she works for lingerie and intercourse optimistic manufacturers.
Yasmin Benoit, 27, has had a profitable profession modelling for giant names like Ann Summers, Playful Promises, Thistle and Spire. Despite popping out as asexual on the age of 15, Yasmin feels little to no sexual attraction, no matter gender.
She views modelling as “a basic form of acting” and hopes to symbolize one thing totally different by working with intercourse optimistic manufacturers.
Check out extra love & intercourse tales right here
Yasmin additionally identifies as aromantic, that means she would not expertise romantic attraction. The stunner, from Reading, Berkshire, stated: “Being an asexual mannequin does not imply I’m anti intercourse. You could be sexually empowered whereas being asexual.
“I really want to break stereotypes by working with these lingerie brands. The campaigns I’ve worked on have been very women centred – the goal is promote feeling comfortable in your body. I want to show that asexuality can look like this too.
“My focus is to make the garments I’m modelling look good, so I do not really feel uncomfortable modelling in attractive poses. It’s my job, so it is very logistical – I’m promoting a product, not myself.”
Yasmin knew she was asexual from a young age and started to come out to friends and family during secondary school. However, she admitted it was a ‘long process’.
The mannequin claims it took a few years for individuals to grasp her sexuality – saying it is a lesser-known a part of the LGBTQ+ group. “I realised that I’m asexual when everyone else realised that they’re not,” she stated.
Yasmin additionally shared her experiences with individuals’s misconceptions about asexuality, including: “A lot of people don’t understand what asexuality is – they assume you’re just a prude or that something is wrong with you.”
The mannequin, who began her profession at 18, praised lingerie manufacturers for his or her inclusivity efforts. She stated: “It’s great that lingerie brands are trying to be more inclusive by hiring models of all different sexualities.”
Yasmin, who has by no means had a associate, has labored in numerous international locations for big-name manufacturers, together with her saying: “I love modelling and getting to be part of the wider vision.”
Her profitable modelling profession has given her a platform to advocate for asexual rights. She has partnered with Stonewall on an initiative known as “Stonewall x Yasmin Benoit Ace Project” to higher perceive the experiences of asexual individuals within the UK.
Yasmin can also be campaigning for asexuality to be recognised as a sexual orientation and included within the equality act.