Attitude becomes first magazine to put an asexual woman on the cover

Yasmin Benoit says it is an "honour" to be asked

Attitude magazine has reportedly become the first UK publication to feature an asexual woman on the cover.

Yasmin Benoit, a model and asexuality activist, appears on the January issue of the best-selling LGBT+ publication, alongside campaigners like Munroe Bergdorf and intersex activist Anick.

The issue is titled The Activists and Allies Issue and also features celebrity allies, such as Lorraine Kelly and Matty Healey from The 1975.

Beniot tells The Independent that this is a positive step forward as asexual people have gone “unseen and unheard for too long” in British society.

Asexuality is defined by Stonewall as not experiencing sexual attraction to anyone regardless of gender. Although it is a spectrum and some asexual people may experience attraction rarely or under specific circumstances.

Asexual Visiblity and Education Network (AVEN) estimates roughly one per cent of the UK population currently identify as asexual.

Beniot says: “It’s a sexuality that is rarely acknowledged and often misunderstood.

“I started to use my platform to raise awareness and dispel misconceptions a year ago, since then I’ve become an unlikely but powerful voice for the community.”

Beniot says for her it is important to be seen on the same cover that has seen stars such as Ru Paul and Prince William.

“[This] is a testament to our society’s growing interest in asexuality, my work, and the LGBT community’s increased inclusiveness in spite of debates about whether we should be included or not,” she says.

“To be the first person to achieve it makes me feel like all of the hard work I’ve been doing is paying off. It’s an honour and a responsibility I’m proud to take on!”

A spokesperson from Attitude magazine told The Independent it is not aware of any other openly asexual people being featured on a major newstand magazine.

The January issue also features an interview between Bergdorf, performance artist Scottee, The Great British Bake Off 2019 winner David Atherton and several others.

Lorraine Kelly dressed as her drag alter-ego Morning Gloria on the alternate January cover.

She said: “It’s like the really naughty rebel, which I was in my teenage years, came out to play."