Asexuals need media representation | Yasmin Benoit | TEDxUAMonticello

[@kanetsuxp]

Coming to terms with asexuality as man has been a long journey for me. Seeing more representation would have helped me a lot. Thanks for the video!

[@abnersilva2385]

It took me years to finally come to myself as an asexual man, years of thinking that should be something wrong with me since i don't feel what literally everything i saw on media told me i was supposed to feel. It's freeing

[@kanetsuxp]

@@abnersilva2385 Yeah, as a man it always felt like it wasn't an option at all. Congrats on your journey!

[@stellas.215]

We're DONE being invisible. So proud Yasmin

[@asslysayyar4693]

The "having to explain to someone who and what I am" is the most soul crushing thing. It wears away at you. It leaves you feeling like you don't exist, aren't human, aren't real, and/or are wrong. Thank you, Yasmin Benoit, for speaking out and using your platform to make us more real.

[@juliec8183]

You're so spot on with Todd being THE asexual representation. Before this video (really the comment section with other examples that I'm going to look into) he was the only one I knew. I watched the whole show because I heard Todd's coming out as a tiktok sound and it thrilled me to the moon. I was overjoyed when the show actually explored Todd's asexuality, and it felt surreal even when I got to the point where Todd said outright that he was asexual. Even more surreal when Bojack reacted kindly to it. Thank you for talking about asexuality.

[@ValerHimiko]

I am going to send this to everyone who will ever ask me what asexuality is. Thank you Yasmin! ♥

[@YasminBenoit]

Thanks for watching! Glad you liked it! 💜

[@rebeccapaiottidasilva4054]

Same

[@thirdeye3750]

This is a great video! We need more ace rep for all those who don't realise they're ace yet and for those who do know to have someone they see themselves in!

[@evaa.333]

Although there is quite some amazing asexual representation in books, the visual media definitely should catch up on that as well. With more representation, more visibility, less people will have to wait for years before finding out about asexuality and the ace spectrum as a whole.

[@kimt36]

I'd love some recommendations because im constantly looking for ace books to read and i find it difficult honestly to find anything actually good

[@lewisbrown6965]

@@kimt36 The only one I can think of is Loveless by Alice Oseman, which I personally like quite a lot.

[@kimt36]

@@lewisbrown6965 I'll check it out ! I have a couple but I couldnt really recommend them to anyone because they weren't even memorable to me. Only one is a comic I picked up at a con one time created by a LGBTQIA artist - Tab kimpton Shades of A

[@lauralagova194]

@@kimt36 you can try checking some of those out: Upside Down by N. R. Walker and Our Bloody Pearl by B. N. Bryn both have ace main characters but also romantic relationships. The Villains series by V. E. Schwab has an an aroace protagonist.

[@rebeccapaiottidasilva4054]

@@lewisbrown6965 I’ve been wanting to get that book for such a long time now!! I came out as aroace to a few friends last week and now one of them has been asking me if there are any good ace books and that she was looking into Loveless so both of us decided to get it and we’re gonna do a buddy read thing, I can’t wait

[@reedsylvier5250]

CAN YOU SEE ME NOW Love you Yasmin! ~ a proud aroace

[@nathanjereb9944]

*Breaks through wall* Same!

[@ellanina801]

That made me tear up when she said that 😿

[@Laura-yl6wz]

Thank you Yasmin for your activism♥️

[@BrianBarrettWilson]

Your words about your life experience and misrepresentation could come out of my mouth and still remain true. This made me actually cry. I freaking love you Yasmin and just found out about who you are. You're so awesome following you on every social i can lol

[@YasminBenoit]

Thanks so much for your support! I'm glad that you liked it! 💜

[@yunstarr]

GIRL THAT WAS SO WELL SAID. The lack of asexual representation is HUGE and when we finally get some reparation it’s always a side character that’s “suspected to be ace” or some sort of psychopath or robot. We NEED more representation, because If we don’t no one will stop being aphobic. Sending love to y’all out there on the ace spectrum. Y’all are so valid, just like me and Yasmin.

[@Sunny_Scripts]

I’ve been looking forward to watching this ever since you announced it on your Twitter! “Everyone’s seen the clip, not the episode even, the clip” made me feel so oddly, specifically seen. Thank you.

[@EM-rm2xh]

Your voice has done so, so much for the Ace community. Thank you for everything you've done for us.

[@hael5901]

Yasmin you're a role model for so many of us, thank you for all you've done for the community.

[@rebeccapaiottidasilva4054]

YESSS Thank you so much Yasmin!! You’re doing great and the video was amazing, as was expected from such a talented bean. I wish that whoever reads this has a fantabulous rest of the year!

[@lazersarecool6197]

Excellent and powerful video! Great job Yasmin Benoit!

[@roslyndougan8046]

I agree so much, there needs to be a movies about it :)))

[@June-sq1ub]

This was an incredible speech

[@MizSher]

Thank you!! ❤️ We needed this. Being represented feels so good!

[@Meewthree]

Thank you for all of this Yasmin!! 💜💜💜🖤🖤🖤🤍🤍

[@lewisbrown6965]

Parvati in Outer Worlds, Georgia in Loveless and Caduceus from Critical Role are a few other great characters! But yeah, the list is vanishingly small

[@sophi460]

Petition for a loveless movie who's with me?

[@lewisbrown6965]

@@sophi460 That would be incredible.

[@rebeccapaiottidasilva4054]

@@sophi460 yes

[@frenzy2061]

When I found out Parvati was asexual through playing the game I was so unbelievably happy. I've never unintentionally stumbled upon a canonically asexual character before, I legit felt so giddy lol

[@lewisbrown6965]

@@frenzy2061 Parvati was one of the reasons I decided to play the game, but I didn't expect to find her so incredibly relatable. It cut a little close to home honestly, but everything about that character was a delight. And big chosen family vibes in that game.

[@BrianBarrettWilson]

Thank you so freaking much for this. This video just absolutely made my day.

[@hazel1446]

Awesome talk!!! I really hope that we become more visible soon. It hurts to be invisible. 💜

[@payton2118]

"but we are done being invisible." purr

[@genevieve9015]

Was disappointed that I still don't know what being asexual means. Would love to see a follow up video! 💓

[@sophi460]

The website AVEN is good if you looking to learn more about asexuality,but I also would like to see a follow up video,there are others ted talks about asexuality on youtube too, hope this helps

[@DefineMorena]

You can also find her on KZbin: Yasmin Benoit.

[@YasminBenoit]

I was actually told linger too much on expanding the definition because they didn't want yet another Asexuality 101 video. There are many resources online that explain what asexuality is, this was meant to go deeper into discussing matters relating to our visibility (or invisibility). Thanks for watching!

[@starrr365]

I also recommend Anthony Padilla's "I Spent a Day with Asexuals"

[@ravenjoker254]

I'm late, but yay! so happy to finally see Yasmin's TED talk! visibility here we come! (I hope)

[@fra93ilgrande]

I'm with you, as an asexual myself I don't feel represented by almost anyone, but you 💋 You're amazing Dear, keep it up.

[@gloriagenx569]

Powerful video, thank you Yasmin! 💪💜

[@ashH-B]

The lack of representation is so disappointing and I wish there were more ace/aro characters. the only show that I've found with a main character who is ace is the magnus archives but that's ended now so I am currently staved of Ace rep...

[@quinn5109]

Yay Yasmin! This was so good!

[@roseschoonhoven5297]

Thank you so much for doing this, everything you spoke about is so important and really inspiring! I work in media and it can be hard to speak up in the industry and get your ideas on the screen!

[@dawntripp1974]

Yasmin, you do the Ace community proud!! Thank you!!!

[@elainevdw]

Thank you Yasmin! My favorite asexual character is Vi Moradi from Star Wars - not only a canonically asexual back woman, but someone you can meet in person at Disney!!!

[@wvstelvnd]

THANK YOU 🖤🤍💜

[@jskskzjjejz]

Thank you Yasmin, you made so many good points here !

[@LeanAndMean44]

Comment for the algorithm. Knowing about asexual it’s before wold have helped me greatly.

[@pythonjava6228]

My favorite asexual is actually jughead.

[@calinasagilitypartner4444]

I'm asexual and on the Autism Spectrum

[@acereporter266]

I can't control fictional media representation. But I can control non-fictional media. Thank you for also doing your part!

[@Reveri247]

I'm ace and so dissapointed I can't think of a single ace character. I have personally never read about one or seen one on screen that I was aware of because it was never canonically awknowledged.

[@ellanina801]

Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple (Agatha Christie characters) elude to the characters being asexual. The most recent Poirot film disappointingly sexualizes him 😿. The bbc adaptations do them justice and maintain them as essentially asexual characters.

[@jell._.y]

YES WE DO 💔💔

[@NoopyP]

Loved this so much.

[@Tsynique]

Very powerful! Love it!

[@judithwilson1237]

If anyone is looking for more ace and aro spec rep in books the author Claudie Arseneault keeps a database of aro/ace characters on her website

[@lavender_coast]

I love this video. Thank you.

[@sreemoyeeroygosthipaty3697]

Absolutely agreed ❤

[@atziriii]

I’m DONE being invisible!

[@pancakemaxx4377]

YAS QUEEN WE ARE HERE!!

[@akwaabab8504]

Brilliant talk!

[@lisaboylesdance]

💜💜💜

[@casuallyceltic]

My favorite ace character is Voodoo from Sirens!

[@Alina_Schmidt]

„that we‘re just normal people.“ I disagree with that because I think being normal is horrific ;)

[@piratekingthethtaroo]

Yoo Luffy's a good one

[@svrvphimprod]

I'd like this video twice if I could.

[@ericaeli3807]

You seem to have found James Lindsay attractive at Oxford. ;)

[@jesuisravi]

I think you need to define asexuality more in depth than you have done here. I confess that I have never even heard of this trait in this context, I mean as something not incompatible with romantic attraction, etc.

[@lewisbrown6965]

The website AVEN is a good resource for that kind of thing.

[@jesuisravi]

@@lewisbrown6965 OK. Thanks

[@YasminBenoit]

I was told not to spend more time on that subject because there already many Asexuality 101 videos out there and countless resources which can explain the definition in depth, all accessible with a simple Google search. However, the definition I included in the video is the gist of it. The video was specifically meant to focus on discussions surrounding our representation. Thanks for watching!

[@jesuisravi]

@@YasminBenoit Yes, you are right.

[@QWERTY-ly5ho]

I wish I was asexual.

[@georgejackson1641]

Why?

[@georgejackson1641]

I feel the same way but I’d like to know why you would like to be that way.

[@QWERTY-ly5ho]

@@georgejackson1641 Because I’m a man with a high libido who can’t get any, for a number of reasons.

[@GoodOldCinema]

@@QWERTY-ly5ho Why can't you get any?

[@mx_nana_banana]

@@GoodOldCinema they probably have a bad personality.

[@lionlehner1533]

🖤💜🖤💜🖤

[@emmalove5080]

*asexuality

[@Rskhalil2000]

🥹🫶🏻

[@josipjagic]

[@calinasagilitypartner4444]

💜🖤♠️

[@jamesbondero5691]

I thought it was Michelle Obama in the thumbnail as an asexual

[@shuddupeyaface]

This Me me me society is painful to witness. Love to all asexuals. But, c'mon. It's all me me me.

[@robrocwell]

I can't... Clearly you can be whatever you desire. I just can't understand how your way of thinking makes it other people's fault you feel alienated. Your community is your representation. Some how it's become everyone else's problem because you're not being heard the way you want it in the timely fashion that has to be fitting to your personal approval is ridiculous and insane. It's one thing to want freedom of choice but on the other hand why does it really matter what others think if you're following your on ideas. All I hear is the desire to be accepted as different based on social media and fictional characters don't meet your personal requirements.

[@toni6053]

I don't care, nobody does. It's not a spectrum. The narcissism of young people is obscene.

[@Andreas-bk7jq]

I am super straight, I also feel left out

[@thirdeye3750]

super straights deserve to be left out :)

[@prcld]

ratio

[@tommarty9405]

In other words you’re transphobic. Greatttt we already have phobia in the comment section

[@coutingonstatic]

as you should be

[@mesmer7109]

that doesn't even exist