Why Asexual Activist Yasmin Benoit Got SO Much Twitter Hate

[@Wondering_Ghoul]

Boy it sure seems like this could be avoided if people would just figure out that no one is entitled to anyone's body.

[@darksmiley5081]

pretty sad how much hate we still get for... you know... existing. Everytime someone asks me if I'm part of the LGBTQ+ community, I say I'm pansexual, even though that's only my romantic orientation... I don't want to have a whole power point presentation ready to explain asexuality to everyone, because so many people question wether or not it's real. Why do we need to justify our existence? :(

[@helenalovelock1030]

Why don’t you just say you are part of the community you don’t have to explain or tell anyone what you are. The fact you are there is that you exist

[@Omneyvdwatering]

yeah.. the "you have not found the right person yet". I heard that.. many times. But i don't want to find a right person, regardless even. I finally have people around me who love me and i love them and it's amazing.

[@lynnsaga1397]

I'm so sorry you've been told that. It's not ok how other people feel the need to give their opinions on how you live your life. I'm really glad you've been able to find people who love you as you are

[@Omneyvdwatering]

@@lynnsaga1397 I'm in a queer platonic relationship now. It's amazing. The love is so pure and I care so deeply about my partner. It's a poly and that suits us.

[@garak_on_b5679]

and the "you'll get it when you grown up", nope, still don't get why sex and romance are considered so important.

[@dali-dog]

as an asexual woman I despise feeling like my body is inherently sexual. It’s uncomfortable like you can’t imagine. I’ve realized lately that I personally like wearing somewhat cropped clothing because it’s light and breezy, and because I think it looks cool, in the same way I think sunglasses and headbands and colourful patterns look cool- not sexual. But knowing that people are going to look at me in a sexualized way, while certain that I *want* people looking at me like that, really hurts. To an extent I sort of understand, you can’t control being attracted to somebody, but it’s horrible that people feel so comfortable insisting it, forcing that image onto somebody, disregarding anything somebody says just because of the way they dress, as if their feminine body and personal style means that they *are* sexual whether they want to be or not. So uncomfortable. Also that photo is literally from pride, making it even weirder that people make a fuss about what she’s wearing. People *should* dress wild and out there and absolutely however they want, especially how they might not normally, because it’s a time of feeling comfortable with yourself and your body, not even in an inherently sexual way! Sure, a lot of it definitely is, since sexual sexuality is part of what we celebrate, but it’s not the only thing we’re celebrating. Not everybody who’s dressing “provocatively” at pride (or anywhere) is thinking of sex.

[@CalliopePony]

You can't control being attracted to somebody, but you can control how you act (or don't act) on that attraction. If someone finds another person attractive, regardless of the other person's availability or inclination, that's fine. If someone actively objectifies or harasses another person that's not fine.

[@dali-dog]

@@CalliopePony exactly, very true! It's not okay to make somebody feel bad for the way that they're dressed when it's nobody's business. Whatever I dress in doesn't mean I'm "asking" for anybody's attention.

[@RezzSubs]

Yasmin is such an icon and it's so sad she's being targeted like this. Massive props to her for standing her ground despite all the hate thrown her way by ignorant individuals - ignorant and mysoginistic, given their propensity to sexualize a woman and invalidate her identity for wearing something slightly revealing. I wonder if the reaction would've been the same if, say, David Jay had been the one to march and tweet.

[@lynnsaga1397]

She doesn't deserve any of it and you're 100% right I really wanna know if people would react the same way to a queer man

[@TheNOBODY2810]

I’m from the UK and the fact that Asexuality is still regarded as a mental disorder is wild. I am so angry about the A-phobia in the world and in the LGBTQIA+ community, A PLACE OF ACCEPTANCE!!!!!!! God I hate this! We deserve equal rights and the freedom to be ourselves! We deserve a seat at the table!

[@trilobite3120]

Once we have Denmark and France, the UK is next.

[@prosirmation352]

@@trilobite3120bro we need italy after Denmark it makes perfect sense

[@trilobite3120]

@@prosirmation352 Ah Yes

[@helenalovelock1030]

I think that H should be added to the letters to include Hyper-Sexual people

[@helenalovelock1030]

Surely it’s just a zero sex drive ?

[@freshestavacado9195]

4:17 I wish that someday we can break the stereotype that revealing clothing is purely a sexual thing. People are ALOUD TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEMSELVES!! But the only way to break this stereotype is to partake in wearing clothing to show others that choosing to wear clothing like this can feel great for the person wearing it. ||| Imagine if the only thing you could wear was baggy jeans and a hoodie, eventually that might get to you because that's the only way you see yourself; ending up with you loosing your self esteem. Dress however makes you feel the best about yourself!!

[@MittensZora]

Exactly! We dress for ourselves, not anybody else

[@somebodynowhere]

I saw Yasmin did an interview with Newsmax and it is sad that I knew before even looking at the video that the comments section of that echo chamber would be an utter hellscape. I don't know how she is able to put up with it mentally.

[@hyenaholicproductions9033]

It irritates me when people throw slurs at Asexual people, then say they're not prejudiced against them, even as they ONLY JUST jumped on the bandwagon for slur-throwing.

[@Jukari94]

As a man it's not confortable to talk to anyone about my asexuality and aromanticism. Everyone beleves that men can't be asexuals and that I'm just weird or broken for not wanting sex, love and relationships. I'm fine in my own company. I don't need anyone.

[@freshestavacado9195]

We must protect Yasmin at all costs! (Also, I like your desktop picture!)

[@NickyTannock]

I've never been on Twitter, but from what I've heard, the platform itself has become quite hateful, so that might be part of it.

[@aleksandrakoodziejczyk191]

My psychologist and my sexuologists both said asexuality doesnt exist. In 2022 and 2023 😭

[@aleksandrakoodziejczyk191]

My psychologist also told me I'm not asexual if Im intimate with my partner

[@LilMissSpeeedy01]

Oh man ain't that the truth. People always try to argue with me about my asexuality, they tell me I'm wrong, that I just haven't found someone yet, they tell me it's human nature and EVERYONE wants sex, and if they don't, they're not well. I guess being in a wheelchair, I get a get out of jail free card. But even then that's a bitter pill to swallow. I hate being part of the stereotype. Though I'm very sex positive and advocate strongly for disabled people to be seen as sexual beings.

[@garak_on_b5679]

it's nature for one to want sex, and also nature for one to not want sex, why can't they just accept both

[@LilMissSpeeedy01]

@@garak_on_b5679 I agree with you. I feel like everything is a spectrum.

[@LilMissSpeeedy01]

@@ishaalimtiaz6715 sure is! :(

[@sparklefulpaladin]

Oh jeez... thank you so much for bringing attention to this! It makes me so angry that someone like Yasmin who has done so much for our community and for the LGBTQ+ community at large is subject to so much hate. She is such a phenominal person. While I personally don't like wearing revealing clothing, I fully support anyone who wants to dress however they want (as long as they're not wearing open toed shoes in the science lab!). Ace people do definitely get hate and discriminated against, but I think it's a bit harder to notice than the hatred and discrimination that most trans people get (and honestly, most of the LGBT+ community at large). Not that either is better or worse than the other, but the discrimination seems to manifest differently.

[@BlueMoonRaccoon016]

This is why I haven’t come out to anyone yet. I figured out I was ace a couple months ago, and even though I resonate with that label, I’m scared that I won’t be taken seriously. It’s just silly to me that asexuality is still seen as a problem in someone.

[@McMerlin11]

It’s definitely difficult with the stigmas/ignorance surrounding our community, but please don’t be afraid to be yourself. I know that’s easier said than done, but in a world where we can literally be judged for how we walk or breathe, sometimes we just have to ignore people who just want to start problems.

[@BlueMoonRaccoon016]

@@McMerlin11 Thanks for the support. I still need time, but I’ll come out one day when I’m ready

[@helenalovelock1030]

You don’t have to “come out”. It’s your business

[@Tyler16bit]

Thankfully for me, I haven't encountered hate for being ace yet, and I say yet as it can always happen at any given time with the world we live in unfortunately. I often say all are valid, and I mean that. Let's spread more love than their amount of hate, and in the end love makes the world go around.

[@liamodonovan6610]

She does not deserve any hate the LGBT are putting her through the same thing as what the LGBT went through sense when is it ok to sexualise anyone she and her sexuality deserve respect love you're channel lynn

[@18sln]

I really appreciate you validating straight ace spec people. Lately I've been realizing just how much it's impacted my life, its helpful to have a place where i belong and don't feel like there's something wrong with me 💕

[@ossi4349]

Good video. One point though: The A doens't stand for asexuality either. It stands for a spec or a-spectrum. This way it includes agender, aromantic and abrosexual people.

[@lynnsaga1397]

Thank you for letting me know! I'll be sure to take note of that for the next time I go over it in a video ☺️

[@ossi4349]

@@lynnsaga1397 I'm ace too and made that mistake myself.

[@Arakhor]

I just say that it stands for all the As, rather than trying to come up with an all-emcompassing term.

[@ossi4349]

@Arakhor Yeah, that's also an option. I didn't make the term aspec. I just know people who use it and read a book about the asexual and aromantic spectrun that named it that way.

[@zoeyc5851]

I feel so bad for Yasmin :(

[@margaret.a]

Whenever someone asks me my sexual orientation I say 'questioning', even though I fully know I'm asexual. But if I had to pull out my projector and note cards to explain the meaning of asexuality EVERY SINGLE TIME, I'd go insane. And I'd like to keep my remaining sanity, thank you very much.

[@BEX5397]

Whenever I feel upset over aphobia I just remember that Aaron Paul supports aces like me and feel a little better

[@Nitro10-z2e]

Hey, where do you find your wallpapers? They're always really good!

[@lynnsaga1397]

I'm happy you like them! I use Wallpaper Engine on Steam☺️

[@Arakhor]

@@lynnsaga1397 I've never heard of that. I'll have to go and look it up! 🙂

[@dnalia64]

I'm Ace & Aro, so I basically have no use for other human beings. I like my sister, my niece, and my dad, but that's about it. Unfortunately, I was born short, curvy, with blonde hair, big blue eyes and boobs. I got'em. And men would just not leave me alone. I learned to be blunter about my rejections. Being nice didn't work. Trying to explain to people that I have ZERO sexual desire, for ANYONE, is difficult and makes me want to bust skulls at times. But, despite all the negativity, I'm still glad I don't have to deal with things like dating. And relationships. Ick.

[@sebastian-oq9be]

I'm demisexual so ace spec 💜🖤☺. It's really annoying whenever there is in-fighting within then lgbt community, like we're supposed to be together in this, guys 🥺. acephobia, transphobia, biphobia, enbyphobia, racism & a lotta other issues all present, just as in general society. on the topic of acephobia, or really any other smaller group within the community, I hate how there's a narrative of oppression olympics pushed by others. like oh you aren't discriminated against "as bad" so you don't belong. like the amount of discrimination shouldn't matter to be pt of it, plus how do you measure a quantity of something as abstract as that? plus ace people are hella discriminated against, in the aspects you talked about but also r*pe, people saying they can "fix" you or trying to find relationships that work, worrying about pressure from your partner, domestic r*pe, etc. anyways, thanks for the vid ^v^👍

[@laylascarlett2010]

We don’t deserve this! I’m literally scared to come out because of all the hate.

[@wills2652]

I am ace and bi and proud of it! People need to chill out when it comes to ace ppl. It’s ok to not want to have sex.

[@BGBTech]

I suspect this may be an area where males may have it easier, since (at least in my experience) if one doesn't bring it up, the whole thing just sorta gets ignored. Still kind of annoying though if one is still actually looking for someone, as in this case it is likely relevant to who is potentially compatible, and if one brings it up, it does seem to lead to avoidance/hostility/disbelief, so yeah... (like, no, I am not just making it up to try to seem less threatening or something...). Well, and also there is an annoyance that people seem to assume that if one is not currently in a relationship (and has been single for an extended period; say, 10+ years), it means they are "desperate", ... Whole thing is sort of annoying sometimes.

[@LauraBow]

Everyone assumes that a relationship is the end goal for everyone and it is important to remember that not everyone wants that. It's why "just get a roommate if you can't afford rent" should be seen as completely unacceptable. On another note, it's wild to see the leftism leave people's bodies when they see asexuals. That behavior wouldn't be acceptable with anyone

[@mk-aka-morgan8386]

I’m not shocked to see another asexual person being harassed online, but I am extremely disappointed 😮‍💨

[@Letsseewhathappens-g1t]

It is ridiculous that people are so judgemental of clothing. I am asexual and I just really enjoy fashion. If other people my age can dress a certain way, then why am I "sending the wrong message" when I dress the same way? If someone is out in public dressed less modest and has a bf (not w/ her) it is just fine despite her not wanting people hitting on her, but any time I dress the same way I am "not really asexual or I wouldn't dress that way". So that part is very relatable.

[@freshestavacado9195]

3:12 Your hair moved on its own!!! It's a ghost!!! lol (The framing was perfect because you almost don't even see the cut, just your hair moving out of the way of your face)

[@ashlazdanovich8396]

If I’m asked about my sexuality or who I’m interested in, typically I’ll say that I choose no one because of a bad experience and am happy being single. If they press a little, instead of saying “I’m Asexual”, I’ll just say something like “I’m not interested in anyone or anything in any way, shape, or form.” If they ask, maybe I’ll bring up that it’s asexual. But I’ve had to explain that I understand the feelings but never experienced it before in the same way others do. It’s so hard seeing them truly trying to understand my words but not understanding what I mean despite describing it, sometimes 6 ways to Sunday if you will. It’s frustrating sometimes. But ultimately I have to shut them down after they try to tell me stuff like “oh you haven’t found the right person for you” or “you were simply in a bad relationship. Don’t let one bad relationship ruin it for you.” And so on, and so on. It’s annoying so I am often quiet about it. But am not afraid to say that I am asexual and to explain what it really is in a way others understand. It’s been a rough ride.

[@paulamartinezramos968]

Hey, Lynn. I hug you through the emotions you exprienced on this video and the ones you went before and after recording and editing. Thanks for being vocal about the variety and beauty of our existence. Always resilient together 🌈✨

[@dawntripp1974]

I’m 49 and I think I have worn an outfit that showed my cleavage maybe 3 times in my life because I didn’t want anyone to get “the wrong idea” So annoying that I have let society influence what I do and do not wear!!!

[@mrjoker3665]

🖤🤍💜

[@lynnsaga1397]

☺️

Merci !

[@lynnsaga1397]

Thank you so much!

@@lynnsaga1397 thanks for covering this story and raise awarness about it 🙂

[@lynnsaga1397]

It needs to be talked about she doesn't deserve any of the negativity she's getting

[@coldtea3628]

Thank you for this.

[@helenrosemiller3980]

I love Yasmin, and I hope she feels supported by our community. This was a great video, thanks!

[@Cameron_44]

I had to delete my twitter

[@MoondogMadness]

💖💖💖

[@friedasimonetta7287]

Joke: What?! A in LGBTIA+ stands for Asexual??! I thought it stood for Aromantic or Agender!

[@KogetaiKid]

I can stand for all three

[@petiteloutre4466]

@friedasimonetta7287 It stands for asexual but is used to describe the spectrum of asexuality as a whole, so taking in account aromanticity, demi-sexuality, grey-sexuality, etc I don't know for sure if it also stands for Agender tho, as it doesn't fall under the umbrella of sexuality/romanticity but under the one of gender... Sorry if I made any mistakes, english is my third language sooo 😖 but I hope my explanation was good hehe

[@neroclaudiuscaesaraugustus]

I‘m pretty sure this would be more likely to happen with aromanticism While both asexuality and aromanticism are underrepresented I saw more ace represenation

[@AmandaIbraimovic]

As an ace person I don't get what "assexual rights" are. It's not like people are making us sleep with other people. We have equal rights.

[@ccsartcrypt]

We are told we are broken, told we can be fixed. Arent protected by hate crime laws, so if we are targeted by someone and abused because we are asexual we won't be protected. Changing that and getting people to realise we arent broken and don't need conversion therapy thats what is meant by ace rights.

[@hazelnethalen]

Many people including professionals or therapists still don’t acknowledge that asexuality is valid/real and try to “fix” it alot of the time. Please dont be ignorant toward our own issues

[@AmandaIbraimovic]

@@hazelnethalen my only issue is when people tell me how to feel like you just did. No one is forcing me to go on "treatment". We can just not go to that professional and find a new one

[@hazelnethalen]

@@AmandaIbraimovic we could and should but that still doesn’t get rid of the issue that there are alot of professionals who dont acknowledge asexuality as a actual thing, and nothings gonna happen if we dont say anything and act like everythings fine (the problem would actually probably get worse). Many ace people can also still fall into that rabbit hole of thinking they’re “broken” and follow with what that professional is telling them to do. Just because you didn’t or don’t experience it doesn’t mean no one has

[@AmandaIbraimovic]

@@hazelnethalen but that's not about equal rights. It's about getting professionals informed. No one is forcing us to go on dates. That's illegal. "Assexual rights" as a term makes no sense

[@harpldlewis7764]

Could the root cause of asexuality be simply low self-esteem?

[@BulbasaurRepresent]

to quote Yasmin herself when someone asked her "why she dressed like that" "Because it's hot in here and so am I, amiright?" It's not low self-esteem.

[@raphlvlogs271]

its important to understand that Asexual is gender orientation not identity

[@joshbrolin1401]

Uhhh no, it's a sexual identity sir...

[@artikulv731]

Gonna go out on a limb and say you’re hilarious

[@kjones5654]

I hate that this kind of thing is so common for us. I'm working on a project for my MA program (not my thesis yet but a large paper) about aphobia, and when I presented my preliminary findings to my classmates, they were shocked when I told them how many aphobic comments I have personally received, and I haven't even gotten the worst of it. I do my best to be visible as aro-ace so people can learn about it, but it's so exhausting sometimes. On a happier note, the ace/aro club here in Vienna had a large presence at our Pride parade and here there doesn't seem to be as much discourse about whether we're "really" queer. 🖤🩶🤍💜

[@HotDogTimeMachine385]

Hey Ace people, you're valid! 🖤🐘🤍💜

[@SophiaLamoruex]

🖤🤍💜 I'm genderfluid and pansexual and I think you have helped me find that out a while ago so thanks you:)

[@lynnsaga1397]

Awwww I'm happy to have been a small part of your journey!

[@SophiaLamoruex]

@@lynnsaga1397 made I ask what your gender and sexuality and suff like that is you don't have to tell me