We are here for the final part of our combined Black, LGBTQ+ History month celebration. If you have missed the past 3 blog posts, then you can start here, ‘Celebrating Black History & LGBTQ+ History Month‘ and work your way through.
“I’m literally here to show off the clothes and make it look good. I’m not trying to sell myself, I’m trying to sell a product.”
Yasmin Benoit is an English model, writer and activist who is changing societies perception of what it means to identify as asexual. Working within the fashion industry, Benoit has also become one of the UK’s most prominent alternative fashion models. Using Instagram as a way to express her asexuality through lingerie modelling, she really does challenge the public perception of what asexuality looks like.
In 2019 in collaboration with Asexual Visibility and Education Network, Budweiser and Revolt London, Benoit hosted the first asexual themed bar at Pride London. She has also become the first asexual woman to appear on the cover of Attitude Magazine.
Benoit’s work and activism is helping to dispel myths regarding asexuality. The A is often the forgotten letter in the LGBTQIA+ alphabet, with many using it for Ally. However, people are gaining a new understanding of this identity and the many facets within our community.
“No one should have to endure even a fraction of the abuse that I am exposed to and have to put up with on a daily basis,”
English model and activist, Munroe was the first transgender model in the UK for L’Oréal. But later dropped after posting controversial statements regarding race. Whilst many find her views abrasive and confronting, one things is for sure, Munroe isn’t afraid to say what she thinks.
It is no secret that trans women of colour face some of societies biggest struggles. Their intersectionality leaves them unprotected in many areas and so the attention that Munroe brings to her community is a positive. She is showing trans people everywhere, that there is a place for you. She was ‘Change Maker of the Year’ in the 2018 Cosmopolitan Awards as well as earning an honorary doctorate from Brighton University in 2019.
Incredibly in 2020, Bergdorf seemingly repaired her relationship with L’Oréal. When the company announced that they would create and appoint Bergdorf to a U.K. Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Board.
Nkoli was born in Soweto and was an anti-apartheid, gay rights and AIDS activist in South Africa. After joining the Gay Association of South Africa, he later formed the Saturday Group. The first black gay group in Africa. In 1984 he was arrested and faced with the death penalty alongside 21 other political leaders. However, Nkoli was openly gay when in prison, helping to change the attitude of the African National Congress to gay rights at the time. He was later acquitted and released in 1988. Following this he founded the Gay and Lesbian Organisation of the Witwatersrand (GLOW) and organised the first ever pride parade in South Africa.
In 1994 Nkoli became one of the first gay rights activists to meet President Nelson Mandela. Which later helped in the removal of the sodomy law from the South African Constitution. He has been awarded the Stonewall Award at the Royal Albert Hall in London and every year, the city of San Francisco celebrates his life and achievements with Simon Nkoli Day.
“The black pieces we do that come from blues, spirituals and gospels are part of what I am. They are as honest and truthful as we can make them … If it’s art and entertainment—thank God, that’s what I want to be.”
American born, dancer, director, choreographer and activist who founded the world renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre (AAADT). Created in association with the Ailey school which nurtures black artists whilst expressing the African-American experience through dance. His piece ‘Revelations’, is recognised as one of the most popular and most performed ballets in the world.
AAADT provided performances for black dancers at are time when they were frequently denied opportunities. Ailey employed dancers based on their talents and ability, regardless of their background.
Ailey was incredibly private about his personal life. He was diagnosed as manic depressive (known today as bipolar disorder). Ailey died from AIDS related illnesses at age 58. However, requested that the doctor announce it as terminal blood dyscrasia to protect his mother from the stigmas associated with AIDS.
On July 15th 2008 the United States Congress passed a resolution stating AAADT as a “vital American cultural ambassador to the World”. Followed by Major Michael Bloomberg declaring December 4th as ‘Alvin Ailey Day’.
There you have it … the end of an incredible month of Black, LGBTQ+ Icons. But please know, that this list is by no means exhaustive. There are still so many Black, LGBTQ+ pioneers, using their voices to transform the world for the better.
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I currently live in London, working all over the UK as a performer and a presenter. I have a passion for writing and love sharing my experiences with others.
I currently live in London, working all over the UK as a performer and a presenter. I have a passion for writing and love sharing my experiences with others.
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