A group of LGBTQ+ people have shared their experiences for Pride month, taking part in a campaign to show “enduring” support for the celebration.
Posing for Playful Promises lingerie, the group donned all-black pieces for the ‘Playful and Proud’ shoot – going against the staple rainbow colours to convey consistent solidarity, year-round.
Following a casting call on Instagram, which received hundreds of entries, seven people from the LGBTQI+ community were selected to take part – Aamani (she/her), Chanai (she/her), couple Mia (they/them) and Marta (she/her), Reka (she/her), Sadie (she/they) and Seana (she/her).
Alongside the shoot, the models have spoken exclusively to http://NeedToKnow.co.uk about what it means to them to be in the community to mark the start of Pride month.
SADIE, 32, from London, queer femme lesbian
“My identity sits at an intersection, subject to misogyny, racism, sexism, colourism, featurism,” she said.
“That is so many marginalised experiences, forged together into one person, that I’ve had to consciously carve out space so as to not be a second-class citizen in this community.
“I’m literally told to be ashamed of myself. But I’m not and never will [be].
“Lingerie is a journey, a choice, a celebration of your body, in the colours or fabrics that make you feel great.
“I find the choice, the layering, the revealing and covering, so autonomous and that is empowering to me.
“Representation is the buffer space between not being seen and being enabled to do, and if used properly can really get the ball rolling towards equality and empowerment.”
AAMANI, 20, from London, pansexual woman
“When I was a child, I had only ever seen one gay couple in my life, and it was never something that was shown on television.
“At the time I didn’t even really know it was a possibility to be with somebody from the same sex.
“This lack of visibility can be very confusing and isolating for queer youths.
“But having more visible, queer role models to look up to is so important, helping queer people find their sense of identity and feel part of something bigger.
“Representation is extremely important.”
SEANA, 23, from Birmingham, straight transgender woman
Seana said representation like this “helps normalise people like me” and helps her feel “less alone”.
“I find lingerie empowering as it’s showcasing and decorating your body.
“Especially as a trans woman, it allows me to embrace and celebrate what I have and appreciate the journey I’ve been on to reach my desired goal with my transition.
“And I just feel hot!”
CHANAI, 24, from London, bisexual
“I came out in June last year and am finally living in my truth.
“Taking part in this campaign with Playful Promises was like coming out again, but I feel more supported and empowered than ever – by the brand, the cast of sexy goddesses and my entire community of queer creatives and allies.
“I love lingerie, it’s just so sexy and makes me feel so sexy in my own body.”
REKA, 22, from Darlington, bisexual
Reka says her experience in the community “has been nothing short of incredible”.
“Representation is important to me because everyone deserves to know that there is a whole community out there for them, that they don’t have to deal with their hardships alone.
“Rejection by those closest to you when coming out can be a really scary and isolating experience, but seeing and knowing, that there are people like you, laughing and loving with an entire group of people to support them is really important.
“I find lingerie empowering because I feel like I’m fully embracing my divine feminine energy, it makes me feel sexy which makes me feel confident.
“Pride to me means being fearless. Fearless of being your true authentic self, being comfortable in your body and loving every inch of your being.”
