This Gay Actor Is Recreating Beyoncé's Pregnancy Photos to Spread Body Positivity

With the help of photographer Matthew Dean Stewart, out, gay, LA-based actor Ben Yahr recreated the now iconic looks from Queen Bey's recent pregnancy announcement. But why, you ask? According to Yahr, the project is all in the name of body positivity, and to help spread acceptance to people of all shapes and sizes.

“I loved how unapologetic she was. I  studied the photos and saw how beautifully done they were, and how open she is with her body and her gorgeous pregnant belly. I thought, ‘She feels no shame, she’s proud of her shape, she’s proud of who she is,’ and that’s how I try to live my life too,” Yahr told PEOPLE Magazine about the artistic undertaking.

He continued: 

“I’ve always been very outspoken about body positivity and about encouraging other people to embrace themselves and love their shape no matter what. I have always been open with my body and taken pictures like that to celebrate myself and encourage others to celebrate themselves. When I saw her do it in such a theatrical, public, celebratory way, I thought, that’s exactly the type of message I want to send, and I want to try and recreate it.”

Click through to see more of Yahr's homage to Beyoncé, and follow him on Twitter. And see more from photographer Matthew Dean Stewart on Facebook and Instagram.