Elizabeth Banks wants to remove the stigma surrounding female sexuality.
In a recent interview with New You magazine, the 40-year-old voiced her concerns over today's problematic sexual culture:
"It’s a huge disservice to young people to put shame into the equation. That’s what bothers me the most about it and why I speak so openly about sex," the actress said. "I promote safe sex, always, and abstinence until you are madly in love. But at the same time I have no desire to shame any young person about what’s going on in their life or about general sexuality or their bodies."
Banks also opened up to the magazine about parenting, comedy and body image, admitting, "I didn’t quite believe I was pretty for a long time. I never thought about it."
"I’m very genetically blessed, I cannot deny it, but I work hard at keeping myself together," she added. "Yes, I have nice cheekbones and skinny legs but I can't take any credit for it."
Banks stars in the upcoming movie, "Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1," which just released its first trailer this week at Comic-Con.
"I wanted to play Effie. I think she's an incredibly complicated, interesting character," Banks told Moviefone in March 2012 of her role in the franchise. "She's someone who's wildly optimistic in the face of horrible circumstances and I love that dichotomy."
For more on the actress, head over to New You magazine, or pick up a copy of the full issue, on newsstands now.