Key Points
- The Greens member for Brisbane has launched an account on the platform usually known for its adult content.
- Stephen Bates MP launched his account by announcing a Greens plan to make a HIV preventative medication free.
- He said people should not have to "pay a fortune to be sexually responsible".
Green leader Adam Bandt has praised MP Stephen Bates after the federal politician started sharing content on OnlyFans.
The member for Brisbane published his first post on the platform known for its adult content on Wednesday.
Bates, who is the Greens LGBTIQA+ spokesperson, used the post to launch the Greens' push to make a drug free in Australia that significantly reduces the risk of HIV transmission.
The Greens leader praised Bates’ inventive methods.
"When it comes to saving lives, you need to talk to everyone you can and if that means using inventive measures to reach audiences with a plan that will save lives, then I think we should do it," Bandt said.
"Steven Bates has a long history of really connecting with his community and making sure that the people who need to hear the message about how can save lives, get to hear it."
Bates said while the drug PrEP was , "the gap payment can add up to hundreds of dollars a year".
"In a cost of living crisis, that’s just too much. You shouldn’t have to pay a fortune to be sexually responsible," he said.
“Ending HIV is too important to fly under the radar."
Under the PrEP drug regimen patients typically take a daily pill, which — even without the use of condoms — is close to 100 per cent effective at preventing contraction of HIV, according to experts.
Greens member for Brisbane Stephen Bates has created an OnlyFans account. Source: AAP / Jane Dempster
"Sometimes you have to make a splash to make people pay attention to the things that matter," he said.
While the subscription service is adults only, it is not just pornographic content shared on it.
This is not the first time Bates has taken to social media to campaign.
In 2022 he used the slogan "You always come first with the Greens" as part of an advertised on Grindr, a social networking app for those in the LGBTIQ+ community.
He was elected to the seat of Brisbane at the 2022 federal election and in his first speech to parliament, he shared his emotional story of coming out as gay.
The Greens presented their plan for tackling LGBTIQA+ discrimination at Equality Australia’s Rainbow Votes Forum in Surry Hills on Tuesday night.
The full plan calls for the appointment of an LGBTIQA+ Human Rights Commissioner to be a watchdog for the LGBTIQA+ community.
The Greens want to make PrEP free for Australians, saying the drug that prevents HIV infection was costing too much. Source: Getty / nito100
"Our community has higher rates of homelessness and mental ill health, and faces systemic barriers to our safety, workplace rights and access to services," he said.
"As we are seeing the right lean into queerphobia and fearmonger about trans bodies and healthcare, a dedicated LGBTIQA+ human rights commissioner will ensure there are always the resources and expertise to defend our human rights."
There has been much discussion about whether following the 3 May election.
Labor has promised to cap most PBS medicines at a maximum of $25 if elected, a commitment the Liberals have said they would match.
