Why OnlyFans Is a Feminist Breakthrough—Even for George Santos
Increased agency in sex work is cause for celebration, no matter who gets involved
In the most honest work he’s done, expelled conservative Congressman George Santos launched an OnlyFans account last Wednesday. OnlyFans is always a good punchline, but its proliferation over the past few years has been a boon for celebrities, adult performers, and sex workers of all stripes, many of whom are women. This platform has shifted the power dynamic, putting agency in the hands of creators, unlike the exploitative porn purveyors of yore.
Back in 2005, I sold t-shirts on the Girls Gone Wild tour and witnessed firsthand the predatory environment—most of the women were unpaid, despite serving as the product for the hundred-million-dollar company. They endured the shame and stigma associated with early 2000s sex work without any financial benefit.
Today, platforms like OnlyFans ensure that profit flows directly to the creators. This change has been revolutionary for many porn performers, who previously worked on a per-shoot basis without residuals. Now, performers like top MILF star Cherie DeVille can produce their own content and host it on platforms like OnlyFans and Fansly, allowing them to continue earning from their work indefinitely.
But OnlyFans isn't exclusive to porn performers and strippers; it has also attracted celebrities such as Bella Thorne, Denise Richards, Cardi B, and now George Santos. This influx of high-profile users has helped reduce the stigma around the platform and towards sex work in general. Though, of course, it’s a reinforcing cycle: Celebrities feel comfortable pushing the erotic envelope thanks to the groundwork laid by sex workers before them.
“The enabling side of sex positivity for sex worker social movements is that it gives sex workers a way to speak back to those sort of public voices that would condemn that kind of work” or pathologize them, notes historian
.The mainstreaming of sex work has been a crucial element of OnlyFans' success in recent years. During the pandemic, a wave of underemployed people, including a number of comedians I know, started profiles to stay afloat financially. (Remember our Comedians of OnlyFans series?)
As someone who uses OnlyFans myself, I can attest to its benefits. I post Playboy-style photos primarily aimed at Private Parts Unknown listeners—a super fun and horny way to support the podcast for all involved—and have made over $37K, a pleasant surprise as my content is relatively tame. The time investment is minimal, yet the income has been a reliable supplement, especially when waiting on freelance payments.
Sure, there are risks like piracy and doxxing, but online sex work tends to keep workers safer from physical and sexual abuse and other violations like robbery than offline venues. OnlyFans also employs technology to help prevent sex trafficking, requiring proper documentation for anyone appearing in content. In my experience, their moderation software is stringent and effective. For instance, on a few recent occasions, I have attempted to post a photo featuring another person—even a fully clothed body painter—and it has been rejected.
On the May 29th episode, Cherie DeVille shared how OnlyFans flagged her friend's content after she had surgery on her labia. While such incidents can be frustrating, DeVille appreciates the platform’s commitment to safety, saying, “Thank God, you can't just say, ‘Oh yeah, that's Cherie DeVille,’ and then put another woman there.”
Despite the occasional inconvenience, these measures are crucial. That’s why DeVille questions the conservative backlash against sites like OnlyFans, arguing, “Why are you damning the sites that are using it so effectively to make sure that trash doesn't end up on the internet? Why are you hurting the sites where a customer can go knowing confidently that they're ethically consuming porn and that no one is being harmed in their jackoff session?”
OnlyFans may not be the right career choice for everyone, but it has undeniably changed many lives for the better, especially in the entertainment and adult industries of Southern California. It's a talent-centric platform that offers a vast improvement over the old power dynamics of adult content. I've interviewed numerous individuals who have paid off student loans, been able to buy a house, or otherwise improved their financial situations thanks to OnlyFans. Even for George Santos, it seems like a good move at this point in his career.
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xo
Courtney
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