Australian Politician Stephen Bates Utilizes OnlyFans for Advocacy
In an unprecedented strategy, Australian politician Stephen Bates has adopted the social media platform OnlyFans to tackle political and health advocacy. Known for reaching audiences through unconventional mediums, Bates, who identifies as openly gay, previously harnessed platforms such as Grindr to propel his campaign initiatives.
Addressing HIV Through Social Media
Bates leverages his presence on OnlyFans to stress critical issues, particularly the fight against HIV. Drawn from his statement to The Guardian , Bates believes in making bold moves to spotlight significant matters, articulating that "Sometimes you have to make a splash to make people pay attention to the things that matter." His campaign underscores the pivotal role of HIV prevention drugs, PrEP and PEP, in achieving the Australian federal government’s objective to eradicate HIV transmission by 2030.
The Cost of HIV Prevention
While PrEP and PEP are crucial in preventing HIV, the cost remains a concern. Even with subsidies under the Pharmaceuticals Benefits Scheme (PBS), a monthly prescription of PrEP can still impose a financial load of $31.60 if taken daily. The Labor party proposes to reduce this burden to $25 per month upon re-election. However, despite such initiatives, there are nearly 100,000 users of PrEP and PEP in Australia facing rising costs far exceeding the PBS subsidy, as highlighted by concerns from the Greens party.
Impact of OnlyFans in Political Engagement
By choosing OnlyFans as a platform, Bates aims to enhance visibility not just for his political campaign but also for broader health concerns affecting the LGBTQ+ community in Australia. His innovative approach seeks to bridge the gap between political engagement and public health advocacy, tapping into non-traditional spaces to foster awareness and change.
