While they may not be mainstream topics of conversation or household names just yet, subscription websites like OnlyFans.com are becoming more and more familiar to LGBTQ communities throughout the world. As early as the internet existed, the monetization of sex work online has proliferated, from early porn download sites to more contemporary video sharing and modern webcam services. Selling subscription services that allow users to view videos or the watch live webcam feeds of professional or amateur sex workers has indeed flourished online for years already. So while OnlyFans and similar websites are not particularly new in concept, they perhaps offer a more user friendly and trendy vehicle for a particular type of sex work, allowing a wider group of people to use the site as content creators and consumers. Here in the US, gay men and trans women seem to be driving the growth of these apps as the landscape of sex work is changing and cultural attitudes within queer communities are shifting and evolving. In particular, OnlyFans and sites like it appear to be emerging as a path for LGBTQ sex workers of color to potentially completely revolutionize not only the nature of their sex work but also to reap unprecedented financial rewards.
Why did you decide to create an OnlyFans account? I became aware of “Onlyfans” through a friend that showed me how financially beneficial it could be and it opened up a world of possibilities for me.
With regard to sex work, do you feel that using OnlyFans offers you more personal safety than relying on escorting or having to meet clients in person?
Yes, I was a sugar baby for a while and soon after began to venture to escorting and filming private cam shows.
Were you concerned about being “exposed” or the social/cultural stigma associated with sex work/pornography? Are you worried about the effect having made sexually explicit content might have on you in later life (career, social status, etc.)?
I was already a nudist and used it as a platform on my social media so I expect others to watch and take interest. The thought of showing my full sex life is hard for me at times even though I am striving to become a professional makeup artist.
How do you market & promote your account? I use Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr to market all of my material. Although, I must be-careful seeing that these sites are now implementing new regulations and policies that prohibits sexual and explicit content. However I am finding other ways to get around those barriers to promote my videos.
How many monthly subscribers do you have? How frequent do you post? I have 700 subscribers. I post new material every week.
Has having an OnlyFans account affected your dating life? Relationships? Friendships? Being in the amateur adult industry has affected my dating life, my significant other is incarcerated and was doing porn before we were dating. He does not accepts my lifestyle but he understands; my friends and family know that I am not out on the streets & living day by day for the next date to come.
Do you feel pressure to offer certain types of content to keep your subscribers interested? Nudes vs. sex acts, solo vs. partnered or group scenes?
I feel pressured to do solo acts but I do enjoy having others join or create a story line, but I get the fact that people want to see just me because that’s what they subscribed.
Do you think an OnlyFans account is more worth it/better than a more traditional career in pornography with a studio?
The most I have been offered to do studio porn was a thousand dollars, I can do that on my own and on my terms. With my Onlyfans I can find other amateur models I like to collaborate with for various scenes and then sell. Collaborating is key, creating content with other popular models will increase the views and both of our earnings.
Do you see yourself continuing to use OnlyFans for the foreseeable future or is it something more for the short term?
I can see myself still using Onlyfans as an extra income and still making videos in future only time can tell!
