By: Alyssa Wilson

OnlyFans has suspended its plan to ban sexually explicit content, the platform announced on Wednesday.  

In a tweet, the platform said, “Thank you to everyone for making your voices heard. We have secured assurances necessary to support our diverse creator community and have suspended the planned October 1 policy change.”  

Thank you to everyone for making your voices heard.

We have secured assurances necessary to support our diverse creator community and have suspended the planned October 1 policy change.

OnlyFans stands for inclusion and we will continue to provide a home for all creators.

— OnlyFans (@OnlyFans) August 25, 2021

This announcement comes just days after the London-based company said it would ban sexually explicit content. OnlyFans’ original statement said, “Effective 1 October, 2021, OnlyFans will prohibit the posting of any content containing sexually-explicit conduct. In order to ensure long-term sustainability of the platform, and to continue to host an inclusive community of creators and fans, we must evolve our content guidelines. Creators will continue to be allowed to post content containing nudity as long as it is consistent with our Acceptable Use Policy.”  

RELATED: OnlyFans Banning Sexually Explicit Content After Profiting From It 

The company said the ban was meant to protect its partnerships with banks and payment providers. Controversy ensued after the announcement as many creators highlighted the fact that the platform profited off of sex workers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Marc Lamont Hill, host of BNC’s Black News Tonight, discussed this topic with sexologist, writer and activist Michelle Pope. Hill pointed out the benefits OnlyFans gives sex workers. “I’m frustrated by this for a lot of reasons,” he said. “For me, it’s frustrating because OnlyFans was one of the few places sex workers could operate safely, you know, there was a reduced chance of violence against them, [and] they could get their money without any troubles.”  

Pope thinks the decision is based on what capitalism supports as moral. “I think it has to do with morality and money. I think it’s important for us to remember that this doesn’t have to do with ‘oh, well, OnlyFans wants to create a safer place for users.’ No, they want to be acquired,” she said. “And to be able to do that, they have to acquiesce to their venture capitalist and their banking backers who have problems with the morality of sex work being work.”  

If you or someone you know is struggling from trauma triggered by this story, resources are available here.