Local politics recently got a whole lot steamier. Jessica Ann Roberts, a trans woman recently appointed to the Lynnwood City Council, had a promising future ahead of her… until her OnlyFans account was exposed. Suddenly, politics weren’t the only thing being debated.
Jessica Ann Roberts was a rising figure in Washington state politics, advocating for zoning policy and development, pedestrian and transit improvements to enhance walkability, and greater community engagement. Her appointment was seen as a positive step forward for inclusivity and progress—until she was put under a microscope. Her qualifications were quickly overshadowed by the revelation of her spicy side hustle.
As soon as her OnlyFans account came to light, the pearl-clutching began in earnest. Instead of focusing on her policies, critics zeroed in on the content from her adults-only platform. Public officials get caught up in scandals all the time—bribes, fraud, and other actual crimes—and still manage to stay in office. But apparently, consensual adult content was the real deal-breaker for a very fickle public. Eventually, the pressure became too much, and Roberts stepped down from her city council appointment. The idea of someone being both a politician and an OnlyFans creator was just a bit too much for some in the community, it seems.
There’s a glaring double standard that many OnlyFans creators face when they decide to pursue other career options. Adult content creators typically endure far more judgment than your average CEO—or even politicians with public misconduct records. Sex work and adult content are legally protected, yet people act as though participating in them is the ultimate character flaw. If Roberts had a high-paying consulting job before entering politics, it’s likely no one would have cared—but even that’s not guaranteed. Trans women face even harsher scrutiny than cis women who create adult content, with society aggressively policing their very existence. Throw in being a creator on an adults-only platform, and the outrage machine gets cranked up to 11.
So… why does Jessica Roberts having an inactive OnlyFans page even matter? Shouldn’t we care more about what a politician does in office rather than what they do with other consenting adults in their spare time? If voters want ethical leaders, maybe we should focus on their policies and actions—not their OnlyFans subscriber count. The real scandal at the heart of Roberts’ story isn’t the content she created—it’s the hypocrisy of those who recognized her from OnlyFans and then used that recognition to call for her resignation. The world may not be ready for a trans woman in local politics with a history in adult content creation—but maybe it’s time to pave the way for a more equitable future.
Jessica Ann Roberts’ political career might have been cut short, but the conversation isn’t over yet. As more people turn to alternative careers and creative side hustles to make ends meet, the stigma around adult content needs to crawl under a rock and die already. Maybe next time a qualified politician has an OnlyFans page, we can judge them for their actual policies rather than their side hustle.
