Lawmakers argue that OnlyFans profits could help fund the military
Lawmakers in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine announced on Friday that they have collected enough signatures for a bill that would decriminalize the production of pornography. Its lead sponsor, Yaroslav Zheleznyak, argued the current laws encourage corruption and that legalizing porn could help raise funds for the military.
Measure 9623 would amend Article 301 of Ukraine’s criminal code, which Zheleznyak called “nothing short of stupidity.” It does not change anything pertaining to child pornography, human trafficking, or prostitution.
“We are not even talking about OnlyFans, but about consuming this content in general,” he told the Kiev Post, adding that sending someone to prison for up to eight years for sending or receiving nudes is a Soviet legacy.
Thousands of Ukrainians are actively employed in the production of pornography. According to Zheleznyak, the state has received over 34 million hryvnia (about $920,000) in taxes in the first half of 2023 from sites like OnlyFans, whose majority owner is Ukrainian-American businessman Leonid Radvinsky.
A charity using nudes to raise funds for the Ukrainian military has also helped with the initiative. Called “Teronlyfans,” the group rewards those who donate to the armed forces or refugees with spicy photos.
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