Whether you know him as the wildlife warrior son of Steve Irwin, the guy who wrestles crocs by day and rips shirts off on Dancing with the Stars by night, or that bloke from the Bonds ad — there’s something else you need to know about Robert Irwin.
He’s a proud ally of the LGBTQIA+ community — and he’s said so himself.
Back in 2020, Robert shared a stunning image of a rainbow stretching over the grassy plains to his Instagram (@robertirwinphotography). The caption? Simple, but powerful:
“Proud to be an ally of the LGBTQIA+ community this #ComingOutDay.”
No fanfare, no fuss — just a heartfelt show of support from a teenager who clearly understood the importance of visibility and solidarity.
Now 21, Robert has continued to show up for the queer community — intentionally or not — through inclusive messaging, lighthearted interviews, and a vibe that just says, “Everyone’s welcome.”
When Wildlife Meets Thirst Traps
Let’s not pretend we haven’t noticed the spike in LGBTQ+ attention Robert’s been getting lately. This year’s Bonds underwear campaign? A cultural reset. 🐍
In the “Made for Down Under” series, Robert posed in nothing but Bonds boxers, snakes, spiders, and a whole lot of confidence. The thirst was real, and the reactions were wild — in more ways than one.
“I didn’t expect the reaction it got!” Robert told People in September.
“I’m not going to lie: It was a little strange. But people were also very kind… I’m grateful to everyone who’s been there from the little Bobby days — but yes, I’m all grown up.”
From Bushland to Ballroom
As if that weren’t enough, Robert is now tearing it up on the dance floor as a favourite to win this season of Dancing with the Stars Australia.
In a full-circle moment, he spoke to The Hollywood Reporter in September:
“It’s a childhood dream. Watching Bindi win Season 21 — it just feels right to be doing this now.”
And yes, he did rip his shirt off mid-salsa. We’re not saying that’s what secured our votes… but we’re also not not saying it.
Real Allyship
But through all the cheeky photoshoots and show-stopping dance moves, what sticks most is Robert’s quiet, consistent support for queer people.
Like his sister Bindi — also a proud LGBTQ+ ally — Robert uses his platform to foster kindness, inclusion, and authenticity. He may not be shouting from the rooftops every week, but when he does speak, it’s always with heart.
He’s the kind of straight ally we need more of: no ego, no virtue signalling — just respect, representation, and rainbow love.
