A GAY couple who prompted uproar when they featured in a safe sex bus shelter promotion have announced they are foster parents.

Michael O'Brien and Anthony Gillespie caused a stir earlier this year after the Queensland Association for Healthy Communities launched its "Rip and Roll" campaign advertising condoms.

But now the pair have been approved to become foster parents to their new son, a nine-year-old Australian boy.

The child has begun visitations and sleepover visits ahead of his full-time placement with the pair.

Mr O'Brien said they are thrilled they have become parents and said they also have plans to marry soon.

"We decided to change the life of a child that needed rescuing and we hope to formalise our family through marriage soon," the 25-year-old said.

"I wear an engagement ring from Anthony and I have told our son we will be getting married soon."

The pair featured in a black-and-white image embracing and holding an unopened red condom packet.

Outrage from groups forced the advertisements to be pulled from Queensland bus shelters in late May but they were re-instated after a massive campaign by the public on Facebook.

Originally published as Gay ad couple are foster parents