https://www.brianribbon.com/home/questi ... can-prisonIf you're an older MAP, or simply one who has read up on MAP history like I, you may be aware of NAMBLA and their program of writing letters to people imprisoned under America's draconian sex laws. Well, one of my readers happens to be a part of that program, and he forwarded my manifesto to one of his contacts, also a member of NAMBLA. In this article, I will respond to just a few of the many questions and comments I received in response.
Questions from an American prison
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BLueRibbon
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Questions from an American prison
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anarchist of love
- Posts: 154
- Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2026 2:18 pm
Re: Questions from an American prison
i just want to say that i read some of that post so far and what moved me to reply is to say:
Not everyone who speaks up publicly and goes OUT about their HEART gets physically attacked.
I'm internationally OUT due to my being in a certain documentary on the topic, but the worst i've gotten are death threats, usually vague, and sometimes direct, but never a hand laid on me, yet, in the 20 or so years i've experienced such. There IS a network that seems to follow me at around the USA at times (but not always), and they've shown themselves from time to time. In one town i was openly challenged with a question about the topic, and the person said that they'd be "all over me" if i was what they thought i was. But they never did anything except try to scare.
What i learned is that they are LOOKING FORWARD to using their knowledge of what they think i am for power tripping reasons. Thus i never respond the way they are obviously expecting! i've surprised them time and time again. THAT'S what was so powerful about walking with NAMBLA in their various marches, but especially the one in San Francisco, 1992. We were being "roundly" booed by gay masses whom had been HYPED-UP by a local TV station for months, and eggs were being thrown, but i felt TOTALLY at peace!!
There's something LIBERATING and POWERFUL about STANDING UP FOR ONE'S HEART!!
Perhaps the difference with me, tho, is that i was homeless for about 20 years, and lived off-grid, away from urban centers (where the antis seem to be most organized). Plus i was street-wise. And thoughtful about not using lights (for one) when going to my various camps. And taking the battery out of my phone and such things. Basically, stuff i'd like to teach other oppressed people, but which mostly is not known popularly. For good reason, i suppose!
One time i slept near another guy who turned out to be one of those "hunter" types. He tried scaring me a few times, but was flummoxed when he learned i never even noticed most of his scare tactics (as i had my headphones on!). Over time, i got to know him a little and he got more easy-going with me.
i can say i've had a LOT of experiences with PSY OP type shit, in various places, but i don't let it "get" to me. We all have to pass on sometime, and i'm less and less worried about that. In fact, i more and more look forward to moving on from this sort of Hell of a life. Sure, i've had GRAND times, and continue to have them. But things ARE looking increasingly impossible.
Then again, LOTS of other groups have had things MUCH worse, so i SHOULD NOT be complaining. Just doing some reading about history from the points of view of the racially oppressed brings home just how horrible things can get. I.e. Studs Terkel-style interviews by Bud and Ruth Schultz. Or read Mumia Abu-Jamal's books. Or stuff about groups targeted by "cointelpro".
Another thing:
If one feels "called" to engage the anti's: I think there is a good side to all of this. You can HONE your ability to articulate yourself by engaging in these virtual sword fights! i think WE NEED TO be doing stuff like this. For those of you more organized, i HOPE you are building each other up in such ways!! And not merely consuming pretty pictures!
Even those who don't wish to risk speaking up COULD BE helping to strengthen the arguments of those who dare to!! Say, in a "round table" of sharing. Plus, such persons COULD BE assisting the darers by finding key info (research) and such things that often take a lot of time and energy, which can "burn out" activists after awhile, if they're the only ones trying to do the work.
Sure would save us a lot of energy!
We certainly NEED the rest of you to contribute meaningfully, and it would surely mean less burn-out in the long run!
Not everyone who speaks up publicly and goes OUT about their HEART gets physically attacked.
I'm internationally OUT due to my being in a certain documentary on the topic, but the worst i've gotten are death threats, usually vague, and sometimes direct, but never a hand laid on me, yet, in the 20 or so years i've experienced such. There IS a network that seems to follow me at around the USA at times (but not always), and they've shown themselves from time to time. In one town i was openly challenged with a question about the topic, and the person said that they'd be "all over me" if i was what they thought i was. But they never did anything except try to scare.
What i learned is that they are LOOKING FORWARD to using their knowledge of what they think i am for power tripping reasons. Thus i never respond the way they are obviously expecting! i've surprised them time and time again. THAT'S what was so powerful about walking with NAMBLA in their various marches, but especially the one in San Francisco, 1992. We were being "roundly" booed by gay masses whom had been HYPED-UP by a local TV station for months, and eggs were being thrown, but i felt TOTALLY at peace!!
There's something LIBERATING and POWERFUL about STANDING UP FOR ONE'S HEART!!
Perhaps the difference with me, tho, is that i was homeless for about 20 years, and lived off-grid, away from urban centers (where the antis seem to be most organized). Plus i was street-wise. And thoughtful about not using lights (for one) when going to my various camps. And taking the battery out of my phone and such things. Basically, stuff i'd like to teach other oppressed people, but which mostly is not known popularly. For good reason, i suppose!
One time i slept near another guy who turned out to be one of those "hunter" types. He tried scaring me a few times, but was flummoxed when he learned i never even noticed most of his scare tactics (as i had my headphones on!). Over time, i got to know him a little and he got more easy-going with me.
i can say i've had a LOT of experiences with PSY OP type shit, in various places, but i don't let it "get" to me. We all have to pass on sometime, and i'm less and less worried about that. In fact, i more and more look forward to moving on from this sort of Hell of a life. Sure, i've had GRAND times, and continue to have them. But things ARE looking increasingly impossible.
Then again, LOTS of other groups have had things MUCH worse, so i SHOULD NOT be complaining. Just doing some reading about history from the points of view of the racially oppressed brings home just how horrible things can get. I.e. Studs Terkel-style interviews by Bud and Ruth Schultz. Or read Mumia Abu-Jamal's books. Or stuff about groups targeted by "cointelpro".
Another thing:
If one feels "called" to engage the anti's: I think there is a good side to all of this. You can HONE your ability to articulate yourself by engaging in these virtual sword fights! i think WE NEED TO be doing stuff like this. For those of you more organized, i HOPE you are building each other up in such ways!! And not merely consuming pretty pictures!
Even those who don't wish to risk speaking up COULD BE helping to strengthen the arguments of those who dare to!! Say, in a "round table" of sharing. Plus, such persons COULD BE assisting the darers by finding key info (research) and such things that often take a lot of time and energy, which can "burn out" activists after awhile, if they're the only ones trying to do the work.
Sure would save us a lot of energy!
We certainly NEED the rest of you to contribute meaningfully, and it would surely mean less burn-out in the long run!