MAP Forum

Dear Kerri,

You're probably getting a lot of hate right now from various people angry that you dared discuss sexual diversity in a lesson about sexual diversity. I would just like to say "thank you", though, for being willing to address minor attraction. Some studies have shown that about 5% of men admit an attraction to under 14-year-olds and for most MAPs, this attraction first becomes obvious during puberty, the same as other sexualities. It is very likely that there are at least a couple of MAPs in the classrooms that you visit and it is important for them to receive affirming messaging because just like LGBT youth, MAP youth face extremely high rates of suicide.

https://www.map-union.org/blog/mu-analy ... lth-crisis

The hate you are getting from people claims to be about protecting children. Yet refusing to discuss minor attraction does nothing to keep kids safe. Just like all aspects of sex, open and honest discussion is the best way to prevent harm. Stigmatizing, demonizing and vilifying a sexual minority for having "aberrant" attractions has done nothing over the past few decades to help us, as a society, confront the problem of child sexual abuse.

Thank you for seeing that and thank you for being honest.

I know that a lot of people that come under heavy right wing onslaughts after supporting MAPs are forced into backtracking or hiding. I don't blame you if you choose to prioritize your safety. But I am happy to count you as an ally of the MAP community. One of too few.

If you are ever interested in learning more about MAPs, please let me know. I'm only one MAP and can't speak for everyone, but I'd be happy to share my thoughts and experiences as part of the community.

Regards,
Percy Shelley