View source for Minor Attracted Person

__NOTOC__{{MAI}}A '''Minor Attracted Person''' (MAP) is a person who experiences sexual or romantic attractions towards people under the local [[Age of Consent]] - sometimes applied universally to the age of 18. The term was coined in early 2007 as a neologism by two activists with differing attractions (pedophilic and nonpedophilic). By 2023, following consistent use in academia, MA(P) had over 600 mentions in Google Scholar, and had been used in state-funded research projects<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2023/01/16/horrible-propaganda-eu-project-rebrands-paedophiles-people-with-sexual-interest-children/ Breitbart: Outrage over EU softening of language]</ref> and documentation.<ref>[https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=%22Minor+attracted+person%22&btnG= G Scholar Results] and similar for [https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=%22Minor+attraction%22&btnG= "Minor attraction"]</ref><ref>[https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/anger-eu-project-sees-police-28841534?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar "MAP" in Scottish Police documentation and an European project], nevertheless it was eventually edited for the banal [https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/world-news/minor-attracted-person-scandal-inside-28858264 "with an attraction to children"].</ref>

===Specifications===

*Minors may themselves be accurately classified as MAPs. This might seem [[Debate Guide: Corresponding age attraction|counterintuitive]], but aligns with most professional opinions.
*MAP is not to be seen as a distinct "sexuality", but as an umbrella term. Explicit identification as a MAP also implies ''preferential'' attraction to minors - for example, Hebephilia. Non-preferential attraction to minors is almost universal (see [[research]]). The term has, however, been applied situationally, i.e. to the older partner in an age-gap relationship involving a legal minor.

===Subtypes===

While there is not full approval of medical "classification bingo" (among MAPs), many of the following long-standing psychiatric terms have been absorbed into the MAP [[chronophilia]] lexicon: 

*[[Nepiophilia]] - Attraction to Infants 0-3
*[[Pedophilia]] - Attraction to Prepubescents 4-11/12
*[[Hebephilia]] - Attraction to Pubescents 11-14
*[[Ephebophilia]]* - Attraction to post pubescent youth, usually between 15-19
<small>*The inclusion of [[ephebophilia]] within the MAP discourse is controversial,<ref>[[Allyn Walker|Walker, Allyn]], 2020. [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00918369.2019.1613856 "I'm Not like That, So Am I Gay?" The Use of Queer-Spectrum Identity Labels Among Minor-Attracted People]. [[Journal of Homosexuality]] vol 67, issue 12, pages 1736–1759, doi=10.1080/00918369.2019.1613856</ref><ref>Lievesley, Rebecca et al, 2022. Primary Health Professionals' Beliefs, Experiences, and Willingness to Treat Minor-Attracted Persons. [[Archives of Sexual Behavior]], vol 51, issue 2, pages 923–943 DOI:10.1007/s10508-021-02271-7</ref> as is its concept validity.</small>

Expressions such as [[Boylove]] and [[Girllove]] are also common, particularly within the peer support community. Nowadays, these terms tend not to be used in outward-facing activism, due to their romantic overtones. MAPs may define as exclusive (no interest in adults) or nonexclusive (also interested in adults). Further, sociopolitical subtypes are used in both inward and outward facing situations, including [[NOMAP]], [[pro-c]] and [[anti-contact]].

==Socipolitical background==

The term "MAP" has a number of functions. As well as being more '''inclusive''' than terms such as [[Pederasty|pederast]] or pedophile, it addresses the [[Research: The Dangers of Stigma|stigma]] and conflatory misuse of pedophilia. Its wide adoption also effectively signals to the public that a movement does exist, and the topic is in play. 

In the present climate, the act of self-identifying as a MAP can been seen as political. As a result, MAPs are sometimes incorrectly assumed to be disclosing [[pedophilia]], which is just one form of minor attraction - as is explained above. For example, Interpol's [[Michael Moran|Mick Moran]] has suggested that MAPs who view even legal images of naked minors should be considered an actionable threat for Law Enforcement agents.<ref>[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1383941.htm Bernie Najaran: Mick Moran]</ref> In 2022, the Australian charity, ''Project Rescue Children'' even launched a doomed campaign to have the term banned, recycling a known [["Pedophile Activism" hoaxes|hoax]] graphic from the ''LGBTP'' campaign.<ref>[https://www.projectrescuechildren.org/about About PRC] and [https://www.change.org/p/ban-the-term-maps-which-is-being-used-to-incite-and-promote-paedophilia Change.org petition]</ref> On the other hand, charities and initiatives such as [[Prostasia Foundation|Prostasia]], Defend (Canada)<ref>[https://helpusdefend.com/?page_id=3012 DEFEND (Canada) use of MAP]</ref>, [[B4U-ACT]] and various EU-funded academics, all support its use.

===Community===

A limited, but [[Minor attracted community|growing community]] does exist for MAPs of all persuasions. This article goes on to discuss public-facing or organized activism with respect to minor attracted identities, while the community article also includes basic peer support.

===Suicide risk===

MAPs are generally thought to be at considerably increased risk of suicide, although the definition of attraction to minors, and the sampling may affect that number greatly:

:''"Additionally, one particular study has revealed that over one-third of people who are attracted to minors have experienced suicidal thoughts and another showed that 23% have attempted suicide. With these factors combined, people convicted of illegal sexual activity with minors and non-contact offenders may be 100 times more at risk for suicide compared to the general population"''<ref>[https://www.b4uact.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/B4QR-Spring-2022-2-2.pdf B4U-ACT QUARTERLY REVIEW - Vol 2, Issue 2, Spring 2022]</ref>

==Origin==

:''For a fully researched/sourced history, see [[Minor Attracted Person (archive research)]].''

The term originates from a forking of the term "Minor Attracted" in the late 00s era, and was first used regularly in 2007 on the now defunct [[AttractedToChildren.org|ATC/ANU]] blog - run by MAPs with an interest in compiling lists of research articles. It was subsequently adopted by us ([[Newgon]]), and popularized in the academic field by [[B4U-ACT]], who had been using a very similar term (MAA - Minor Attracted Adult) for many years. MAA and the accompanying concept of being "Minor Attracted" has been traced back to, '''Heather Peterson''', a journalist covering interfaith news - as early as 1998. There is one archived example of the present term (MAP) being suggested on [[BoyChat]] as early as 2001, but no further examples have been found until 2007, suggesting it did not catch on.

In the mid-10s, the terms MAP and NOMAP began to circulate freely on some networking sites, particularly Tumblr. In 2017, the BBC published an article on the concept,<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-41213657 BBC article on MAPs]</ref> and Ian Miles Cheong mentioned it on Twitter.<ref>[https://twitter.com/stillgray/status/898769805087358976 Ian Miles Cheong tweet]</ref> Crucially, "MAP" then began to be used more frequently on sites such Twitter itself in 2018 after Tumblr MAPs migrated there following the [[MAP Flag]] controversy and bans.

===2009 onward - the MAP Flag===

:''For a more in-depth treatment of the flag, see [[MAP Flag]].''

In order to identify themselves, MAPs have created a '''MAP Flag''', which garnered widespread social media attention in July and August 2018, along with widespread attention for the term "Minor Attracted Person". Rumors had spread on social media, that MAPs intended to use the flag at pride events, and these fears resurfaced the following summer. The '''concept''' appears to go back at least to a [[Flag_proposal_2009|2009 competition]], on Newgon.com (our predecessor) - in which various proposals were solicited for a symbol. However, the origins of the famous '''2018 flag''' are a Tumblr user named '''Stenna''', who published it in June of that year, and was supported in their publicity efforts by '''comrade_lecter'''.<ref>[https://comrade-lecter.dreamwidth.org/4543.html comrade_lecter Tumblr]</ref><ref>[https://archive.md/j2ZsP Stenna Tumblr Archive]</ref> Since it was published, the MAP Flag has become internet folklore, attracting many variations inspired by common alternative pride flags. These have been wrongly interpreted as entryist attempts.

<gallery>
File:MAPflagunitedlarge.svg|2021 variation (Designed on Newgon, intended for wider use)
File:Mapflag2018.svg|The highly publicized 2018 flag (NOMAP/MAP)
File:Gradient.jpeg|<small>2009 concept with a similar rationale (Philist/Newgon, not seen in wide use thereafter)</small>
</gallery>

==MAP Movement==

:''For a full history, see [[MAP Movement]].''

There exists a small, mainly online [[MAP Movement]] - and occasional groups of allies who work together on social media. This is a developing trend, and is described as the '''second-wave MAP Movement''', beginning with the proliferation of the internet at around the turn of the century. The common goal of this movement is destigmatization/visibility, although some parts of the MAP movement ([[pro-c]]/pro choice) are also in favor of relaxing the [[Age of Consent|age of consent]] and prohibitions on other age-restricted activities. Pro-choice MAP activists commonly use resources such as our [[Research|research]] anthologies to argue their case. They will be found on pre-2010 web forums, FreeSpeechTube and chat services such as Matrix. Anti-c/[[Anti-contact|anti-contact]] MAP activists tend to associate with organizations such as [[Virtuous Pedophiles]], [[Prostasia Foundation|MSC]] and on various [[Pediverse|Fediverse]] instances.

MAPs have a [[:Category:Organisations: Sympathetic|long history of organizing]], going back to former associations with the Gay Movement; debatably to its very founding. We describe these manifestations as the '''first-wave MAP Movement''', and such organizations were typically founded in the 1970s and 80s. At the time, they described themselves as pederast, pedophile and Man/Boy Love groups (since there was less of a stigma on those terms). The LGBT alliances only [[Historical examples of LGBT-MAP unity|broke down in the late 80s and 90s]] for political reasons (gay [[assimilationism]]). For the purpose of activism, those organizations still existing continue to operate as websites and close circles of long-term members only - [[NAMBLA]] being the most high-profile example.

==Popular reception==

In the late 10s and early 20s, mainstream attention for MAPs was based upon the threat of [[MAPocalypse|"normalization of pedophilia"]]. Misinformation circulated freely, sometimes drawing false links with the LGBT community. While the tone and bias of this publicity has been dictated by mainstream media and amplifiers who often feign outrage, polls have found that people are generally as accepting of "MAP" as a social justice term, as they are of others such as ''cisgender'' and ''genderqueer''.<ref>[https://preply.com/en/blog/americans-favorite-new-words/ Study: Americans’ favorite new words]</ref> One striking aspect of public reactions, is that both American Democrats and Republicans are almost equally as accepting of the term.

"MAP" has so far been criticized repeatedly by '''Jordan Peterson''' and FOX News hosts '''Tucker Carlson'''<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/tucker-carlson-no-healthy-society-tolerate-pedophilia Tucker Carlson, one of many attacks - see also videos on FST]</ref><ref name=Vids /> (despite his history of appearing to defend minor-adult relationships)<ref>[https://www.businessinsider.com/tucker-carlson-defended-teen-adult-relationships-samantha-bee-tapes-2019-3?op=1&r=US&IR=T Tucker's history of playing down the importance of minor-adult relationships within a traditional heterosexual context], and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdDzp4Y8Dps see critical video].</ref>, '''Laura Ingraham, Greg Gutfeld, Jesse Watters and Geraldo Rivera'''  and comedians, '''Ricky Gervais''' and '''Tim Young'''. The stock-in-trade angle employed by conservatives such as '''Glenn Beck''' is to ridicule "MAPs" as an example of "wokeness" gone mad, or the obvious pathway to [[MAPocalypse|"normalization"]] of "abuse".<ref>[https://www.spiked-online.com/2023/01/03/minor-attracted-people-is-an-attempt-to-sanitise-child-abuse/ Spiked Online: ‘Minor-attracted people’ is an attempt to sanitise child abuse]</ref><ref name=Vids>[https://www.freespeechtube.org/?search_query=FOX+News%3A Fox News Videos]</ref><ref>[https://www.theepochtimes.com/general-public-unaware-of-push-to-normalize-pedophilia-in-culture-and-academia_4899696.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=digitalsub Epoch Times commentary]</ref><ref>[https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/ricky-gervais-wades-police-scotland-28888855 Daily Express (Scotland) re. Gervais reaction]</ref> Media figureheads, for example, '''Rod Dreher''', frequently abuse this lazy trope.<ref>[https://www.theamericanconservative.com/allyn-walker-normalizing-pedophiles-minor-attracted-persons/ Normalizing Pedophiles - American Conservative]</ref><ref>[https://www.theamericanconservative.com/we-are-being-groomed/ We Are Being Groomed - American Conservative]</ref> Social Media personalities such as '''Jack Posibiec and Calvin Robinson''' have made occasional references, and '''Blaire White''' (a trans personality) is a frequent low-level agitator on the subject.

As a radical lesbian [[feminism|feminist]], '''Julie Bindel''' mentions MAPs as one of a number of groups she does not wish to be associated with in her project of reaffirming a lesbian identity she deems to have become "unfashionable".<ref>[https://theglobalherald.com/news/the-lesbian-identity-is-being-subsumed-by-the-so-called-lgbtq-community-julie-bindel/ Global Herald: Julie Bindel talks to GB News about MAPs and other groups]</ref><ref>[https://unherd.com/2023/04/keep-child-abusers-off-the-rainbow-flag/ Bindel's own follow up in Unherd]</ref> YouTubers such as '''shoe0nhead''' and exclusionary Feminists such as [[Anna Slatz]] frequently agitate against the concept on similar grounds, albeit more aggressively, and in more open alignment with the right-wing tendency.

===Timeline===

:''For more examples, see [[MAPocalypse]].''

One example of such publicity was the controversy surrounding [[Allyn Walker]] in 2021, followed by further social media outcry in 2022, this time over a video made by Miranda Galbreath, a licensed Sex Therapist who was attempting to challenge the stigma on MAPs.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/us/licensed-pennsylvania-sex-therapist-defends-minor-attracted-persons-viral-video Licensed Pennsylvania sex therapist defends 'minor-attracted persons' in viral video]</ref> This video, circulated by '''[[Wikipedia:Libs of TikTok|Libs of TikTok]]''', went on to be viewed around 3 million times on various platforms, with network coverage from Rowan Dean and Bev Turner in Australia and the UK respectively. Turner suggested that the acceptance of MAPs might be a ploy to diffuse public unrest come the time a guest-list for [[Wikipedia:Jeffrey Epstein|Jeffrey Epstein's]] sex parties is released.<ref>[https://www.gbnews.uk/gb-views/aligning-a-criminal-act-with-normal-sexual-preferences-is-potentially-very-dangerous-lets-be-awake-to-this-phenomenon-says-bev-turner/351764 GB News - Bev Turner transcript]</ref> Later in 2022, a Texas High School Teacher, Amber Parker, went viral on social media after she was filmed appearing to defend the idea of MAPs (as opposed to pedophiles - see our [[Media:PR2.pdf|Press Release]] on the subject). This incident was amplified on Twitter by ''[[Gays Against Groomers]]'' (a conservative radical feminist front group), TX Governor '''Greg Abbott''', and Matthew Kolken among others. The comments were said by students, parents, Parker's husband and a school administrator to have been taken out of context.<ref>[https://www.ktsm.com/news/el-paso-isd-investigating-teacher-talking-about-pedophiles-students-say-it-was-taken-out-of-context/ El Paso ISD investigating teacher talking about ‘pedophiles’; students say it was taken out of context]</ref><ref>[https://www.avitoa.com/el-paso-isd-board-member-shares-response-on-viral-video-involving-franklin-hs-teacher/ El Paso ISD board member shares response on viral video involving Franklin HS teacher]</ref><ref>[https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11209281/Husband-Texas-teacher-fired-defending-pedophiles-kids-says-challenging-children.html Daily Mail Clarification]</ref> She was later fired from her job.<ref>[https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/controversial-lesson-to-introduce-students-to-the-crucible-gets-teacher-in-trouble/ar-AA11zS7P MSN on Teacher Controversy]</ref><ref>[https://kvia.com/news/el-paso/2022/09/06/franklin-high-school-teacher-fired-for-telling-students-to-call-pedophiles-maps/ Firing of "MAP" controversy teacher]</ref> In yet more controversy in 2022 (this time focusing on the UK), LSE Professor [[Jacob Breslow]] was called out by radical feminists including J.K. Rowling for his participation in a [[B4U-ACT]] symposium in 2011, said to be incompatible with his position as a trustee at the transgender children's charity, Mermaids. Among the criticism was his use of the controversial term, ''Minor Attracted Person''.

The Daily Caller (a conservative news website) have expressed incredulity that PayPal continue to provide services to [[Prostasia Foundation]] (who provide support to MAPs) while banning conservative and conservative feminist organizations such as ''[[Gays Against Groomers]]''.<ref>[https://dailycaller.com/2022/09/23/paypal-prostasia-gays-against-groomers/ Daily caller: PayPal bans GAG]</ref> Eventually, Prostasia's account was banned as well.<ref>[https://prostasia.org/blog/paypal-fails-to-shut-down-prostasia/ Prostasia - History of PayPal bans]</ref> [[Wikipedia:Turning Point USA|Turning Point]], a conservative nonprofit that seeks to influence social media has intervened in mainstream MAP Discourse, with its UK offshoot making various graphics referencing the phenomenon. On 20 September 2022, various mid-tier conservative blue ticks on Twitter all consecutively made 2500+ times shared posts about MAPs, fuelling suspicion of Turning Point's involvement. Founder Charlie Kirk, who commands 2M Twitter followers at the time of writing has mentioned MAPs in the past. Trolling/harassment gateway sites such as the embattled KiwiFarms, have hosted threads<ref>[https://kiwifarms.net/threads/map-nomap-community.59084/page-38 E.g. ''MAP/NOMAP community - "Virtuous Pedophiles" has a prodigy'']</ref> frequently mocking [[Minor attracted community|NOMAPs and MAPs, and their contributions on Twitter]]. In January 2023, '''Police Scotland''' and the '''European Union''' were hauled before the court of public opinion, after what appeared to be sympathetic use of the term "Minor Attracted Person" in official materials.<ref>[https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/world-news/minor-attracted-person-scandal-inside-28858264 Scottish Daily Express scandal re. EU, Police Scotland using "Minor Attracted Person"]</ref>. In March, 2023, Australia's 2SM radio station faced complaints after three "shock jocks" repeated false claims of PM Anthony Albanese using the term, then fielding calls from members of the public who had been left "incandescent with rage" [[Media:Rockspider.mp3|(audio example)]].<ref>[https://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/episodes/2sm/102059812 ABC on Triggered 2SM shock jocks]</ref> '''Tulsi Gabbard''' also mentioned MAPs at CPAC in the same month.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImWpbmGMfvE&t=676s Gabbard: Democratic Party Controlled by Elitist Cabal of Warmongers (2023)]</ref><ref>[https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/the-eight-most-bizarre-lines-from-cpac-2023/ar-AA18ebaN MSN Quotes Tulsi Gabbard]</ref> In April 2023, another politician - the German AfD's Christine Anderson agreed that [[Queer Theory]] "needs to be torched", citing as evidence, the supposed rise of MAPs. This evoked memories of Nazi book burnings at [[Magnus Hirschfeld]]'s Institute of Sex Research.

===Gallery===

:''See also: [[MAP visibility on Twitter]].''

Some other political figures and journalists have sought to take advantage of the phenomenon:

<gallery>
File:Abbott.png|TX Governor Greg Abbott
File:Kelleh.png|Jesse Kelly
File:Whitekenny.png|Two highly shared tweets, inc. Blaire White
File:Peterson.png|Jordan Peterson
File:Posibiecross.png|Jack Posobiec
File:Craighuey.png|Author, Craig Huey (Sep, 2019).<ref>[https://www.craighuey.com/joe-biden-shocker/ Craig Huey: Joe Biden Shocker: America Should Criminalize Christianity by Passing the Equality Act – 12 Things You Should Know]</ref>
File:Barnette.png|Kathy Barnette election platform
File:Deace.png|Talk show host, Steve Deace, who has also discussed the idea for Blaze Media
File:Tpuk1.jpg|Turning Point UK social graphic
File:Tpuk2.jpg|Turning Point UK (cont'd)
File:Hodgetwins.png|<small>Even semi-celebs have made vast sums of "social capital" grifting off the MAP trend</small>
File:Anderson.png|Christine Anderson, of the German right-wing/anti-Islam AfD party
</gallery>

===Wikipedia indecision===

[[Wikipedia censorship of MAP related topics|Wikipedia]] maintained and then deleted a disambiguation page for MAP, between 2019 and late 2021, shortly after the Allyn Walker controversy.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20190501000000*/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minor-attracted_person Wikipedia Archive from 2019 onwards]</ref><ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Articles_for_deletion/Minor-attracted_person Wikipedia first AfD]</ref> The term was then erroneously redirected to [[Pedophilia]] for five months, before being corrected to [[Chronophilia]] by an editor. It was then pointed to a Wiktionary entry in what appeared to be a "halfway house" between acknowledging and denying its notability. In late April, 2023, a high-quality article was for the first time presented on the platform, describing the umbrella term, research and some controversy.<ref>[https://archive.is/q1ttr First version of improved MAP article on Wikipedia]</ref> It was soon deleted, along with other articles, following its own internal controversy at Wikipedia ([[Wikipedia censorship of MAP related topics|described in our article]]).

==References==

[[Category:Official Encyclopedia]][[Category:Facts of life]][[Category:Terminology]][[Category:Terminology: Academic]][[Category:Terminology: MAP]][[Category:History & Events: 2000s]][[Category:History & Events: 2010s]][[Category:History & Events: 2020s]]