(OPINION) Allyn Walker, an assistant professor at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, is arguing “minor-attracted people” — those sexually drawn to children under the age of 18 — should not be ostracized for their attractions, suggesting such urgings are OK, so long as they are not acted upon.
Walker, who identifies as “queer” and “nonbinary trans,” said during a recent interview there “is no morality or immorality attached to attraction to anyone, because no one can control who they’re attracted to at all.” “In other words,” the professor said, “it’s not who we’re attracted to that’s either OK or not OK.
It’s our behaviors and responding to that attraction that are either OK or not OK.” The ODU instructor recently released a book, “A Long, Dark Shadow: Minor-Attracted People and Their Pursuit of Dignity.” In it, Walker addresses “widespread assumptions that persons who are preferentially attracted to minors — often referred to as ‘pedophiles’ — are necessarily predators and sex offenders,” noting in the abstract:
“This book takes readers into the lives of non-offending, minor-attracted persons (MAPs). There is little research into non-offending MAPs, a group whose experiences offer valuable insights into the prevention of child abuse. Navigating guilt, shame, and fear, this universally maligned group demonstrates remarkable resilience and commitment to living without offending and to supporting and educating others.”
During the conversation with Prostasia, Walker stated a desire “to be extremely clear that child sexual abuse is never, ever OK. But having an attraction to minors, as long as it isn’t acted on, doesn’t mean the person who has those attractions is doing something wrong.” READ MORE
