For some years I've heard NAMBLA mentioned in passing--mostly in jokes and The Onion (I think "Hanson Sweeps NAMBLA Awards" was a headline once). But I've rarely heard much about them in more serious discussion.

A bit from their mission statement (from their website http://216.220.97.17)

"NAMBLA's goal is to end the extreme oppression of men and boys in mutually consensual relationships"

"NAMBLA calls for the empowerment of youth in all areas, not just the sexual. We support greater economic, political and social opportunities for young people and denounce the rampant ageism that segregates and isolates them in fear and mistrust. We believe sexual feelings are a positive life force. We support the rights of youth as well as adults to choose the partners with whom they wish to share and enjoy their bodies."

Freaky. Anybody know anything about them?

(I'm posting this here, despite the rather obvious lack of 'event', rather than General Discussion because of the topic matter.)

Actually, they were also in a South Park episode, although they didn't really come off well. Cartman started searching for more mature friends and became their poster child - pretty funny ep :D

But presumably they have to be fairly serious and 'for real' to make it onto a comedy programme...

[ 02-23-2005, 04:20 PM: Message edited by: shamrock_uk ]

NABMLA = North American Boy Love Association

And it is a particularly funny episode. Up there with the great "Mr Jefferson" episode.

/me giggles

The bit with Cartman and Mr Jefferson in bed is amazing. "Yeah" "Yeah" (moves closer) "Yeah" "Yeah"...

Its freedom of speech gone amok IMO. Let them spout what they want, but the minute they start to practice what they speak, let the hammer drop!

[ 02-23-2005, 06:20 PM: Message edited by: Sir Degrader ]

NAMBLA is for real. They do promote sexual relationships between men and boys. In the good old days, these people were known as chickenhawks. I can't speak directly to their legitimacy in re promoting anything beyond sex, or if that is just a cover story of sorts.
This arrangement worked in ancient Greece, and from all historical accounts it worked pretty well. Don't really see it catching on anytime soon in the U.S., however. [img]smile.gif[/img]
The one thing about the organization is that they are up-front about what they want to pursue, that being young boys. There's not the hypocrisy of religious youth-group counselors buggering the youngsters in the back room, or the whole priest scandal stuff. Not to say that what they're promoting is a good idea, but at least we know what they're about.

Honest buggery is the best policy, eh? I don't know if I agree. Besides, I doubt these guys are very honest about it in face-to-face situations. Can you imagine somebody hanging a NAMBLA flag outside their house in suburban USA? Or telling the highschool basketball coach, "Doesn't my Timmy have a great ass?"

In my opinion, even if a 'boy' (meaning under the age of consent) is sure that he's gay and is ready for a sexual relationship--and these are BIG ifs--the kid's more than likely to end up in a situation which is emotionally, if not physically, harmful. Too many ifs, too many sick people.

And anybody looking to the ghost of Ancient Greece for a role model needs to wake up and smell the Enlightenment.

The Greeks also ingaged in the practices of slavery and infanticide, but I don't see those things making a come back.