Disclaimer: like most pedophiles, I have never approached a child with anything sexual or otherwise inapporpriate, and I don’t plan ever to do so. I recognize the harm in such actions, and I don’t want to hurt the very people I love. If you expect AMA with a child molester, this ain’t it.
The account is a throwaway, hope you’ll understand this decision given the sensitivity of the topic.
Edit: Thank you for keeping civil and genuine in your questions. I did envision hostility, yet here you are, amazing as always. Lemmy is a wonderful place to be, thanks to you all!
Edit 2: Apparently we have another brave pedophile here in the comments, and he came with a good note I should include in the post: if you find yourself attracted to minors, that’s okay. Acting on your desires is dangerous, but having them isn’t. If you’d like to have some support and/or community that would help you get your bearings or just listen without any prejudice (we’re all in the same boat), there are places that can help you. removed
I’m so conflicted. But how would you want society to treat you? And by you, I mean people that haven’t raped, molested or groomed a child, but are struggling with inappropriate feelings towards them?
not OP, but also a pedophile. How would you want society to treat you? I want to be seen as a person like any other. I’ve worked hard to love myself with a very difficult sexuality that society would prefer I kill myself over. I’ve never harmed a kid. I never will. I want society to see that people like me exist.
Just treat me like a normal person, not some monster and immediate danger to everyone below 18.
It would be reasonable to check my stance and I wouldn’t mind if someone asked whether I need (and if I do, whether I already have) any help with it, but other than that, I want to be treated no differently whether someone knows I’m a pedophile or not.
I don’t want to receive threats. I don’t want to be stuck with people talking about how they would murder all pedophiles while having to keep my mouth shut. I want to maintain healthy relationship with my adult partners and friends. That’s, essentially, what I ask of society.
Fair enough. I guess keep up the fight and I wish you the best. Thanks for giving us insight.
Thanks for being compassionate and understanding :)