On "No Minor Issues"

"A gay, bisexual, or transgendered identity is the result of complex biological, social, and individual factors that are beyond conscious control.  One of the great unnamed acts of sexual abuse in our society is the cruel act of attempting to repress or change a young person's gender expression or sexual preference.  Those of us who have already been through the loneliness, self-doubt, and terror of coming out know how serious this life transition is, and how fragile we are in its midst.  Too many of us don't make it.  Too many of us settle for stunted and alienated lives in which we never reach our full potential to love others, give and receive pleasure, and contribute to our unique communities and cultures--or die.  No other area of queer activism is as important as this one, out reach to and protection of our next generation.  Queer youth deserve a safe space, maintained and defended by queer adults, so they can connect with one another and figure out what they need to building fulfilling lives."

-Pat Califia, "No Minor Issues: Age of Consent, Child Pornography, and Cross-generational Relationships", Public Sex, 82-3.

Is it any wonder that I have such high regard for Pat Califia?  I am deeply grateful for Pat's work, especially the article "No Minor Issues"--it's full of vulnerability, confession, growth, a responsible handling of sensitive topics while still pushing us to rethink accepted mores.  In this essay, Pat exposes his struggle in coming to grips with his past experience of being sexually abused and confesses that this may have influenced his more sexually libertarian view in the 80s.  While not shying away from the real dangers of sexual abuse, he begs us to rethink the vague laws and the ambiguity of trails regarding child pornography as attempts to police thoughts and emotions rather than providing support to youth and the real victims of sexual abuse (with most crimes of sexual abuse being committed by family members, rather than strangers).  Additionally, age of consent laws, while understandable, are not infallible and he recommends that "each cross-generational relationship or encounter needs to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis," and that disputes concerning the relationship be handled by counseling and mediation rather than the criminal justice system (86).  He contends that the societal belief in the "innocence" of children has been used to repress the real sexual awakening of youth, especially queer youth.  

Undoubtedly, these are not easy issues to face.  However, if we can stomach honest discussion about youth, sexuality, and allowing our assumptions to questioned with the sole goal of creating caring and holistic communities for the vulnerable, we might be surprised by where we end up.  Pat's essay, I believe, is an important step toward a more comprehensive vision of sexual liberation.