What is this if not grooming.

What, how can I defend a picture of bears?

You know what, I'm out. You all want this to be sinister very badly and aren't open to anyone suggesting the possibility that it might, just might, not be what you're thinking.

^gender of baby animal is unknown.
Adult one identifies as a Dad. Doesn't mean they're gay. Looks like something else though.

Have you never hugged someone without giving them a thorough vetting first, to make sure there was nothing in their circumstances that might render them somewhat vulnerable?

The t-shirt doesn’t just ignore potential vulnerabilities; it specifically targets the vulnerable - those who have been rejected by their parents.

Clearly it's subjective, i.e. "the feeling is one of a predatory older figure" whereas other people might see a protective older figure

Yes, like a vulnerable young person......

I'm not mad keen to so quickly equate gay with paedophile that's all

ffs
This is an image of a grown up animal hugging a baby animal, (both "genders" completely unknown by the way, no idea if the baby animal is gay or not) with the words "I am your Dad now". How can you defend that?

think we're making a lot of assumptions really. Have you never hugged someone without giving them a thorough vetting first, to make sure there was nothing in their circumstances that might render them somewhat vulnerable?

But this is a product for sale at Pride marches. It will be used and taken advantage of by those with less than wholesome intentions.

Um, a logo on a t-shirt is not evidence.

Clearly it's subjective, i.e. "the feeling is one of a predatory older figure" whereas other people might see a protective older figure.

I'm not mad keen to so quickly equate gay with paedophile, is all

I'm sure you aren't. But sometimes you do have to accept the evidence before your eyes.

The immediate impression and feeling is one of a predatory older figure; especially given the roles of 'bear' and 'cub' in gay male culture.

And given the attempts by people such as Peter Tatchell to force through inappropriate early age sexuality into the classroom; and his 'liberal' attitude to inter-generational sex.

The gay male community needs to create some appropriate boundaries. Otherwise it risks, once again, being linked with predatory male and paedophilic behaviour.

Oh for God's sake, it's obvious hyperbole.

Ok, someone you've just met, recently met, you know what I mean.

I just think there's an element of this that we could be misinterpreting, because we don't fully understand/have fully experienced the culture and context of it.

I'm not mad keen to so quickly equate gay with paedophile, is all.

Have you never hugged someone without giving them a thorough vetting first, to make sure there was nothing in their circumstances that might render them somewhat vulnerable?

Er no? Is it common to go around offering hugs to strangers?

The image shows an adult bear and a cub. Not two adults, not an adult and an older teenager. So again and louder for the seats at the back;

One rule of safeguarding is even if you think you are a safe person, you don't act in an unsafe way, as it leaves children less able to spot or describe inappropriate behaviour.

I think we're making a lot of assumptions really. Have you never hugged someone without giving them a thorough vetting first, to make sure there was nothing in their circumstances that might render them somewhat vulnerable?

At the bottom of the web page there's an option to contact them via email. I've done it, expressing my concerns re safeguarding issues and the whole grooming thing. It'd be great if they got hundreds a few more to add a bit of weight to it.

Only took me 5 mins

Is it inappropriate to hug an older teenager who wants one??

If you don't know them, yes. Especially as these hugs were being specifically offered to vulnerable teens who's own parents had rejected them.

I would be hugely suspicious of anyone wearing that shirt. It shrieks predator.

Is it inappropriate to hug an older teenager who wants one?? How's that then?

But the people getting hugged weren't children. Their sexuality was rejected by their parents so some other parents there were giving out hugs if wanted.
The t shirt seems related to that more than anything as it's a gimmick that caught on this year

One rule of safeguarding is even if you think you are a safe person, you don't act in an unsafe way, as it leaves children less able to spot or describe inappropriate behaviour.

Is this not just inspired by the man that gave out 700 hugs to young gay people that hadn't been supported by their parents

That was also wildly inappropriate

the mum of one young person was giving hugs to the kids whose parents wouldn't accept their kid as gay. Apparently it was really moving

It's hugely inappropriate to physically hug a child who has never met you, especially one you know to be emotionally vulnerable. It's just all sense of wrong.

That's really sinister. Without the bear and the "I'm your dad now", it would be better, but I can't unsee that imagery .I can see how someone who meant well and genuinely wanted to help kids might wear it in genuine innocence, but it just screams "predator".

Gross. Even the graphic is kind of sinister, no? The huge “bear” looming over a small “cub.” Agree with PP, bear/cub are used by adult gay men in a particular way so seems an odd choice here.

I don't know. I saw a blog or something the other day saying they'd been at a Pride march, and the mum of one young person was giving hugs to the kids whose parents wouldn't accept their kid as gay. Apparently it was really moving and meant a lot to the kids. I think I'm a teensy bit wary of jumping to a conclusion, just because that blog made me think.