What is this if not grooming.

[Angryresister]

pride.gift/30e24

This is really worrying on so many levels

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

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

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

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.

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

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?

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.

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?

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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......

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.

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

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.

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

Maybe not, but there is clearly a market within the gay community who do.

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

If I see a t-shirt with ‘MUFC’ and a picture of a Red Devil on it I’m going to make assumptions about the wearer. If I see ‘Pink Flloyd’ emblazoned on a t-shirt I am going to make assumptions.

A t-shirt is the clothing equivalent of a billboard.

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

Most of us are mothers, and many of us work or have worked in professions involving children and/or mental health. Also many of us have experiences and awareness of gay male culture/Pride etc

Personally, I also had some experience, in early 1980's, around the PIE, and I know how they operate.

Rule one of safeguarding; no one is above suspicion.
Safe behaviour is something you just do.

If you don't know how to behave safely around children because you are naive or stupid, you are a safeguarding risk even if your intentions were 'well meaning''.

Audacity - if a child confessed to a teacher that they're having issues st home, would you think it was appropriate for that teacher to tell the child that they were their parent now?

Like with the rubber guy at the nspcc, we have to hold the gay community to exactly the same standards as the straight community. Boundary crossing does not help vulnerable children; it harms them.

I might offer someone who is upset a hug. But not from behind and not whilst offering to be their parent. They key thing being, in both body and verbal language, that it is an offer that can be refused and boundaries are respected.