Columnist explains, rejects equal rights for pedophiles

I never thought I would live in a society where people fight for the equal rights of pedophiles.

Pedophilia is a disorder involving intense and recurrent sexual urges toward and fantasies about prepubescent children, according to the American Psychiatric Association.

Pedophiles argue that their desire for children is a sexual orientation no different than heterosexuality or homosexuality.

Pedophilia supporters are fighting for the cause, saying pedophilia is protected by the federal government. The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act protects “sexual orientation,” but does not clearly define it nor does it include stipulations about age.

The bill passed in 2009 and Republicans attempted to add an amendment specifying that pedophilia is not covered as an orientation. The amendment was defeated by Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.).

“All alternative sexual lifestyles should be protected under the law,” Hastings said.

In his comment, he included that people we label with “philias,” fetishes and “isms” should no longer live in fear because of who they are.

I am all for embracing who we are as individuals, but when that acceptance leads to child molestation, I think we have gone too far.

I am not saying that we should shun pedophiles and commit hate crimes against them. While not all people labeled as pedophiles act on their urges, accepting pedophilia inevitably will lead the way to the molestation of more children.

I’ll never agree on equal rights for pedophiles because I do not consider pedophilia a sexual orientation.

It is a preference for young children.

Any urge acted upon by pedophiles will never be considered consensual, even if both people are willing.

So I wonder why people are expecting equal rights for pedophiles when it leads to acceptance of their urges, inevitably putting children in more danger.