North American Man/Boy Love Association

The North American Man/Boy Love Association (NAMBLA) is a U.S.-based organization that advocates the abolition of age of consent laws.

Related Topics:
U.S. - Age of consent

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NAMBLA is an unincorporated association based in New York and San Francisco, guided by a steering committee. There is an annual gathering in New York, and monthly meetings around the country. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20050217-2208-manboy-daily.html In the early 1980s, NAMBLA was reported to have had over 300 members, and was supported by celebrities such as Allen Ginsberg. Since then, the organization has kept membership data private, but an undercover FBI investigation in 1995 discovered that there were 1,100 people on the rolls. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20050217-2208-manboy-daily.html

Related Topics:
New York - San Francisco - Allen Ginsberg - FBI

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Since 1995, public scorn and law enforcement infiltration has taken a toll on the group. Its national headquarters now consists of little more than a private mail box service in San Francisco, and inquiries are rarely responded to. NAMBLA is often accused of fronting an informal network that promotes the sexual exploitation of children. It denies this charge, claiming that not all sex between adults and minors is exploitative and thus is not deserving of universal criminalization.

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