The chatroom used by fired ‘Wheel of Fortune’ announcer Jim Thornton has put out a statement defending its purpose. The chatroom says it operates under strict rules against any type of illicit behavior, but says it exists because there is no safe way for “minor-attracted people” to access support for fear of stigmatization. The site goes on to say that most people attracted to minors behave responsibly and giving them a place to talk leads to more positive outcomes. They point out that Thornton’s firing - which they call a metaphorical lynching - illustrates the need for change in how we view people who have this attraction. As you might imagine, reaction to their statement has been met with outrage, especially among parents, who say this is dangerous, normalizing and even encouraging pedophilia.
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