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‘You Should Be In Prison’: Critics Slam WaPo Article Encouraging ‘Kink Culture’ For Children

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Mary Margaret Olohan
June 30, 2021 8:17 PM ET
  • A Washington Post op-ed published Tuesday celebrates and encourages exposing children to “kink culture,” such as explicit performances at pride parades.
  • “Yes, kink belongs at Pride,” Lauren Rowello headlined a Tuesday WaPo piece. “And I want my kids to see it.” 
  • Rowello, a gendervague person who is married to a transgender woman, described how their children were confused to see “a few dozen kinksters who danced down the street, laughing together as they twirled their whips and batons, some leading companions by leashes.”

A Washington Post op-ed published Tuesday celebrates and encourages exposing children to “kink culture,” such as explicit performances at pride parades.

“Yes, kink belongs at Pride,” reads the headline of writer Lauren Rowello’s Tuesday WaPo piece. “And I want my kids to see it.” 

Rowello, a “gendervague“ person who is married to a transgender woman, described how the couple attended a pride parade where their children were confused to see “a few dozen kinksters who danced down the street, laughing together as they twirled their whips and batons, some leading companions by leashes.”

The term gendervague appears to refer to a person whose gender identity is “inextricably related” to being autistic.

“The man paused to be spanked playfully by a partner with a flog,” Rowello wrote. “‘What are they doing?’ my curious kid asked as our toddler cheered them on.”

The Washington Post writer said that though the children “were too young to understand the nuance of the situation,” Rowello told them that “these folks were members of our community celebrating who they are and what they like to do.”

“Children who witness kink culture are reassured that alternative experiences of sexuality and expression are valid — no matter who they become as they mature, helping them recognize that their personal experiences aren’t bad or wrong, and that they aren’t alone in their experiences,” Rowello wrote.

“Kink visibility is a reminder that any person can and should shamelessly explore what brings joy and excitement,” the writer added. “We don’t talk to our children enough about pursuing sex to fulfill carnal needs that delight and captivate us in the moment.”

“Sharing the language of kink culture with young people provides them with valuable information about safe sex practices — such as the importance of establishing boundaries, safe words and signals, affirming the importance of planning and research and the need to seek and give enthusiastic consent,” Rowello wrote.

The post quickly drew fire from commentators on social media.

“If your ‘principles’ prevent you from running this sickness out of your country, your principles are garbage,” tweeted “I’m Right” host Jesse Kelly. “Nations do not remain stable, healthy nations with this behavior becoming acceptable.”

“In a sane society, CPS would already be on the way,” the Daily Wire’s Ben Shapiro tweeted.

Journalist Glenn Greenwald took particular issue with the line: “If we want our children to learn and grow from their experiences at Pride, we should hope that they’ll encounter kink when they attend.”

“This was never a goal and it sure as fuck isn’t one I share or anyone I’ve ever known has,” Greenwald tweeted.

Greenwald added: “The problem is that when a highly funded social movement succeeds in all of its goals, it won’t declare victory and stop: too much money, too much activist bureaucracy and jobs at stake, so it keeps expanding to justify its own existence into unrecognizable areas.”

The Daily Wire’s Matt Walsh tweeted at Rowello: “You should be in prison.”

Walsh also highlighted a tweet from Rowello that includes a picture of the writer’s 8-year-old child, who Rowello referred to as “they,” wearing makeup.

“My 8YO explored makeup for the first time tonight,” Rowello tweeted in May. “They tried an eyeshadow tutorial to make clouds, some flowers (not shown), and lots (and lots and lots and lots) of eyeliner stamps. They shrugged, “Maybe I’ll go on drag race when I’m older.”

Neither Rowello nor the Washington Post immediately responded to requests for comment.

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