Katie Cruz

Katie Cruz (c 1994) is a korephile MAP Activist from the United States. She considers herself a progressive, and a social justice warrior, often advocating for non-MAP-related progressive issues, and against the far-right. Katie is a Christian, and considers helping MAPs to be her ministry.

History

She joined the community in 2007, after discovering AP, whom she credits with helping her to accept herself. Katie has been involved with many aspects of activism over the years, posting on GirlChat, and Visions of Alice, and writing for AliceLovers Magazine. She also became active on MAP Twitter, where she preached a message of love, self-acceptance, and pride.

Katie has expressed support for the transgender community, which has caused some of her critics to believe she is a transgender woman, despite little evidence to support this claim.

Katie is a vocal critic of contact discourse, believing it to be divisive, and that most people have similar views.

Recent history

In 2022, Katie started her blog A MAP In Love, where she imported her previous written work, and continues to update the blog regularly. Her posts usually touch on MAP philosophy, activism, and the positive relationship she had with Lucy, and her grief when the relationship ended.

In late 2022, amidst health issues, Katie started preaching a message of community, encouraging people to come together. With nothing to lose, Katie decided to make herself more visible to the community, which also attracted the attention of antis. An anti by the name of Seara Adair started creating TikTok videos alleging that Katie is a predator and attempting to out her. In response, Katie removed the testimony of her relationship with Lucy from her blog.

In 2023, Katie was among the founding board members of MEDAL, an organization that hopes to be the ACLU of the MAP Community. Katie continues to serve on the board of directors, advocating for MAPs' rights to exist.

Katie continues preaching a message of love, self-acceptance, pride, and community, while maintaining a presence on the Pediverse, as well as many forums and MAP spaces.

Merchandise project

In March 2023, Katie started a "love project" called MAP Merch Shop, to help minor-attracted people show pride in their orientation, with curated MAP-themed products, as well as to encourage activism among MAPs.

There have been various attempts to scandalize the venture within the right-wing and feminist media, however these have not led to permanent closure of the project.

In late 2023, after seeing the devastation caused by the war in Gaza, Katie felt moved to do something to help children, and started the I Stand With Children campaign. She has pledged that 100% of the proceeds of I Stand With Children branded merchandise will go to a children's charity organization of the customer's choice.