MAP Flag - Revision history

Jim Burton at 19:08, 21 October 2026

2026-10-21T19:08:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:08, 21 October 2026
Line 29:		Line 29:
	File:Hjmmhmjmnhjgfg.jpg\|Lapel pin/badge		File:Hjmmhmjmnhjgfg.jpg\|Lapel pin/badge
	File:German2.jpg\|MAPSupport.de [[Pediverse\|Fediverse]] user Consuela creates T Shirts from a meme		File:German2.jpg\|MAPSupport.de [[Pediverse\|Fediverse]] user Consuela creates T Shirts from a meme
	File:F6d28.jpeg\|MAP and Zoo stickers, NNIA.space		File:F6d28.jpeg\|MAP and Zoo stickers, [[NNIA]].space
	File:Redditmf.png\|MAP Flag spotted in an urban environment in 2023 by a Reddit user.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/vexillology/comments/179uj3p/please_help_to_identify_the_flag_i_saw_while/ Please help to identify the flag I saw while taking a walk today. Seems to be a pride flag of sorts (from colors and design), although I'm not sure.]</ref>		File:Redditmf.png\|MAP Flag spotted in an urban environment in 2023 by a Reddit user.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/vexillology/comments/179uj3p/please_help_to_identify_the_flag_i_saw_while/ Please help to identify the flag I saw while taking a walk today. Seems to be a pride flag of sorts (from colors and design), although I'm not sure.]</ref>
	File:2024X.png\|<small>In 2024, Anti-c's on X attempted to de-legitimize variants of the MAP Flag, attempting to introduce the idea that the potential link between 2009 and 2018 concepts was once presented as plagiarism</small>		File:2024X.png\|<small>In 2024, Anti-c's on X attempted to de-legitimize variants of the MAP Flag, attempting to introduce the idea that the potential link between 2009 and 2018 concepts was once presented as plagiarism</small>
Line 42:		Line 42:

	[[File:LecterMAPChevron.png\|thumb\|Lecter's 2017 MAP/Ally chevron designs]]		[[File:LecterMAPChevron.png\|thumb\|Lecter's 2017 MAP/Ally chevron designs]]
	The origins of the '''2018 flag''' are a Tumblr user named '''Stenna''', who published it in June of that year, according to Lecter, the admin of NNIA, a former [[Pediverse]] instance.<ref>[https://comrade-lecter.dreamwidth.org/4543.html comrade_lecter Tumblr]</ref><ref name="Stenna">[https://archive.md/j2ZsP Stenna Tumblr Archive]</ref> In 2017, Lecter had designed two chevron flags on Tumblr for MAPs and Allies, but did not promote them intensively.<ref>[https://archive.is/mK0ZJ Chevron Flags by Lecter]</ref>		The origins of the '''2018 flag''' are a Tumblr user named '''Stenna''', who published it in June of that year, according to Lecter, the admin of [[NNIA]], a former [[Pediverse]] instance.<ref>[https://comrade-lecter.dreamwidth.org/4543.html comrade_lecter Tumblr]</ref><ref name="Stenna">[https://archive.md/j2ZsP Stenna Tumblr Archive]</ref> In 2017, Lecter had designed two chevron flags on Tumblr for MAPs and Allies, but did not promote them intensively.<ref>[https://archive.is/mK0ZJ Chevron Flags by Lecter]</ref>

	===Snowballing of 2018 controversy, false and conflicting LGBT entryism, and "hoax" claims===		===Snowballing of 2018 controversy, false and conflicting LGBT entryism, and "hoax" claims===

Jim Burton: /* Snowballing of 2018 controversy, false and conflicting LGBT entryism, and "hoax" claims */

2026-10-21T18:53:50Z

Snowballing of 2018 controversy, false and conflicting LGBT entryism, and "hoax" claims

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:53, 21 October 2026
Line 46:		Line 46:
	===Snowballing of 2018 controversy, false and conflicting LGBT entryism, and "hoax" claims===		===Snowballing of 2018 controversy, false and conflicting LGBT entryism, and "hoax" claims===

	Stenna's flag graphic spread throughout social media following widespread intrigue and hostile attention suggesting it was an attempt to align MAPs with LGBTQ+ politics.		Stenna's flag graphic spread throughout social media following widespread intrigue and hostile attention suggesting it was an attempt to align MAPs with LGBTQ+ politics. As our gallery demonstrates below, contrary to these claims, there was across-the-board concern among the earliest MAP Flag designers about perceived LGBTQ+ entryism and possible backlash.

	After Stenna's blog was removed by Tumblr its URL was also squatted by a hostile actor,<ref>[https://archive.md/hwOAT Stenna Tumblr - Hostile takeover]</ref> leading various "fact checkers" to falsely claim that the original flag was a hoax by trolls - a narrative that conflicted with the LGBT entryism narrative since it was in part an attempt to answer it. The controversy surrounding Stenna's 2018 flag extended beyond social media, also infecting the legacy gay press, who were under pressure to affirm that the flag was not an LGBTQ+ project.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220916162653/https://attitude.co.uk/article/paedophiles-want-to-be-accepted-by-the-lgbt-community-claiming-they-are-minorities/18461/ Attitude: Paedophiles want to be accepted by the LGBT community claiming they are minorities]</ref><ref>[https://www.thegayuk.com/paedophiles-have-created-their-own-pride-flag/ Thegayuk: Disgustingly, paedophiles have created their own Pride flag]</ref> Not all gay media fell in line with the hoax narrative, though. In one article, ''GayStarNews'' (an outlet who once ran a puff piece for the events of a convicted ticketing fraudster using a shortened version of his name<ref>[https://southwarknews.co.uk/news/crime/fraudster-jailed-after-80000-concert-ticket-scam/ Fraudster jailed after £80,000 concert ticket scam]</ref><ref>[https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-2123283/Ticket-tout-Michael-Rangos-faces-big-taxman.html Ticket tout tax avoidance]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210516004853/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/will-you-darling-meetup-london/ GayStarNews puff piece for ticket tout fraudster]</ref>) attempted to discredit the 2018 flag as not being "a real pride flag". In the [[Historical examples of LGBT-MAP unity\|historically ignorant]] article, GayStarNews<ref>[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333361120_I'm_Not_like_That_So_Am_I_Gay_The_Use_of_Queer-Spectrum_Identity_Labels_Among_Minor-Attracted_People Allyn Walker on MAPs and identity labels]</ref> falsely stated that pedophiles were attempting to re-enter the LGBTQ community, also comparing the publicity to a known [["Pedophile Activism" hoaxes\|hoax]].<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20190321133619/https:/www.gaystarnews.com/article/no-this-isnt-a-real-pride-flag-it-represents-pedophiles/#gs.k4gift No, this isn’t a real Pride flag—it represents pedophiles - GayStarNews]</ref> These "hoax" claims were repeated more forcefully in other gay publications.<ref>[https://hornet.com/stories/minor-attracted-persons-flag-hoax/ Hornet: The ‘Minor Attracted Persons’ Flag Appears to Be a Hoax to Connect LGBTQs with Pedophilia]</ref><ref>[https://www.them.us/story/behind-the-weird-internet-scheme-to-associate-pedophiles-with-the-lgbtq-community Them: Behind the Weird Internet Scheme to Associate Pedophiles with the LGBTQ+ Community]</ref> ~~As our gallery demonstrates below, there was across-the-board concern among the earliest MAP Flag designers about perceived LGBTQ+ entryism and possible backlash.~~		After Stenna's blog was removed by Tumblr its URL was also squatted by a hostile actor,<ref>[https://archive.md/hwOAT Stenna Tumblr - Hostile takeover]</ref> leading various "fact checkers" to falsely claim that the original flag was a hoax by trolls. This was a narrative that conflicted with the LGBT entryism narrative since it was in part an attempt to answer it. The controversy surrounding Stenna's 2018 flag extended beyond social media, also infecting the legacy gay press, who were under pressure to affirm that the flag was not an LGBTQ+ project.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220916162653/https://attitude.co.uk/article/paedophiles-want-to-be-accepted-by-the-lgbt-community-claiming-they-are-minorities/18461/ Attitude: Paedophiles want to be accepted by the LGBT community claiming they are minorities]</ref><ref>[https://www.thegayuk.com/paedophiles-have-created-their-own-pride-flag/ Thegayuk: Disgustingly, paedophiles have created their own Pride flag]</ref> Not all gay media fell in line with the hoax narrative, though. In one article, ''GayStarNews'' (an outlet who once ran a puff piece for the events of a convicted ticketing fraudster using a shortened version of his name<ref>[https://southwarknews.co.uk/news/crime/fraudster-jailed-after-80000-concert-ticket-scam/ Fraudster jailed after £80,000 concert ticket scam]</ref><ref>[https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-2123283/Ticket-tout-Michael-Rangos-faces-big-taxman.html Ticket tout tax avoidance]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210516004853/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/will-you-darling-meetup-london/ GayStarNews puff piece for ticket tout fraudster]</ref>) attempted to discredit the 2018 flag as not being "a real pride flag". In the [[Historical examples of LGBT-MAP unity\|historically ignorant]] article, GayStarNews<ref>[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333361120_I'm_Not_like_That_So_Am_I_Gay_The_Use_of_Queer-Spectrum_Identity_Labels_Among_Minor-Attracted_People Allyn Walker on MAPs and identity labels]</ref> falsely stated that pedophiles were attempting to re-enter the LGBTQ community, also comparing the publicity to a known [["Pedophile Activism" hoaxes\|hoax]].<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20190321133619/https:/www.gaystarnews.com/article/no-this-isnt-a-real-pride-flag-it-represents-pedophiles/#gs.k4gift No, this isn’t a real Pride flag—it represents pedophiles - GayStarNews]</ref> These "hoax" claims were repeated more forcefully in other gay publications.<ref>[https://hornet.com/stories/minor-attracted-persons-flag-hoax/ Hornet: The ‘Minor Attracted Persons’ Flag Appears to Be a Hoax to Connect LGBTQs with Pedophilia]</ref><ref>[https://www.them.us/story/behind-the-weird-internet-scheme-to-associate-pedophiles-with-the-lgbtq-community Them: Behind the Weird Internet Scheme to Associate Pedophiles with the LGBTQ+ Community]</ref>

	Since it was published, the MAP Flag has become internet folklore, attracting many variations inspired by common alternative pride flags. These too, have been wrongly interpreted as the [[Historical examples of LGBT-MAP unity\|LGBT]] re-entryist attempts of MAPs. The 2021 version, and a [[:File:Yesmap.png\|subsequent pro-c proposal]] have caused some controversy on Twitter.com, with small-time influencers burning printed versions on camera, and MAP users rowing over what version of the flag should be considered the "legitimate" MAP Flag.		Since it was published, the MAP Flag has become internet folklore, attracting many variations inspired by common alternative pride flags. These too, have been wrongly interpreted as the [[Historical examples of LGBT-MAP unity\|LGBT]] re-entryist attempts of MAPs. The 2021 version, and a [[:File:Yesmap.png\|subsequent pro-c proposal]] have caused some controversy on Twitter.com, with small-time influencers burning printed versions on camera, and MAP users rowing over what version of the flag should be considered the "legitimate" MAP Flag.

Jim Burton: /* Snowballing of 2018 controversy, false and conflicting LGBT entryism, and "hoax" claims */

2026-10-21T18:52:04Z

Snowballing of 2018 controversy, false and conflicting LGBT entryism, and "hoax" claims

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:52, 21 October 2026
Line 48:		Line 48:
	Stenna's flag graphic spread throughout social media following widespread intrigue and hostile attention suggesting it was an attempt to align MAPs with LGBTQ+ politics.		Stenna's flag graphic spread throughout social media following widespread intrigue and hostile attention suggesting it was an attempt to align MAPs with LGBTQ+ politics.

	After Stenna's blog was removed by Tumblr its URL was also squatted by a hostile actor,<ref>[https://archive.md/hwOAT Stenna Tumblr - Hostile takeover]</ref> leading various "fact checkers" to falsely claim that the original flag was a hoax by trolls - a narrative that conflicted with the LGBT entryism narrative since it was in part an attempt to answer it. The controversy surrounding Stenna's 2018 flag extended beyond social media, also infecting the legacy gay press, who were under pressure to affirm that the flag was not an LGBTQ+ project.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220916162653/https://attitude.co.uk/article/paedophiles-want-to-be-accepted-by-the-lgbt-community-claiming-they-are-minorities/18461/ Attitude: Paedophiles want to be accepted by the LGBT community claiming they are minorities]</ref><ref>[https://www.thegayuk.com/paedophiles-have-created-their-own-pride-flag/ Thegayuk: Disgustingly, paedophiles have created their own Pride flag]</ref> Not all gay media fell in line with the hoax narrative, though. In one article, ''GayStarNews'' (an outlet who once ran a puff piece for the events of a convicted ticketing fraudster using a shortened version of his name<ref>[https://southwarknews.co.uk/news/crime/fraudster-jailed-after-80000-concert-ticket-scam/ Fraudster jailed after £80,000 concert ticket scam]</ref><ref>[https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-2123283/Ticket-tout-Michael-Rangos-faces-big-taxman.html Ticket tout tax avoidance]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210516004853/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/will-you-darling-meetup-london/ GayStarNews puff piece for ticket tout fraudster]</ref>) attempted to discredit the 2018 flag as not being "a real pride flag". In the [[Historical examples of LGBT-MAP unity\|historically ignorant]] article, GayStarNews<ref>[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333361120_I'm_Not_like_That_So_Am_I_Gay_The_Use_of_Queer-Spectrum_Identity_Labels_Among_Minor-Attracted_People Allyn Walker on MAPs and identity labels]</ref> falsely stated that pedophiles were attempting to re-enter the LGBTQ community, also comparing the publicity to a known [["Pedophile Activism" hoaxes\|hoax]].<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20190321133619/https:/www.gaystarnews.com/article/no-this-isnt-a-real-pride-flag-it-represents-pedophiles/#gs.k4gift No, this isn’t a real Pride flag—it represents pedophiles - GayStarNews]</ref> These "hoax" claims were repeated ~~elsewhere~~.<ref>[https://hornet.com/stories/minor-attracted-persons-flag-hoax/ Hornet: The ‘Minor Attracted Persons’ Flag Appears to Be a Hoax to Connect LGBTQs with Pedophilia]</ref><ref>[https://www.them.us/story/behind-the-weird-internet-scheme-to-associate-pedophiles-with-the-lgbtq-community Them: Behind the Weird Internet Scheme to Associate Pedophiles with the LGBTQ+ Community]</ref> As our gallery demonstrates below, there was across-the-board concern among the earliest MAP Flag designers about perceived LGBTQ+ entryism and possible backlash.		After Stenna's blog was removed by Tumblr its URL was also squatted by a hostile actor,<ref>[https://archive.md/hwOAT Stenna Tumblr - Hostile takeover]</ref> leading various "fact checkers" to falsely claim that the original flag was a hoax by trolls - a narrative that conflicted with the LGBT entryism narrative since it was in part an attempt to answer it. The controversy surrounding Stenna's 2018 flag extended beyond social media, also infecting the legacy gay press, who were under pressure to affirm that the flag was not an LGBTQ+ project.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220916162653/https://attitude.co.uk/article/paedophiles-want-to-be-accepted-by-the-lgbt-community-claiming-they-are-minorities/18461/ Attitude: Paedophiles want to be accepted by the LGBT community claiming they are minorities]</ref><ref>[https://www.thegayuk.com/paedophiles-have-created-their-own-pride-flag/ Thegayuk: Disgustingly, paedophiles have created their own Pride flag]</ref> Not all gay media fell in line with the hoax narrative, though. In one article, ''GayStarNews'' (an outlet who once ran a puff piece for the events of a convicted ticketing fraudster using a shortened version of his name<ref>[https://southwarknews.co.uk/news/crime/fraudster-jailed-after-80000-concert-ticket-scam/ Fraudster jailed after £80,000 concert ticket scam]</ref><ref>[https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-2123283/Ticket-tout-Michael-Rangos-faces-big-taxman.html Ticket tout tax avoidance]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210516004853/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/will-you-darling-meetup-london/ GayStarNews puff piece for ticket tout fraudster]</ref>) attempted to discredit the 2018 flag as not being "a real pride flag". In the [[Historical examples of LGBT-MAP unity\|historically ignorant]] article, GayStarNews<ref>[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333361120_I'm_Not_like_That_So_Am_I_Gay_The_Use_of_Queer-Spectrum_Identity_Labels_Among_Minor-Attracted_People Allyn Walker on MAPs and identity labels]</ref> falsely stated that pedophiles were attempting to re-enter the LGBTQ community, also comparing the publicity to a known [["Pedophile Activism" hoaxes\|hoax]].<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20190321133619/https:/www.gaystarnews.com/article/no-this-isnt-a-real-pride-flag-it-represents-pedophiles/#gs.k4gift No, this isn’t a real Pride flag—it represents pedophiles - GayStarNews]</ref> These "hoax" claims were repeated more forcefully in other gay publications.<ref>[https://hornet.com/stories/minor-attracted-persons-flag-hoax/ Hornet: The ‘Minor Attracted Persons’ Flag Appears to Be a Hoax to Connect LGBTQs with Pedophilia]</ref><ref>[https://www.them.us/story/behind-the-weird-internet-scheme-to-associate-pedophiles-with-the-lgbtq-community Them: Behind the Weird Internet Scheme to Associate Pedophiles with the LGBTQ+ Community]</ref> As our gallery demonstrates below, there was across-the-board concern among the earliest MAP Flag designers about perceived LGBTQ+ entryism and possible backlash.

	Since it was published, the MAP Flag has become internet folklore, attracting many variations inspired by common alternative pride flags. These too, have been wrongly interpreted as the [[Historical examples of LGBT-MAP unity\|LGBT]] re-entryist attempts of MAPs. The 2021 version, and a [[:File:Yesmap.png\|subsequent pro-c proposal]] have caused some controversy on Twitter.com, with small-time influencers burning printed versions on camera, and MAP users rowing over what version of the flag should be considered the "legitimate" MAP Flag.		Since it was published, the MAP Flag has become internet folklore, attracting many variations inspired by common alternative pride flags. These too, have been wrongly interpreted as the [[Historical examples of LGBT-MAP unity\|LGBT]] re-entryist attempts of MAPs. The 2021 version, and a [[:File:Yesmap.png\|subsequent pro-c proposal]] have caused some controversy on Twitter.com, with small-time influencers burning printed versions on camera, and MAP users rowing over what version of the flag should be considered the "legitimate" MAP Flag.

Jim Burton: /* Origin of 2018 MAP/NOMAP flag */

2026-10-21T18:49:25Z

Origin of 2018 MAP/NOMAP flag

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:49, 21 October 2026
Line 42:		Line 42:

	[[File:LecterMAPChevron.png\|thumb\|Lecter's 2017 MAP/Ally chevron designs]]		[[File:LecterMAPChevron.png\|thumb\|Lecter's 2017 MAP/Ally chevron designs]]
	The origins of the '''2018 flag''' are a Tumblr user named '''Stenna''', who published it in June of that year, according to Lecter, the admin of NNIA, a former [[Pediverse]] instance.<ref>[https://comrade-lecter.dreamwidth.org/4543.html comrade_lecter Tumblr]</ref><ref name="Stenna">[https://archive.md/j2ZsP Stenna Tumblr Archive]</ref> In 2017, Lecter had designed two chevron flags on Tumblr for MAPs and Allies, but did not promote them intensively.<ref>[https://archive.is/mK0ZJ Chevron Flags by Lecter]</ref>		The origins of the '''2018 flag''' are a Tumblr user named '''Stenna''', who published it in June of that year, according to Lecter, the admin of NNIA, a former [[Pediverse]] instance.<ref>[https://comrade-lecter.dreamwidth.org/4543.html comrade_lecter Tumblr]</ref><ref name="Stenna">[https://archive.md/j2ZsP Stenna Tumblr Archive]</ref> In 2017, Lecter had designed two chevron flags on Tumblr for MAPs and Allies, but did not promote them intensively.<ref>[https://archive.is/mK0ZJ Chevron Flags by Lecter]</ref>

	Stenna's flag graphic spread throughout social media following widespread intrigue and hostile attention suggesting it was an attempt to align MAPs with LGBTQ+ politics. After Stenna's blog was removed by Tumblr its URL was squatted by a hostile actor,<ref>[https://archive.md/hwOAT Stenna Tumblr - Hostile takeover]</ref> leading various "fact checkers" to falsely claim that the original flag was a hoax by trolls. The ~~initial~~ controversy surrounding Stenna's 2018 flag extended beyond social media, also infecting the legacy gay press, who were under pressure to affirm that the flag was not an LGBTQ+ project.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220916162653/https://attitude.co.uk/article/paedophiles-want-to-be-accepted-by-the-lgbt-community-claiming-they-are-minorities/18461/ Attitude: Paedophiles want to be accepted by the LGBT community claiming they are minorities]</ref><ref>[https://www.thegayuk.com/paedophiles-have-created-their-own-pride-flag/ Thegayuk: Disgustingly, paedophiles have created their own Pride flag]</ref> In one article, ''GayStarNews'' (an outlet who once ran a puff piece for the events of a convicted ticketing fraudster using a shortened version of his name<ref>[https://southwarknews.co.uk/news/crime/fraudster-jailed-after-80000-concert-ticket-scam/ Fraudster jailed after £80,000 concert ticket scam]</ref><ref>[https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-2123283/Ticket-tout-Michael-Rangos-faces-big-taxman.html Ticket tout tax avoidance]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210516004853/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/will-you-darling-meetup-london/ GayStarNews puff piece for ticket tout fraudster]</ref>) attempted to discredit the 2018 flag as not being "a real pride flag". In the [[Historical examples of LGBT-MAP unity\|historically ignorant]] article, GayStarNews<ref>[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333361120_I'm_Not_like_That_So_Am_I_Gay_The_Use_of_Queer-Spectrum_Identity_Labels_Among_Minor-Attracted_People Allyn Walker on MAPs and identity labels]</ref> falsely stated that pedophiles were attempting to re-enter the LGBTQ community, also comparing the publicity to a known [["Pedophile Activism" hoaxes\|hoax]].<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20190321133619/https:/www.gaystarnews.com/article/no-this-isnt-a-real-pride-flag-it-represents-pedophiles/#gs.k4gift No, this isn’t a real Pride flag—it represents pedophiles - GayStarNews]</ref> These "hoax" claims were repeated elsewhere.<ref>[https://hornet.com/stories/minor-attracted-persons-flag-hoax/ Hornet: The ‘Minor Attracted Persons’ Flag Appears to Be a Hoax to Connect LGBTQs with Pedophilia]</ref><ref>[https://www.them.us/story/behind-the-weird-internet-scheme-to-associate-pedophiles-with-the-lgbtq-community Them: Behind the Weird Internet Scheme to Associate Pedophiles with the LGBTQ+ Community]</ref>		===Snowballing of 2018 controversy, false and conflicting LGBT entryism, and "hoax" claims===

			Stenna's flag graphic spread throughout social media following widespread intrigue and hostile attention suggesting it was an attempt to align MAPs with LGBTQ+ politics.

			After Stenna's blog was removed by Tumblr its URL was also squatted by a hostile actor,<ref>[https://archive.md/hwOAT Stenna Tumblr - Hostile takeover]</ref> leading various "fact checkers" to falsely claim that the original flag was a hoax by trolls - a narrative that conflicted with the LGBT entryism narrative since it was in part an attempt to answer it. The controversy surrounding Stenna's 2018 flag extended beyond social media, also infecting the legacy gay press, who were under pressure to affirm that the flag was not an LGBTQ+ project.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220916162653/https://attitude.co.uk/article/paedophiles-want-to-be-accepted-by-the-lgbt-community-claiming-they-are-minorities/18461/ Attitude: Paedophiles want to be accepted by the LGBT community claiming they are minorities]</ref><ref>[https://www.thegayuk.com/paedophiles-have-created-their-own-pride-flag/ Thegayuk: Disgustingly, paedophiles have created their own Pride flag]</ref> Not all gay media fell in line with the hoax narrative, though. In one article, ''GayStarNews'' (an outlet who once ran a puff piece for the events of a convicted ticketing fraudster using a shortened version of his name<ref>[https://southwarknews.co.uk/news/crime/fraudster-jailed-after-80000-concert-ticket-scam/ Fraudster jailed after £80,000 concert ticket scam]</ref><ref>[https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-2123283/Ticket-tout-Michael-Rangos-faces-big-taxman.html Ticket tout tax avoidance]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210516004853/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/will-you-darling-meetup-london/ GayStarNews puff piece for ticket tout fraudster]</ref>) attempted to discredit the 2018 flag as not being "a real pride flag". In the [[Historical examples of LGBT-MAP unity\|historically ignorant]] article, GayStarNews<ref>[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333361120_I'm_Not_like_That_So_Am_I_Gay_The_Use_of_Queer-Spectrum_Identity_Labels_Among_Minor-Attracted_People Allyn Walker on MAPs and identity labels]</ref> falsely stated that pedophiles were attempting to re-enter the LGBTQ community, also comparing the publicity to a known [["Pedophile Activism" hoaxes\|hoax]].<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20190321133619/https:/www.gaystarnews.com/article/no-this-isnt-a-real-pride-flag-it-represents-pedophiles/#gs.k4gift No, this isn’t a real Pride flag—it represents pedophiles - GayStarNews]</ref> These "hoax" claims were repeated elsewhere.<ref>[https://hornet.com/stories/minor-attracted-persons-flag-hoax/ Hornet: The ‘Minor Attracted Persons’ Flag Appears to Be a Hoax to Connect LGBTQs with Pedophilia]</ref><ref>[https://www.them.us/story/behind-the-weird-internet-scheme-to-associate-pedophiles-with-the-lgbtq-community Them: Behind the Weird Internet Scheme to Associate Pedophiles with the LGBTQ+ Community]</ref> As our gallery demonstrates below, there was across-the-board concern among the earliest MAP Flag designers about perceived LGBTQ+ entryism and possible backlash.

	Since it was published, the MAP Flag has become internet folklore, attracting many variations inspired by common alternative pride flags. These too, have been wrongly interpreted as the [[Historical examples of LGBT-MAP unity\|LGBT]] re-entryist attempts of MAPs. The 2021 version, and a [[:File:Yesmap.png\|subsequent pro-c proposal]] have caused some controversy on Twitter.com, with small-time influencers burning printed versions on camera, and MAP users rowing over what version of the flag should be considered the "legitimate" MAP Flag.		Since it was published, the MAP Flag has become internet folklore, attracting many variations inspired by common alternative pride flags. These too, have been wrongly interpreted as the [[Historical examples of LGBT-MAP unity\|LGBT]] re-entryist attempts of MAPs. The 2021 version, and a [[:File:Yesmap.png\|subsequent pro-c proposal]] have caused some controversy on Twitter.com, with small-time influencers burning printed versions on camera, and MAP users rowing over what version of the flag should be considered the "legitimate" MAP Flag.

	===Erroneous claims of novelty and trolling by "fact checkers"===		===Erroneous claims of novelty and trolling get passed by "fact checkers"===

	At around the same time as the aforementioned viral "hoax" claims, mainstream "Fact Checkers" at ''Snopes.com'' have claimed that the MAP Flag concept "originated with a troll experiment on Tumblr". ''AFP Fact Check'' repeated some of those claims, as did other fact-checkers such as Reuters, much later.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20211101164919/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/maps-pride-flag/ Archived copy of Snopes' original false fact check]</ref><ref>[https://factcheck.afp.com/pride-flag-pedophiles-someone-created-one-no-one-waves-it AP's less erroneous FC]</ref><ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL1N37S2DT/ Reuters repeats inaccurate claims based on the redacted Snopes article]</ref><ref>[https://chequeado.com/el-explicador/no-no-hay-evidencia-de-que-las-personas-atraidas-por-menores-esten-buscando-incluirse-en-el-movimiento-lgbt/ chequeado.com (in Spanish) repeats false claims]</ref> These hastily compiled "fact checks" appeared to be based upon a fear that MAPs were attempting to rejoin the [[LGBTQ+]] community after [[Historical examples of LGBT-MAP unity\|years of ostracism]]. It was also claimed that Minor Attracted People did not coin their own term of identification, which as our [[Minor Attracted Person (archive research)\|research article]] demonstrates, is false and erases the influence of MAPs in history - for example leading GPP authors to make incorrect statements about the [[MAP Movement]] in its literature against [[Moral panic]].<ref>[https://globalphilanthropyproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Manufacturing-Moral-Panic-Report.pdf GPP: MANUFACTURING MORAL PANIC: Weaponizing Children to Undermine Gender Justice and Human Rights]</ref>		At around the same time as the aforementioned viral "hoax" claims, mainstream "Fact Checkers" at ''Snopes.com'' have claimed that the MAP Flag concept "originated with a troll experiment on Tumblr". ''AFP Fact Check'' repeated some of those claims, as did other fact-checkers such as Reuters, much later.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20211101164919/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/maps-pride-flag/ Archived copy of Snopes' original false fact check]</ref><ref>[https://factcheck.afp.com/pride-flag-pedophiles-someone-created-one-no-one-waves-it AP's less erroneous FC]</ref><ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL1N37S2DT/ Reuters repeats inaccurate claims based on the redacted Snopes article]</ref><ref>[https://chequeado.com/el-explicador/no-no-hay-evidencia-de-que-las-personas-atraidas-por-menores-esten-buscando-incluirse-en-el-movimiento-lgbt/ chequeado.com (in Spanish) repeats false claims]</ref> These hastily compiled "fact checks" appeared to be based upon a fear that MAPs were attempting to rejoin the [[LGBTQ+]] community after [[Historical examples of LGBT-MAP unity\|years of ostracism]]. It was also claimed that Minor Attracted People did not coin their own term of identification, which as our [[Minor Attracted Person (archive research)\|research article]] demonstrates, is false and erases the influence of MAPs in history - for example leading GPP authors to make incorrect statements about the [[MAP Movement]] in its literature against [[Moral panic]].<ref>[https://globalphilanthropyproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Manufacturing-Moral-Panic-Report.pdf GPP: MANUFACTURING MORAL PANIC: Weaponizing Children to Undermine Gender Justice and Human Rights]</ref>

Jim Burton: /* MAP colours supposedly copied to LGBTQ+ "Progress Pride" flag? */

2026-10-21T18:32:38Z

MAP colours supposedly copied to LGBTQ+ "Progress Pride" flag?

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:32, 21 October 2026
Line 97:		Line 97:
	===MAP colours supposedly copied to LGBTQ+ "Progress Pride" flag?===		===MAP colours supposedly copied to LGBTQ+ "Progress Pride" flag?===

	One common claim, often seen among American Christian conspiracy theorists is that the better-known and much-maligned [[Wikipedia:Rainbow_flag_(LGBT)#Variations\|Progress Pride Flag]] contains the colors of the MAP Flag,<ref>[https://www.catholicarena.com/latest/2023/7/12/paedophile-reference-in-progress-pride-flag Catholic Arena: Groomer colours in the Transgender & Progress-Pride Flags]</ref> in order to "include MAPs in the LGBTQ+ community". These claims~~, which~~ appear to be far-fetched, are disputed by fact checkers.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL1N37S2DT Reuters Fact Check: Progress Pride Flag]</ref>		One common claim, often seen among American Christian conspiracy theorists is that the better-known and much-maligned [[Wikipedia:Rainbow_flag_(LGBT)#Variations\|Progress Pride Flag]] contains the colors of the MAP Flag,<ref>[https://www.catholicarena.com/latest/2023/7/12/paedophile-reference-in-progress-pride-flag Catholic Arena: Groomer colours in the Transgender & Progress-Pride Flags]</ref> in order to "include MAPs in the LGBTQ+ community". These claims appeared years after the debunked claims about the LGBTQ+ community's role in the creation of a MAP Flag. They appear to be far-fetched, and are again disputed by fact checkers.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL1N37S2DT Reuters Fact Check: Progress Pride Flag]</ref>

	While it is widely accepted the colors pink and blue in the Progress Pride Flag do represent both ''boys and girls'' (as they often do in the MAP Flag), this is because similar colors were used to represent (baby) boys and girls in a [[wikipedia:Transgender_flag\|''Trans'' Pride Flag]] that ''predated'' the MAP Flag.<ref>[https://www.verywellmind.com/what-the-colors-of-the-new-pride-flag-mean-5189173 What Do the Colors of the New Pride Flag Mean?], and [https://eu.usatoday.com/story/life/2023/04/28/transgender-pride-flag-colors-meaning/11697579002/ Blue, pink and white: Here's what the colors of the Transgender Pride Flag mean], and [https://www.seventeen.com/life/a36610926/trans-flag-colors-meaning/ Here’s the Meaning Behind the Colors of the Transgender Pride Flag]. See also multiple examples, including the creator's own blog: [https://web.archive.org/web/20190503004804/http://transgendersociety.yolasite.com/tg-pride-flag-history-timeline.php], [https://www.huffpost.com/entry/transgender-flag_n_2166742], [https://web.archive.org/web/20120301065716/http://www.monicahelms.com/blog/category/tg-pride-flag], [https://web.archive.org/web/20150705172626/http://www.glbtq.com/slideshows/symbols,15.html], [https://www.pointofpride.org/blog/the-history-of-the-transgender-flag], [https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/what-is-gender-affirmation.html].</ref> The Progress Pride Flag is therefore not derivative of the MAP Flag; indeed, it even predated the MAP Flag by a week. Both were released and promoted in pride season of 2018.<ref>See [https://archive.md/j2ZsP] and [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/danielquasar/progress-a-pride-flag-reboot] and [https://www.advocate.com/pride/2018/6/08/will-everyone-feel-included-artists-new-pride-flag]</ref>		While it is widely accepted the colors pink and blue in the Progress Pride Flag do represent both ''boys and girls'' (as they often do in the MAP Flag), this is because similar colors were used to represent (baby) boys and girls in a [[wikipedia:Transgender_flag\|''Trans'' Pride Flag]] that ''predated'' the MAP Flag.<ref>[https://www.verywellmind.com/what-the-colors-of-the-new-pride-flag-mean-5189173 What Do the Colors of the New Pride Flag Mean?], and [https://eu.usatoday.com/story/life/2023/04/28/transgender-pride-flag-colors-meaning/11697579002/ Blue, pink and white: Here's what the colors of the Transgender Pride Flag mean], and [https://www.seventeen.com/life/a36610926/trans-flag-colors-meaning/ Here’s the Meaning Behind the Colors of the Transgender Pride Flag]. See also multiple examples, including the creator's own blog: [https://web.archive.org/web/20190503004804/http://transgendersociety.yolasite.com/tg-pride-flag-history-timeline.php], [https://www.huffpost.com/entry/transgender-flag_n_2166742], [https://web.archive.org/web/20120301065716/http://www.monicahelms.com/blog/category/tg-pride-flag], [https://web.archive.org/web/20150705172626/http://www.glbtq.com/slideshows/symbols,15.html], [https://www.pointofpride.org/blog/the-history-of-the-transgender-flag], [https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/what-is-gender-affirmation.html].</ref> The Progress Pride Flag is therefore not derivative of the MAP Flag; indeed, it even predated the MAP Flag by a week. Both were released and promoted in pride season of 2018.<ref>See [https://archive.md/j2ZsP] and [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/danielquasar/progress-a-pride-flag-reboot] and [https://www.advocate.com/pride/2018/6/08/will-everyone-feel-included-artists-new-pride-flag]</ref>

Jim Burton: /* Origin of 2018 MAP/NOMAP flag */

2026-10-21T18:25:36Z

Origin of 2018 MAP/NOMAP flag

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:25, 21 October 2026
Line 46:		Line 46:
	Stenna's flag graphic spread throughout social media following widespread intrigue and hostile attention suggesting it was an attempt to align MAPs with LGBTQ+ politics. After Stenna's blog was removed by Tumblr its URL was squatted by a hostile actor,<ref>[https://archive.md/hwOAT Stenna Tumblr - Hostile takeover]</ref> leading various "fact checkers" to falsely claim that the original flag was a hoax by trolls. The initial controversy surrounding Stenna's 2018 flag extended beyond social media, also infecting the legacy gay press, who were under pressure to affirm that the flag was not an LGBTQ+ project.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220916162653/https://attitude.co.uk/article/paedophiles-want-to-be-accepted-by-the-lgbt-community-claiming-they-are-minorities/18461/ Attitude: Paedophiles want to be accepted by the LGBT community claiming they are minorities]</ref><ref>[https://www.thegayuk.com/paedophiles-have-created-their-own-pride-flag/ Thegayuk: Disgustingly, paedophiles have created their own Pride flag]</ref> In one article, ''GayStarNews'' (an outlet who once ran a puff piece for the events of a convicted ticketing fraudster using a shortened version of his name<ref>[https://southwarknews.co.uk/news/crime/fraudster-jailed-after-80000-concert-ticket-scam/ Fraudster jailed after £80,000 concert ticket scam]</ref><ref>[https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-2123283/Ticket-tout-Michael-Rangos-faces-big-taxman.html Ticket tout tax avoidance]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210516004853/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/will-you-darling-meetup-london/ GayStarNews puff piece for ticket tout fraudster]</ref>) attempted to discredit the 2018 flag as not being "a real pride flag". In the [[Historical examples of LGBT-MAP unity\|historically ignorant]] article, GayStarNews<ref>[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333361120_I'm_Not_like_That_So_Am_I_Gay_The_Use_of_Queer-Spectrum_Identity_Labels_Among_Minor-Attracted_People Allyn Walker on MAPs and identity labels]</ref> falsely stated that pedophiles were attempting to re-enter the LGBTQ community, also comparing the publicity to a known [["Pedophile Activism" hoaxes\|hoax]].<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20190321133619/https:/www.gaystarnews.com/article/no-this-isnt-a-real-pride-flag-it-represents-pedophiles/#gs.k4gift No, this isn’t a real Pride flag—it represents pedophiles - GayStarNews]</ref> These "hoax" claims were repeated elsewhere.<ref>[https://hornet.com/stories/minor-attracted-persons-flag-hoax/ Hornet: The ‘Minor Attracted Persons’ Flag Appears to Be a Hoax to Connect LGBTQs with Pedophilia]</ref><ref>[https://www.them.us/story/behind-the-weird-internet-scheme-to-associate-pedophiles-with-the-lgbtq-community Them: Behind the Weird Internet Scheme to Associate Pedophiles with the LGBTQ+ Community]</ref>		Stenna's flag graphic spread throughout social media following widespread intrigue and hostile attention suggesting it was an attempt to align MAPs with LGBTQ+ politics. After Stenna's blog was removed by Tumblr its URL was squatted by a hostile actor,<ref>[https://archive.md/hwOAT Stenna Tumblr - Hostile takeover]</ref> leading various "fact checkers" to falsely claim that the original flag was a hoax by trolls. The initial controversy surrounding Stenna's 2018 flag extended beyond social media, also infecting the legacy gay press, who were under pressure to affirm that the flag was not an LGBTQ+ project.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220916162653/https://attitude.co.uk/article/paedophiles-want-to-be-accepted-by-the-lgbt-community-claiming-they-are-minorities/18461/ Attitude: Paedophiles want to be accepted by the LGBT community claiming they are minorities]</ref><ref>[https://www.thegayuk.com/paedophiles-have-created-their-own-pride-flag/ Thegayuk: Disgustingly, paedophiles have created their own Pride flag]</ref> In one article, ''GayStarNews'' (an outlet who once ran a puff piece for the events of a convicted ticketing fraudster using a shortened version of his name<ref>[https://southwarknews.co.uk/news/crime/fraudster-jailed-after-80000-concert-ticket-scam/ Fraudster jailed after £80,000 concert ticket scam]</ref><ref>[https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-2123283/Ticket-tout-Michael-Rangos-faces-big-taxman.html Ticket tout tax avoidance]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210516004853/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/will-you-darling-meetup-london/ GayStarNews puff piece for ticket tout fraudster]</ref>) attempted to discredit the 2018 flag as not being "a real pride flag". In the [[Historical examples of LGBT-MAP unity\|historically ignorant]] article, GayStarNews<ref>[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333361120_I'm_Not_like_That_So_Am_I_Gay_The_Use_of_Queer-Spectrum_Identity_Labels_Among_Minor-Attracted_People Allyn Walker on MAPs and identity labels]</ref> falsely stated that pedophiles were attempting to re-enter the LGBTQ community, also comparing the publicity to a known [["Pedophile Activism" hoaxes\|hoax]].<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20190321133619/https:/www.gaystarnews.com/article/no-this-isnt-a-real-pride-flag-it-represents-pedophiles/#gs.k4gift No, this isn’t a real Pride flag—it represents pedophiles - GayStarNews]</ref> These "hoax" claims were repeated elsewhere.<ref>[https://hornet.com/stories/minor-attracted-persons-flag-hoax/ Hornet: The ‘Minor Attracted Persons’ Flag Appears to Be a Hoax to Connect LGBTQs with Pedophilia]</ref><ref>[https://www.them.us/story/behind-the-weird-internet-scheme-to-associate-pedophiles-with-the-lgbtq-community Them: Behind the Weird Internet Scheme to Associate Pedophiles with the LGBTQ+ Community]</ref>

	Since it was published, the MAP Flag has become internet folklore, attracting many variations inspired by common alternative pride flags. These too, have been wrongly interpreted as [[Historical examples of LGBT-MAP unity\|LGBT]] re-entryist attempts by MAPs. The 2021 version, and a [[:File:Yesmap.png\|subsequent pro-c proposal]] have caused some controversy on Twitter.com, with small-time influencers burning printed versions on camera, and MAP users rowing over what version of the flag should be considered the "legitimate" MAP Flag.		Since it was published, the MAP Flag has become internet folklore, attracting many variations inspired by common alternative pride flags. These too, have been wrongly interpreted as the [[Historical examples of LGBT-MAP unity\|LGBT]] re-entryist attempts of MAPs. The 2021 version, and a [[:File:Yesmap.png\|subsequent pro-c proposal]] have caused some controversy on Twitter.com, with small-time influencers burning printed versions on camera, and MAP users rowing over what version of the flag should be considered the "legitimate" MAP Flag.

	===Erroneous claims of novelty and trolling by "fact checkers"===		===Erroneous claims of novelty and trolling by "fact checkers"===

Jim Burton: /* Origin of 2018 MAP/NOMAP flag */

2026-10-21T18:24:50Z

Origin of 2018 MAP/NOMAP flag

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:24, 21 October 2026
Line 44:		Line 44:
	The origins of the '''2018 flag''' are a Tumblr user named '''Stenna''', who published it in June of that year, according to Lecter, the admin of NNIA, a former [[Pediverse]] instance.<ref>[https://comrade-lecter.dreamwidth.org/4543.html comrade_lecter Tumblr]</ref><ref name="Stenna">[https://archive.md/j2ZsP Stenna Tumblr Archive]</ref> In 2017, Lecter had designed two chevron flags on Tumblr for MAPs and Allies, but did not promote them intensively.<ref>[https://archive.is/mK0ZJ Chevron Flags by Lecter]</ref>		The origins of the '''2018 flag''' are a Tumblr user named '''Stenna''', who published it in June of that year, according to Lecter, the admin of NNIA, a former [[Pediverse]] instance.<ref>[https://comrade-lecter.dreamwidth.org/4543.html comrade_lecter Tumblr]</ref><ref name="Stenna">[https://archive.md/j2ZsP Stenna Tumblr Archive]</ref> In 2017, Lecter had designed two chevron flags on Tumblr for MAPs and Allies, but did not promote them intensively.<ref>[https://archive.is/mK0ZJ Chevron Flags by Lecter]</ref>

	Stenna's flag graphic spread throughout social media following widespread intrigue and hostile attention suggesting it was an attempt to align MAPs with LGBTQ+ politics. After Stenna's blog was removed by Tumblr its URL was squatted by a hostile actor,<ref>[https://archive.md/hwOAT Stenna Tumblr - Hostile takeover]</ref> leading various "fact checkers" to falsely claim that the original flag was a hoax by trolls. The initial controversy surrounding Stenna's 2018 flag extended beyond social media, also infecting the legacy gay press, who were under pressure to affirm that the flag was not an LGBTQ+ project.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220916162653/https://attitude.co.uk/article/paedophiles-want-to-be-accepted-by-the-lgbt-community-claiming-they-are-minorities/18461/ Attitude: Paedophiles want to be accepted by the LGBT community claiming they are minorities]</ref><ref>[https://www.thegayuk.com/paedophiles-have-created-their-own-pride-flag/ Thegayuk: Disgustingly, paedophiles have created their own Pride flag]</ref> In one article, ''GayStarNews'' (an outlet who once ran a puff piece for the events of a convicted ticketing fraudster using a shortened version of his name<ref>[https://southwarknews.co.uk/news/crime/fraudster-jailed-after-80000-concert-ticket-scam/ Fraudster jailed after £80,000 concert ticket scam]</ref><ref>[https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-2123283/Ticket-tout-Michael-Rangos-faces-big-taxman.html Ticket tout tax avoidance]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210516004853/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/will-you-darling-meetup-london/ GayStarNews puff piece for ticket tout fraudster]</ref>) attempted to discredit the 2018 flag as not being "a real pride flag". In the [[Historical examples of LGBT-MAP unity\|historically ignorant]] article, GayStarNews ~~incorrectly~~<ref>[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333361120_I'm_Not_like_That_So_Am_I_Gay_The_Use_of_Queer-Spectrum_Identity_Labels_Among_Minor-Attracted_People Allyn Walker on MAPs and identity labels]</ref> falsely stated that pedophiles were attempting to re-enter the LGBTQ community, also comparing the publicity to a known [["Pedophile Activism" hoaxes\|hoax]].<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20190321133619/https:/www.gaystarnews.com/article/no-this-isnt-a-real-pride-flag-it-represents-pedophiles/#gs.k4gift No, this isn’t a real Pride flag—it represents pedophiles - GayStarNews]</ref> These "hoax" claims were repeated elsewhere.<ref>[https://hornet.com/stories/minor-attracted-persons-flag-hoax/ Hornet: The ‘Minor Attracted Persons’ Flag Appears to Be a Hoax to Connect LGBTQs with Pedophilia]</ref><ref>[https://www.them.us/story/behind-the-weird-internet-scheme-to-associate-pedophiles-with-the-lgbtq-community Them: Behind the Weird Internet Scheme to Associate Pedophiles with the LGBTQ+ Community]</ref>		Stenna's flag graphic spread throughout social media following widespread intrigue and hostile attention suggesting it was an attempt to align MAPs with LGBTQ+ politics. After Stenna's blog was removed by Tumblr its URL was squatted by a hostile actor,<ref>[https://archive.md/hwOAT Stenna Tumblr - Hostile takeover]</ref> leading various "fact checkers" to falsely claim that the original flag was a hoax by trolls. The initial controversy surrounding Stenna's 2018 flag extended beyond social media, also infecting the legacy gay press, who were under pressure to affirm that the flag was not an LGBTQ+ project.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220916162653/https://attitude.co.uk/article/paedophiles-want-to-be-accepted-by-the-lgbt-community-claiming-they-are-minorities/18461/ Attitude: Paedophiles want to be accepted by the LGBT community claiming they are minorities]</ref><ref>[https://www.thegayuk.com/paedophiles-have-created-their-own-pride-flag/ Thegayuk: Disgustingly, paedophiles have created their own Pride flag]</ref> In one article, ''GayStarNews'' (an outlet who once ran a puff piece for the events of a convicted ticketing fraudster using a shortened version of his name<ref>[https://southwarknews.co.uk/news/crime/fraudster-jailed-after-80000-concert-ticket-scam/ Fraudster jailed after £80,000 concert ticket scam]</ref><ref>[https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-2123283/Ticket-tout-Michael-Rangos-faces-big-taxman.html Ticket tout tax avoidance]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210516004853/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/will-you-darling-meetup-london/ GayStarNews puff piece for ticket tout fraudster]</ref>) attempted to discredit the 2018 flag as not being "a real pride flag". In the [[Historical examples of LGBT-MAP unity\|historically ignorant]] article, GayStarNews<ref>[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333361120_I'm_Not_like_That_So_Am_I_Gay_The_Use_of_Queer-Spectrum_Identity_Labels_Among_Minor-Attracted_People Allyn Walker on MAPs and identity labels]</ref> falsely stated that pedophiles were attempting to re-enter the LGBTQ community, also comparing the publicity to a known [["Pedophile Activism" hoaxes\|hoax]].<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20190321133619/https:/www.gaystarnews.com/article/no-this-isnt-a-real-pride-flag-it-represents-pedophiles/#gs.k4gift No, this isn’t a real Pride flag—it represents pedophiles - GayStarNews]</ref> These "hoax" claims were repeated elsewhere.<ref>[https://hornet.com/stories/minor-attracted-persons-flag-hoax/ Hornet: The ‘Minor Attracted Persons’ Flag Appears to Be a Hoax to Connect LGBTQs with Pedophilia]</ref><ref>[https://www.them.us/story/behind-the-weird-internet-scheme-to-associate-pedophiles-with-the-lgbtq-community Them: Behind the Weird Internet Scheme to Associate Pedophiles with the LGBTQ+ Community]</ref>

	Since it was published, the MAP Flag has become internet folklore, attracting many variations inspired by common alternative pride flags. These too, have been wrongly interpreted as [[Historical examples of LGBT-MAP unity\|LGBT]] re-entryist attempts by MAPs. The 2021 version, and a [[:File:Yesmap.png\|subsequent pro-c proposal]] have caused some controversy on Twitter.com, with small-time influencers burning printed versions on camera, and MAP users rowing over what version of the flag should be considered the "legitimate" MAP Flag.		Since it was published, the MAP Flag has become internet folklore, attracting many variations inspired by common alternative pride flags. These too, have been wrongly interpreted as [[Historical examples of LGBT-MAP unity\|LGBT]] re-entryist attempts by MAPs. The 2021 version, and a [[:File:Yesmap.png\|subsequent pro-c proposal]] have caused some controversy on Twitter.com, with small-time influencers burning printed versions on camera, and MAP users rowing over what version of the flag should be considered the "legitimate" MAP Flag.

Jim Burton: /* Origin of 2018 MAP/NOMAP flag */

2026-10-21T18:22:45Z

Origin of 2018 MAP/NOMAP flag

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:22, 21 October 2026
Line 42:		Line 42:

	[[File:LecterMAPChevron.png\|thumb\|Lecter's 2017 MAP/Ally chevron designs]]		[[File:LecterMAPChevron.png\|thumb\|Lecter's 2017 MAP/Ally chevron designs]]
	The origins of the '''2018 flag''' are a Tumblr user named '''Stenna''', who published it in June of that year, according to the NNIA ~~Mastodon/~~[[Pediverse~~\|Fediverse~~]] instance ~~owner comrade_lecter~~.<ref>[https://comrade-lecter.dreamwidth.org/4543.html comrade_lecter Tumblr]</ref><ref name="Stenna">[https://archive.md/j2ZsP Stenna Tumblr Archive]</ref> Lecter, had ~~in 2017~~ designed two chevron flags on Tumblr for MAPs and Allies, but ~~they~~ did not ~~go viral like Stenna's later flag~~.<ref>[https://archive.is/mK0ZJ Chevron Flags by Lecter]</ref>		The origins of the '''2018 flag''' are a Tumblr user named '''Stenna''', who published it in June of that year, according to Lecter, the admin of NNIA, a former [[Pediverse]] instance.<ref>[https://comrade-lecter.dreamwidth.org/4543.html comrade_lecter Tumblr]</ref><ref name="Stenna">[https://archive.md/j2ZsP Stenna Tumblr Archive]</ref> In 2017, Lecter had designed two chevron flags on Tumblr for MAPs and Allies, but did not promote them intensively.<ref>[https://archive.is/mK0ZJ Chevron Flags by Lecter]</ref>

	Stenna's flag graphic ~~then~~ spread throughout social media~~, although after its removal by Tumblr,~~ Stenna's ~~page~~ was ~~then~~ squatted by a hostile actor.<ref>[https://archive.md/hwOAT Stenna Tumblr - Hostile takeover]</ref> ~~Tumblr trolls have subsequently been suggested by~~ various "fact checkers" ~~as the true source of~~ the flag~~, although this is likely to have resulted from the confusion surrounding Tumblr's censorship attempt~~. The initial controversy surrounding Stenna's 2018 flag extended beyond social media, infecting the gay press.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220916162653/https://attitude.co.uk/article/paedophiles-want-to-be-accepted-by-the-lgbt-community-claiming-they-are-minorities/18461/ Attitude: Paedophiles want to be accepted by the LGBT community claiming they are minorities]</ref><ref>[https://www.thegayuk.com/paedophiles-have-created-their-own-pride-flag/ Thegayuk: Disgustingly, paedophiles have created their own Pride flag]</ref> In one article, ''GayStarNews'' (an outlet who once ran a puff piece for the events of a convicted ticketing fraudster, using a shortened version of his name<ref>[https://southwarknews.co.uk/news/crime/fraudster-jailed-after-80000-concert-ticket-scam/ Fraudster jailed after £80,000 concert ticket scam]</ref><ref>[https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-2123283/Ticket-tout-Michael-Rangos-faces-big-taxman.html Ticket tout tax avoidance]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210516004853/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/will-you-darling-meetup-london/ GayStarNews puff piece for ticket tout fraudster]</ref>) attempted to discredit the 2018 flag as not being "a real pride flag". In the [[Historical examples of LGBT-MAP unity\|historically ignorant]] article, GayStarNews incorrectly<ref>[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333361120_I'm_Not_like_That_So_Am_I_Gay_The_Use_of_Queer-Spectrum_Identity_Labels_Among_Minor-Attracted_People Allyn Walker on MAPs and identity labels]</ref> stated that pedophiles were attempting to re-enter the LGBTQ community, also comparing the publicity to a known [["Pedophile Activism" hoaxes\|hoax]].<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20190321133619/https:/www.gaystarnews.com/article/no-this-isnt-a-real-pride-flag-it-represents-pedophiles/#gs.k4gift No, this isn’t a real Pride flag—it represents pedophiles - GayStarNews]</ref> These "hoax" claims were repeated elsewhere.<ref>[https://hornet.com/stories/minor-attracted-persons-flag-hoax/ Hornet: The ‘Minor Attracted Persons’ Flag Appears to Be a Hoax to Connect LGBTQs with Pedophilia]</ref><ref>[https://www.them.us/story/behind-the-weird-internet-scheme-to-associate-pedophiles-with-the-lgbtq-community Them: Behind the Weird Internet Scheme to Associate Pedophiles with the LGBTQ+ Community]</ref>		Stenna's flag graphic spread throughout social media following widespread intrigue and hostile attention suggesting it was an attempt to align MAPs with LGBTQ+ politics. After Stenna's blog was removed by Tumblr its URL was squatted by a hostile actor,<ref>[https://archive.md/hwOAT Stenna Tumblr - Hostile takeover]</ref> leading various "fact checkers" to falsely claim that the original flag was a hoax by trolls. The initial controversy surrounding Stenna's 2018 flag extended beyond social media, also infecting the legacy gay press, who were under pressure to affirm that the flag was not an LGBTQ+ project.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220916162653/https://attitude.co.uk/article/paedophiles-want-to-be-accepted-by-the-lgbt-community-claiming-they-are-minorities/18461/ Attitude: Paedophiles want to be accepted by the LGBT community claiming they are minorities]</ref><ref>[https://www.thegayuk.com/paedophiles-have-created-their-own-pride-flag/ Thegayuk: Disgustingly, paedophiles have created their own Pride flag]</ref> In one article, ''GayStarNews'' (an outlet who once ran a puff piece for the events of a convicted ticketing fraudster using a shortened version of his name<ref>[https://southwarknews.co.uk/news/crime/fraudster-jailed-after-80000-concert-ticket-scam/ Fraudster jailed after £80,000 concert ticket scam]</ref><ref>[https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-2123283/Ticket-tout-Michael-Rangos-faces-big-taxman.html Ticket tout tax avoidance]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210516004853/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/will-you-darling-meetup-london/ GayStarNews puff piece for ticket tout fraudster]</ref>) attempted to discredit the 2018 flag as not being "a real pride flag". In the [[Historical examples of LGBT-MAP unity\|historically ignorant]] article, GayStarNews incorrectly<ref>[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333361120_I'm_Not_like_That_So_Am_I_Gay_The_Use_of_Queer-Spectrum_Identity_Labels_Among_Minor-Attracted_People Allyn Walker on MAPs and identity labels]</ref> falsely stated that pedophiles were attempting to re-enter the LGBTQ community, also comparing the publicity to a known [["Pedophile Activism" hoaxes\|hoax]].<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20190321133619/https:/www.gaystarnews.com/article/no-this-isnt-a-real-pride-flag-it-represents-pedophiles/#gs.k4gift No, this isn’t a real Pride flag—it represents pedophiles - GayStarNews]</ref> These "hoax" claims were repeated elsewhere.<ref>[https://hornet.com/stories/minor-attracted-persons-flag-hoax/ Hornet: The ‘Minor Attracted Persons’ Flag Appears to Be a Hoax to Connect LGBTQs with Pedophilia]</ref><ref>[https://www.them.us/story/behind-the-weird-internet-scheme-to-associate-pedophiles-with-the-lgbtq-community Them: Behind the Weird Internet Scheme to Associate Pedophiles with the LGBTQ+ Community]</ref>

	Since it was published, the MAP Flag has become internet folklore, attracting many variations inspired by common alternative pride flags. These have been wrongly interpreted as [[Historical examples of LGBT-MAP unity\|LGBT]] re-entryist attempts by MAPs. The 2021 version, and a [[:File:Yesmap.png\|subsequent pro-c proposal]] have caused some controversy on Twitter.com, with ~~smalltime~~ influencers burning printed versions on camera, and ~~members~~ rowing over what version of the flag should be considered the "legitimate" MAP Flag.		Since it was published, the MAP Flag has become internet folklore, attracting many variations inspired by common alternative pride flags. These too, have been wrongly interpreted as [[Historical examples of LGBT-MAP unity\|LGBT]] re-entryist attempts by MAPs. The 2021 version, and a [[:File:Yesmap.png\|subsequent pro-c proposal]] have caused some controversy on Twitter.com, with small-time influencers burning printed versions on camera, and MAP users rowing over what version of the flag should be considered the "legitimate" MAP Flag.

	===Erroneous claims of novelty and trolling by "fact checkers"===		===Erroneous claims of novelty and trolling by "fact checkers"===

Jim Burton at 19:36, 25 July 2026

2026-07-25T19:36:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:36, 25 July 2026
Line 2:		Line 2:
	:''For an extended list of graphics, see [[Memes and Graphics]].''		:''For an extended list of graphics, see [[Memes and Graphics]].''

	In order to identify themselves, MAPs have designed a '''MAP Flag''', which garnered widespread social media attention in July and August 2018, along with widespread attention for the term "[[Minor Attracted Person]]". Rumors had spread on social media, that MAPs intended to use the flag at pride events, and these fears resurfaced the following summer.		In order to identify themselves, MAPs have designed a '''MAP Flag''', which garnered widespread social media attention in July and August 2018, along with widespread attention for the term "[[Minor Attracted Person]]". Rumors had spread on social media, that MAPs intended to use the flag at pride events, and these fears resurfaced the following summer, becoming a recurring meme from that point onward.

	==A flag for MAPs: Early efforts==		==A flag for MAPs: Early efforts==

Jim Burton: /* Later controversies */

2026-07-05T16:53:00Z

Later controversies

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:53, 5 July 2026
Line 91:		Line 91:
	In June, 2021, a video posted by the iconic children’s TV show ''Blues Clues'', in support of Pride month, appeared to show an inverted NOMAP Flag in one of its segments, leading to further hysteria on social media. Some users have since pointed out that the flag represented appeared to be the Gender Questioning Flag.<ref>[https://libreddit.esmailelbob.xyz/r/questions/comments/nqlsf4/does_the_blues_clues_lgbt_pride_parade_episode/ Reddit: Blues Clues]</ref>		In June, 2021, a video posted by the iconic children’s TV show ''Blues Clues'', in support of Pride month, appeared to show an inverted NOMAP Flag in one of its segments, leading to further hysteria on social media. Some users have since pointed out that the flag represented appeared to be the Gender Questioning Flag.<ref>[https://libreddit.esmailelbob.xyz/r/questions/comments/nqlsf4/does_the_blues_clues_lgbt_pride_parade_episode/ Reddit: Blues Clues]</ref>

	In 2023, considerable controversy ensued after a Twitter user revealed what she described as a [[Youth Attracted Person]] flag (featured in article).		In 2023, considerable controversy ensued after a Twitter user revealed what she described as a [[Youth Attracted Person]] flag (featured in article).

			Other controversies have involved use of the flag in [[MAP Merch Shop\|merchandising]], and occasional minor virals in which the flag graphic is seen online and sometimes in meatspaces. The general view among MAPs as to the value of these events is a positive one, since they are seen as normalizing the presence of semi-open MAPs in the community. A notable [[MAPocalypse\|controversy]] in 2026 involved the "Pedo Lives Matter" variant of the [[Mu\|2023 Union MAP Flag]], as shared in a space populated by [[Lolicon]]s.

	===MAP colours supposedly copied to LGBTQ+ "Progress Pride" flag?===		===MAP colours supposedly copied to LGBTQ+ "Progress Pride" flag?===

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:08, 21 October 2026
Line 29:		Line 29:
	File:Hjmmhmjmnhjgfg.jpg\|Lapel pin/badge		File:Hjmmhmjmnhjgfg.jpg\|Lapel pin/badge
	File:German2.jpg\|MAPSupport.de [[Pediverse\|Fediverse]] user Consuela creates T Shirts from a meme		File:German2.jpg\|MAPSupport.de [[Pediverse\|Fediverse]] user Consuela creates T Shirts from a meme
	File:F6d28.jpeg\|MAP and Zoo stickers, NNIA.space		File:F6d28.jpeg\|MAP and Zoo stickers, [[NNIA]].space
	File:Redditmf.png\|MAP Flag spotted in an urban environment in 2023 by a Reddit user.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/vexillology/comments/179uj3p/please_help_to_identify_the_flag_i_saw_while/ Please help to identify the flag I saw while taking a walk today. Seems to be a pride flag of sorts (from colors and design), although I'm not sure.]</ref>		File:Redditmf.png\|MAP Flag spotted in an urban environment in 2023 by a Reddit user.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/vexillology/comments/179uj3p/please_help_to_identify_the_flag_i_saw_while/ Please help to identify the flag I saw while taking a walk today. Seems to be a pride flag of sorts (from colors and design), although I'm not sure.]</ref>
	File:2024X.png\|<small>In 2024, Anti-c's on X attempted to de-legitimize variants of the MAP Flag, attempting to introduce the idea that the potential link between 2009 and 2018 concepts was once presented as plagiarism</small>		File:2024X.png\|<small>In 2024, Anti-c's on X attempted to de-legitimize variants of the MAP Flag, attempting to introduce the idea that the potential link between 2009 and 2018 concepts was once presented as plagiarism</small>
Line 42:		Line 42:

	[[File:LecterMAPChevron.png\|thumb\|Lecter's 2017 MAP/Ally chevron designs]]		[[File:LecterMAPChevron.png\|thumb\|Lecter's 2017 MAP/Ally chevron designs]]
	The origins of the '''2018 flag''' are a Tumblr user named '''Stenna''', who published it in June of that year, according to Lecter, the admin of NNIA, a former [[Pediverse]] instance.<ref>[https://comrade-lecter.dreamwidth.org/4543.html comrade_lecter Tumblr]</ref><ref name="Stenna">[https://archive.md/j2ZsP Stenna Tumblr Archive]</ref> In 2017, Lecter had designed two chevron flags on Tumblr for MAPs and Allies, but did not promote them intensively.<ref>[https://archive.is/mK0ZJ Chevron Flags by Lecter]</ref>		The origins of the '''2018 flag''' are a Tumblr user named '''Stenna''', who published it in June of that year, according to Lecter, the admin of [[NNIA]], a former [[Pediverse]] instance.<ref>[https://comrade-lecter.dreamwidth.org/4543.html comrade_lecter Tumblr]</ref><ref name="Stenna">[https://archive.md/j2ZsP Stenna Tumblr Archive]</ref> In 2017, Lecter had designed two chevron flags on Tumblr for MAPs and Allies, but did not promote them intensively.<ref>[https://archive.is/mK0ZJ Chevron Flags by Lecter]</ref>

	===Snowballing of 2018 controversy, false and conflicting LGBT entryism, and "hoax" claims===		===Snowballing of 2018 controversy, false and conflicting LGBT entryism, and "hoax" claims===