Uh-oh.

CinemaGoddess

I hope this isn't true. 

https://www.tmz.com/2012/11/12/elmo-kevin-clash-sex-sesame-street-underage-boy-allegations/

penguingrrl

I have a sad feeling it is true. He admits to having had a relationship with this young man, they're just arguing about whether it was before or after the young man's 18th birthday and the young man has no "proof" that it was before (do people 7 years later always have proof that a relationship happened??). And honestly, I don't think 47 to 18 is really a lot better than 45 to 16 even though I know something magical happens where it's suddenly okay on your 18th birthday.

Gracey_Manor Maid

ugh. Me too! It does kind of seem shady but until more facts come out I reserve judgment. It does kind of sound like the guy is lying about the whole underadge affair thing though. Which is pretty gross.

ASmallWonder

penguingrrl:

I have a sad feeling it is true. He admits to having had a relationship with this young man, they're just arguing about whether it was before or after the young man's 18th birthday and the young man has no "proof" that it was before (do people 7 years later always have proof that a relationship happened??). And honestly, I don't think 47 to 18 is really a lot better than 45 to 16 even though I know something magical happens where it's suddenly okay on your 18th birthday.

It makes all the difference because that's when it changes from illegal to a matter of personal opinion.  There are people who are going to flip their shitts over it being a boy/guy and just like an over 18 relationship, that is also no one's business.  It only matters if he was doing something illegal. 

penguingrrl

elmoali:

penguingrrl:

I have a sad feeling it is true. He admits to having had a relationship with this young man, they're just arguing about whether it was before or after the young man's 18th birthday and the young man has no "proof" that it was before (do people 7 years later always have proof that a relationship happened??). And honestly, I don't think 47 to 18 is really a lot better than 45 to 16 even though I know something magical happens where it's suddenly okay on your 18th birthday.

It makes all the difference because that's when it changes from illegal to a matter of personal opinion.  There are people who are going to flip their shitts over it being a boy/guy and just like an over 18 relationship, that is also no one's business.  It only matters if he was doing something illegal. 

I realize the legal difference very well. But I question the judgement of anyone 40+ who would have a relationship with someone who is not or barely legal. Especially when he was in so high profile a position, especially working with children's programming, where if there was a question it easily could be thrown back in his face (which it has). I'm also disgusted that he clearly  is attracted to teenagers. Elmo will never be the same for me again.

ASmallWonder

penguingrrl:

elmoali:

penguingrrl:

I have a sad feeling it is true. He admits to having had a relationship with this young man, they're just arguing about whether it was before or after the young man's 18th birthday and the young man has no "proof" that it was before (do people 7 years later always have proof that a relationship happened??). And honestly, I don't think 47 to 18 is really a lot better than 45 to 16 even though I know something magical happens where it's suddenly okay on your 18th birthday.

It makes all the difference because that's when it changes from illegal to a matter of personal opinion.  There are people who are going to flip their shitts over it being a boy/guy and just like an over 18 relationship, that is also no one's business.  It only matters if he was doing something illegal. 

I realize the legal difference very well. But I question the judgement of anyone 40+ who would have a relationship with someone who is not or barely legal. Especially when he was in so high profile a position, especially working with children's programming, where if there was a question it easily could be thrown back in his face (which it has). I'm also disgusted that he clearly  is attracted to teenagers. Elmo will never be the same for me again.

I guess I just don't see the issue (if the guy was of age).  I mean, what's the difference between 18 and 19, 19 and 20, etc.  I honestly don't think of an 18 year old man as a teenager, though I know technically, he is.  At what age do you feel the gap becomes irrelevant?   

PeonyPumps

Yikes.  I've had friends who were between 18-20 have relationships with men in their later 20's and early 30's, and while that is a large age gap, it wasn't a complete train wreck for those of my friends who were more mature and could handle it.  But 40's?  Even if the person was 18, that is a HUGE age gap of life experiences and maturity....

Gracey_Manor Maid

penguingrrl:

I have a sad feeling it is true. He admits to having had a relationship with this young man, they're just arguing about whether it was before or after the young man's 18th birthday and the young man has no "proof" that it was before (do people 7 years later always have proof that a relationship happened??). And honestly, I don't think 47 to 18 is really a lot better than 45 to 16 even though I know something magical happens where it's suddenly okay on your 18th birthday.

I understand what you mean abotu there being a diffrence between 47-18 and 45-16. I didn't reaize they were saying it was just after he turned 18 that the relationship began. But I think that he admited to the relationship is what makes me think he is telling the truth. But then why would this kid lie about it? And if the relationship did satrt when he was 18 how long was Kevin Clash thinking about it before he became legal? Ugh...I keep flip flopping!

CinemaGoddess

I think an almost 30 year age difference is grody, regardless of how old the two are.  I would think it was grody if one person was 45 and one was 75. 

Also, grody. 

penguingrrl

elmoali:

penguingrrl:

elmoali:

penguingrrl:

I have a sad feeling it is true. He admits to having had a relationship with this young man, they're just arguing about whether it was before or after the young man's 18th birthday and the young man has no "proof" that it was before (do people 7 years later always have proof that a relationship happened??). And honestly, I don't think 47 to 18 is really a lot better than 45 to 16 even though I know something magical happens where it's suddenly okay on your 18th birthday.

It makes all the difference because that's when it changes from illegal to a matter of personal opinion.  There are people who are going to flip their shitts over it being a boy/guy and just like an over 18 relationship, that is also no one's business.  It only matters if he was doing something illegal. 

I realize the legal difference very well. But I question the judgement of anyone 40+ who would have a relationship with someone who is not or barely legal. Especially when he was in so high profile a position, especially working with children's programming, where if there was a question it easily could be thrown back in his face (which it has). I'm also disgusted that he clearly  is attracted to teenagers. Elmo will never be the same for me again.

I guess I just don't see the issue (if the guy was of age).  I mean, what's the difference between 18 and 19, 19 and 20, etc.  I honestly don't think of an 18 year old man as a teenager, though I know technically, he is.  At what age do you feel the gap becomes irrelevant?   

I definitely think the older you get the larger the age gap can be without being icky. But at 45 he was old enough to be the 18 year old's father (when I'm 45 my oldest will be 19 and I didn't have kids crazy young). There's pretty much no age where I think it's not gross to be with someone old enough to be your parent/young enough to be your child.

18 to late 20s is okay with me, but pushing it a little. Late twenties to late thirties is fine with me. Once the younger one is 40 I stop worrying about it even though I still think a 25+ age gap is weird. But by 40 I assume it isn't an older person preying on someone with very low self esteem.

Also, even if they waited until the boy was 18, it makes me wonder if he was counting down the days until they could be together because he would then be 18 and legal.

ASmallWonder

CinemaGoddess:

I think an almost 30 year age difference is grody, regardless of how old the two are.  I would think it was grody if one person was 45 and one was 75. 

Also, grody. 

I definitely get the ick factor but I stand firm in the "we can only concern ourselves with what's illegal" aspect of it because otherwise it's a slippery slope in judging people's personal decisions, kwim? 

ali_bl-nov05

Gracey_Manor Maid:

penguingrrl:

I have a sad feeling it is true. He admits to having had a relationship with this young man, they're just arguing about whether it was before or after the young man's 18th birthday and the young man has no "proof" that it was before (do people 7 years later always have proof that a relationship happened??). And honestly, I don't think 47 to 18 is really a lot better than 45 to 16 even though I know something magical happens where it's suddenly okay on your 18th birthday.

I understand what you mean abotu there being a diffrence between 47-18 and 45-16. I didn't reaize they were saying it was just after he turned 18 that the relationship began. But I think that he admited to the relationship is what makes me think he is telling the truth. But then why would this kid lie about it? And if the relationship did satrt when he was 18 how long was Kevin Clash thinking about it before he became legal? Ugh...I keep flip flopping!

Not necessarily, if they dated that long, odds are the kid can produce photographs and texts to prove their relationship. If he is caught lying about having a relationship with the guy, then nobody will believe it didn't star when he was underaged.

penguingrrl

I would be equally grossed out if it were an 18 year old woman and older man. I just find being with someone old enough to be your parent/child gross no matter who is doing it. I also assume when someone is with an 18 year old they would have no problem being with someone a year younger (because really, how can you tell the person is telling the truth about their age; a year as a teenager is easy to fake).

CoffeeBeen

emkatrine:

Scout2005:

CinemaGoddess:

I think an almost 30 year age difference is grody, regardless of how old the two are.  I would think it was grody if one person was 45 and one was 75. 

Also, grody. 

I think it's grody too, but I also really don't think it would be as much of an issue if it were a male/female relationship. 

IDK. I need Elmo to survive my day, so I don't know where to put my emotions. I might think it's grody, but as long as it wasn't illegal...IDK.

Definitely a double-standard. Like its okay to wait for a girl to turn 18 to be legal but in this situation, its a legal matter. Wasn't there a countdown for the Olsen twins turning 18? I thought it was gross, but it seemed like it was more of a joke than an issue of pedophilia.

This exactly.  I'm betting there will be a stronger reaction simply due to people realizing Elmo is a gay man.

I think a 30 year age gap is ridiculous and I would not condone the relationship.  But I'm leery of condoning the man.  I know people that thought it was gross when I started dating my husband (13 year age difference).  I would have been very sad if I'd been written off.

[Deleted User]

Guise, everyone knows that your pen!s signs a specialized consent form on your 18th birthday to bang away responsibly.  THAT is the difference.

 

Also, male or female, a huge age gap like that really is grody.  

ali_bl-nov05

I see where penguin is coming from, there's something inherently fishy about a middle aged man dating a barely legal person. But if the kid was in fact 18, then he did nothing ilegal.

CinemaGoddess

Confession:  I didn't like Being Elmo and I don't think it cast Kevin Clash in a very good light.