Understood. - but if (hypethetically) I was to visit DC (16) or NY (17) and have consentual sex with a teen- ager of legal age, how could talking about that on this site be illegal?

Much ado about nothing. The written word is not the same as images. Lolita is still on the shelves of every bookstore in America.

PS: that said, I do respect the fact that it is Keith's board and that he might not want to be perceived as providing space for chicken hawks to get off.

Plus ca change ...
 

-- We've had a previous debate about using the word: 'B*y.', which I'm sure some posters may remember. Goodness me - when I was working in Australia our 'Tea boy.' was a good 60+years old - but everybody called him 'The Tea-boy.' and no-one, least of all himself, batted an eyelid.
-- Most posters who've visited BKK. will be aware of a certain a go-go bar in Soi Naras Thiwat 1., (aka. Soi Anuman.'), that incorporates that word in its name.
- Back then it was suggested that, if only for safety's sake, posters avoid the use of that possibly forbidden word and use the words: 'Young man/men.'; most of us will know what is meant - but the law has been observed.
- So possibly it should be with the words: 'Teen-ager.'.
- Better to be safe than sorry; 'Discretion is the better part of valor.' etc. etc.. -- :)

Yes Keith is rather caught in the middle. ... but the fact is that the world has moved on and there is increasing acceptance world-wide of a m/m age of consent of 16. Certain church based and right wing conservative groups are trying to imply that there's something magic about 18 ( rather like 50 years ago 21 was the age of majority) but the fact is Keith or any American can travel the world and legally (where permited by local laws) have m/m sex with 16+ - so there should be no problem in discussing or inferring that.

The reference to "age 18+ verified and on file etc" is specific to commercially produced and sold porn, not consentual cruising and sex.

The age of consent in Thailand is 18...unless you have parental consent to be in a relationship with their son or daughter. Many a farang have gone to jail for fooling around with young people between the ages of 15 and 18.

Understood- and meticulously observed by me (as I have no desire to see the inside of a Thai "monkey house") !

I know this is a tricky area, but to get back to the point - discussing "teens" should not be prohibited because US federal laws on porn draw a line at 18 when half the states in the US, and countries in the world draw it at 14, 15 16 or 17. ....

........ anyway I've had my rant so will shut up now .. off to Singapore tomorrow for some illegal gay sex :) - it's all illegal in Singapore , so may as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb !

Biggles,
For you as a special case, teenager would be 69 years old ! 55555

BTW the mental age of the young man is very important !

Not to the cops!

I agree. Not to the cops.
Personally, I think the main point is that a 'much older guy' does not take undue advantage of a young man's age and vulnerability.

You have to be joking - I was straight until pursued and seduced by a "young man" in Singapore who taught me more in a few weeks than I had learnt in a life time. I've since been romanced, chased, pestered and seduced by many young men , some of who's maturity amazed me. All these guys were in no doubt about their sexuality or what they wanted.

I think you're both right in some ways, in terms of not taking advantage of an especially vulnerable person, but the error is in assuming one need be more or less vulnerable based mostly on age (whether younger or older). Age doesn't grant maturity anymore than youth assures vulnerability. Each of us is an individual and some of us are more mature at 16 than some of us at 61. The key is to try to do the right thing in those circumstances we may find ourselves.

The "69" in my handle refers to a sexual pleasure, not my age !!!

I am referred to, by my closest friends, as "Patsy Stone, 39 and fabulous darling ! " (Apologies to Ab Fab).
Anyway , like Patsy, I'm growing old disgracefully :)

96 better than 69
 

I was tempted to put 96 years instead of 69 but refrained from doing so !! :p:D

In BKK I decided to check out Twink the host bar underneath Super A. Dropped in at 8.30 pm and only 3 boys there, 2 already pawing over a farang- so I withdrew and tried Gold Cock. Again only 4 boys, non of whom I recognise from Solid. Had one beer there and moved on. On impulse decided on a tradtional Thai massage at Sun massage (next door to Tawan). Good firm massage for 300bht on floor mattress with soothing music and dim lightling. After about 45 mins the young masseur asked if wanted any "extra" but it was a bit too clinical and i declined in favour of finishing the massage.
Back to Twink about 10.30 , and it was quite happening. About 6 or 7 twinks and a few farang all having lots of touchy feelie fun, 2 soon were offed and I soon found a likely lad of 19 who was very up for it and had all the right equipment.

Beer was 150 bt (c/f still 100 in Super A) boys approach, flirt and tease -lots of comfy couches and upstairs "facilities" offered at 500bt. Open until 2 am (if any boys left) I think this could well be a good replacement for those who, like me, miss Solid.