[[File:Newgon2007.png|thumb|right|alt=Newgon logo from 2007|Newgon logo from 2007]]
[[File:Newgon2007.png|thumb|right|alt=Newgon logo from 2007|Newgon logo from 2007]]
'''Newgon''' is a [[pro-contact]] MAP organization that calls itself an information center for the MAP Movement. Its website is a MediaWiki-based site archiving talking points and arguments for pro-contact MAPs.
'''Newgon''' is a [[pro-contact]] map organization that calls itself an information center for the map movement. Its website is a MediaWiki-based site archiving talking points and arguments for pro-contact maps.
This article is a general description of Newgon, their affiliations, and activities. For more detailed evidence of claims presented here, see [[Newgon/Records]].
== History ==
== History ==
Newgon was co-founded in 2007 by the pro-contact MAP activists Daniel Lièvre and Jillium after Google started censorship of small blogging sites<ref name="J">[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Newgon Newgon], via NewgonWiki.</ref>. In 2014 the site was disabled, with the ISP requesting the administrator for contact. Soon, the site's domain expired and the site went fully offline.
Newgon was co-founded in 2007 by the pro-contact map activists Daniel Lièvre and Jillium after Google started censorship of small blogging sites<ref name="J">[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Newgon Newgon], via NewgonWiki.</ref>. Their biggest early project was a magazine titled ''Uncommon Sense'', coming out in 2009-2010. In 2014 the site was disabled, with the ISP requesting the administrator for contact. Soon, the site's domain expired and the site went fully offline.
In 2021 Newgon returned, relaunching by "previous associates of Newgon.com and its network of activists"<ref name="J" />. In May 2022, an official Newgon Twitter account appeared<ref name="J" />.
In 2021 Newgon returned, relaunching by "previous associates of Newgon.com and its network of activists" and resuming editing of the Newgon Wiki with the domain newgon.net. In May 2022, an official Newgon Twitter account appeared<ref name="J" />. In June 2024, the site was altered so that newgon.net links redirect to wiki.yesmap.net. In addition to that, they now run a pro-contact activist group chat and have made several attempts to host a fediverse instance (childlove.space, childlove.su, which have been suspended for illegal content, and fedi.yesmap.net, the most recent one, which is currently active).
== Prominent members ==
* The Strategist. This is the current main admin of Newgon. He is also known as John Holt, Jim Burton, and Jamal Ross.
* Hina (HinamizawaShokogun22). This is a mod at some Newgon projects, such as PCMA and childlove.space and its continuations.
== Affiliations ==
Newgon, as a wiki, is closely affiliated with a number of other sites and social spaces. The administration and userbase of those heavily overlaps, and many of the actions, while done on behalf of different brand names, are directed by the same circle of people. For the sake of this article, next names might be used interchangeably with Newgon:
Many Newgon activists have made social media sockpuppet accounts using various disingenuous tactics such as fabricating credentials or other significant information, targeted harassment, impersonating antis, impersonating anti-contact MAP activists (especially those who were visible opponents of Newgon) to attack or delegitimize them, spreading "ironic" bigoted rhetoric, arguing for stances they did not actually believe in, claiming certain opinions or events were far more common than they actually were, widely circulating dubious memes<ref name="A" />, lying, recycling pre-written lines<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Debate_Guide Debate Guide], via NewgonWiki.</ref> while passing them off as organic and spontaneous, and pretending to be engaged in entirely independent activism efforts rather than encouraged and backed by and working for an entire organization. Several made Twitter accounts posing as researchers of sexuality. These efforts were geared toward generating as many clicks and mainstream outrage pieces as possible, supposedly with the goal of gaining visibility and thus recognition for the pro-contact MAP movement<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/MAP_visibility_on_Twitter#2021_and_onward:_The_pro-c_renaissance MAP visibility on Twitter: 2021 and onward: The pro-c renaissance], via NewgonWiki.</ref>. Newgon members mainly targeted Twitter for its "visibility campaigns," but some also tried to do such activism (which Newgon believes constituted "tactical operations"<ref name="K">[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/PCMA PCMA], via NewgonWiki.</ref>) on other sites<ref name="L">[https://archive.is/AVKMS "Recruitment Drive for PCMA MAP Activist Team" on FreeSpeechTube], via archive.is, 11 August 2022.</ref>.
* '''Yesmap.net''': one of their main domains that also holds '''wiki.yesmap.net''' and '''fedi.yesmap.net'''.
* '''Fstube.net''': a video blog site advertized as a backup of a previosuly existing site '''FreeSpeechTube.org''', funded by Newgon<ref>[https://wiki.yesmap.net/wiki/NewgonWiki:Getting_involved NewgonWiki:Getting involved], via NewgonWiki.</ref>.
* '''PCMA''' ("Pro-c MAP Activism"): a Matrix chat consisting of several channels, previosuly hosted on '''yesmap.net''', currently hosted on '''needsmo.re''' and '''nekos.cafe'''.
* '''Nekos.cafe''': an element server and a fediverse instance, moderated by Hina, an active Newgon project participant.
* '''Map-union.org''': an informatiomal site and a forum, moderated by the main Newgon admin.
* '''Childlove.space''' (now suspended) and its continuations '''childlove.su''' (now suspended), '''childlove.top''' (currently active): fediverse instances, known for accepting nazis and hosting CSEM.
== Political stances ==
=== Contact stances ===
The "Yesmap" Matrix server and its "Pro-c MAP Activist" ("PCMA") workgroup have been used to share choices of targets and coordinate such activity, along with distributing anonymous, cryptocurrency-bought Twitter accounts to members. The server is also used to coordinate attacks on and harassment campaigns of anti-contact MAPs on the fediverse. Newgon claims that "In 2023, PCMA and the Yesmap server, having achieved most of its publicity goals via the prior strategy, each moved independently towards a model of increasing visibility via community-building efforts such as expansion of the Fediverse"<ref name="K" />.
Newgon is a pro-contact organisation. Its stated goals are mostly related to destigmatization of youth attractions and sexual contact down to hebe age range (from 11 and above), as well as legalization of sex and marriage of adults with youth within this range. It promotes biologically and culturally essentialist view of hebephilia and ephebophilia, heavily leaning on the notion that girls are the most attractive and the most reproductively potent in the teen age range, and therefore it is "natural" for adult men to be primarily seeking them as sexual partners<ref>[https://archive.ph/GlukA File:Yessss.png], NewgonWiki via archive.today.</ref><ref>[https://archive.ph/00HOD File:Beachmeme.png], NewgonWiki via archive.today.</ref>.
According to Newgon, "PCMA (and some of its predecessors) have been criticized, mainly by anarcho-communist MAPs, for tolerating lively debate (eventually this was moved to a separate space) and controversial opinions. Some members have also sought to mobilize chan culture"<ref name="K" />. This article uses euphemistic terminology to relativize PCMA's common usage of bigotry, harassment, and alt-right tactics, and reasonable criticisms of it—throughout 2021 and 2022, Newgon and its associated projects did indeed begin to be heavily criticized by many leftist-aligned MAP activists, mainly anti-contacts but also some pro-contacts, for their persistently problematic behavior.
Many of the materials on the NewgonWiki heavily suggest much wider spectrum of supported or tolerated views, such as "naturalness" of adult sexual contact with infants<ref name="M">[https://wierstamann.net/2023/06/25/ewgone-on-sex-with-babies/ Ewgone on sex with babies], via wierstamann.net, 25 June 2023.</ref>, rape apologism<ref>[https://archive.ph/6GgnE Rape] on NewgonWiki via archive.today, "Whilst as inherently damaging as any other form of highly intrusive physical assault, the psychological effects of rape often depend on taboo and post-traumatic intervention.".</ref><ref>[https://archive.ph/FHZZA List of obfuscatory terms used by authorities] on NewgonWiki via archive.today, "Sex Trafficking - Usually consensual economic illegal immigration related to the sex industry."</ref>.
=== Art Theft and Content Exploitation ===
Newgon is known for dubious behavior with regards to other people's art and content. Newgon prominently linked a blog post by the MAP Quinn in its article "Proship"<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Proship#External_links Proship: External links], via NewgonWiki.</ref>, causing them to "keep getting unwanted traffic from it"<ref>[https://nnia.space/@quinn/110311257338697945 Fediverse reply by @quinn], via nnia.space, 4 May 2023.</ref>. In quote-posts and threads discussing this, Newgon seemed remarkably unfazed by the distress individuals were experiencing.
Newgon used the art of NNIA user Maki for its Twitter account NewgonOrg2007<ref>[https://nnia.space/@comrade_lecter/109463447538430730 Fediverse reply by @comrade_lecter], via nnia.space, 5 December 2022.</ref><ref name="F" /> without asking or even crediting him<ref>[https://nnia.space/@MarshmallowMakkun/110665003982691554 Fediverse reply by @MarshmallowMakkun], via nnia.space, 8 July 2023.</ref>. His art is now the full-screen background of yesmap.net, again without any consent or acknowledgment<ref>[https://yesmap.net/ yesmap.net].</ref>. In its Memes and Graphics page, Newgon displays the image and simply labels it "Background/desktop"<ref name="A">[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Memes_and_Graphics Memes and Graphics], via NewgonWiki.</ref>.
Newgon is known for its extreme and often conspiratorial viewpoints, suggesting that anti-contact people, among others, are "sex fascists"<ref>[https://archive.ph/ltZSZ Word Trickery], via NewgonWiki.</ref><ref>[https://archive.ph/Acda9 Grooming Reworked], via NewgonWiki.</ref><ref>[https://archive.ph/0A0b1 Sex Fascist Bingo], via NewgonWiki.</ref><ref>[https://archive.ph/B8OAZ Sex Fascists through the ages], via NewgonWiki.</ref><ref>[https://archive.ph/6wtIJ Glass of Water with optimist, pessimist and Sex Fascists], via NewgonWiki.</ref>, control the contact stances of major governments<ref>[https://archive.ph/ERsKH List of CSA/anti-pedophile proponents: Global], via NewgonWiki.</ref>, and take part of a "child abuse industry" or "CSA-industrial complex"<ref>[https://archive.ph/qmkiC Debate Guide: Child abuse industry], via NewgonWiki.</ref><ref>[https://archive.ph/bNywj The CSA-Industry], via NewgonWiki.</ref><ref>[https://archive.ph/Ofx8l The CSA-Industrial Complex], via NewgonWiki.</ref><ref>[https://archive.ph/Sebri "Grooming" - according to America's insane CSA-Industrial-Complex], via NewgonWiki.</ref>. It is also opposed to equal treatment of many parts of the map community, such as people primarily attracted to children younger than the hebe age range (pedophiles, nepiophiles and infantophiles), people with violent attractions towards youth (sadists, biastophiles, etc)<ref>[https://www.map-union.org/encyclopedia/glossary Glossary] of map-union.org, citing biastomap and pedosadist identities as possible hoaxes.</ref>, and other paraphiliacs<ref>[https://archive.is/UdXJ0 Special Article: Anti-c MAP Tumblr, Twitter and Fediverse - Material for Character Analysis] on NewgonWiki via archive.today, referring to multiple paraphilias as a "freak show".</ref>.
<gallery>
Newgon also has been criticized for bigotry, such as misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, fatphobia, mapmisia, as well as ethnonationalist views, perpetuated on the wiki and in personal communication (see [Newgon/Records]).
File:Discussion on Newgon content misuse.png|Discussion on Newgon's misuse of art/blog posts<ref>[https://nnia.space/@Pappy/110290381926488910 Fediverse thread by @Pappy], via nnia.space, 1 May 2023.</ref>
File:Newgon art theft.png|Newgon found stealing art
File:Yesmap art theft.png|Yesmap.net welcome page
</gallery>
== Political stances ==
== Activities and strategies ==
=== Wiki ===
Newgon is known for its extreme and often conspiratorial viewpoints, suggesting that anti-contact people, among others, are "sex fascists"<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/File:Trickery.png Word Trickery], via NewgonWiki.</ref><ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/File:GroomingReworked.png Grooming Reworked], via NewgonWiki.</ref><ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/File:Sexbingo.png Sex Fascist Bingo], via NewgonWiki.</ref><ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/File:Slut2.png Sex Fascists through the ages], via NewgonWiki.</ref><ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/File:WaterGlassSF.png Glass of Water with optimist, pessimist and Sex Fascists], via NewgonWiki.</ref>, controlling the contact stances of major governments<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/List_of_CSA/anti-pedophile_proponents#Global List of CSA/anti-pedophile proponents: Global], via NewgonWiki.</ref>, and part of a "child abuse industry" or "CSA-industrial complex"<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Debate_Guide:_Child_abuse_industry Debate Guide: Child abuse industry], via NewgonWiki.</ref><ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/File:The_CSA-Industry.png The CSA-Industry], via NewgonWiki.</ref><ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/File:The_CSA-Industrial_Complex.png The CSA-Industrial Complex], via NewgonWiki.</ref><ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/File:Groomingncmec.png "Grooming" - according to America's insane CSA-Industrial-Complex], via NewgonWiki.</ref>.
Newgon collects information, including studies, quotes, opinion pieces, memes, and infographics. Some of the content they collected has been identified as bigoted, intentionally misleading, or promoting various types of abuse<ref>[https://nnia.space/@comrade_lecter/110616766395547688 A fediverse post by Lecter] from June 21, 2023, citing " removal of all ableist, fatphobic, transphobic, anti feminist, and otherwise degrading for marginalized people rhetoric; removal of positive and uncritical references to and quotes from people known for bigotry, abuse, and medical malpractice; separation from right wing ideologies and termination of attempts to appeal to right wingers and "bridge the gap"; termination of spreading deliberately incorrect information with the purpose of recruitment or generating outrage" as a list of demands towards Newgon.</ref>.
=== Misogyny ===
=== Trolling campaigns ===
Newgon resorts to "triggered feminist" memes to present anti-contacts as "Social Justice Warriors"/"SJWs"<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/File:Wrong.png Wrong], via NewgonWiki.</ref>, promoting sexism<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/File:Fhritp.png A 15 year old is a child, period], via NewgonWiki.</ref> and body-shaming<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/File:Femgirl.png Fembot vs Teen Girl], via NewgonWiki.</ref> to score points against imagined opponents. It devalues older or infertile women to present young girls as more desirable<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/File:Yessss.png "Yes" to chud with infertile wife.], via NewgonWiki.</ref>. Two of its "Memes and Graphics" are tagged with "feminazi" or "feminazis"<ref name="A" />. Newgon says that it is "open" to "worldviews such as Men's Rights" and "Inceldom," and that individuals "politically engaged" in the New Right and Men's Rights are permitted as members for its "Yesmap" Matrix server<ref name="B">[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Debate_Guide:_Newgon%27s_History Debate Guide: Newgon's History], via NewgonWiki.</ref>. Newgon promotes the MRA blogger "Angry Harry"<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Repressed_memory Repressed memory], via NewgonWiki.</ref><ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/NSPCC#Angry_Harry_Articles NSPCC: Angry Harry Articles], via NewgonWiki.</ref>. Newgon writes favorably on the incel movement and is dismissive of feminist critiques of toxic male entitlement<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Incelosphere Incelosphere], via NewgonWiki.</ref>.
=== Transphobia ===
One of the active strategies Newgon uses is trolling, "visibility campaining" or "tactical operations"<ref name="K">[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/PCMA PCMA], via NewgonWiki.</ref>, mostly done through disingenuous tactics such as fabricating credentials or other significant information, impersonating antis, impersonating anti-contact map activists (especially those who were visible opponents of Newgon) to attack or delegitimize them, spreading "ironic" bigoted rhetoric, arguing for stances they did not actually believe in, claiming certain opinions or events were far more common than they actually were, spreading false information, recycling pre-written lines<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Debate_Guide Debate Guide], via NewgonWiki.</ref> while passing them off as organic and spontaneous, and pretending to be engaged in entirely independent activism efforts rather than encouraged and backed by and working for an entire organization.
Newgon promotes the transmisogynistic belief that the LGBT community forces cis gay youth to transition into girls<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/File:Lgbgender.png Lgbgender] via NewgonWiki.</ref>. Newgon uses the transmisogynistic phrasing "women and transwomen"<ref name="C">[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Ethos_of_Newgon Ethos of Newgon], via NewgonWiki.</ref>.
Newgon referred to Allyn Walker as a "trans academic who was attacked for 'misappropriating queer experiences' by activists in his own University's trans umbrella organization," misgendering them with incorrect pronouns<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/index.php?title=SJWs_Always_Lie&oldid=21560 SJWs Always Lie], NewgonWiki as of 12:07, 24 June 2023.</ref>. After receiving backlash, Newgon corrected the pronoun to "their"<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/index.php?title=SJWs_Always_Lie&oldid=22993 SJWs Always Lie], NewgonWiki as of 15:50, 28 August 2023.</ref>.
Newgon referred to the transfeminine activist ZeebDemon as "trans (female-identifying)" instead of simply "trans female"<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/index.php?title=Youth_Attracted_Person&oldid=22659 Youth Attracted Person], NewgonWiki as of 22:24, 9 August 2023.</ref>, implicitly delegitimizing trans female identity as mere subjective "identification" which can be challenged by outsiders with superior interpretations of a transfem's gender experience, rather than a statement of fact which she herself is the foremost expert on. (Newgon does not refer to cis women or girls as "female-identifying," just "female.") After receiving backlash, Newgon changed the section to say "trans-woman" instead<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/index.php?title=Youth_Attracted_Person&oldid=23004 Youth Attracted Person], NewgonWiki as of 02:45, 30 August 2023.</ref>.
Early post-revival Newgon activities included spreading links to their wiki on Twitter while pretending to be reasearchers, sometimes specifically [[Child sexual abuse | CSA]] researchers<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20211118085253/https://twitter.com/Alfred__Vincent/status/1461256014796398599 Alfred__Vincent on Twitter], via Wayback Machine.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220317012125/https://twitter.com/JamalRossJr/status/1504266488571645960 JamalRossJr on Twitter], via Wayback Machine.</ref>. Efforts such as these are designed to boost Newgon and pro-contact visibility as much as possible thorugh negative attention from public<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20231105142737/https://www.newgon.net/wiki/MAP_visibility_on_Twitter#2021_and_onward:_The_pro-c_renaissance MAP visibility on Twitter: 2021 and onward: The pro-c renaissance], via NewgonWiki.</ref>. Newgon members mainly targeted Twitter for these campaigns, but some also tried to do such activism) on other sites<ref name="L">[https://archive.is/AVKMS "Recruitment Drive for PCMA MAP Activist Team" on FreeSpeechTube], via archive.is, 11 August 2022.</ref>.
Newgon refers to ZeebDemon as "they"<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Youth_Attracted_Person Youth Attracted Person], via NewgonWiki.</ref>, although her most recently archived Twitter<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20230425231826/twitter.com/ZeebDemon Twitter account ZeebDemon], via the Wayback Machine, 25 April 2023.</ref> and Tumblr<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20230426195810/https://potluckpony.tumblr.com/ Tumblr blog potluckpony], via the Wayback Machine, 26 April 2023.</ref> bios did not state which pronouns she uses, and neither does her Freak.University profile<ref>Fediverse profile [https://freak.university/@LittleDemonLoli @[email protected]].</ref>. Her most recent public statements about her pronouns, including her NNIA.space profile<ref>Fediverse profile [https://nnia.space/@LittleDemonLoli @[email protected]].</ref> and a past Twitter bio<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210513233001/twitter.com/ZeebDemon Twitter account ZeebDemon], via the Wayback Machine, 13 May 2021.</ref>, say that she uses "she/her," with no mention of "they." Many transfem activists have discussed how referring to a transfem as "they" without explicitly knowing that she uses "they" pronouns is a form of transmisogynistic degendering, and that it is disrespectful, invalidating, and often a bigoted dogwhistle to not default to "she" for someone known to be transfem with no other information given. Although ZeebDemon has confirmed in a recent private communication that she now uses she/they pronouns interchangeably, Newgon could not have known this beforehand, and this concurred with a broader pattern of transphobic behavior and biases.
In its article "Transgender youth and attraction to minors," Newgon refers to transgender people as "trans-identified" people instead of just "trans"<ref name="Q">[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Transgender_youth_and_attraction_to_minors Transgender youth and attraction to minors], via NewgonWiki.</ref>. For two and a half months from 1:53, 26 October 2022<ref name="N">[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/index.php?title=Transgender_youth_and_attraction_to_minors&oldid=15288 Transgender youth and attraction to minors], NewgonWiki as of 1:53, 26 October 2022.</ref> to 23:32, 10 January 2023<ref name="O">[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/index.php?title=Transgender_youth_and_attraction_to_minors&oldid=16202 Transgender youth and attraction to minors], NewgonWiki as of 23:32, 10 January 2023.</ref>, the article's section "Dissent among MAPs and Trans people" contained the (unsourced) sentence, "Some heterosexual male MAPs oppose medical transition on the basis that it 'mutilates' the bodies of girls, and should never be put ahead of other forms of less invasive and permanent bodily autonomy." Since 21:23, 26 October 2022<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/index.php?title=Transgender_youth_and_attraction_to_minors&oldid=15310 Transgender youth and attraction to minors], NewgonWiki as of 21:23, 26 October 2022.</ref>, the section has also said,
<gallery caption="PCMA discussion on Twitter trolling">
<blockquote>
File:PCMA trolling 1.png
Other MAPs have varying reservations about the philosophical compatibility of trans ideology as a whole, with liberation of boylove and minor attraction:
* They may see ''trans ideology'' as an extension of the war on masculine eros/the appeal of boys to men. For a more general perspective on male extinction, see Andriette, 2002.
File:PCMA trolling 2.png
* They may see gender-transitioning children, not as a prelude to increasing agency, but as part of the "bourgeois and desexualized" protectionist gaze of western orthodoxy, and thus entirely compatible with CSA norms.
</blockquote>
These statements were all added by the Newgon Wiki account "The Admins"<ref name="P">[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/index.php?title=Transgender_youth_and_attraction_to_minors&action=history Transgender youth and attraction to minors: Revision history], via NewgonWiki.</ref>. It could maybe, at a stretch, be argued that these were only presentations of other people's arguments which the writers did not at all endorse themselves. However, the tone of the presentations has noticeable positive slant. This is congruent with Newgon's known habit<ref name="M" /> of presenting bigotry or abuse apologia in a way clearly intended as appreciative and to influence readers to become more in favor of it while still maintaining barely enough plausible deniability to be able to deflect accusations and further interrogation into their views and motives.
Furthermore, after these statements were found and harshly criticized by several NNIA users for their transphobia and adultism, a different editor, "Loli," removed all mentions of heterosexuals and girls<ref name="N" /><ref name="O" />, stating that their change "modified towards a more neutral/objective viewpoint regarding MAP community"<ref name="P" />, belying the view that all discussion of bigotry by the wiki which does not entirely, explicitly state it is endorsing it is automatically neutral. They seemed to realize that the content of the article was especially indefensible even by their own standards, or at least by the standards of much of Newgon's support base. However, the parts about "mutilation," labeling transition "invasive," wanting to restrict bodily autonomy, and other "reservations" were left alone, not deleted<ref name="Q" />.
</gallery>
The article's references for the latter (recommended for "perspective") include two BoyChat posts (by users "Sick Rose"<ref>[https://secure.boychat.org/messages/1599986.htm How the 'left' checkmates the right.] by Sick Rose, via BoyChat, 26 October 2022.</ref> and "Errant"<ref>[https://secure.boychat.org/messages/1599996.htm Re: Transgender youth and attraction to minors.] by Errant, via BoyChat, 26 October 2022.</ref>) and one article by NAMBLA activist Bill Andriette<ref>[https://www.ipce.info/library_3/files/andr_church.htm Castrating the Church: At root, the priest sex hysteria is about extinguishing the male] by Bill Andriette, ''The Guide'', via Ipce.</ref>, all three of which contain transphobic screeds. Both BoyChat posts are in fact replies to a post made by Newgon activist/editor JohnHolt himself, soliciting feedback on the article and asking for suggested sources<ref>[https://secure.boychat.org/messages/1599973.htm Transgender youth and attraction to minors.] by JohnHolt, via BoyChat, 25 October 2022.</ref>. The recommendation for Andriette's article, "Castrating the Church," originated from Sick Rose's reply post.
After reading these expressions of severe bigotry and oppressive sexual entitlement, JohnHolt simply replied ''"Thanks,"'' expressed agreement with their views, and added them to the wiki, clearly viewing such statements as within the realm of the acceptable for Newgon<ref>[https://secure.boychat.org/messages/1600018.htm Thanks + SR.] by JohnHolt, via BoyChat, 26 October 2022.</ref>. They become examples for "MAP" views, with the relevant passage in the article implying a dubious, [[Mapmisia|mapmisic]] automatic association between MAP liberation and not believing that [[child sexual abuse]] is a real, serious issue<ref name="Q" />. Confusingly, Sick Rose is used as one such example of a "MAP," although he does not identify as one and in fact strongly rejects the term as problematic<ref>[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1620065.htm Miserable Old Fucker!], by Sick Rose, via BoyChat, 2 December 2023.</ref>.
The "Yesmap" Matrix server and its "Pro-c MAP Activist" ("PCMA") workgroup have been used to share choices of targets and coordinate such activity, along with distributing anonymous, cryptocurrency-bought Twitter accounts to members. The server is also used to coordinate attacks on and harassment campaigns of anti-contact maps on the fediverse. Newgon claims that "In 2023, PCMA and the Yesmap server, having achieved most of its publicity goals via the prior strategy, each moved independently towards a model of increasing visibility via community-building efforts such as expansion of the Fediverse"<ref name="K"/>.
<gallery>
File:Dissent Among MAPs and Trans People 26-10-2022.png|The article as of October 26, 2022
File:Dissent Among MAPs and Trans People 7-12-2023.png|The article as of December 7, 2023
File:Newgon on trans youth - edits.png|Edits made since 12:03, 27 October 2022
File:BoyChat on trans youth.png|JohnHolt's BoyChat thread
File:Sick Rose on trans youth.png|Sick Rose's reply
File:Errant on trans youth.png|Errant's reply
File:JohnHolt replies to BoyChat thread on trans youth.png|JohnHolt thanking Errant and Sick Rose
</gallery>
=== Antisemitism ===
According to the Newgon wiki page "PCMA", "PCMA (and some of its predecessors) have been criticized, mainly by anarcho-communist MAPs, for tolerating lively debate (eventually this was moved to a separate space) and controversial opinions. Some members have also sought to mobilize chan culture"<ref name="K"/>. This article uses euphemistic terminology to relativize PCMA's common usage of bigotry, harassment, and alt-right tactics, and criticisms of it—throughout 2021 and 2022, Newgon and its associated projects did indeed begin to be heavily criticized by many leftist-aligned map activists, both anti-contact and pro-contact.
Newgon uses antisemitic caricatures<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/File:9iFrFC2.png Rabbi: Tradition, Priest: Abuse], via NewgonWiki.</ref> in attempt to prove its points. One of its "Memes and Graphics" is tagged with the antisemitic dogwhistle<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reptilian_conspiracy_theory Reptilian conspiracy theory], via Wikipedia.</ref> "lizard people"<ref name="A">[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Memes_and_Graphics Memes and Graphics], via NewgonWiki.</ref>.
In attempt to deflect from accusations of having a "New-Right/Alt-Lite Philosophy," Newgon says that it has metaphorically "'holocausted' antisemites and a whole variety of race-obsessed people, including some left-wing racists immediately," comparing violent mass genocide to (supposedly) banning someone from a chatroom<ref name="B">[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Debate_Guide:_Newgon%27s_History Debate Guide: Newgon's History], via NewgonWiki.</ref>.
In its "Archive" page of material it believes "has value," Newgon recommends the defunct Wordpress blog "Holocaust21" to read for the "Antifeminist perspective"<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Archive Archive: Unusual appeal/personal sites], via NewgonWiki.</ref>. The version of the blog saved on the Wayback Machine proclaims that it was about "resisting the coming 21st century holocaust – Men's Rights, Youth Rights, Sexual Rights" and "promoting the idea that teenagers are adults and feminist inspired anti-sex & anti-children's rights legislation cloaked in the warped rhetoric of 'paedophile hysteria', 'rape hysteria' & 'child protection' is leading to a holocaust of men, kids & ironically even women. Why are there so few other blogs like this? Because men are scared of being murdered by feminist political predators, that's why." One article visible on the page begins, "As the UK descends further into a level of insanity that even those who lived through a Nazi concentration camp could not have predicted, the feminists have committed their first direct political assassination. The current wave of sexual harassment allegations…" This page, promoted by Newgon, appropriates the history of the Holocaust and Nazi concentration camps in its crusade against "feminist bitches," "the feminist disease," and "feminist oppression" of "incels"<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20171116233454/https://holocaust21.wordpress.com/ WordPress blog holocaust21], via the Wayback Machine, 16 November 2017.</ref>.
=== Exaggerating own importance ===
Through the Newgon Wiki, the moderators of PCMA released an "official statement on the 2023 conflict between Israel and Palestine" packed with numerous antisemitic tropes, dogwhistles, factual inaccuracies, and problematic arguments, exploiting the current Palestinian genocide to spread antisemitism. Among these include the wildly revisionist claim that <em>"It should be noted that all scholars of the Holocaust acknowledge that the decision to annihilate European Jews and the planning to carry it out was kept top secret by the Nazi state. No statement from Hitler, public or otherwise, exists where he admits his intention to exterminate the Jewish people entirely. At this late date, we can say with firm confidence that such a statement will never be found; one also struggles with great difficulty to find openly genocidal public statements from other top Nazis</em>,<em>"</em> and suddenly inserting the claim that the French president Emmanuel Macron is "a former Rothschild banker." They attempt to exceptionalize genocide perpetrated by Israelis as uniquely and incomparably horrific among all other genocides and Israeli settler-colonialism as uniquely protected and powerful out of a false, antisemitic belief that Jewishness would lend special, unmatchable, overwhelmingly stifling strength to a state because Jews are somehow disproportionately powerful in society and have control over Western governments<ref name="R">[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Essay:The_Zionists_Are_Our_Enemies Essay:The Zionists Are Our Enemies], via NewgonWiki.</ref>.
Upon joining the modern map community and map activism, Newgon members perpetuated several false claims regaring own role in the development of the map activism.
One of the signatories of the statement, "AnonymousLover," has made it more clear in social media posts that he believes anti-Israeli speech is censored and Western nations enact repression in support of Israel's violence because ''"Jewish billionaires and voters across the West largely support Israel.… Israeli intelligence is effective because Israel has Jewish sympathizers throughout the world it can draw on"'' and that Israel's backers in the American establishment are "super rich Jews." He dismisses the notion of critiquing antisemitic conspiracy theories and argues that posts claiming "anti-zionism isn't antisemitism" are merely "cope posts" (i.e., false), but indicates that he considers himself anti-Zionist, which implies he is admitting that he is antisemitic<ref name="S">[https://nnia.space/@aronarchy/111574313761320867 Fediverse reply by @aronarchy], via nnia.space, 13 December 2023.</ref>.
=== Racism ===
<blockquote>We have introduced new writers to NewgonWiki – founded in 2007 – the birthplace of the modern MAP Movement</blockquote>
Newgon refers to Indigenous peoples as "primitive"<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Nepiophilia Nepiophilia], via NewgonWiki.</ref><ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Debate_Guide:_Nonhuman_relatives Debate Guide: Nonhuman relatives], via NewgonWiki.</ref>. Newgon takes issue with the fact that "most online MAPs, particularly of the younger generation, strongly reject ethnonationalist ideology and wish not to be associated with it in any way, nor even to share a space with it," arguing that "ethnonationalist ideology" is insufficiently harmful to warrant such ostracism. Newgon claims that "non-violent" "white identitarianism" should be considered a valid "freedom of conscience"<ref name="G">[https://heretictoc.com/2023/10/21/paraphiles-and-the-far-right/ Paraphiles and the Far Right], via Heretic TOC, 21 October 2023.</ref><ref name="H">[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Essay:MAPs,_Paraphiles_and_Fascists Essay:MAPs, Paraphiles and Fascists], via NewgonWiki.</ref>.
In a conversation in the PCMA server, multiple individuals, including one of its moderators ("HinamizawaShokogun22"), positively discussed a fediverse user with the username "AryanBoyLover1488." One user ("broken_lightbulb") said, "aryanboylover1488 sounds like a cool guy I wonder what their takes on race are." HinamizawaShokogun22 replied, "he did support israel," posted a screenshot of a report on one of AryanBoyLover1488's posts, and said, "this isn't what got him banned, it was hilarious af." The screenshot shows AryanBoyLover1488 saying,
<blockquote>
- Newgon's Strategist on FreeSpeechTube<ref name="L" />
<em>"I stand with Israel because they are white. It's that simple. If I see a video of a white person being killed by a non-white person, my complete and full support is toward the white person. Leftists and libtards constantly call Israelis white colonizers and call for the end to Israel because of it."</em>
</blockquote>
The post contained a meme image with one individual accusing, "Y..y...you are anti white!" and another responding with a Hebrew approximation of the letters "TND"<ref>[https://nnia.space/@aronarchy/111569415855113772 Fediverse reply by @aronarchy], via nnia.space, 12 December 2023.</ref>, a far-right antiblack acronym standing for "Total ''[n-slur]'' Death"<ref>[https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Alt-right_glossary#Total_Death_.28T_D.29 Alt-right glossary: "Total _____ Death (T_D)"], via RationalWiki.</ref>.
In light of this, it appears additionally insidious and hypocritical that Newgon chose to host a reactionary statement feigning genuine concern for the plight of the Palestinian people, when elsewhere its members are perfectly willing and permitted to endorse violent racism against them as well as other non-white people.
<blockquote>Founded in 2007, as the information center for the MAP Movement (coining the term and originating a flag concept);</blockquote>
The statement also encourages harmful and racist views toward the Palestinian struggle by denying the crucial role of Western geopolitical interests in motivating state support for the Israeli occupation, instead implying that Israel is only supported by the West because it is a Jewish state and that meaningful oppression is only enacted based on supposed Jewish interests. It claims that "Israel is not an asset to the US or the EU even from the perspective of their own strategic resource-based interests, but a massive strategic liability. And real discussion of that point is not only systemically kept out of the media, but gate-kept out of even pro-Palestinian leftist spaces by politically-correct leftists"<ref name="R" />. AnonymousLover/GothboyAL makes this sentiment even more clear in a childlove.space post which completely denies Israel's importance to U.S. foreign policy and that "Israel is a White Supremacist State," calling these "politically correct room temperature leftist takes"<ref name="S" />. These comments utilize the right-wing trope of complaining about leftist "political correctness," a line strongly associated in the current political climate with racists who believe that a "cancel culture" unfairly stifles racist speech and portray racial minorities as the ones who ultimately control society and discourse (or a Jewish cabal which promotes the interests of racial minorities). By trying to shift pro-Palestinian activism further to the right, trying to graft an ultimately white supremacist framework onto a struggle against white supremacist oppression, as individuals notorious for a history of other racist behavior themselves, the writers and signatories of the Newgon statement take efforts which would divert and weaken pro-Palestinian activism if they took hold, discouraging people from correctly identifying the causes of Palestinian oppression and thus effectively fighting against it. Their denial of the white supremacy in play in Israel's genocidal campaign and Western endorsement of it when white supremacy is in fact present amounts to apologia for white supremacy and Western imperialism.
- NewgonWiki as of 4 August 2022<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page&oldid=13667 Main Page], NewgonWiki as of 09:26, 4 August 2022.</ref>
The statement says, ''"It appears that the European elite cares more for the state of Israel than it does about Democracy, Free Speech, or even their own countries! Citizens and residents of Britain, France, and Germany appear to be free to denounce their countries as racist colonialist oppressors with no redeeming qualities that should be burned to the ground but when it comes to Israel? Now that's a different story!"''<ref name="R" />, showing a dismissive attitude toward the struggles of other racialized peoples, portraying them as much more safe and privileged than they actually are, and downplaying the tremendous oppression which the European colonial powers have enacted and continue to enact upon them.
Further callous exploitation of Palestinian trauma can be observed as the statement veers from criticizing U.S. President Joe Biden's backing of the genocide to attacking the Democrats for introducing a bill "that ends the statute of limitations at the national scale for real and perceived victims of CSA." The statement subtly invalidates CSA survivors by claiming that accusers falsely "perceive" abuse where there was none. It tries to portray accused child sexual abusers as widely disadvantaged, threatened, and oppressed and assumes an automatic, necessary connection between child sexual abuse perpetrators (or individuals who would be accused of CSA) and "real or perceived MAPs" (and refuses to allow the possibility that it could be anyone else). The authors weaponize genuine Palestinian grievances to shoehorn in a reactionary, fearmongering agenda against an imagined threat of widespread false CSA accusations and unjust legal ruin, using language which promotes bigotry against both CSA survivors and MAPs. They clumsily attempt to appeal to an audience of "MAPs" (whom they seem to conflate with CSA perpetrators, aspiring perpetrators, apologists, and/or a group functionally indistinguishable from actual perpetrators) and portray themselves as heroic representatives of a heroic, homogenous demographic of "MAPs" because <em>"That the decision to release a statement on the Israel-Palestine conflict met unanimous assent from our moderation team is a solid indication of where MAPs stand</em>,<em>"</em> with a contrived argument that their posturing about Israel is specifically relevant to MAP issues (which they conflate with preservation of CSA's hegemonic status, along with several things that are actually ''children's'' issues, although interpreted through a narrow and ultimately anti-child lens) because ''"MAPs and all caring people should note that Gaza's population is extremely young, with 44% of the population being 14 or below. The planned expulsion and even extermination of at least a million children should provoke outrage and hatred in every child lover.… MAPs should refuse to fight wars for a system that hates them, especially wars on behalf of Israel. MAPs should speak out against child killers, including the child killers of the Netanyahu government"'' and that "MAPs residing in Western countries" apparently will likely be "propagandized or drafted to fight in this escalating conflict" so they apparently needed to share a dissuading "statement"—all while doing nearly as much as they can to back policies which would actually harm children, and especially Palestinian children<ref name="R" />.
<blockquote>We started the whole "MAP" thing</blockquote>
=== Fatphobia/body-shaming ===
- NewgonOrg on Twitter<ref name="E">[http://web.archive.org/web/20220511194112/https://twitter.com/NewgonOrg/status/1524474615745105928 Tweet by NewgonOrg], via the Wayback Machine, 11 May 2022. NewgonOrg's bio is visible in the background.</ref>, currently suspended
Newgon also frequently uses fatphobia and other body-shaming<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/File:Averagepedophobe.jpg Average pedophobe], via NewgonWiki.</ref>. Some examples also involve insulting an opponent's lifestyle as "unhealthy" and "unnatural"<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/File:Pedonoblememe.jpg Pedo noble], via NewgonWiki.</ref>, or even using fascist terminology such as "degenerate," "mental defective," and "inferior physiognomy"<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/File:Anti.png Anti], via NewgonWiki.</ref>.
=== Ableism ===
Newgon has taken part in spreading incorrect information about [[Child abuse obsessive-compulsive disorder|a subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder that causes intrusive sexual thoughts about children]] and claimed it can be equated to finding children attractive.
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:File:POCD.png|thumb|left|A Newgon graphic
</gallery>
Newgon claims that Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a "fanciful idea" "formerly or presently promoted to aid in categorizing 'ideal' victims and perpetrators"<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/CSA_Accommodation_Syndrome#See_also CSA Accommodation Syndrome: See also], via NewgonWiki.</ref>. While labeling the (mapmisic) anti-CSA psychologist Joyanna Silberg as a "hostile" "pseudoscientist"<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Category:People:_Pseudoscientists Category:People: Pseudoscientists], via NewgonWiki.</ref> and "unsympathetic activist"<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Category:People:_Unsympathetic_Activists Category:People: Unsympathetic Activists], via NewgonWiki.</ref> in its page of people who have "spread misinformation about pedophiles or promoted the ideology of Child Sexual Abuse in public," Newgon cites as its reasoning that she is an "advocate of Dissociative identity Disorder"<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/List_of_CSA/anti-pedophile_proponents List of CSA/anti-pedophile proponents], via NewgonWiki.</ref>. Newgon recommends Bruce Rind's analysis that the Leadership Council, a (mapmisic) organization Silberg is a member of, provides inaccurate information about mental health issues because its members "advocate for the validity of repressed memories and multiple personality disorder (MPD)," labeling these as "alleged" problems<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/The_Leadership_Council#Rind_on_LC_composition The Leadership Council: Rind on LC composition], via NewgonWiki.</ref>. Newgon states that it has a "skeptical treatment of DID, a highly controversial and lucrative diagnosis whose purported existence is likely a function of personality types and sociogenic factors, rather than the traumas said to underpin it"<ref name="D">[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Template:NNMisinfo Template:NNMisinfo], via NewgonWiki.</ref>.
File:Newgon twitter.jpg|Newgon's Twitter account
<gallery>
File:Strategist on DID.png|Strategist elaborating on his DID-denialist views<ref>[https://youjo.love/notice/AZ4h9PfWJjMP9A1my0 Fediverse reply by @Strategist], via youjo.love, 25 August 2023.</ref>
</gallery>
</gallery>
Newgon uses the term "mentally retarded"<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Statutory_rape Statutory rape], via NewgonWiki.</ref> to refer to cognitively disabled people. Newgon hosts an image file "Retards.png," titled "Retarded or perturbed pedophile myth," and titled in the graphic itself as "The ''Retarded'' and ''Perturbed''… 'Pedophile Degenerate.'" The text of the graphic seems to be trying to prove that pedophiles are more acceptable and less "degenerate" because they have relatively "normal" or greater intellectual capacities and executive functioning<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Research:_Offender_characteristics#/media/File:Retards.png Retarded or perturbed pedophile myth], via NewgonWiki.</ref>. In a guide to "Social Media and Trolling," Newgon recommends that users insult an opponent as "mid-witted, with an IQ between 80 and 110" and "retarded"<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Debate_Guide:_Social_Media_and_Trolling Debate Guide: Social Media and Trolling], via NewgonWiki.</ref>. Newgon says of two antis, "Achievement 'retard' unlocked"<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/List_of_anti-MAP_quotes#/media/File:Epstein.png Epsteins everywhere.], via NewgonWiki.</ref>.
Newgon insults its critics for supposedly having "OCD character traits"<ref name="B">[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Debate_Guide:_Newgon%27s_History Debate Guide: Newgon's History], via NewgonWiki.</ref>. It attempts to denigrate and discredit MAP Wiki editor Iris for describing themself as mentally ill<ref name="D">[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Template:NNMisinfo Template:NNMisinfo], via NewgonWiki.</ref>.
Both these claims are not true. See: [[Minor attraction|the history of the term "MAP"]] and [[MAP flag|the origins of the MAP flag]].
The Newgon activist JohnHolt insults "woke ASPD antisocial activists off Fedi"<ref>[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1620050.htm It's an undeniable fact.], via BoyChat, 2 December 2023.</ref>. He tries to denigrate and discredit various left-leaning MAP activists for being so-called "psychopaths"<ref name="G" /><ref name="H" /> and attacks them for identifying as mentally ill<ref>[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1622969.htm The argument was used against MAPs.], via BoyChat, 31 January 2024.</ref>.
One of the "Informational memes" on the "Memes and Graphics" page, titled "Minors Beware" and tagged with "antis," "warning," "minors," "consent," "advice," "youth," and "guide"<ref name="A" />, says,
<blockquote>
=== Misleading terminology ===
MINORS - BEWARE THESE RED FLAGS! 🚩
Please memorize these red flags for sex-phobic, ageist hysteria. They will help you avoid mentally disturbed and manipulative personalities online."
Other Newgon initiatives include misuse of terms "pro-choice", "anti-choice", "anti-offending".
🚩1: Those who refer to your or someone else's relationship as "grooming" or "harmful".
* '''Renaming "pro-contact" to "pro-choice" and "pro-consent"'''
Their goal is to invalidate your freedom of choice and lived experiences. In other words, "gaslighting".
<blockquote>Pro-contact (or simply "pro-c") is a term used to describe a person - often an [''sic''] MAP or ally, as favoring the permittance of minor-adult physical/sexual relations - at least hypothetically.</blockquote>
</blockquote>
Newgon claims that "mentally disturbed" people are inherently to be avoided, conflating mental illness or pathology with being "manipulative" or problematic, and scapegoating them for perceived harms caused by anti-contact ideology along with various talking points popularly associated with anti-contact ideology.
- "Pro-c" on NewgonWiki as of 27 September 2021<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/index.php?title=Pro-c&oldid=7673 Pro-c], NewgonWiki as of 23:55, 27 September 2021.</ref>
It is also notable that Newgon claims ''any'' instance of someone else telling a minor a relationship is grooming or harmful is "mentally disturbed," "manipulative," engaging in "sex-phobic" "ageist hysteria," displaying a red flag, and dangerous, as if abusive, coerced, or forced relationships do not exist, as if no one at all would be helped instead of harmed by ever being told their or someone else's relationship is grooming or harmful. This implies that Newgon believes grooming and harmful relationships simply do not exist, and that any attempt at criticizing a relationship (even one clearly constraining a person's freedom of choice and causing suppression or erasure of their own subjectivity and lived experiences) would actually constitute an attack on freedom. It seems to be implying that victims of abusive relationships and gaslighting should simply be left to struggle on their own with indifferent bystanders instead of having access to help, any attempts at which would instead be an excuse to diagnose the critical individual as hysterical or insane.
<blockquote>Pro-c, (pro-consent/choice or contact) is a term used to describe a person - often an [''sic''] MAP or ally, as favoring the permittance of minor-adult physical/sexual relations - at least hypothetically.</blockquote>
The fifth "red flag" listed on the meme is "Those who group voluntary relationships and abusive relationships together": "They are not the same. If they attempted this with adult relationships, they would be accused of trivializing abuse." Yet, hypocritically, Newgon in fact does this itself in its first line, with no regard for any minors encountering the infographic who may be experiencing abusive relationships, who would suffer less harm if they were able to escape but might discard this option after being discouraged from heeding any critiques of their relationship.
- "Pro-c" on NewgonWiki as of 24 May 2022<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/index.php?title=Pro-c&oldid=12213 Pro-c], NewgonWiki as of 01:18, 24 May 2022.</ref>
According to a BoyChat post by JohnHolt, also the uploader of this meme on the wiki<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/File:Minorsbeware.png Minors Beware], via NewgonWiki.</ref>, he apparently believes this is a serious behavioral "guide for minors" providing meaningful and insightful advice<ref>[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1594016.htm And what about a guide for Minors?] by JohnHolt, via BoyChat, 22 June 2022.</ref>.
On its Twitter accounts NewgonOrg<ref name="E">[http://web.archive.org/web/20220511194112/https://twitter.com/NewgonOrg/status/1524474615745105928 Tweet by NewgonOrg], via the Wayback Machine, 11 May 2022. NewgonOrg's bio is visible in the background.</ref> and NewgonOrg2007<ref name="F">[http://web.archive.org/web/20221125122816/https://twitter.com/NewgonOrg2007 Twitter account NewgonOrg2007], via the Wayback Machine, 25 November 2022.</ref>, Newgon claimed to be "pro-choice" in lieu of labeling itself as "pro-contact."
=== Ageism ===
On the same page with responses to accusations Newgon has claimed: "'Pro choice' (which some of us do use) was an initiative of Allyn Walker, and possibly even the MAPs they were referring to in their book"<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/index.php?title=Debate_Guide:_Newgon%27s_History&oldid=16581 Debate Guide: Newgon's History], NewgonWiki as of 23:27, 20 January 2023.</ref>. The book is unambiguously pointing towards maps as the source of this term.
Newgon promotes anti-minor sentiments<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/File:Minorcard.png "minor" card], via NewgonWiki.</ref>. Newgon pejoratively refers to MAP Wiki editor Iris as "a mentally ill teenager" in an attempt to discredit them<ref name="I" />. Newgon extends this line of criticism to young adults and younger activists in general as well<ref name="B" /><ref name="G" /><ref name="H" />. (Newgon never highlights an adult's adulthood, or the fact of someone having an older age, when trying to portray an opponent in a negative light.)
JohnHolt insults "naive young idiots who [rail against the norm] on Fediverse" in a BoyChat post<ref>[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1620068.htm Railing against the norm.] by JohnHolt, via BoyChat, 2 December 2023.</ref>:
<blockquote>When I asked them about this label during interviews, those who were referred to as pro-contact by anticontact MAPs pushed back against being labeled as such, preferring the term ''pro-choice''.</blockquote>
<blockquote>
- Allyn Walker, ''A Long, Dark Shadow''<ref>[https://libgen.is/book/index.php?md5=05A801E49078F7FA7E535D1306D52D37 ''A Long, Dark Shadow'' by Allyn Walker], via Library Genesis.</ref>
Those of us who are accustomed to BC will know that you are most certainly coming from an egosyntonic place, but you might do well to recognize that impotently "railing against the norm" is one of the first stages of grievance/coping in egodystonia.
One thing I'll give you over the naive young idiots who do this on Fediverse, is that your analysis is couched in some experience and thus some historical literacy.
That claim has also been removed after criticism from the wider community.
So we do not see, for instance the absurdity of a 19 year old MAP who rails against the demonization of paedophiles while praising victimologcal <em>[sic]</em> constructs such as satanic abuse and DID that contributed to that popular demonology.
But the similarity is eery.
</blockquote>
Newgon trivializes abuse of children in school and the home, claiming that assaultive interactions "are never seen to cause mental torture, nor to have lifelong consequences." According to Newgon, the belief that "non-consensual play," "beatings," "bullying," "discipline," and other abuses of power over children will harm them is "totally unwarranted," "moral hysteria," and "reactionism." Newgon claims people should be happy about this and should "encourage" it by "erasing societal stigmas," but is vague about what exactly is being "stigmatized"<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Debate_Guide:_Power_disparity Debate Guide: Power disparity], via NewgonWiki.</ref>.
* '''Renaming "anti-contact" to "anti-choice"'''
=== Paramisia ===
This text by JohnHolt refers to anti-contact maps as "anti-choice"<ref>[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1591530.htm Paradox/fatal flaws of the Virped/NOMAP position.] by JohnHolt, via BoyChat, 4 May 2022.</ref>.
Newgon is dismissive of paraphilic identity labels it perceives as "new," "fringe," or based on "social justice theory"<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/File:Nnia.png Nnia], via NewgonWiki.</ref>.
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Nnia.png.png|Newgon invalidating zoosadism pride and a newly-coined chronophilia label
</gallery>
JohnHolt takes issue with NNIA for "celebrating" various paraphilic identities, including "erotophonophilia," "biastophilia," "biastomaps," "aptomaps" (MAPs attracted to the concept of "grooming"), and "zoosadism"<ref>[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1616466.htm You could say that. However.] by JohnHolt, via BoyChat, 25 August 2023.</ref>.
After seeing JohnHolt's post, the NNIA user who had coined "aptophilia" and "aptomap" discussed Newgon's paramisia<ref>[https://nnia.space/@scramblecore/110953132370021235 Fediverse thread by @scramblecore], via nnia.space, 25 August 2023.</ref>. @[email protected], a fediverse account used by JohnHolt, quoted the thread with derogatory commentary<ref>[https://youjo.love/objects/7755bc3d-9838-422b-a9ed-450e4de8728a Fediverse quote post by @Strategist], via youjo.love, 26 August 2023.</ref>. Newgon also hosts an image file with a caption accusing fediverse users who discuss aptophilia positively of being "disruptors"<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/File:Apto.png Apto], via NewgonWiki.</ref><ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Minor_attracted_community#Gallery Minor attracted community: Gallery], via NewgonWiki.</ref>.
* '''Ambiguous use of "anti-offending"'''
<gallery>
On its Twitter accounts<ref name="E">[http://web.archive.org/web/20220511194112/https://twitter.com/NewgonOrg/status/1524474615745105928 Tweet by NewgonOrg], via the Wayback Machine, 11 May 2022. NewgonOrg's bio is visible in the background.</ref><ref name="F">[http://web.archive.org/web/20221125122816/https://twitter.com/NewgonOrg2007 Twitter account NewgonOrg2007], via the Wayback Machine, 25 November 2022.</ref> and "Ethos of Newgon" page<ref name="C">[https://archive.ph/08rh9 of Newgon], via NewgonWiki.</ref>, Newgon has claimed to be "anti-offending" to mean being against contact when it breaks the law (although still pro-contact for when it is legal). However, "anti-offending" is typically used in contact discourse synonymously with "anti-contact".
File:Aptophilia.png|on aptophilia
File:Aptomap.png|Newgon members misrepresenting aptophilia
File:Disruptors.png|Newgon commentary on aptophilia
</gallery>
Newgon attempts to denigrate and discredit MAP Wiki editor Iris for being a "self-describing biastophile (rape fetishist), and sadist - including in relation to animals"<ref name="D">[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Template:NNMisinfo Template:NNMisinfo], via NewgonWiki.</ref>. Newgon continues to promote conspiratorial "suspicion" about the coining of and creation of a flag for aptophilia, as well as the zoosadist identity<ref name="I">[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Pediverse Pediverse], via NewgonWiki.</ref>. Newgon claims that rape fetishist or biastophilic MAPs are even more problematic than Nazis/fascist MAPs<ref name="G" /><ref name="H" />.
In the "Debate Guide on Newgon's History," JohnHolt claims that [[Boylove|boylovers]] "are not persecuted as a group" and "are rarely persecuted as individuals," and is dismissive of "online groups of people with shared trauma" from mapmisic abuse who believe this statement does not reflect reality. To elaborate on this, the article references<ref name="B">[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Debate_Guide:_Newgon%27s_History Debate Guide: Newgon's History], via NewgonWiki.</ref> a BoyChat post titled "BL 'persecution' clown complex" where JohnHolt says that "Boy Lovers are not being 'persecuted', and never have been. If you believe this shit, calm down, and realize that you are part of a culture war and not a real war." He claims antis "want [boylovers] to survive and prosper" and that boylovers "will probably go through life with nothing worse than a lonely boner." He accuses boylovers who reject "working with people they hate," "don't understand" that positive change "will necessarily be gradual," and do not "support gradualist initiatives" of "refusing to reconcile radical philosophy with moderate demands" and "not behaving rationally"<ref>[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1595443.htm BL 'persecution' clown complex.] by JohnHolt, via BoyChat, 16 July 2022.</ref>. Newgon's "Ethos" page also describes its organizational approach as "radical philosophy, moderate demands"<ref name="C">[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Ethos_of_Newgon Ethos of Newgon], via NewgonWiki.</ref>.
=== False accusations ===
Newgon staff and members have repeatedly accused their opponents of various forms of abusive and disruptive behaviors. The following topics were featured:
* Doxxing accusations targeting admins of fediverse instances (Lecter, Kay);
* Implications that other map sites are funded by antis (nnia.space, the Map Wiki);
* Grooming and emotional manipulation accusations (with metaphorical comparisons to castration rituals);
* Plariagism accusations (covered further in the [[Newgon#Flags]] section).
In some cases the material for accusations has also been sourced from KiwiFarms.
== Disinformation campaigns ==
=== Exaggerating own importance ===
Newgon has recently attempted to join the modern MAP community and MAP activism. In this, they made false claims about the MAP community and their own role in its history.
<blockquote>We have introduced new writers to NewgonWiki – founded in 2007 – the birthplace of the modern MAP Movement</blockquote>
=== Enabling CSEM ===
- Newgon's Strategist on FreeSpeechTube<ref name="L" />
One of Newgon's affiliate sites, '''childlove.space''', contained multiple accounts posting images of children that failed the Dost test<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dost_test Dost test], Wikipedia.</ref>, with full awareness of the site administration. This has resulted in the site's domain being suspended. The admins soon rebuilt it as '''childlove.su''', and its old userbase migrated to the new address. Newgon activists were aware of these problems, since some of them were a part of childlove.space/su staff and others were active on these sites as users. However, NewgonWiki recommended childlove.su as a "generally safe" fediverse instance.
== Symbolism ==
==== Flags ====
<blockquote>Founded in 2007, as the information center for the MAP Movement (coining the term and originating a flag concept);</blockquote>
In 2009 Newgon attempted to hold a contest for a map flag. The contest received several entries, but never reached the voting stage. None of the flags presented for the contest were used till 2021, when Newgon reemerged from the hiatus. On their wiki they made a claim that one of their entries was the original concept the [[MAP flag]] was based on and referred to the latter as a "contrast version"<ref>[https://archive.is/XIXHQ MAP Flag on NewgonWiki] as of 12 Dec 2021, via archive.today.</ref>. After questions and criticism, they reinforced their statement:
- NewgonWiki as of 4 August 2022<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page&oldid=13667 Main Page], NewgonWiki as of 09:26, 4 August 2022.</ref>
<blockquote>We started the whole "MAP" thing</blockquote>
- NewgonOrg on Twitter<ref name="E">[http://web.archive.org/web/20220511194112/https://twitter.com/NewgonOrg/status/1524474615745105928 Tweet by NewgonOrg], via the Wayback Machine, 11 May 2022. NewgonOrg's bio is visible in the background.</ref>, currently suspended
<gallery>
File:Newgon twitter.jpg|Newgon's Twitter account
</gallery>
Both these claims are not true. See: [[Minor attraction|the history of the term "MAP"]] and [[MAP flag|the origins of the MAP flag]].
<blockquote>Initial tests on the "relative luminance" difference between the two outside blue bands in the 2018 and 2009 flags, reveal those differences to be almost identical (within 0.5-1%) suggesting that the former could be a very slightly darkened and tinted adaptation of the latter, with respect to the blue portion of the graphic.</blockquote>
==== Flags ====
- The article ''MAP Flag'' on NewgonWiki as of 15 Dec 2022<ref>[https://archive.is/nUDDo MAP Flag on NewgonWiki] as of 15 Dec 2022, via archive.today.</ref>
In 2009 Newgon attempted to hold a contest for a map flag. The contest received several entries, but never reached the voting stage. None of the flags presented for the contest were used till 2021, when Newgon reemerged from the hiatus. On their wiki they made a claim that one of their entries was the original concept the [[MAP flag]] was based on and referred to the latter as a "contrast version"<ref>[https://archive.is/XIXHQ MAP Flag on NewgonWiki] as of 12 Dec 2021, via archive.today.</ref>. After questions and criticism, they reinforced their statement:
<blockquote>Initial tests on the "relative luminance" difference between the two outside blue bands in the 2018 and 2009 flags, reveal those differences to be almost identical (within 0.5-1%) suggesting that the former could be a very slightly darkened and tinted adaptation of the latter, with respect to the blue portion of the graphic.</blockquote>
- The article ''MAP Flag'' on NewgonWiki as of 15 Dec 2022<ref>[https://archive.is/nUDDo MAP Flag on NewgonWiki] as of 15 Dec 2022, via archive.today.</ref>
<blockquote>The linkage to the 2018 NOMAP Flag is contested by Map-Wiki, however the rationale given for our 2009 design is eerily similar to the 2018 NOMAP Flag. To say that the probability of the concept being copied/adapted is around 80% would probably be an understatement, but ultimately, we will never know if the flag was copied.</blockquote>
<blockquote>The linkage to the 2018 NOMAP Flag is contested by Map-Wiki, however the rationale given for our 2009 design is eerily similar to the 2018 NOMAP Flag. To say that the probability of the concept being copied/adapted is around 80% would probably be an understatement, but ultimately, we will never know if the flag was copied.</blockquote>
- The article ''Debate Guide: Newgon's History'' on NewgonWiki as of 1 Feb 2023<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20230201193238/https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Debate_Guide:_Newgon's_History Debate Guide: Newgon's History on NewgonWiki] as of 1 Feb 2023, via Wayback Machine.</ref>
- The article ''Debate Guide: Newgon's History'' on NewgonWiki as of 1 Feb 2023<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20230201193238/https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Debate_Guide:_Newgon's_History Debate Guide: Newgon's History on NewgonWiki] as of 1 Feb 2023, via Wayback Machine.</ref>
Currently these phrases, as well as the word "version", are removed from NewgonWiki, and the edit history of these two articles is erased (the ''MAP Flag'' article in particular has a note that "older edits on this article are being used to make false claims offsite"<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/index.php?title=MAP_Flag&action=history MAP Flag: Revision history] on NewgonWiki.</ref>).
Currently these phrases, as well as the word "version", are removed from NewgonWiki, and the edit history of these two articles is erased (the ''MAP Flag'' article in particular has a note that "older edits on this article are being used to make false claims offsite"<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/index.php?title=MAP_Flag&action=history MAP Flag: Revision history] on NewgonWiki.</ref>).
Simultaneously with implying plagiarism, Newgon developed a merged edit of their flag and the MAP flag. Initially titled "yesmap" as a pun on the NOMAP identity<ref>[https://archive.is/XIXHQ MAP Flag on NewgonWiki] as of 12 Dec 2021, via archive.today.</ref>, it was renamed to "united map flag" around May 2022<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220519031544/https://www.newgon.net/wiki/MAP_Flag MAP Flag on NewgonWiki] as of 19 May 2022, via Wayback Machine.</ref>.
<gallery>
File:Yesmap.png|thumb|left|The 2021 "yesmap"/"united" flag
</gallery>
Eventually a separate, exclusively pro c, flag was made for the "yesmap" label.
Simultaneously with implying plagiarism, Newgon developed a merged edit of their flag and the map flag. Initially titled "yesmap" as a pun on the NOMAP identity<ref>[https://archive.is/XIXHQ MAP Flag on NewgonWiki] as of 12 Dec 2021, via archive.today.</ref>, it was renamed to "united map flag" around May 2022<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220519031544/https://www.newgon.net/wiki/MAP_Flag MAP Flag on NewgonWiki] as of 19 May 2022, via Wayback Machine.</ref>.
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Yesmap2.png|thumb|left|A 2022 "yesmap" flag
</gallery>
Newgon continued promoting their flag under the "united" brand till August 2023, when it was renamed to "2021 version" with a note denying its previous name.
File:Yesmap.png|thumb|left|The 2021 "yesmap"/"united" flag
<gallery>
File:Newgon map flag edit history.jpg|This screenshot was taken before the edit history was deleted.
</gallery>
A new flag edit, titled "MAP union", was then posted to NewgonWiki<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/File:Mapunion.png The "MAP union" flag] on NewgonWiki</ref>.
<gallery>
File:New newgon flag.png
</gallery>
</gallery>
=== Misleading terminology ===
Other Newgon initiatives include trying to rename "pro-contact" to "pro-choice," possibly as an attempt to use the positive connotations of the latter.
<blockquote>Pro-contact (or simply "pro-c") is a term used to describe a person - often an MAP or ally, as favoring the permittance of minor-adult physical/sexual relations - at least hypothetically.</blockquote>
Eventually a separate, exclusively pro c, flag was made for the "yesmap" label.
- "Pro-c" on NewgonWiki as of 27 September 2021<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/index.php?title=Pro-c&oldid=7673 Pro-c], NewgonWiki as of 23:55, 27 September 2021.</ref>
<blockquote>Pro-c, (pro-consent/choice or contact) is a term used to describe a person - often an MAP or ally, as favoring the permittance of minor-adult physical/sexual relations - at least hypothetically.</blockquote>
- "Pro-c" on NewgonWiki as of 24 May 2022<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/index.php?title=Pro-c&oldid=12213 Pro-c], NewgonWiki as of 01:18, 24 May 2022.</ref>
This text by JohnHolt refers to anti-contact MAPs as "anti-choice"<ref>[https://www.boychat.org/messages/1591530.htm Paradox/fatal flaws of the Virped/NOMAP position.] by JohnHolt, via BoyChat, 4 May 2022.</ref>.
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Antichoice.png|JohnHolt's text
</gallery>
On its Twitter accounts NewgonOrg<ref name="E">[http://web.archive.org/web/20220511194112/https://twitter.com/NewgonOrg/status/1524474615745105928 Tweet by NewgonOrg], via the Wayback Machine, 11 May 2022. NewgonOrg's bio is visible in the background.</ref> and NewgonOrg2007<ref name="F">[http://web.archive.org/web/20221125122816/https://twitter.com/NewgonOrg2007 Twitter account NewgonOrg2007], via the Wayback Machine, 25 November 2022.</ref>, Newgon claimed to be "pro-choice" in lieu of labeling itself as "pro-contact."
File:Yesmap2.png|thumb|left|A 2022 "yesmap" flag
On the same page with responses to accusations Newgon has claimed: "'Pro choice' (which some of us do use) was an initiative of Allyn Walker, and possibly even the MAPs they were referring to in their book"<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/index.php?title=Debate_Guide:_Newgon%27s_History&oldid=16581 Debate Guide: Newgon's History], NewgonWiki as of 23:27, 20 January 2023.</ref>. The book is unambiguously pointing towards MAPs as the source of this term.
</gallery>
<blockquote>When I asked them about this label during interviews, those who were referred to as pro-contact by anticontact MAPs pushed back against being labeled as such, preferring the term ''pro-choice''.</blockquote>
- Allyn Walker, ''A Long, Dark Shadow''<ref>[https://faraday.quest/static/box/ ''A Long, Dark Shadow'' by Allyn Walker], via faraday.quest.</ref> NOTE: change this to the Libgen; faraday.quest is down
Newgon continued promoting their flag under the "united" brand till August 2023, when it was renamed to "2021 version" with a note denying its previous name.
That claim has also been removed after criticism from the wider community.
<gallery>
On its Twitter accounts<ref name="E">[http://web.archive.org/web/20220511194112/https://twitter.com/NewgonOrg/status/1524474615745105928 Tweet by NewgonOrg], via the Wayback Machine, 11 May 2022. NewgonOrg's bio is visible in the background.</ref><ref name="F">[http://web.archive.org/web/20221125122816/https://twitter.com/NewgonOrg2007 Twitter account NewgonOrg2007], via the Wayback Machine, 25 November 2022.</ref> and "Ethos of Newgon" page<ref name="C">[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Ethos_of_Newgon Ethos of Newgon], via NewgonWiki.</ref>, Newgon has claimed to be "anti-offending" to mean being against contact when it breaks the law (although still pro-contact for when it is legal). However, "anti-offending" is typically used in contact discourse synonymously with "anti-contact."
File:Newgon map flag edit history.jpg|This screenshot was taken before the edit history was deleted.
=== False accusations ===
Newgon promotes far-fetched conspiracy theories about NNIA and MAP Wiki being secretly funded by antis<ref>[https://youjo.love/objects/cbd82da8-9f23-4dfd-ac4a-b4e2231c2aad Fediverse reply by @Strategist], via youjo.love, 10 May 2023.</ref><ref>[https://youjo.love/objects/8ab571f1-a684-44ae-b9cd-d31b784d64be Fediverse reply by @HinamizawaShokogun22], via youjo.love, 11 May 2023.</ref>. Neither NNIA nor MAP Wiki is funded by any antis.
<gallery>
File:Funding conspiracies.png|Newgon members promoting conspiracy theories
</gallery>
</gallery>
Newgon falsely alleges that NNIA and MAP Wiki staff have been "posting fake comments in an attempt to discredit their opponents - for example, using another MAP's Fediverse server, maliciously claiming to be an 'anonymous' ex-member of Yesmap who has been party to glorification of sex with infants"<ref name="D">[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Template:NNMisinfo Template:NNMisinfo], via NewgonWiki.</ref>. There is no evidence whatsoever that any member of NNIA or MAP Wiki, much less "staff," has made such a comment, much less for "malicious" or slanderous reasons, and staff members as well as other members of MAP fediverse can confirm this. Indeed, there is currently no concrete information at all about who the asker might have been, apart from their own claims. Tellingly, Newgon claims there were "comments," in the plural, but does not cite any other examples of such "comments" apart from that one anonymous ask, nor does it cite any specific evidence to back up its claim.
[[File:Newgon infant CSA.png|thumb|Anonymous accusation against Newgon]]
A new flag edit, titled "MAP union", was then posted to NewgonWiki<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/File:Mapunion.png The "MAP union" flag] on NewgonWiki</ref>.
Furthermore, the ask in question<ref>[https://ask.freak.university/@wierstamann/a/110585620351581080 Ask sent to wierstamann], via Freak University Ask. Freak University is currently down, but the ask in question can still be viewed through the [https://web.archive.org/web/20230912040046/https://ask.freak.university/@wierstamann/a/110585620351581080 Wayback Machine] or [https://archive.is/wyTsE archive.is].</ref> was not posted using a fediverse server. It was sent through Freak University Ask, a platform for asking and answering questions which is not a "fediverse server" in any way. Although it shares the same domain and management as the Freak University Mastodon server, it is not actually a part of the server itself, nor is it using the same infrastructure, and vice versa<ref>[https://ask.freak.university Freak University Ask].</ref><ref>[https://freak.university Freak University].</ref>. In fact, when the post was first being discussed on the fediverse, the Newgon Strategist rushed to request that the Freak University administrator remove "the first sentence" of the ask, ignoring that this is technically impossible, at least without deleting the ask entirely. He falsely labeled the anonymous asker as "Lecter's friend," although Lecter did not even know who the asker was, much less have any likely personal history with them, nor did either of them claim to be "friends" with the other in the interaction. Strategist also claimed that he has "never felt the need to agitate for sexual contact with infants, nor has anybody on [his] server" (demonstrably false<ref name="M">[https://wierstamann.net/2023/06/25/ewgone-on-sex-with-babies/ Ewgone on sex with babies], via wierstamann.net, 25 June 2023.</ref>), complained of "defamation" and "damage," worried that the single-sentence anonymous statement might cause his server to be "seized," and stressed that he "[has] close relatives within that age range"<ref>[https://youjo.love/objects/1cbdc132-5da0-4ad8-86fc-2efbbb223318 Fediverse reply by @Strategist], via youjo.love, 25 June 2023.</ref>.
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Strategist's request.png|Strategist trying to have "the whole idea" "disappeared"
</gallery>
Tragically for Newgon, his plea has so far been completely ignored.
File:New newgon flag.png
=== Enabling CSEM ===
In 2023, several Newgon members, including Strategist, were planning to create a new fediverse instance more in alignment with their ideals. When the pro-contact-run instance youjo.love was suspended, allegedly for hosting illegal content, Newgon members moved their plans forward, as they also wanted a replacement instance for posting on the fediverse when previously they had mainly been using youjo.love. According to their fediverse discussions, Strategist left the effort when it was decided that the server's name would begin with the word "childlove," which he did not want in the URL. The others launched childlove.space, an instance which openly hosted two Nazis on its very first days, permitting them to disseminate numerous instances of violently bigoted rhetoric and content<ref>Fediverse profiles @[email protected] and @[email protected].</ref>, and only took any action after a wave of criticisms from left-leaning pediverse members when a Nazi's behavior escalated into sufficiently extreme and "personal" harassment. Childlove.space also permitted users to post sexual photographs and videos of children. Multiple moderators participated in posting, liking, reblogging, or commenting on such posts<ref>[https://freak.university/@headmasters/111223914800748911 Fediverse post by @headmasters], via freak.university, 12 October 2023.</ref><ref>[https://cannibal.cafe/objects/e79b0ef8-1bd0-4501-9de2-3d76edcc90ef Fediverse reply by @lemondrow00], via cannibal.cafe, 12 October 2023.</ref> and refused to curtail the content as it popped up almost immediately. Dozens of such images were posted during the time childlove.space was online. After around four weeks, the childlove.space server was suspended. Shortly after, several of its admin team created childlove.su, intended to be a replacement from childlove.space. Users quickly began posting CSEM there too. Other Newgon members, including Strategist, created accounts on childlove.su<ref>Fediverse profile @[email protected].</ref>. A few days later, childlove.su was also suspended.
A subsection of Newgon's page "Pediverse," "Pediverse socials and our Official Guidance," contains<ref name="I" /> a note linking to a subsection of its "Ethos of Newgon" page on what an "Official Guidance" constitutes<ref>[https://www.newgon.net/wiki/Ethos_of_Newgon#Official_Guidance Ethos of Newgon: Official Guidance], via NewgonWiki.</ref>:
<blockquote>
'''Official Guidance'''
We occasionally publish guidance on important topics such as:
These sections will always be described as 'official guidance' and are subject to group consultation - primarily within communities we support. Therefore, an official guidance section can be considered as '''a loosely stated organizational position''' on various topics, but not a central part of our platform as such.
</blockquote>
''(emphasis added)''
"Pediverse socials and our Official Guidance" says<ref name="I" />,
<blockquote>
MAPs have been proactive in setting up federated/decentralized communication platforms, because of '''well-founded fears centering on censorship and harassment, mental health and validity policing'''.
Front-ends/user interfaces include Mastodon, and Pleroma, but the information being shared remains the same regardless of what server you are accessing it from, and what software is being used on the server.
The better-known federated social (ActivityPub) instances are listed below underneath their '''advisory ratings'''. These ratings are to be read as a guide only, and the factors determining how an instance is rated by us, are in constant flux.
All such servers permit communication with one another (with a few exclusions such as NNIA's defederation of Youjo and Childlove), and prohibit CP sharing and other illegal activity.
Some of these servers host other platforms, such as decentralized video sharing (Peertube).
'''Generally considered safe'''<br>
* '''Childlove.su - formerly Childlove.space (runs on Mangane)'''
…
</blockquote>
''(emphasis added)''
Newgon's claim that all of the listed servers, including childlove.space and childlove.su, "prohibit CP sharing and other illegal activity," is blatantly false. Multiple pediverse admins and other individuals have testified that childlove.space and/or childlove.su contained unchecked illegal content, including media failing the Dost test<ref>[https://monk.ey.business/notice/AaheNeHAITzZGtalRg Fediverse post by @grumpy], via monk.ey.business, 12 October 2023.</ref><ref>[https://cannibal.cafe/objects/485f81c9-33d5-4a65-baa7-a1533a40cdd0 Fediverse reply by @lemondrow00], via cannibal.cafe, 12 October 2023.</ref><ref>[https://cannibal.cafe/objects/7a4cdf4f-c5c4-4782-bfac-65f903ff00e2 Fediverse reply by @cummies], via cannibal.cafe, 12 October 2023.</ref><ref>[https://mapsupport.de/@Mapadmin/111220955594082414 Fediverse post by @Mapadmin], via mapsupport.de, 12 October 2023.</ref><ref>[https://mapsupport.de/@Consuela/111224185169802038 Fediverse post by @Consuela], via mapsupport.de, 12 October 2023.</ref>. This destructive behavior on part of the childlove.space/childlove.su admin team and users, which has both sexually exploited children and potentially led unwelcome law enforcement attention onto pediverse users who were not engaged in illegal exploitative behavior, is whitewashed by Newgon, which calls them "safe" and borderline recommends people to join in, many wholly unaware of the dangerous environment they would be walking into.
</gallery>
=== Other symbols ===
These are logos and variants, seen on different Newgon sites and projects.
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Newgon on cl.s.png|thumb|Newgon on childlove.space/childlove.su
File:Newgonlogo.png
File:Newgon mu.png
File:Newgon mu logo.png
File:Yesmap-ym.svg
File:Yesmap_Logo_small3.png
</gallery>
</gallery>
== References ==
== References ==
[[Category:Original pages]]
[[Category:Original pages]]
[[Category:English]]
Latest revision as of 10:28, 16 August 2024
Newgon logo from 2007
Newgon is a pro-contact map organization that calls itself an information center for the map movement. Its website is a MediaWiki-based site archiving talking points and arguments for pro-contact maps.
This article is a general description of Newgon, their affiliations, and activities. For more detailed evidence of claims presented here, see Newgon/Records.
Newgon was co-founded in 2007 by the pro-contact map activists Daniel Lièvre and Jillium after Google started censorship of small blogging sites[1]. Their biggest early project was a magazine titled Uncommon Sense, coming out in 2009-2010. In 2014 the site was disabled, with the ISP requesting the administrator for contact. Soon, the site's domain expired and the site went fully offline.
In 2021 Newgon returned, relaunching by "previous associates of Newgon.com and its network of activists" and resuming editing of the Newgon Wiki with the domain newgon.net. In May 2022, an official Newgon Twitter account appeared[1]. In June 2024, the site was altered so that newgon.net links redirect to wiki.yesmap.net. In addition to that, they now run a pro-contact activist group chat and have made several attempts to host a fediverse instance (childlove.space, childlove.su, which have been suspended for illegal content, and fedi.yesmap.net, the most recent one, which is currently active).
Prominent members
The Strategist. This is the current main admin of Newgon. He is also known as John Holt, Jim Burton, and Jamal Ross.
Hina (HinamizawaShokogun22). This is a mod at some Newgon projects, such as PCMA and childlove.space and its continuations.
Affiliations
Newgon, as a wiki, is closely affiliated with a number of other sites and social spaces. The administration and userbase of those heavily overlaps, and many of the actions, while done on behalf of different brand names, are directed by the same circle of people. For the sake of this article, next names might be used interchangeably with Newgon:
Yesmap.net: one of their main domains that also holds wiki.yesmap.net and fedi.yesmap.net.
Fstube.net: a video blog site advertized as a backup of a previosuly existing site FreeSpeechTube.org, funded by Newgon[2].
PCMA ("Pro-c MAP Activism"): a Matrix chat consisting of several channels, previosuly hosted on yesmap.net, currently hosted on needsmo.re and nekos.cafe.
Nekos.cafe: an element server and a fediverse instance, moderated by Hina, an active Newgon project participant.
Map-union.org: an informatiomal site and a forum, moderated by the main Newgon admin.
Childlove.space (now suspended) and its continuations childlove.su (now suspended), childlove.top (currently active): fediverse instances, known for accepting nazis and hosting CSEM.
Political stances
Contact stances
Newgon is a pro-contact organisation. Its stated goals are mostly related to destigmatization of youth attractions and sexual contact down to hebe age range (from 11 and above), as well as legalization of sex and marriage of adults with youth within this range. It promotes biologically and culturally essentialist view of hebephilia and ephebophilia, heavily leaning on the notion that girls are the most attractive and the most reproductively potent in the teen age range, and therefore it is "natural" for adult men to be primarily seeking them as sexual partners[3][4].
Many of the materials on the NewgonWiki heavily suggest much wider spectrum of supported or tolerated views, such as "naturalness" of adult sexual contact with infants[5], rape apologism[6][7].
Newgon is known for its extreme and often conspiratorial viewpoints, suggesting that anti-contact people, among others, are "sex fascists"[8][9][10][11][12], control the contact stances of major governments[13], and take part of a "child abuse industry" or "CSA-industrial complex"[14][15][16][17]. It is also opposed to equal treatment of many parts of the map community, such as people primarily attracted to children younger than the hebe age range (pedophiles, nepiophiles and infantophiles), people with violent attractions towards youth (sadists, biastophiles, etc)[18], and other paraphiliacs[19].
Newgon also has been criticized for bigotry, such as misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, fatphobia, mapmisia, as well as ethnonationalist views, perpetuated on the wiki and in personal communication (see [Newgon/Records]).
Activities and strategies
Wiki
Newgon collects information, including studies, quotes, opinion pieces, memes, and infographics. Some of the content they collected has been identified as bigoted, intentionally misleading, or promoting various types of abuse[20].
Trolling campaigns
One of the active strategies Newgon uses is trolling, "visibility campaining" or "tactical operations"[21], mostly done through disingenuous tactics such as fabricating credentials or other significant information, impersonating antis, impersonating anti-contact map activists (especially those who were visible opponents of Newgon) to attack or delegitimize them, spreading "ironic" bigoted rhetoric, arguing for stances they did not actually believe in, claiming certain opinions or events were far more common than they actually were, spreading false information, recycling pre-written lines[22] while passing them off as organic and spontaneous, and pretending to be engaged in entirely independent activism efforts rather than encouraged and backed by and working for an entire organization.
Early post-revival Newgon activities included spreading links to their wiki on Twitter while pretending to be reasearchers, sometimes specifically CSA researchers[23][24]. Efforts such as these are designed to boost Newgon and pro-contact visibility as much as possible thorugh negative attention from public[25]. Newgon members mainly targeted Twitter for these campaigns, but some also tried to do such activism) on other sites[26].
PCMA discussion on Twitter trolling
The "Yesmap" Matrix server and its "Pro-c MAP Activist" ("PCMA") workgroup have been used to share choices of targets and coordinate such activity, along with distributing anonymous, cryptocurrency-bought Twitter accounts to members. The server is also used to coordinate attacks on and harassment campaigns of anti-contact maps on the fediverse. Newgon claims that "In 2023, PCMA and the Yesmap server, having achieved most of its publicity goals via the prior strategy, each moved independently towards a model of increasing visibility via community-building efforts such as expansion of the Fediverse"[21].
According to the Newgon wiki page "PCMA", "PCMA (and some of its predecessors) have been criticized, mainly by anarcho-communist MAPs, for tolerating lively debate (eventually this was moved to a separate space) and controversial opinions. Some members have also sought to mobilize chan culture"[21]. This article uses euphemistic terminology to relativize PCMA's common usage of bigotry, harassment, and alt-right tactics, and criticisms of it—throughout 2021 and 2022, Newgon and its associated projects did indeed begin to be heavily criticized by many leftist-aligned map activists, both anti-contact and pro-contact.
Exaggerating own importance
Upon joining the modern map community and map activism, Newgon members perpetuated several false claims regaring own role in the development of the map activism.
We have introduced new writers to NewgonWiki – founded in 2007 – the birthplace of the modern MAP Movement
Other Newgon initiatives include misuse of terms "pro-choice", "anti-choice", "anti-offending".
Renaming "pro-contact" to "pro-choice" and "pro-consent"
Pro-contact (or simply "pro-c") is a term used to describe a person - often an [sic] MAP or ally, as favoring the permittance of minor-adult physical/sexual relations - at least hypothetically.
- "Pro-c" on NewgonWiki as of 27 September 2021[29]
Pro-c, (pro-consent/choice or contact) is a term used to describe a person - often an [sic] MAP or ally, as favoring the permittance of minor-adult physical/sexual relations - at least hypothetically.
On its Twitter accounts NewgonOrg[28] and NewgonOrg2007[31], Newgon claimed to be "pro-choice" in lieu of labeling itself as "pro-contact."
On the same page with responses to accusations Newgon has claimed: "'Pro choice' (which some of us do use) was an initiative of Allyn Walker, and possibly even the MAPs they were referring to in their book"[32]. The book is unambiguously pointing towards maps as the source of this term.
When I asked them about this label during interviews, those who were referred to as pro-contact by anticontact MAPs pushed back against being labeled as such, preferring the term pro-choice.
That claim has also been removed after criticism from the wider community.
Renaming "anti-contact" to "anti-choice"
This text by JohnHolt refers to anti-contact maps as "anti-choice"[34].
JohnHolt's text
Ambiguous use of "anti-offending"
On its Twitter accounts[28][31] and "Ethos of Newgon" page[35], Newgon has claimed to be "anti-offending" to mean being against contact when it breaks the law (although still pro-contact for when it is legal). However, "anti-offending" is typically used in contact discourse synonymously with "anti-contact".
False accusations
Newgon staff and members have repeatedly accused their opponents of various forms of abusive and disruptive behaviors. The following topics were featured:
Doxxing accusations targeting admins of fediverse instances (Lecter, Kay);
Implications that other map sites are funded by antis (nnia.space, the Map Wiki);
Grooming and emotional manipulation accusations (with metaphorical comparisons to castration rituals);
Plariagism accusations (covered further in the Newgon#Flags section).
In some cases the material for accusations has also been sourced from KiwiFarms.
Enabling CSEM
One of Newgon's affiliate sites, childlove.space, contained multiple accounts posting images of children that failed the Dost test[36], with full awareness of the site administration. This has resulted in the site's domain being suspended. The admins soon rebuilt it as childlove.su, and its old userbase migrated to the new address. Newgon activists were aware of these problems, since some of them were a part of childlove.space/su staff and others were active on these sites as users. However, NewgonWiki recommended childlove.su as a "generally safe" fediverse instance.
Symbolism
Flags
In 2009 Newgon attempted to hold a contest for a map flag. The contest received several entries, but never reached the voting stage. None of the flags presented for the contest were used till 2021, when Newgon reemerged from the hiatus. On their wiki they made a claim that one of their entries was the original concept the MAP flag was based on and referred to the latter as a "contrast version"[37]. After questions and criticism, they reinforced their statement:
Initial tests on the "relative luminance" difference between the two outside blue bands in the 2018 and 2009 flags, reveal those differences to be almost identical (within 0.5-1%) suggesting that the former could be a very slightly darkened and tinted adaptation of the latter, with respect to the blue portion of the graphic.
- The article MAP Flag on NewgonWiki as of 15 Dec 2022[38]
The linkage to the 2018 NOMAP Flag is contested by Map-Wiki, however the rationale given for our 2009 design is eerily similar to the 2018 NOMAP Flag. To say that the probability of the concept being copied/adapted is around 80% would probably be an understatement, but ultimately, we will never know if the flag was copied.
- The article Debate Guide: Newgon's History on NewgonWiki as of 1 Feb 2023[39]
Currently these phrases, as well as the word "version", are removed from NewgonWiki, and the edit history of these two articles is erased (the MAP Flag article in particular has a note that "older edits on this article are being used to make false claims offsite"[40]).
Simultaneously with implying plagiarism, Newgon developed a merged edit of their flag and the map flag. Initially titled "yesmap" as a pun on the NOMAP identity[41], it was renamed to "united map flag" around May 2022[42].
The 2021 "yesmap"/"united" flag
Eventually a separate, exclusively pro c, flag was made for the "yesmap" label.
A 2022 "yesmap" flag
Newgon continued promoting their flag under the "united" brand till August 2023, when it was renamed to "2021 version" with a note denying its previous name.
This screenshot was taken before the edit history was deleted.
A new flag edit, titled "MAP union", was then posted to NewgonWiki[43].
Other symbols
These are logos and variants, seen on different Newgon sites and projects.
↑Rape on NewgonWiki via archive.today, "Whilst as inherently damaging as any other form of highly intrusive physical assault, the psychological effects of rape often depend on taboo and post-traumatic intervention.".
↑A fediverse post by Lecter from June 21, 2023, citing " removal of all ableist, fatphobic, transphobic, anti feminist, and otherwise degrading for marginalized people rhetoric; removal of positive and uncritical references to and quotes from people known for bigotry, abuse, and medical malpractice; separation from right wing ideologies and termination of attempts to appeal to right wingers and "bridge the gap"; termination of spreading deliberately incorrect information with the purpose of recruitment or generating outrage" as a list of demands towards Newgon.
