Women are sharing photos of themselves at age 14 to denounce Roy Moore and his supporters
Last week, several women came forward to accuse Alabama Republican Senate nominee Roy Moore of making inappropriate sexual advances toward them when they were teenagers. One of the women alleged that Moore molested her when she was 14 and he was 32. In the aftermath, North Carolina lawyer Catherine R.L. Lawson created the hashtag #MeAt14 to let women share photos of themselves at age 14.
Shockingly, Moore has defenders, including GOP officials. Many of his supporters argue that it’s somehow okay to kiss, touch, and provide alcohol to a 14-year-old child. Women responded to these inexcusable defenses by sharing photos of their 14-year-old selves on social media, in effect reminding everyone what a child looks like.
"I shared a picture of me at 14 to illustrate there is no acceptable version of this story; teenagers can't consent to a relationship with a grown man, ever," Lawson told the BBC. "It's not a question about the legal age of consent, but about affirming a shared social value that children deserve our protection."
Several of Moore’s other accusers were girls between the ages of 16 and 19; many of his defenders claim they were of the legal age when Moore made his advances in the ’70s.
Lawson’s goal with #MeAt14 is to look past legal ages of consent and put the focus directly on the faces of these young girls.
Can’t consent at 14.
Not in Alabama.
Not anywhere. #MeAt14 pic.twitter.com/AFUw1Ru4X2— Cat Lawson (@catlawson) November 10, 2017
If she still needs a permission slip for a field trip, she CANNOT consent. #MeAt14
— Belle (@belredder) November 11, 2017
This is me at 14. I was on the gymnastics team and sang in the choir. I was not dating a 32 year old man. Who were you at 14? Tweet a pic, tell us who you were and pic to the top of your page #MeAt14 #NoMoore pic.twitter.com/HPVzMgaD8h
— Lizz "Some Activist " Winstead (@lizzwinstead) November 12, 2017
This is #MeAt14; although I was a HUGE Prince fan, I didn’t date a 32 yrs old man & they would have been scared to ask my Mom #NoMoore pic.twitter.com/ShuINPntjC
— Marie Delus (@MarieDelus) November 12, 2017
#MeAt14 I worshipped my brother. I loved my dog, Pucci. I loved OMD. I had Big hair. I was happy. I was innocent.
Please share your #MeAt14. pic.twitter.com/ccPyVHgcVS
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) November 12, 2017
Just in case there’s any doubt that a 14 year old is a CHILD! #MeAt14 #NoMoore pic.twitter.com/2eElHSTxt9
— Orli Matlow (@HireMeImFunny) November 11, 2017
This is me at 14. I had just gotten my 1st job & was excited to be in my church’s fashion show. I wasn’t dating 30 yo men! #MeAt14 #NoMoore pic.twitter.com/XFF0pOhofa
— Areva Martin, Esq. (@ArevaMartin) November 13, 2017
Moore revealed that he doesn’t “remember ever dating any girl without the permission of her mother.” He seems to be unaware of the fact that if you have to ask someone’s mom for permission to “date” them, you shouldn’t be dating them in the first place. People were rightfully outraged by Moore’s use of the phrase “dating” to describe what he was doing with these underage girls.
This is me at 14, a shy and innocent bookworm. No way is a 14-yr-old developmentally prepared to date a 32-yr-old man. #MeAt14 #NoMoore pic.twitter.com/e5pYBcMyx3
— Fern Naomi Renville (@Fern_Renville) November 12, 2017
Check out the rest of the #MeAT14 images here.
