Who is Gary Gibson and what is a ‘virtuous paedophile’? Christian who is anti-pornography
'Comfortably out' paedo Gary Gibson says although he would never act on his illegal desires, he wants to speak out to raise awareness for other virtuous paedophiles
A SELF-described "virtuous paedophile" who admits to being sexually attracted to girls as young as six has spoken about how he lives with his urges - and wants to raise awareness of others like him.
Gary Gibson, 65, of Oregon, US, told The Sun exclusively last week he is attracted to young girls but would never abuse one.
His British wife, Tabitha, appeard on This Morning to explain why she stands by her husband - despite being told he "sexually touched a five-year-old".
Who is Gary Gibson?
Gary Gibson, 65, of Oregon, is a “comfortably out” paedophile who is aroused by girls aged between six and 12 but chooses not to act on his urges.
The dad-of-three and former teacher is also a devout Christian opposed to watching pornography in any form.
He told The Sun exclusively he is attracted to young girls but would never abuse one - and says he has never been arrested for, or charged with, committing crimes against children.
Gary has three children from a past relationship who are aged between 38 and 42, and he says they have come to terms with the fact their father is a paedophile.
After they were born, he candidly revealed he made a pact with himself not to abuse any of them.
Happily married Gary, who says he comes from a family that has a dark history of incestual child sex abuse, lives with his wife Tabitha.
Astonishingly, he says his wife reacted calmly when he told her he was a paedophile five years into their marriage.
Gary says his wife was supportive in helping him set up the
The non-profit organisation brings together mental health professionals and individuals who are sexually attracted to children.
Gary's belief is that paedophiles don't have to abuse children and can restrain themselves.
Gary says that his fantasies about children are not purely sexual and usually revolve around behaviour that would be considered "grooming them" - where he is "on their level" and can have the "type of relationship you would have with an adult" even though he knows that is not possible.
He says his desires are "romantic" and not "purely sexual" but admits this might not be the same for other paedophiles.
He says he typically avoids "masturbating to scenes involving children" but he "doesn't beat himself up if that happens".
Gary said: "I don't feel bad it about because it's not reality, I can differentiate between fantasy and reality."
What is a 'virtuous paedophile’?
A virtuous paedophile is someone who admits to having a sexual interest in children but chooses not to act on their desires.
It is this decision that distinguishes them from a child molester who physically attacks children.
which has around 1,800 male and female registered user including parents of children, parents of paedophiles and a few sex researchers.
He said the site receives around 100 new posts a day.
Members in group support each other in trying to lead normal lives without committing child sexual abuse.
Virtuous paedophiles are "non-contact" paedophiles who believe that sexual activity between adults and children is wrong and always will be.
But they also work against the stigma attached to paedophiles.
Who is Gary Gibson's wife and why does she support him?
British-born Tabitha, who was raised in Canterbury, Kent, met Gibson through an online dating site while working in California in 2004.
They married a year later and Gary told her he was a paedophile in 2010.
When he "came out" to her, she advised him to become a counsellor to help other people "struggling with paedophilia".
Tabitha, a retired nurse who was trained in Windsor, Berkshire, said: “He told me was sexually attracted to children. I don’t remember when I put the two and two together and said ‘he’s a paedophile.’
“I don’t consider him to be a paedophile because like most people I consider a paedophile to be a child molester – which he isn’t.
“It was a slow dawning.
“Paedophilia doesn’t mean that you’re a child molester, and I think that’s where people are caught out.”
The pair say they have a normal sexual relationship.
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To make a donation to ASAP or STOPSO to help people with paedophilia receive therapy to help prevent child sexual abuse visit the links below.