Recent news reports have attempted to connect NAMBLA (the North American Man/Boy Love Association) with the two suspects in the death of Jeffrey Curley.

We deeply deplore Jeffrey Curley's murder and grieve at the tragic loss suffered by his family and friends. Condolences can do little but his loved ones certainly have ours.

It was reported that NAMBLA material was found in the possession of one of the two men. Having NAMBLA literature is not an indication of membership in the organization. Our publications are available openly in both gay and straight bookstores in the Boston area. We have a freely accessible web site, http://www.nambla.org, and we send information to all who request it (including any number of law enforcement officers.)

At no time has NAMBLA published pornographic material--as some of our literature was described in a few of the news reports. We have been repeatedly scrutinized over our nearly 20 year history and if we were engaged in illegal activities, NAMBLA would have been shut down long ago. We invite anyone interested to write in and see for themselves. Our address is listed below.

NAMBLA has a long-standing policy of not discussing who is or is not a member and we won't change that policy even if it would benefit us to do so in this case. We do say that the alleged actions of these two individuals run absolutely contrary to everything we believe in and stand for. NAMBLA condemns the use or threat of violence against anyone.

The actions of these two individuals are precisely that--the actions of individuals. These men have been described as Italian-American, Black, gay, and career petty criminals. If their acts don't reflect back on anyone else in these groups, it makes no sense to draw a connection between the suspects and NAMBLA and will only serve to divert attention from where it belongs.

Addressing Theresa Hanafin, City Editor of the Boston Globe, NAMBLA critiqued the Globe's story:

Today's Boston Globe carries a story by Judith Gaines, "Second Suspect Charged with Murder". This story prints lies about NAMBLA, the North American Man/Boy Love Association. Your reporter made no effort to verify these outrageous statements, although we provided our telephone number (212) 807-8578, our e-mail address, and our webpage, at http://www.nambla.org.

You failed to check your facts. What may be worse than your lapse, the lies you print are red herrings. The murder of Jeffrey Curley appears to have been committed by deranged people known to therapists and law enforcement officials to be violent, even dangerous. They are scapegoating to deflect attention from their failure, and you are helping them.

This is as bad as printing a story claiming the NAACP sponsors the rape of white women, or that the PTA sponsors the abuse of children by parents. It is not only false; it is stupid. We would do everything in our power to stop people who would murder a child. We do nothing illegal, nor do we encourage or assist anyone who would hurt a child.

We certainly disagree about some public policies, but we are not criminals.

Your original story noted that On its World Wide Web page, NAMBLA claims to be "a political, civil rights and educational organization" whose purpose is ``to end the extreme oppression of men and boys in mutually consensual relationships.''

However, the organization also said, "We condemn sexual abuse and all forms of coercion."

These facts are well known. They are verifiable by any ethical journalist.

Many prominent people have spoken up for us, and their statements are readily available on our WebPage."

A variety of quotations praising the NAMBLA's literature or reputedly buttressing its aims was attached to the NAMBLA statement. Those listed, favoring a more ethical approach to NAMBLA issues included Harry Hay, the late Allen Ginsberg, Camille Paglia, the late John Preston, Pat Califia, and Dr. John Money.