The Modern Art Museum in Fort Worth is facing accusations of promoting child pornography in a controversial exhibit titled, “Diaries of Home.”
Several photographs in the art collection depict children in sexualized poses.
“These images are presented under the guise of art, but in reality, they sexualize children and exploit their innocence,” read a letter signed by dozens of pastors, religious liberty groups and concerned citizens.
The Danbury Institute, a public policy collective of churches and other religious groups, is spearheading the campaign to remove the photographs of the children from the museum’s collection, asking for people to add their name to the letter.
“This exhibit should be called what it is: child pornography,” they wrote in a letter to the Modern Museum of Art.
They noted that a museum plaque “shockingly describes the collection as showcasing ‘children naked, moody and in suggestive situations’ to ‘evoke an edgy, dark side of childhood.’”
“This characterization is morally unacceptable, and the exhibit as a whole effectively works to normalize pedophilia, child sexual abuse, the LGBTQ lifestyle, and the breakdown of the God-ordained definition of family.”
To that point, the museum promoted the exhibit as works created by women and nonbinary artists that tackle “dynamics of both biological and constructed families.”
The Dallas Express dispatched a reporter to investigate the exhibit leading to a story titled, “Is the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth Promoting Child Porn?”
One reporter noted there was a significant emphasis on "queerness." A video presentation featured a person very concerned about how homosexuals are treated.
“One of my major apprehensions around having a child was not knowing how we would be treated as queer people and queer parents. This is largely why I wasn’t interested in being pregnant,” the individual is heard saying during the video.
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The newspaper also noted there was a presentation showcasing a topless woman exposing herself and another photo that showed two women together in bed.
“There are images on display at this museum that are grossly inappropriate at best. They should be taken down immediately and investigated by law enforcement for any and all potential criminal violations. Children must be protected, and decency must prevail,” Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare told The Dallas Express.
The Tarrant County chapter of Citizens Defending Freedom told the newspaper the exhibit was deeply troubling and offensive.
“Child rape is not art, it’s pedophilia. Every adult that approves this, from the board to the staff, should be held accountable,” Tarrant County resident Leigh Wambsganss added.
The Danbury Institute said the museum must do the right thing and remove the underage children from the exhibit.
"Children cannot consent to such photography, and displaying these images publicly only perpetuates their exploitation. Such actions degrade the values of our community, endanger the innocence of childhood, and contribute to a dangerous cultural shift," the organization said.
The museum has yet to respond to the controversy.
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