![Joelcuellarx400](https://www.advocate.com/media-library/joelcuellarx400.jpg?id=32702532&width=1200&height=900)
CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
An 18-year-old man who was accused of molesting an 11-year-old boy is defending his actions by saying that that he and the boy are gay.
Joel Cuellar of McAllen, Texas, was caught with his pants down in a parked car, accompanied by the sibling of one of his friends. They were parked at a local soccer park, while Cuellar was supposed to be taking the younger boy to a movie. Cuellar admitted to participating in sexual activity with the boy on three to four occasions.
Though he used the gay defense, MaleSurvivor executive director Christopher Anderson told Valley Central News that the defense of saying that he and the boy are gay has no basis on the boy's age of consent.
"There's absolutely no way that an 18-year-old can say that it's O.K. for us to have been doing this because he wanted it or were just made this way," Anderson said. "Homosexuality does not in any way justify sexual molestation of a child."
According to Anderson, about 1 in 6 boys will be sexually molested before they reach age 18.
Terry Canales, Cuellar's attorney, released a statement on the case, and said he hoped there would be a swift legal resolution, "So that the mental healing process can begin for all parties." He added, "As always, it is difficult comment on an ongoing criminal case, without jeopardizing the attorney client privilege, or a clients rights. What I can say is these are very serious allegations, and my client and his family are prepared to respond. Obviously, this is a troubling case for everyone involved, including the alleged victim and his family."
Watch the report below:
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
21+ steamy photos of Scotland’s finest gay men in Elska Glasgow
February 01 2024 10:07 PM
More Than 50 of Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Moms
May 12 2024 11:44 AM
Conjoined twins Lori Schappell and trans man George Schappell dead at 62
April 27 2024 6:13 PM
Latest Stories
Nancy Pelosi endorses Kamala Harris for president
July 22 2024 4:07 PM
Charli XCX declares Kamala Harris IS brat & our next President's campaign agrees
July 22 2024 3:08 PM
Pete Buttigieg roasts JD Vance and his gay tech bro billionaire
July 22 2024 1:42 PM
The AIDs pandemic can be ended by 2030, but governments must act: report
July 22 2024 1:01 PM
Conservatives' first attack on Kamala Harris: Pronouns and accessibility?
July 22 2024 12:45 PM
Advancing equality during Disability Pride Month
July 22 2024 11:30 AM