Chicago City Wire

Pat Gamboney, a Jefferson Park resident, called on peaceful protesters to join him to oppose a controversial performance at the Chicago Fringe Festival, according to his Facebook post.

"We cannot condone or support pedophilia, this artist, or the feat that is hosting him in any way," Gamboney posted. "This is a show about how people should be accepting of pedophlia. We need to get out and protest against this. This is horrific and should not be tolerated in Jefferson park or anywhere."

According to DNAInfo.com, residents of the Northwest Side of Chicago objected to Sean Neely's "A Virtuous Pedophile," which he presented at the festival.

Sean Neely | Courtesy of ChicagoFringe.org

Neely argued that his play does not glorify or encourage sex abuse of children but explores the online world of adults who have sexual thoughts about children but do not act on those thoughts.

Neely says he's not a pedophile but the father of two children who sees the theater as a place to discuss the controversial topic.