"It's extraordinarily frustrating because the more it goes on the more it looks like a witchhunt," the openly gay journalism instructor said in an interview last night. "It's getting into McCarthyism."
The debate is over Hannon's views that "intergenerational sex" is permissible in certain cases - views which he insists did not become part of his lessons to budding magazine writers in the Ryerson journalism class he teaches once a week.
"I have not used the classroom to espouse my views," he said. "Whatever my ideas they didn't enter the classroom unless they were relevant to teaching."
Hannon, who said he understands why people who want to "protect kids" are upset, stressed that although he holds those views he doesn't personally engage in adult-child sex.
"I am not interested in children or young people sexually. I have sex with people my own age," he said. Hannon said he's pleased many of his students are backing him.
"I think it's ludicrous. There is a lot of erroneous information out there," said Stacey Langbein, a second-year grad-school student.
"None of us agree with his personal beliefs but he is an amazing writer and an excellent teacher."
She said the only time he raised his views was to illustrate an example of how difficult it is to publish an extremely controversial viewpoint.
Classmate Michael Onesi said he resents people thinking that Hannon was trying to convert them into something they would not be party to.
Although he's not pleased Ryerson has begun an investigation into the issue, Hannon said he'll take part if asked.