What is an Intactivist?

(as published in the Tabloid - for the Athens Human Rights Festival 2012)

     Have you ever heard of intactivism?  It’s a new term for a lot of people, even though the activism it describes has been around for… well, ever.

Intactivist are human rights activist who advocate leaving the foreskin of babies and young boys ON their penises.  There have been people opposed to circumcision since circumcision began, and although the surgery has been pretty normal in the United States for the last 100 years, a movement that began in the 70’s to end this forced body modification is now becoming the next big issue.

     Like all rights movements, intactivism is centered around the goal of giving a right to an individual that society has failed in the past to see as a right bearer; like allowing women to vote, or gay people to marry.  The right in this case is called genital integrity (the right to refuse amputation of a healthy part of the genitals) and those that should have it are men. 

     Part of the job of any rights advocate is to dispel the myths around a subject that are responsible for keeping people thinking that the rights violation is ok.  If you met an intactivist (if you stopped by the genital integrity booth at the festival) they would tell you a lot of things that might not be what you’ve always thought were true, like: the foreskin is good for the penis, men are NOT so inferior in mind and skill as to need amputation in place of bathing, or that circumcision can be very, very dangerous.

     Moms and dads ‘to be’ are the main targets for this blossoming activism.  In the last few years, with the help of the internet, thousands of individuals, and several new grassroots groups like The WHOLE Network and Saving our Sons, join some long standing organizations including NOCIRC and Doctors Opposing Circumcision to take on the task of education.

     This is a bigger social problem than just misinformed parents, though. Circumcision is a money making procedure, and foreskins themselves fetch a price for medical and beauty products.  The new organization Intact America aims its activism at the professionals and organizations that have incentive to continue the practice and perpetuate medical myths such as the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics. 

     Because genital integrity is being denied to men, it is a men’s rights issue, but if you stop to think about it, the everyday occurrence of a forced body modification is everyone’s issue.  Since it happens when they are children, it is a children’s rights issue.  Female circumcision has been illegal since 1997, and that makes it a gender equality issue.  As it treats no disease or symptom, and lacks consent, it is a patient’s rights issue.  It is paid for by Medicaid in most states, so it’s also a taxpayer’s issue.  Due to the 14^th amendment guaranteeing equal protection under the law, it is a constitutional issue.  Many have even argued that because circumcision is a sexual violence that perpetuates sexism, it is a feminist issue.  I could go on, but suffice it to say: because it allows a violation of rights to exist, it is a human rights issue.

Children's Rights

Why it is said that circumcision violates a child's rights?
Circumcision on a healthy child is amputation of a healthy body part. You have to put it in perspective of equality, not normality. That means you ask: could you amputate any other healthy part? (no, they have the right to keep their healthy parts) Could you amputate that same part from a man or a woman without asking [yes women have foreskin]? (no, they have the right to their autonomy) In order to treat the child like an equal, you have to imagine that he is the grown man he will become.

Why is it said that formula feeding violates a child's rights?

The question is what a parent is obligated to provide. When you choose to have a child, you are willingly obligating yourself to protecting all of the child's rights, and providing for all of its needs. If you have a sweater and it's cold out, you are obligated to give the sweater to your child. If you choose to give them a thin t-shirt, you have taken care of a need, but only halfway. This is sort of a murky issue, because people choose to believe that the t-shirt (formula) is just as good as the sweater (breast milk). Will your child die?  Probably not, but the measure of harm isn't the deciding factor. He does have the RIGHT to the best and most appropriate thing you have available.

Why is it said that spanking violates a child's rights?
Any kind of hitting is violence, and violence violates the human right of autonomy. The motive of the hitter cannot change that. This is another issue of equality vs familiarity, so we have to ask: is it appropriate to hit your spouse when they don't do what you say? (no, violence violates their human right) Would you allow your teacher or parent to hit you? (You too, appreciate nonviolence) If I, we or they have a right, I, we and they have it when I, we and they are children.

Giving Thanks

I spent $66.87 on a 12 pound turkey.

My turkey was expensive because it was raised free range with no antibiotics or hormones. It's better for me, better for the earth, and the real reason: better for the bird. I love turkey, and I love turkeys (the live animals).

I don't even like Thanksgiving, and I don't like the way turkeys are raised, so I don't usually "do" turkey dinner, BUT I love to eat turkey, and there it was, not even frozen! I have never even SEEN a free range turkey in a grocery store before.

I think of it like a tennis shoe. I wouldn't buy it if I KNEW someone was being abused during its making. With meat, unless it says "free range" then... =( It doesn't feel like I'm thankful for being able to eat if I'm putting my money vote toward unhappy lives in a cage.

Sorry this isn't a very fun share. I'm not judging, just encouraging. I can't afford it, so I know other people can't afford it, but if we all gave it a shot one year, the price would come down, and we could save the turkeys. (cue sappy music)

10~26~11

I have chosen my gods
one is feminine
she is compassion and generosity
the giver
one is masculine
he is desire and appreciation
the receiver
their name is Love

My Fellow Intactivists

Sharing information about circumcision with someone who believes the old myths is a lot like trying to feed a wild animal. You cannot run up to them screaming EAT THIS! No matter how nutritious and wonderful the food, it's NOT going to work. You must sit calmly, slowly extend the 'food', and if it is not taken, simply leave it there. They might get curious after you're gone and sniff around. Remember that no one likes to be judged, and if you make them defensive of themselves, their children, or their perceived rights, you make them defensive of circumcision, and that's the last thing you want. \ /,,

Is it, or is it not Anti-Semitic?

There's a lot of chatter about the comic Foreskin Man being anti-semitic. Well, it's a lot of anger and name calling actually. This cannot just be a "yes it is", "no it's not" back and forth. This needs to be broken down.
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What is anti-semitism? It's hatred of all people who are semites and expressions of that hate. A lot of anti-semites use negative portrayals of jews to express themselves, but that does NOT mean than anything negative associated with Jews comes from hate of Jews as a people.

What exactly is it that is supposedly anti-semitic? The bad guy is Jewish, and particularly gruesome. But that in itself isn't anti-semitic. That's just the point of comics, the good and the bad are exaggerated. He's the bad guy because he wants to cut parts off of the baby's penis and suck on it, NOT because he's Jewish. There also isn't anything that implies in the comic that all Jews are like this. (So there's no bigotry either.) Just as in the first book nothing implied that ALL doctors are horrendous slobbering monsters. The boy's mother is Jewish, and so opposed to circumcision that she tells Foreskin Man to take the baby to another woman.

 It's not meant to be taken literally. I mean, the henchmen had freeking machine guns. Does that mean that all Jews are machine gun carrying murderers or that brises are all carried out by force if someone objects? NO, it's an exaggeration of the bad guy.

I think a couple of things are going on here. One is that this comic is being taken by itself and not in the context of the overall message. Unfortunately, there are only 2 books out so far, so it's hard to understand the bigger picture; but if you read the first book, you will see the same exaggeration of the bad guy in the white American doctor role. The point of these stories is that men deserve choice. If they were to address all forms of circumcision leaving out the Jewish element, that would be like saying that Jewish babies aren't worth speaking up for. THAT would be anti-semitic.

Second is that many simply WANT to point and cry hate because it's an easy distraction from the point that ALL men deserve the right to refuse unnecessary amputation of their healthy body parts. There is NO argument against that fact, so, distractions are needed. This attack on Foreskin Man comes in direct opposition to the proposed circumcision ban in San Fransisco. It's not just Jews distracting, and it's not just Foreskin Man that is being used. Plenty of people are distracting the argument from one of protecting men's equality, to parental decision making and governmental meddling.

I'm not saying there isn't genuine hurt and misunderstanding for people, but In the end, offense is an interpretation of intent. That means that once you know anti-semitism is NOT the intent, then you don't HAVE to keep being offended.   \ /,,

Even When You Lose, You are Winning

For everyone who spends their precious energy spreading the word about Genital Integrity and the harms of genital mutilation, Attachment Parenting and the harms of spanking or crying it out, or the superiority of mother's milk. Don't get frustrated! Don't give up! Remember: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WIN! The task is NOT to change the mind of the person who happens to choose to argue with you. Those who disagree and spend their time opposing your message may likely never change their mind. They were already the ones most likely to respond negatively to you. You are presenting a perspective for the thousands of others who may never type a single letter about the subject. Use the arguments of your opponent as an opportunity to address the various issues in the minds of those READING. If they never "get it" and go through every argument in the book, GREAT! All that means is that you've managed to get every point out, and they helped you do it. Allow this to help you detach from the frustration of hearing the other side, or thinking you've "lost" because that one didn't change their mind. You're battling an IDEA over and over and it is being witnessed.


Right now, some babies and children will lose, and it may be your unfortunate perspective as a freedom fighter to know about it, but it does not mean you are losing. As long as we are out there, we are being productive and we are going to win, because humanity WANTS to change, even when it doesn't seem like it. We WANT to be kind, loving and respectful to our children and we all want a society that respects human rights equally. We just need the support, and freedom to do it. This is a long term goal, so don't worry about the ups and downs. Cruelness and lack of compassion are just symptoms of cruelness and lack of compassion, NOT innate traits. Let this help you put up your case with a calm and righteous heart, with confidence and compassion, and without insults or belligerence, even when that is what is handed to you.

And THANK YOU for all that you do!