Here is the compilation of posts I have made to address my observations, the latest media coverage, pertinent topics, and more.
—Georganne Chapin, Executive Director
Intact America celebrates 15 years!
Intact America (IA) is celebrating our 15th birthday! "Celebrating" might sound like a strange word to use, when you consider that the practice Intact America is fighting – the routine amputation of baby boys' foreskins – is still all-too-common in U.S. hospitals. In...
“Do You Know?” May Is Masturbation Month
May is Masturbation Month. If you missed it, you can always indulge belatedly! Intact America followers probably know that circumcising boys (and even girls) by doctors began around 150 years ago as a "remedy" for masturbation. Victorian era doctors believed that...
“Do You Know?” About the Limits of Parental Consent
Many people believe that parents should be free to make any decision for their children whatsoever. However, there ARE limits to parental decision-making, and many of these are inscribed in law. For example: · It is illegal to tattoo a child, whether the child's...
Opposition to Child Genital Cutting is Based on Human Rights, Not Anti-Religious Sentiments
Since Intact America’s founding in 2008, our organization’s stated goal has been to “change the way America thinks about circumcision.” Our Vision statement says: Intact America envisions a world where children are free from medically unnecessary surgeries carried out...
“What Is Making These Guys So Angry”
We cannot deny that the increasing violence being perpetrated in America today is carried out by boys and men. "Mental illness" is invoked as an explanation, and "more mental health services" are proposed as a solution. Bigotry and hate – perhaps even more complex...
Do You Know: Why Lawsuits Won’t End MGC?
It seems so clear, right? Cutting a boy's genitals violates the U.S. Constitution, state and federal laws against sex-based discrimination, and statutes and regulations regarding the use of government funding for medically unnecessary services. It also meets...
Letter to an Unenlightened Urologist
On October 11, 2021, the New Yorker magazine published an essay by popular writer Gary Shteyngart, recounting how being circumcised when he was seven years old resulted in decades of misery and complications. On November 1, the magazine published three comments in...
Do You Know: The History of Racism in American Circumcision?
At a time when human dignity is under assault in our nation and institutionally sponsored racial violence is escalating, I want to say that Intact America stands with those fighting for justice. I also want to talk about how racist myths and stigma have been used to...
A silver lining to the COVID-19 pandemic?
In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the American College of Surgeons released an advisory recommending that that hospitals, health systems and surgeons "thoughtfully review all scheduled elective procedures with a plan to minimize, postpone, or cancel electively...
“Born Complete”: International Hypocrisy Day 2019
by Georganne Chapin On Wednesday, February 6, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) rolled out — with much digital fanfare — International Zero Tolerance Day for Female Genital Mutilation.” After scanning the promo, I’m inspired to suggest a few alternative...