Intact America’s newsfeed, or intactivist blog, contains a wide variety of timely topics concerning this human rights cause and divided into categories, including essays, events, press releases, our new Voices series, and much more. Subscribe using this RSS link.
Ask Marilyn—Is It Normal to Have Hair on Your Penis?
Dear Marilyn: I have hair going up the shaft of my penis. Is this normal? —Daniel F., Tulsa, OK Dear Daniel: Hair on human bodies varies by individual. Penile shaft hair is rare but most frequently it is the result of circumcision, which pulls scrotal skin onto the...
Ask Marilyn—Is a second circumcision advisable?
Dear Marilyn, The doctor cut off only a little bit of foreskin—way less than I’ve noticed in other circumcised babies his age (4 months)—when she circumcised my son. Should I take him for a second circumcision? Should I do it now or wait until he is older? How old?...
Ask Marilyn—What’s the impact of intactivism conferences?
Dear Marilyn: I’m looking forward to attending Intact 2022, the 16th International Symposium on Child Genital Cutting, in Atlanta this week. Can you tell me how child genital cutting symposia have impacted intactivism since you began organizing them in 1989? —Larry,...
Ask Marilyn – Circumcised vs Uncircumcised Babies: How Do You Care for One or the Other?
Dear Marilyn: My baby boy was circumcised when he was born two years ago. Once the wound healed, it’s been easy to keep his penis clean. But my friend says that her son’s intact penis is easier to keep clean. Who is correct? —Nicole, Arkansas Dear Nicole: Your friend...
Ask Marilyn – How to Stay Involved?
Dear Marilyn: You wouldn’t remember me, but we met many years ago at a conference. I’m an intactivist. I donate my time and money to the cause as much as I can. I am writing to ask you how you have managed to keep going for so long. You see, I am very angry at having...
Voices — Friendships
I think a lot about friendship these days. Becoming an intactivist eight years ago really changed how I interact with the world—not because I fear rejection, but because I know what I believe is sound and resolute—and this has had a profound impact on my friendships....
Ask Marilyn—Why Is Vigorous Masturbation Painful for this Intact Teen?
Dear Marilyn: This may fall into the category of TMI, but we are a sex-positive household, and no topic is taboo. My 14-year-old son is going through puberty and is worried that his foreskin pulls back only about half-way. He told me that it sometimes hurts if he...
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...
Ask Marilyn – Why do they keep asking me about circumcising my baby boy?
Dear Marilyn: Everything about my son’s birth was great. Except for one thing that keeps bugging me. Even though we knew early on that we’d keep him intact, people kept asking us if we wanted to circumcise him. I told my OB/GYN we didn’t want to, but on the next visit...
Ask Marilyn – I was circumcised, and there’s nothing wrong with me. Why do cut men complain?
Dear Marilyn: Some of my friends tell me they are bitter because they were circumcised as babies. They say they feel like they were robbed of ever experiencing full sexual pleasure. I don’t understand them. I am circumcised and enjoy sex very much. Honestly, I can’t...