California Circumcision Ban Gains Phenomenal Support

It is a day to rejoice for the supporters of anti-circumcision initiatives. A group of supporters have drafted a Bill called “Male Genital Mutilation” and made it a reality on the ballot, to be voted upon. Although the residents of San Francisco would be voicing their opinions on circumcision practices in November, just the fact that the bill has been recognized calls for celebration for the MGM supporters. The MGM Bill outlines that circumcision is a misdemeanor on boys less than 18 years of age and should be punishable with one year imprisonment and a fine of $1000. The MGM Bill Group has filed legislation for more than 46 states.

A herculean task of attaining 7000 signatures was accomplished by the MGM Bill supporters with grace. Chief Director of 'Intact America' one of the largest Groups of activists in the United States, spoke to Huffington Post over the issue thus: "We believe that it is an utterly justifiable position to ask for a legal ban on the genital cutting of boys. We don't give a religious or cultural exception to the genital cutting of girls. So we support a ban on genital cutting of any kind."

Apparently the movement is inspired and modeled after the Female Genital Mutilation Bill that was implemented in the 1990’s. A comparison of the MGM with the FGM is inevitable when it comes to supporting the bill but beyond that, there lies little comparison, according to a certified M.D, Fred Kogen: "They are not analogous. The circumcision of a female is a complete disfigurement; it reduces their sexual enjoyment to zero, or even less than zero." He stressed the medical benefits of circumcision, having said that he had performed more than a 7000 in his career. “Various studies have suggested circumcisions can reduce the risks of both urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases". (Intactivists discount these studies.)

He further said that: "What it comes down to is that parents have to make the decision for their kids, like they do in all regards. What I don't like is that they're involving the government in saying whether or not people can do this. If it's a misdemeanor, people who perform circumcisions can lose their license. How can you lose your license for something that the research has shown there are benefits to?"

Strangely, medical authorities are mum on the issue.