Protesting Male Infant Circumcision

Heather Armstrong, Special to TC Media
Protesting Male Infant Circumcision
A small group of Intactivists gathered in Morrisburg to peacefully protest the practice of male circumcision (Heather Armstrong/ Seaway News).

MORRISBURG, Ontario – A busy Morrisburg intersection was the site chosen by a small group of protesters who call themselves Intactivists. On Sunday, Sept. 25 the group of 7 protesters gathered to peacefully bring awareness to the issue of male infant circumcision or mutilation as they deem it. The group would like to see a ban on the practice. The

Intactivists use the word “Cut” when referring to the procedure of circumcision.

Organizer Nicole Truesdell explained the choice of location when she said, “Morrisburg is a high cut area.”

Truesdell also said she would like to see a complete ban on practice of circumcising infant males. Until a ban happens she said, “I want people to make an informed choice.”

The information she wants highlighted is the risks involved. The common complications associated with circumcision are bleeding and infection. Truesdell said, “The possibility of hemorrhaging is 35 percent risk and the chance of developing Meatitis, (an inflammation of the urethral opening) is eight to 20 percent.”

Joey Moore another of the Intactivists sees the problem also as misinformation. He said circumcision is being sold as a disease preventative choice. He feels doctors are persuading young, new parents to cut their children by using fear tactics. He said, “They are constantly selling the boogeyman.”

Moore said he doesn’t understand why it is only females who can claim to be traumatized by their circumcision. All forms of circumcision need to stop. He said, “It is hypocritical to be against one but promoting another.”

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