Intactivism: What You Can Do

[Joseph]

Here are some points of advice on being an intactivist:

1. You don't have to be loud and conspicuous to be an intactivist, here are a few things you can do on your own time to help further the cause:

a) Don't circumcise your children - this one's real easy!
b) Restore (if you are cut) - When and if people ask, tell them about it.


2. Talk to your friends and with your immediate family

a) Your partner needs to know you don't want to circumcise any children you might have with that person.
b) Talk with your siblings
c) Talk with your parents (this one might be hard)
d) Talk with your friends and co-workers

3. Participate in the discussion

a) When and if the subject comes up, set the record straight
b) If you can comment on blogs or news articles, DO IT!
c) Don't be bashful; join groups on Facebook and/or MySpace!
d) If anonymity is an issue, why not create dedicated accounts/e-mail addresses?

4. Spread the word

a) If possible, talk to prospective friends about it.
b) If you're feeling brave, you can approach pregnant women about it.
c) Leave pamphlets where they're likely to be read. As an example, some people are audacious and leave pamphlets in parent books in book stores, restroom stalls, etc.
d) Blog about it. Create websites, groups and/or intactivist profiles.
e) Provide links to information.


5. Counter the spread of misinformation

a) Write to erroneous newspaper/magazine editors/columnists, etc.
b) Correct people on forums, blogs, newspaper article comments, etc
c) Provide links to correct information.
d) Site your sources.

6. Get politically involved

a) Write to our political leaders (IE, our president, senators, congressmen, etc.)
b) Write to people at health organizations (IE, the CDC and AAP, the WHO , etc.)
c) If it is within your power, sue your circumcisor and/or hospital. Nothing gets the message across like a good law suit.

Check out the following links:

http://mgmbill.org/

http://www.circumcisionandhiv.com/the-aap-project.html

http://arclaw.org

7. Support Intactivist organizations!!!

Unfortunately we live in an age where our rights must be bought. Getting our voice heard increasingly depends on who has the most money. This manifests itself in the need for press releases, demonstrations at events, ad campaigns, the maintenance of websites etc...

Help get our voice heard by contributing to the following organizations, and/or spreading the word about the need to contribute to them:

Intact America

NOCIRC

NORM-UK

ARClaw

Circumcision and HIV


8. Get educated; KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT!!!

To be able to challenge and talk to people, you will need to be well versed. Learn about the latest HIV "studies." Learn about past excuses given for circumcision. Learn about peoples that practice circumcision out of religious or cultural custom, and the conflict of interest of phycisians from said cultures.

People use any and every excuse, and you have to be ready for them.

Check out the following resources:

http://cirp.org/

http://circumstitions.com/

http://www.circumcisionandhiv.com/

ADMINS, FEEL FREE TO ADD TO THIS LIST!