Saving Our Sons

Iceland to Ban Infant Circumcision, Introduces 6-year Jail Term for Offenders

As reported by the Truth Command

While many Americans may be circumcised, largely as a result of the prevalent Judeo-Christian tradition in the country, that isn’t the case everywhere else. And if a new law passes in Iceland, circumcisions in the country will become not just rare, but illegal.

A new proposed legislative amendment would ban the practice of childhood circumcision, making circumcision of a child illegal, and punishable by up to six years of prison time. The bill, which is supported by members from at least five different political parties (including, among others, the Pirate Party, the Left Green, and the Progressive Party), calls for amendments to the current criminal code in the country.

In fact, the proposed legislation clearly states “[Anyone found] removing sexual organs [from any child or woman], in whole or in part, shall be jailed for six years.” And unlike many health and public safety laws in the United States, there isn’t an exemption on religious grounds, as the draft makes clear. As the draft notes “While it is certainly the rights of the parents to give their children guidance when it comes to religion, such a right can never exceed the rights of the child.”

This is part of a growing trend in Europe, as Danish doctors have recently also spoken out against childhood circumcision. As the bill notes, “Circumcision involves permanent interventions into a child’s body that can cause severe pain, also such an operation involves a risk of infections and other problems.” As a result, the bill states that while the child may eventually decide they want to be circumcised, they cannot do so until the age of consent, “to understand what is involved in such action.” In Iceland, the age of consent is 15.

While the rate of circumcision in Iceland is currently rather low, it is not unheard of, and there is still some debate surrounding the issue—and not just in Iceland. In addition to Danish doctors who have previously spoken out against circumcision, there is also a movement underway in Norway, as the Progress Party (FrP)—the country’s third-largest party, and more commonly known for their anti-immigration policies—chose to support a bill outlawing childhood circumcision before age 16.

While it remains to be seen if the bill in Iceland can pass, there’s certainly some momentum behind it.

Photo credit: Exploring Iceland

Related Reading:

Should I Circumcise? The Pros and Cons of Infant Circumcision
SavingSons.org/2014/12/should-i-circumcise-pros-and-cons-of.html

Functions of the Foreskin, Purposes of the Prepuce:
DrMomma.org/2009/09/functions-of-foreskin-purposes-of.html

Intact vs. Circumcised: A Significant Difference in the Adult Penis
DrMomma.org/2011/08/intact-or-circumcised-significant.html

Foreskin and its 16+ Functions (not 'just skin')
SavingSons.org/2015/09/foreskin-and-its-16-functions-not-just.html

Foreskin Facts Postcards (oversized) available at Etsy

Baby Center Intact Discrepancy

In looking at the various definitions and descriptions of circumcision, the foreskin, and risks of forced infant genital cutting, a bold discrepancy exists between BabyCenter in the U.S. and BabyCentre in the U.K.

When examining the functions of the foreskin, and the reason this body organ exists on all mammals born on earth, one may be wise to look at information coming out of intact nations, vs. those that have deep roots in myth-based cultural practices of amputating organs without medical necessity.

Foreskin Facts chart for sharing - available in large placards at Etsy.

You are welcome to download/print as well.

Every mammal in the animal kingdom is born with foreskin.

Stickers available at Etsy.

College of Nurse-Midwives Annual Meeting Intact Exposition Booth

Please support and join us at the American College of Nurse-Midwives Annual Meeting and Exhibition as we host a public intact education booth outside the Savannah Convention Center!

This is the largest event of its kind for nurse-midwives, who work hand-in-hand with expecting mothers across the nation, and play a pivotal role in influencing parents deciding whether or not to keep their babies intact.

In addition, on May 20th, between 1-5pm, the workshop titled, "Elective Newborn Circumcision: Skills for Nurse Midwives" will be presented to teach nurse-midwives how to become involved in infant genital cutting using Gomco and Mogen clamps. Organizer, Michelle Drew, writes, "The purpose of this session is to provide didactic education and hands on simulation on the risks benefits and alternatives to male circumcision; how to provide informed consent and practice on performing the procedure for newborn male circumcision using both the Gomco and Mogen clamps." View workshop: http://annualmeeting.midwife.org/schedule/elective-newborn-circumcision-skills-for-nurse-midwives/

We were offered the option to host a booth inside the convention center during this event ($2600/week), however, as with health expositions in the past, we know from experience that the ability exists to reach *far more* people outside the venue, on public grounds, than inside, and for half the cost. By establishing a professional intact booth outside, we are able to speak with all nurse-midwives coming and going from the convention, as well as organizers and attendees for other exhibitions taking place this week, speak with news media, and have the added power-packed benefit of reaching the masses of commuters walking and driving by the convention center each day.

Our location will be in place Day One of the conference to greet people as they arrive for the kick-off to the weekend. We will have materials that closely fit the field of nurse-midwifery, the theme of the conference, and those that local birth centers have chosen to use as their hand-outs for parents over the past 5 years. We would also like to raise the funds needed ($375/person) to have at least one SOS representative inside the May 20th presentation on elective circumcision training.

In addition, we will have the SOS Odyssey traveling billboards across the street for added exposure to the message, in a fashion that is positive, pro-intact, and proactive.

If you have a heart for professional education, please join us any or all days in Savannah, and support generously as you are able. All clinical booth hosts will be traveling by plane from out-of-state to attend this event, and are in need of a local accommodations as well. We expect to give materials out to approximately 300/day given our experience at past (similar) venues of this size, and would like all our items to be top-notch and professionally produced.

To support this event: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=QCJHXYGUNJ4WA

At YouCaring: https://www.youcaring.com/NurseMidwifeExpo

Or by mail to:

Saving Our Sons
PO Box 1302
Virginia Beach, VA 23451

THANK YOU!

Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/293797381147412/

College of Nurse-Midwives Intact Exposition Booth Supporters

★ Max R., Intact Australia

★ Dolores S.

★ Danelle D.

Four New Traveling Billboards

We are nearing Genital Integrity Awareness Week, and the start of a spring season that will hold many SOS Odyssey dates, as well as numerous rallies and events in other formats. To fill in the gap and meet the positive, pro-intact, awareness raising need, there are four new traveling billboards we would like to have made.

Each will be high quality, extra durable/thick, outdoor vinyl that stands up very well to weathering and lasts many years. They are made with vibrant high colors for visibility a far distance off, and built with metal grommets and solid detachable framework. This allows them to be borrowed by intactivists across the nation, and travel well to a large variety of events. Each costs $150 total to be professionally produced with all materials, and will be seen by hundreds of thousands of Americans this year -- starting with the SOS Odyssey: Delaware, moving onto the Hospital of Central Connecticut, and then to Washington D.C. and beyond.

Please help us get these into production! We will update below each one, and have it sent in as soon as funds are raised. Each contributor will be named on the back side of the traveling billboard that you give toward. Click the banner image to give, or if you prefer to donate without PayPal taking a percentage, send via "friends/family" to SavingSons@gmail.com with a note about how you'd like your gift allocated.

Thank you for helping make these giant banners a reality!

HONK if you ♥ Foreskin

~~Remaining to fund:~~ Fully Funded!

Give toward this banner

A special THANK YOU to Jason O. who covered 2/3 of this banner!

Contributors:

☆ Jason O.

☆ Max R.

Restoring Your Foreskin Yet?

~~Remaining to Fund:~~ Fully Funded!

Give toward this banner
A huge THANK YOU to Max R. who covered the costs of this traveling billboard!

Contributors:
☆ Max R.

Peace Love Foreskin

~~Remaining to fund:~~ Fully Funded!
Give toward this banner.
A special THANK YOU to Max R. for covering 2/3 this banner!

Contributors:

☆ Max R.
☆ Christina B.
☆ remaining from IntactPride domain donation

Intact Celebs ** THIS IS NOT THE BANNER IMAGE **

A graphics team is currently working on the most impacting celebs banner possible to reach the intended audience: young people in their high school/college years who will be tomorrow's parents. If you have thoughts on who SHOULD be included on this banner, please drop your comment on the SOS Facebook page, or send a note anytime to SavingSons@gmail.com.

~~Remaining to Fund:~~ Fully Funded!
A special THANK YOU to Melinda S. who covered 2/3 of this banner!

Contributors:

☆ Melinda S.

☆ James V.

☆ Luis M.

☆ Arielle R.

☆ Hella O.

☆ Tesha H.

☆ Jennifer R.

☆ Alexis M.

Intact Billboard During FGM Trial in Michigan

Help us bring this billboard to Detroit!

Over the past year we have received many requests to host a quality, pro-intact billboard in an ideal location in Detroit during the next year while the FGM trial takes place. While we do not typically feel that the exorbitant costs of billboards in less-traveled areas are worth the payout (especially when traveling billboards cost a mere fraction of the amount and are seen by just as many in large metropolitan areas; or maternity expos at large venues reach thousands of expecting mothers for pennies-to-the-dollar of a billboard), this is one exception.

The FGM case is a landmark one that is sure to receive national media attention, and is an ideal time to draw the connection between all forms of genital cutting. In addition, the trials take place in a Michigan location that is deep in the heart of a cutting culture (see Jonathon Conte's map here). For these reasons, we set out to accept template designs, and a number of ideas and examples were presented. Through various focus groups and public forums, a billboard (its wording, colors, domain, and image) was selected that reflects genital autonomy for all, and stirs people to think about this subject from another perspective in the midst of the FGM trial. Please feel free to message the Saving Our Sons Facebook page with questions or concerns you have.

• The neutral colors of baby's fingers wrapped around an adult's finger represents babies of all sexes, and reinforces the message that all babies deserve protection.

• The tag line 'Say NO to Infant Circumcision' was chosen because it will not be lost on viewers. While we prefer to use the term 'forced genital cutting' or 'genital mutilation' over its euphemism, most in Michigan (and the U.S. at large) agree that female genital cutting/genital mutilation is wrong, and the phrase does not stir the same emotional response in people. The concern is that they would see it in relation to the trial taking place and think, "Yes, cutting girls is wrong..." not making the bridge in thinking to this being about boys and intersex babies too. Because this is a billboard (not a personally held sign or face-to-face interaction), it needs to quickly move people to think and be curious enough to check things out themselves. A professional billboard is needed that will result in the most awareness raised in a positive manner, the most parents empowered with information they've not previously been privy to, and, ultimately, the most babies saved.

• The color of text was chosen because it has been shown in graphics studies to be most quickly read and retained by the human brain, and because it reflects the culturally-stereotypic color for boys.

• The IntactBaby.org domain brings the ubiquitous term intact front and center, and is short and sweet. The website can be formatted to have material on the trial, and its relation to male genital cutting at the forefront while the billboard is in place.

We are not expecting to raise enough for a digital billboard, which costs significantly more, so we are currently opting for a less expensive print billboard, in a prime location, heading into Detroit, as close as funding will take us to the courthouse. This will likely be $8,000 for 1 year. We have been in contact with several billboard hosting businesses for specific quotes and location options, and will update below with progress to goal and specifics as this is determined.

Should we not receive enough funding for a billboard, those who donate will have the option of receiving their donation back as a refund, or have this go toward the SOS Odyssey Traveling Billboards and Rallies that will take place during the trial in Detroit. The SOS Odyssey costs approximately $1,000 per 4-5 cities covered for 3-4 event coordinators heading things up, and reaches between 20-80K commuters per day, depending on location.

Thank you for your generous donation to erect this intact billboard before the trial begins!

• Also at YouCaring •

Individuals and Businesses Supporting the Intact Billboard in Detroit

★ Michelle and Chris M.
★ Jennifer R.
★ Jennifer and Chris D.

Donors also at YouCaring

Related Graphics

SOS Odyssey: Florida Intact Rallies

INTACT ODYSSEY:

• A voyage marked by fortunate changes
• An intellectual quest

The SOS Odyssey is a national intact rally, with traveling billboards, making stops in cities across the nation. We host positive, proactive, family-friendly events that raise public awareness and open doors, open hearts, and change minds for the future wellbeing of the next generation. We disperse information along the way, and empower local advocates to keep the momentum going long after we've left town.

Join us in Florida this December when we host events in Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Gainesville, and Orlando!

We will have the giant traveling billboards, and signs for everyone to use, and (provided funding needs are met) materials for you to take home and move your intact seed-planting to new heights! Come out with your family for a fun, friendly, positive day of awareness raising. Each location has been chosen with meaningful public exposure and children's participation and safety in mind.

If you live in any of these 4 locations and are willing to host 1-2 responsible, adult men in your home for one night, please message the Saving Our Sons Facebook page or email SavingSons@gmail.com. These gentlemen do not need much except for a safe place to sleep.

If you're unable to join us for the Florida Odyssey, please support this event. Each of the adults heading this tour have taken an unpaid week off work to make this happen, and will be traveling to Florida at their own expense to host. The cost of putting on this Odyssey is $1100, with gas between rally locations, overnights, and materials to give away to attendees and passerbys at each event location. Odyssey hosts will need to cover anything that isn't funded on our own -- please help us if you can. Your gift will go a long way this month, and these are the most cost-effective billboards to reach the widest number of people across the nation at each SOS Odyssey.

Thank you for your support, and we will see many of you in Florida!

♥ To give:

SOS Odyssey Supporters

With sincere gratitude - we cannot make this happen without you!

★ Jeffery S.
★ Amy E.
★ Kayla C.
★ Jessica S.
★ Robert B.
★ Aneesa B.
★ Tracie H.
★ Michael E.
★ Danelle D.
★ Brian B.
★ Elana J.
★ Brittany G.
★ Christy S.
★ Suzanna T.
★ Dawny R.
★ Bracken H.
★ Nicole W.
★ Melissa D.
★ Ryan B.
★ Courtney B.