If You’re Going To San Francisco… Arrive Circumcised

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Apparently you can leave your heart in San Francisco, but your foreskin is going home with you. — Lewis Black

Will voters in SF have a choice on the ballot put forth by “intactivists” about whether or not the practice of circumcision for boys is illegal? Likely. According to KPCC, A San Francisco group has gathered over 12 thousand signatures, more than enough to put a measure on the November ballot, that would ban performing circumcision on males under 18 in that city. The measure seeks to amend an existing law that prohibits genital mutilation on females by including protection for males as well. Those who violate the law would face a fine of up to $1000, and up to a year in jail. As can be imagined, this is a touchy issue. Many religious groups have spoken out against the proposed law, calling it unconstitutional because it violates religious freedom. Larry Mantle, the veteran host of AirTalk, recently interviewed Jonathon Conte, a member of the Bay Area Intactivists Group and spokesperson for the San Francisco Male Genital Mutilation Bill.

Backers of a November ballot measure that would ban circumcision of males under 18 years old in San Francisco say they have enough signatures to bring the proposal to voters.

Read more at the San Francisco Examiner: http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/2011/04/san-francisco-circumcision-ban-makes-november-ballot#ixzz1LF7DQ1up

BTW The Examiner uses a photo of an instrument NOT USED by Jewish mohels – that contraption would scare anyone.

While Jews and Muslims could join together on this issue – both communities have the tradition – I doubt that a joint Jewish-Muslim Foreskin Teach-In will be in the works any day soon.

Let’s see if the courts let this one on the ballot.