Satellite radio talk show host Howard Stern told millions of listeners this Tuesday that he felt male infant circumcision should be illegal in the United States, declaring it a “mutilation.” Stern’s statements coincide with Genital Integrity Awareness Week, during which opponents of circumcision will be rallying at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. and across several U.S. cities.
In a half-hour segment, Stern interviewed Ron Low, an anti-circumcision activist and industrial engineer who developed and actively promotes several devices that enable circumcised men to restore their foreskins.
The interview was predictably lighthearted with all the typical Stern show hijinks, yet it was also respectful and informative. Low had ample opportunity to discus the function and purpose of the male foreskin. Many times during the interview, Stern said he agreed with Low that circumcision should be illegal. Stern was less enthusiastic about the prospect of foreskin restoration, stating: “Is it really worth all that effort? I don’t know that it’s that important to me at this point in my life.”
The interview was predictably lighthearted with all the typical Stern show hijinks, yet it was also respectful and informative. Low had ample opportunity to discus the function and purpose of the male foreskin. Many times during the interview, Stern said he agreed with Low that circumcision should be illegal. Stern was less enthusiastic about the prospect of foreskin restoration, stating: “Is it really worth all that effort? I don’t know that it’s that important to me at this point in my life.”
Low also spoke about his respect for Van Lewis, an early and well respected member of the anti-circumcision community. Lewis was jailed in 1970 for peacefully protesting against infant male circumcision on the public sidewalk in front of Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. Lewis is critically ill at this time.
Stern wrapped things up by telling Low, “You’re preaching to the choir . . . I happen to agree with you that foreskin removal should be illegal. It is a mutilation.” He went on to say, “Good luck and we do support your cause.” Low then asked Stern if he would sign a photo album to be auctioned off with the proceeds going to Intact America and Howard agreed.
Here is one excerpt from the satellite radio segment: “Ron, I agree with you that men should not be circumcised, that when a baby is born . . . I don’t know where this circumcision came from, some people feel it’s a religious thing, it’s about health, it’s about cutting off the foreskin makes your penis less likely to get cancer. There’s been all kinds of myths. I think it’s nonsense. That if you’re born that way, it seems to me it’s a mutilation to cut it off. The same way in Africa they sometimes cut off a woman’s clitoris and they think that’s justified. I think our foreskins were cut off in order to desensitize us, and I think it was a bunch of religious nudnicks who decided they didn’t want us going around fornicating so they cut off some of our penis skin.”
To listen to the full interview, go to http://tlctugger.com/Media/HowardStern2011-03-29-RonLow-mono.mp3
© 2011 Rebecca Wald
© 2011 Rebecca Wald
As a long time fan of Howard and an intactivist since starting my own family 9 years ago, this is simply a great thing to read! I'd love to give you guys a shout out on the Intactivist blog at http://www.intactivist.net too! 🙂
Thanks!
Thank you, Howard.
Congrats to Howard for taking a stand on this very important human rights issue! I only wish more celebrities would stand up for male infants and childrens rights, so the mainstream public would catch on quicker.
Thanks to HS for giving this subject some much needed airtime, this is a totally barbaric practice that should have been banned a long time ago. The trouble is that I speak to younger American parents and they think it is strange not to do it, that is how big the lies and brainwashing are, some don't even know what a foreskin is and think it is strange, they call it "that extra bit"?????
The lies are perpetrated by religious nutters who should not be setting laws and telling people nonsense about how great and healthy this insane practice is.
I was told that it became so widespread because many Doctors in the US are Jewish, and that is why it spread, but I am not sure that is true. Give the person the choice when they are 18, because despite the lies it is no worse having it done then than when you are a baby, it's just that babies can't tell us so.
We don't do it to women, so why are we allowed to butcher boys?
Russell Crowe should not apologize. Especially that some modern liberal Jews in the US have not waited for him to do what he suggests, organizing a symbolic ceremony to replace ritual circumcision.
http://www.aish.com/jl/l/b/48959461.html
http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/1330472/jewish/Isnt-a-Brit-Barbaric.htm
I'll be watching Americas got talent and so will millions. I hope he says something.
Howard has always been cool on the the subject of circumcision. He makes obscene jokes sometimes, but they're harmless.
Way to go Howard Stern! I'm with you on this!!
Ron is a hero. Spoke to him for 30 min. mych respect. I'm starting restoration soon. At the moment I often wear thin cloth wraps to prevent chaffing 24/7. chaffing is the worst part. You walk around feeling all vulnerable and exposed that for skin protects and lubricates the tip. Sad I won't get it back but restoration is making the best of what you got and moving on. That's all you can do.