u/Walkingonby99

18th Congress of the Federation of Sexology in Lisbon, Portugal, May 2026

>The European Federation of Sexology is a regional body of the World Association for Sexual Health.

1. Chair of the Darbon Institute Jonathan Meddings​ presented about their​ new course for professionals about supporting those affected by MGC. Access the training course.

2. Deputy CEO of 15 Square Jason Metters presented on their project collecting stories of men's lived experience of circumcision harms.

3. Peer Support worker at 15 Square, Dr Leif Thompson presented on online support services, why people should care about MGC, and how those affected are typically excluded.
   ...

The presenters emphasise that one of the most effective ways​ to change minds is helping those affected speak out. Thanks to everyone that participated! Its great to see movement happening on a bigger stage.

Extra bits if you're interested in more:

The Darbon Institute presented at the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) last year. If you don't remember, GALDEF was granted member status to WAS last year (!). WAS has an advisory role to WHO and the UN so it's very important.

Mon, 9th Feb 2026

>New research reveals Scottish taxpayers are spending hundreds of thousands of pounds to bankroll the ritual genital cutting of boys.

>A newly published response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request reveals one NHS Scotland paediatric centre, Lothian, is spending "up to £300,000 per year" on non-therapeutic male circumcision (NTMC).

>Ritual circumcision is provided at four paediatric centres – Grampian, Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lothian and Tayside – suggesting the true annual figure could be in the millions.

>This could be "up to a third of the paediatric surgery waiting list", the response adds.

>Circumcising boys is considered a religious rite in some Jewish, Muslim and Christian communities. Scotland is the only UK nation that funds religious circumcision on its NHS.

>The National Secular Society has repeatedly called on the Scottish Government to end NHS funding for ritual circumcisions on the grounds that performing dangerous, permanent and painful procedures on children without medical need violates their human rights.

>Earlier this month, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville warned of "hard choices" at the upcoming budget. Speaking about the NHS, she said: "we know we need to invest further."

>"That doesn't seem right"

>The FOI response shows Erin McKee – a special adviser to the First Minister – was shocked to learn that Scotland is the only UK nation to offer religious circumcision on its NHS: "can policy please confirm that statement by the [Daily] Record is correct that we're the only UK nation to offer on the NHS? That doesn't seem right".

>A colleague responds: "Yes, as far as we are aware, this is not offered in England, Wales and NI [Northern Ireland]".

>The NHS England website lists "permanent reduction in sensation in the head of the penis, particularly during sex" as a potential complication of circumcision.

>The General Medical Council, which regulates doctors in the UK, dealt with 39 complaints regarding circumcisions between 2012 and 2022. The complaints include incidents in which children's penises were left deformed and babies required blood transfusions.

>Repeated calls for end to Scottish NHS funding of religious circumcision

>The NSS argues performing ritual circumcisions on the NHS is incompatible with the Government's obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which was incorporated into Scots Law in 2024.

>Following a parliamentary question from Emma Roddick MSP in August, the Scottish Government said it "takes the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people very seriously " and is "currently considering its guidance" on religious circumcision.

>Polling shows the public overwhelmingly opposes medically unnecessary circumcision of boys.

>The developments come as new draft guidance from England's Crown Prosecution Service lists circumcision as a potential form of child abuse

related news links:

dailyrecord

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scottish-government-faces-calls-end-36682672

glasgowlive

https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/scottish-government-faces-calls-stop-33386927

This is a testimony from Droit au Corps, which was interesting to me because of his diverse background and beliefs, proof that intactivism is for everyone. Feminism is compatible with genital autonomy for all. People from different ethnic backgrounds can disapprove of genital cutting--something on my mind lately due to reading about Scotland NHS, who funds and perpetrates forced religious genital cutting, when men like Mr. Bestandji are themselves living proof of its harm.

Droit au Corps is a French intactivist organisation. Check them out if you have a minute.

(Translated from original French with deepl)

Naëm Bestandji, an essayist and journalist, describes himself as a secularist and a committed feminist. On 9 June 2026, on the social media platform X, he spoke out about the circumcision that was performed on him as a child. With his permission, we reproduce his account below.

[photo on webpage]

>In this photo, taken by my father to capture this ‘joyful’ moment, I am 8 years old. I am in a clinic, having been awake for a few hours after general anaesthesia. I hadn’t had an accident. I wasn’t ill. There was no medical reason for this operation. I had ‘simply’ been circumcised, against my will. The look on my face bears witness to that.

>I was mutilated with the support of the medical profession, and the French state turned a blind eye.

>My parents love me. They didn’t do this to hurt me. Indoctrinated by their religion, Islam, they were convinced it was for my own good, because God had asked them to do it. Aware that this argument is not sufficient in the 20th century, they reassured themselves by telling themselves that it was also a matter of hygiene. This is medically untrue, but it pleased them to believe it.

>In the days leading up to the operation, to calm me down and win me over, my parents told me that we’d have a little party afterwards, that I’d get presents and lots of tasty things to eat. I can barely remember any of that. But I do remember very clearly the pain when I woke up, the blood and betadine on my penis, and a sort of toothpick piercing my glans. For days on end, I could only wear a djellaba with nothing underneath because, at the slightest friction, the pain was excruciating. I remember very clearly the incredible pain I felt when trying to urinate, and the sight of that toothpick when I bent over. One might argue that this is only temporary, lasting just the duration of my recovery. That’s true, but I could easily have done without it, as there was no medical necessity. And, worse still, there are lifelong after-effects.

>Unlike other Muslims who are circumcised before the age of three, I therefore remember the pain very clearly. How can anyone inflict this on children???

>I also remember very clearly what it’s like to have a foreskin. So I can compare the two states. Since my circumcision, I’ve experienced a loss of sensitivity. This isn’t due to the operation itself, but to the absence of the foreskin that used to protect the glans. Were the lifelong consequences – with no possibility of going back – really worth the little presents and the tasty treats?

>When I think back on it today, I realise it’s surreal to celebrate the mutilation of a child.

>If a man wishes to be circumcised when there is no medical necessity, simply because of his beliefs and to affirm his belonging to a community, let him do so as an adult. Parents should not have the right to make such an irreversible decision, without medical grounds, simply on the basis of belief. Children’s physical integrity must be protected.

>As for secularism, if ‘the freedom to believe or not to believe, to practise or not to practise’ were a reality in France, the circumcision of children without medical grounds would be banned. One can change one’s religion. You cannot restore your body after it has been mutilated in the name of religion. If I’d been able to choose, if my parents had respected my refusal, I would never have been circumcised.

>I don’t blame them. They thought they were doing it for my own good. I blame the medical profession for agreeing to put me through this, and the Republic for refusing to protect some of its children by turning a blind eye.

>“Give me back my bit!” (Ali Babal)

Notes from Droit au Corps:

-Ali Babal, mentioned by Naëm Bestandji at the end of the testimony, is an apostate and critic of Islam who is strongly opposed to non-consensual circumcision. In 2024, our organisation took part in a programme broadcast on his YouTube channel.

-This is not the first time that Naëm Bestandji has spoken out publicly on the subject of circumcision. On 18 November 2024 on Facebook, he shared a column by Franck Ramus and wrote: ‘Circumcision is genital mutilation. It must be banned for minors. Children have the right to bodily integrity. This is enshrined in all charters of children’s rights. It is then up to each individual, once they reach adulthood, to decide whether or not they wish to undergo mutilation. However, when it comes to minors, French medical practice already prohibits surgically procedures that are not medically justified. Yet there is a degree of tolerance when the religion card is played. The religious argument must no longer be used as a licence to carry out mutilation. As a child, I was circumcised. I wasn’t asked for my opinion, even though it is my body. If I’d been able to choose, I wouldn’t have gone through with it.”

Super great to see the media attention! Huff v. Colorado is mentioned on a few other news outlets too: Westword, Colorado Public Radio, 98.5 KYGO, and The Daily Gazette. You can check out Intact global's page for the links.

Whats new this time around? Intact global is supporting two new plaintiffs in Colorado: Tristan Huff, 21 years old and from Fort Collins, and Adam Schwartz, 23 years old and from Denver. It takes a lot of bravery to go through with this, and I think there's a lot of us who are wishing these young men and the team all the best. Good luck!

If you haven't heard yet, Intact global's also been making some progress on their Oregon case. They've already passed some critical legal tests (eg. petitions to dismiss from the state have failed), which makes me hopeful for Colorado!

I'm sure they'd appreciate any words of support, spreading the news, and, if you'd like, donations to their Colorado fund.

Here's Intact Global's donation page:

https://www.intactglobal.org/support/donate

And heres the direct gofundme link for Colorado:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/back-intact-globals-fight-for-equal-protection-in-colorado

Alright, later everyone!