Protecting the genital integrity and autonomy rights of all children
Through education and advocacy, we are committed to securing the birthright of male, female, and intersex infants and children to keep their sex organs intact. .
Every child has an inherent right to his or her own body and that, when it comes to the cutting or other alterations of children's genitals, all must end. We cannot protect one child and not another. The rights of the child trump parental, cultural, and religious preferences. Every child must be protected, regardless of gender, race, culture, or religion, and we are all working to protect those rights.
Keywords: circumcision, genital cutting, genital integrity, intersex infants,
Interview Q&A
How long have you been in business?
31 years.
What is your primary product or service?
Education about the right of infants and children--males, females, and intersex alike--to genital autonomy.
How did you first become interested in your line of business? (if owner) - What is your background? (If owner or store manager)
I witnessed an unanaesthetized circumcision of a newborn baby at Marin General Hospital in 1979. I began to research the subject to learn that circumcision began in England in the mid-1800s as a way to prevent masturbation, which at the time was believed to cause disease. From there it spread to other English-speaking countries, including the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. I learned that the majority of the world has never circumcised their infants and have not had the dire consequences our doctors tell us will happen if we leave our children intact. And, I learned that the rate of circumcision in other English-speaking countries now has declined to almost nil in England and New Zealand and less than 10% in Australia and Canada. Here, the medical community still pushes this unnecessary, harmful billion-dollar-a-year industry. When I began my work, the rate of circumcision in the USA was 85-95%. Today it's down to 54%, so it is finally dropping in America. However, those who profit from circumcision continue to use excuses to push it. Yet, no excuse is good enough to excuse cutting a normal part off the genitals of a non-consenting minor. Circumcision is not a medical issue, it is a human rights issue.
How do you differentiate yourself from other businesses in your category and area?
I don't. We are all working to protect the bodily integrity rights of infants and children.
How many locations do you have and do you have plans to expand?
We have had about 100 Centers in the USA (there are also NOCIRC Centers worldwide) until this past January (2016), when we changed the name of our organization to Genital Autonomy - America, to join a worldwide community of leaders on the subject to work nationally and internationally to protect the genital autonomy rights of male, female, and intersex infants and children. The NOCIRC Centers directors are joining Your Whole Baby, which is working locally across the nation and supporting the work of Intact America, which is challenging the status quo to protect our infants and children. GA-America is working nationally and internationally with colleagues worldwide to protect all children.
Provide detailed directions to your location
People may visit the office by calling to make an appointment. Directions will be given at that time.
What type of payments do you accept?
We don't have the ability to accept credit cards.
Which areas do you service?
State. national, and international. Protecting the genital integrity and autonomy rights of infants and children is a worldwide issue.
Who owns your company or runs daily operations?
Marilyn Fayre Milos, RN and our Board of Directors
What are your hours of operation?
8am to 5pm. Phone calls accepted 24 hours.
What is the best compliment anyone can give you?
That someone has protected their child from unnecessary genital cutting. The body is normal and all children have a right to their own body and to self-determination.
What is your favorite quote or Bible verse?
Karl Menninger said, "What we do to children, they will do to society."
Gandhi said, "If we are ever to have real peace, we must begin with the children."
Suzanne Arms said:
"If we hope to create
a non-violent world,
where respect and kindness
replace fear and hatred,
we must begin
with how we treat each other
at the beginning of life.
For that is where
our deepest patterns are set.
From these roots
grow fear and alienation
~ or love and trust."
Contact Genital Autonomy - America:
