Please note this episode discusses what culture would consider “challenging” topics, such as genitals, consent, and suicide while using direct, scientific, anatomical language. Similar discussions, similar language, similar topics are widely available online often without this warning; however, as a sign of respect and care, it is worth repeating – listener discretion is advised for the sensitive listener.

Brother K was born in Miami in 1947 and grew up in New Orleans. He studied journalism at the University of Illinois, where he earned his degree in 1969. He protested against circumcision at the California State Capital in 1980, a protest that the Associated Press and other media reported locally and across the nation. In 1986 he changed his name to Brother K in California Superior Court, an act of protest against his circumcision at birth. He formed Bloodstained Men in 2012 and has protested in cities from coast to coast.

Links to learn more about and connect with Brother K:

https://www.bloodstainedmen.com/ (with social media links at the bottom of this page)

https://www.bloodstainedmen.com/donate/ to support their work with donations

Papers mentioned:

https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/130/3/e756/30225/Male-Circumcision

https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/131/4/796/31907/Cultural-Bias-in-the-AAP-s-2012-Technical-Report

Person mentioned:

Leonard Glickhttps://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/ajs-review/article/abs/marked-in-your-flesh-circumcision-from-ancient-judea-to-modern-america/6DB0C9CB30C01C0622100219DCFBDA4B

https://www.anthropology-news.org/articles/leonard-b-glick/

Legal case mentioned:

2019 Michigan:

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2019/09/19/congress-female-genital-mutilation-detroit-michigan-prosecution-doctors/2369275001/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z1199xxe1199xxv003741d–41–b–41–&gca-ft=198&gca-ds=sophi

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2019/04/12/feds-abandon-female-genital-mutilation-fight/3445497002/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z1112xxe1112xxv003660d–40–b–40–&gca-ft=172&gca-ds=sophi

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35296812/

Background on female circumcision/FGM in the US (note that Playboy endorsed it in 1973 on their cover):

http://www.drmomma.org/2009/09/history-of-female-circumcision-in.html

Related resources:

https://www.yourwholebaby.org/ An organization that offers education and support for parents

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ud-cTDfKd8 A lecture by Dr. Ryan McAllister

https://www.doctorsopposingcircumcision.org/ Doctors Opposing Circumcision, an organization for professionals and parents

https://tlctugger.com/ For those curious about a foreskin restoration device

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-biosocial-science/article/abs/ageincidence-and-prevalence-of-hiv-among-intact-and-circumcised-men-an-analysis-of-phia-surveys-in-southern-africa/CAA7E7BD5A9844F41C6B7CC3573B9E50 Study finds no difference in HIV status among circumcised vs intact men in South Africa

On religion and tradition:

https://intactamerica.org/ethical-debate-behind-circumcision/

On Judaism and circumcision:

https://intactamerica.org/rethinking-jewish-circumcision-brit-shalom-as-a-peaceful-intact-alternative/ (Jewish alternative to circumcision)

https://www.yourwholebaby.org/judaism?rq=jewish

On Islam and circumcision:

https://www.yourwholebaby.org/islam?rq=islam

https://applications.emro.who.int/dsaf/dsa54.pdf

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362248413_’Wounded_religious_masculinities’_Muslim_men’s_opposition_against_male_circumcision_in_Turkey

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3516177/

On the history of circumcision in the US, early 20th century:

https://www.history.com/articles/dr-john-kellogg-cereal-wellness-wacky-sanitarium-treatments

Check out Brother K’s interview on Tosh 2.0:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyGwCcHLupE

For transcripts of this show, please email [email protected] with ‘Transcripts’ in the subject line and/or check your favorite podcast provider, as oftentimes they supply transcription services.

If you are interested in book recommendations related to topics discussed, including sexuality and consent, please see Allison’s bookshop on Bookshop.org Purchasing books through Bookshop offers greater support to authors as well as curators, such as Allison.

*Please note that the opinions and experiences of those interviewed in this podcast are not necessarily the opinions and experiences of the interviewer. One of the intents of this podcast is to interview a variety of people with a variety of experiences and opinions.*

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Sincere apologies for sound artifacts resulting from impaired WiFi connectivity from a major communications carrier and/or flaws within recording equipment.

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