Last week, 15 Square were host to globetrotting activist Michael Winnel from ‘Foreskin Revolution’ in Australia. Michael is on a journey to meet people around the world who take an active stance in protecting the rights and bodies of boys from unnecessary circumcision. As he is learning the different ways that this issue is being tackled in each country, he is also sharing his own experiences and ideas.

We sat down with Michael for two afternoons and the conversations went from discussing religious and medical institutions, psychology, trauma, sociology, culture, tribalism, identity, medicine, incentive structures, human rights, morality, travel, economics, technology, and how porridge is definitely not carbohydrate free.

Needless to say, his interests are varied and insightful. The discussion was as energetic and engaging as he is. While we try to be rational and academic at 15 Square, Michael was a fresh reminder that there is more to the picture.

His philosophy is that the foreskin is something to celebrate. Children are born perfect. Half of the reason that the issue of circumcision has been ignored for this long is that it isn’t polite conversation. Michael is breaking down barriers by embracing the subject whole heartedly, but in a way that exalts celebration. It is only by having the open discussion that more and more men can share their stories and the public at large can realise that this subject should not be swept under the rug. The anti-circumcision/(pro-foreskin?) arguments have only recently started to be taken seriously, and Michael is creating a healthy environment for the discussion.

Check him out here:

Sharing the fact that the foreskin has a purpose and function is an attitude that could change the social zeitgeist, and replace the myth that it is a useless unclean anomaly of the human body. Read more about the changing cultural attitudes in our article on circumcision in Australia.

In raising the appreciation of this part of the body, parents who would have taken the decision away from their children may start to see a different side of an argument than they had previously considered. It may be enough to give pause to people when considering whether to fall in line behind cultural and social norms, or to create new, healthier ones.

Michael’s high approachability complimented by his “FORESKIN REVOLUTION” T-shirt is enough to encourage the curious side-liners to ask him… “What is that all about?”

Find the Foreskin Revolution website here.

Long live the foreskin revolution and the Fellowship Ôf The Foreskin!