I have since revised my text to more precisely target the people who deserve criticism. I include the reader's letter here because it so eloquently credits the role of women and feminists in opposing the sexual mutilation of all children, regardless of the child's gender. As a woman who considers herself to be both a feminist and an anti-circ activist, I would like to make clear the role of feminists in fighting male circumcision. Women are more, not less likely to be open to this message since they did not experience circumcision as infants. Males who have been circumcised must first overcome their own denial at discovering the horror of what was done to them, plus the tons of medical myth and popular legend about circumcision.
Women have only to overcome the latter.
Also, I believe that feminists in particular are more, not less likely to be receptive to our message if given the right information because they are already have a distrust of the establishment and of doctors. Most midwives and mothers who follow these beliefs are anti circumcision. I'm willing to bet that many such women would also consider themselves feminists, as I do. Women have been instrumental in the fight against circumcision. You quote the Nurses of St. Vincent, who were all women.