Circumcision protesters gather enough support to present city-wide vote

San Francisco residents who support a ban on circumcision recently obtained the amount of signatures necessary to put the matter to a vote during the upcoming city elections in November, according to an article published by CBS News.

The news organization reported that the proposed ban would make performing circumcisions a misdemeanor crime and carry a fine of up to $1,000, in addition to a year in prison.

While the news source noted that many people believe the prohibition of circumcision will infringe upon religious rights, the American Academy of Pediatricians states that from a medical standpoint, the procedure has both positive and negative effects. For example, the group cites scientific studies, which have shown that circumcision reduces a male's risk of contracting or spreading sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV.

According to the National Institutes of Health, males who are not circumcised may have an increased risk of becoming infected with gonorrhea or syphilis, compared to men who have undergone the procedure. However, the chances of suffering from chlamydia are equal between both groups.