On May 9th , GALDEF president Tim Hammond and board member Dr. Leif Thompson, were in Cologne, Germany to speak at the 14th annual Worldwide Day of Genital Autonomy (WWDOGA).

What is The Worldwide Day of Genital Autonomy?

On May 7, 2012, the Regional Court of Cologne court ruled that non-therapeutic “circumcision” of a boy who was unable to give consent qualifies as an assault. In effect this was the first time a right to genital self-determination was legally asserted for those born with penises. Unfortunately, the German legislature quickly nullified this action by explicitly making newborn circumcision legal despite the court ruling. In spite of this, a Worldwide Day of Genital Autonomy has been observed on this date, envisioning a world where all children, regardless of the shape of their genitals and regardless of their ancestry or religion, are protected from the violence of nonvoluntary genital cutting.

Tim Hammond (left) and Dr. Leif Thompson (center) addressing the Worldwide Day of Genital Autonomy 2026 in Cologne, Germany, as well as American jewish intactivist Evan Roman (right).

Tim’s address can be viewed here on GALDEF’s YouTube channel. The remainder of speeches can be viewed on the WWDOGA YouTube channel here, with Leif’s address starting at 1:03:30, and an inspiring address by American Jewish intactivist Evan Roman appearing at 57:40.

Since 2013, this annual event has grown with an ever-expanding panel of speakers and attendees (including online attendees and speakers). The event centers on public speeches presented in front of the famous Cologne Cathedral, many of which are available for viewing online. This year, WWDOGA featured a program of workshops and presentations, including one given by our GALDEF Executive Director Tim Hammond about the status of litigation efforts in the U.S.. WWDOGA has become a major event for genital autonomy advocates from across Europe, and around the world, to meet, network and exchange ideas.

The 2026 theme was “Genital autonomy and the social environment” highlighting how those affected by non-consensual genital alteration are made to suffer in silence due to social, cultural, religious and institutional pressures, and encouraging those affected to speak of their experience. “Together, we can turn taboo into empowerment.”

“The world changes when you make your voices heard!”

Tim Hammond spoke about the history of the genital autonomy movement; encouragingly pointing to the real progress that has been made, while outlining challenges that remain. Although Tim is optimistic that we are making a real impact with the public, he also warned that there are powerful voices marginalizing the issue of children’s rights. In keeping with the WWDOGA theme, Tim’s concluding remark called for those affected by circumcision to overcome their silence and to speak out: “Everyone who considers themselves to be a circumcision sufferer, or a foreskin restorer, or someone who knows and loves someone harmed by circumcision must come out! Share your lived experiences with family, friends and politicians. The world changes when you make your voices heard!”

Dr. Leif Thompson spoke from a personal perspective, essentially “coming out,” as what Tim Hammond had called for. He spoke of his own experience living with the negative consequences after being circumcised as an infant. At the end of his speech, he presented an inspiring vision for The Child’s Sacred Flower and how it should be protected from harm.