TLC News

The full TLC Tugger news / citation gallery will be back soon. Thanks for your patience.

April 2011 – TLC Tugger is featured on The Learning Channel’s Strange Sex TV series

TLC Tugger on The Learning Channel’s Strange Sex

March 2011 – TLC Tugger founder Ron Low is interviewed by Howard Stern

Howard Stern interviews TLC Tugger founder Ron Low

Listen to Howard Stern on Sirius-XM Satellite Radio.

November 2010 – TLC Tugger introduces the SuperGrip Your-Skin Cone, TLC Tugger, and TLC-X

We’ve invested in new molds which give the surface of a tugger and the interior of a retaining cone a real shine, so it cleans up easy, lasts longer, and grips like CRAZY.

The cone interior is now glossy The new tooling allows a wider array of sizes to be made

The new molding system also lets us offer cones in clear (or white upon request) and in sizes from infant to giant.  Clear cones allow users to detect and correct excessive skin wrinkling for extended comfortable wear.  White will be easier to find if it gets lost in the bedding (without turning on all the lights while your partner tries to sleep).  Clear will be shipped by default.  Contact us promptly after you order to request white or to discuss your special size requirements.

December 2009 – Foreskin Restoration features prominently in nationwide Jay Thomas Home Grown Song Contest

Jay Thomas, host of a daily program on Sirius / XM Radio Stars Too, interviews Ron Low about circumcision and foreskin restoration.

Then a few days later, Jay plays Ron’s entry Grow it back Again for his Home Grown Song Contest.  The song is not voted the winner, but thousands are forced to confront the brutality and harm of male infant genital mutilation.

Jay Thomas Show plays Ron’s song Grow It Back Again

December 2008 – Brutal forced male genital mutilation documented in Malaysia

“A boy refusing to go through circumcision is carried by volunteers during a mass circumcision in Kampung Nakhoda village, north of Kuala Lumpur, December 19, 2008.”

“About 25 boys, aged between 7 and 11 years old, were given a grand welcome to a mass circumcision surgery, including a ceremony similar to the reception of a groom at a wedding, in festivities some consider as a celebration of reaching manhood.”

REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA)

October 2008 – TLC Tugger cited in DETAILS Magazine article – Gimme Some Skin

See page 127 of the NOVEMBER issue which hit news stands September 30, 2008.  Author Elisa Ludwig probes all sides of the circumcision debate and discovers Foreskin Restoration.  She interviews men using the TLC Tugger and TLC-X to get back a measure of what was taken from them. Surgical reconstruction is mentioned, but rightfully relegated to a mere curiosity.  For the overwhelming majority of circumcision victims, non-surgical tissue expansion is the best way forward.

September 2008 – TLC Tugger presents foreskin restoration to The 10th International Symposium on Circumcision, Genital Integrity, and Human Rights, at Keele University in Enlgand

Video coming soon.   The conference coincided with a joint announcement by the International Coalition for Genital Integrity (ICGI) and FORWARD (a leading organization dedicated to ending female genital mutilation everywhere).  The two groups pledged to work together to end all involuntary genital modifications, and launched a new drive to promote Genital Autonomy for boys, girls, and intersexed persons.

There is no culture which mutilates females that does not also circumcise boys.  Female genital mutilation (even a mere pin-prick to draw a ceremonial drop of blood) is illegal for 96% of the world’s population (as of August 2015).  Male circumcision is conducted with impunity in every country, although a few have implemented restrictions and more are on the verge of doing so.

August 2008 – TLC-X Tugger demonstrated on the Howard Stern Show

To subversively inject foreskin restoration into the national spotlight, TLC Tugger founder Ron Low participates in the Prettiest Penis Contest for the on-air bachelor party of Star Trek’s George Takei.  George will finally marry his long time partner Brad Altman now that California’s Supreme Court has ruled in favor of equal marriage rights.  Congratulations George and Brad.  The Stern gang was still a little puzzled about foreskin restoration when the time allotted for their contest had lapsed, but staffer Artie Lange and intact guest George Takei did both request foreskin restoration cones.

Prettiest Penis contest with Ron Low August 20, 2008

Listen to Howard Stern on Sirius-XM Satellite Radio and watch videotaped highlights on HowardTV, through InDemand digital cable television.

May 2008 – TLC Tugger goes full time

After years of moonlighting and sleeping very little, TLC Tugger co-founders Ron and Alice Low leave their day jobs behind and decide to survive on just the income from helping circumcised men get back a measure of what they have lost.  With over 10,000 clients (2/3 from within the US) and 5 straight years of sales growth of about 25% annually, it’s not as risky a move as it may seem.

“We thank our daughters for the part-time hours they’ve put in to help build the business, and for meticulous and professional help with production/assembly and with servicing the free bumper sticker clients.”

December 2007 – TLC Tugger introduces the TLC-X bi-directional tugger

Literally years in development have yielded a dynamic tension device with comfort of food-grade latex-free silicone and the tight taper restorers deserve.  See the Demo Video.  The new TLC-X can be used as conventional tapeless tugger, as a strapless variable packer, or as a self-contained elastic strapless tensioner.

November 2007 – TLC Tugger cited in TIME interview on Foreskin Restoration

In The Great Uncircumcision Debate Time Magazine reporter JENINNE LEE-ST. JOHN gets to the bottom of the foreskin restoration issue.  To quote Ron Low in the article: “Foreskin feels really good.”

October 2007 – TLC Tugger presents Foreskin Restoration Speech to Mensa Convention

Ron Low was delighted to be on the agenda of HalloWeeM 32, the 32nd annual Chicago Regional gathering of American Mensa.  Ron spoke for an hour with a lighthearted but explicit PowerPoint slide show entitled Foreskin Restoration for Fun and Profit.  (YouTube video coming soon).

Audust 2007 – TLC Tuggers fitted with pure stainless steel tugging handles

TLC Tugger users will notice a new shape and look to the tugging handle.  It’s now a duller looking but more corrosion-resistant stainless steel.  It also features a new shape to afford more options for attaching straps, weights, and fail-safe laces. The novel shape allowed a single design to work for both TLC Tugger and TLC-X. Later refinements led back to separate styles for the two device types and passivated (shiny) stainless steel.

July 2007 – TLC Tugger cited in COVER STORY of Houston Press article on foreskin restoration

TLC Tugger users and Ron Low are quoted in a 4-page story on foreskin restoration in Houston’s premier culture weekly, The Houston Press.  Read it from the TLC Archives if it’s no longer on the newspaper’s web site.

June 2007 – NORM-UK gains second benefactor

Beloved big screen (Spy Kids), television (The Good Wife), and stage (Three-Penny Opera, Caberet) performer Alan Cumming has joined critic Brian Sewell – each is now a generous patron of NORM-UK.org, a registered UK charity providing support for restoration and education promoting intactness worldwide.  Congratulations, NORM-UK for this acknowledgment of your valuable good works!

April 2007 – The foreskin is the best part of the penis!  Penile sensitivity research published in the British Journal of Urology

The first research to comprehensively compare the sensitivity thresholds of cut and intact penises found, . . . guess what?, . . . removing over half the sensual nerve endings has a dramatic effect on a male’s capacity to perceive pleasure.  Previous flawed research ignored the foreskin, comparing only the parts intact and cut men had in common.

January 2007 – TLC Tugger cited in Chicago Tribune article on circumcision and foreskin restoration

A nice piece covering both sides of the issue, with an admonishment for parents to think long and hard before taking their son’s right to decide, plus the good news for men – that restoration is available.  (It ran in several Tribune company papers, but read it from the TLC archives if the above Tribune link has lapsed).

December 2006 – TLC Tugger launches 1st pro-intact audio podcast series: Circumspect

For episode 1, Ron Low and his father discuss how on earth Ron fell victim to amputation of normal healthy tissue in 20th century America.

For episode 2, we feature Ron’s appearance on Chicago radio station WCKG 105.9 FM with hosts Stan and Terry.

Subscribe to the whole Circumspect series through iTunes.com.  Just search the iTunes store for “circumcision” or “foreskin” and then sort the result by price. The FREE podasts will pop top the top.

December 2006 – TLC Tugger announces winner of first annual Pro-Intact Cartoon Art Festival

Friends of the pro-intact movement were invited to submit drawings to highlight the human rights struggle to win genital integrity for all.  Congratulations to winner Pam Thompson.  See all entrants.

TLC will sponsor the contest again for 2007.  Entries due ASAP and no later than midnight Christmas Eve 2007.

October 2006 – Judge Rules Against Boy’s Circumcision

A non-custodial divorced father sued to prevent the mother of a 9 year-old boy from having him circumcised.  The judge agreed there was no compelling reason to let the mom have the boy cut, and ordered that he be left intact until he is 18 and can decide for himself.

This could prove to be an important precedent for human rights.  Of course, no parent has the moral right to have a healthy child mutilated.  The Chicago Tribune article is archived here.

September 2006 – TLC Tugger announces winners of first annual Pro-Intact Song and Poetry Contest

Friends of the pro-intact movement submitted songs and poems and won hundreds of dollars in cash and prizes.  See winners/entrants gallery.

TLC will sponsor the contest again for 2007.  Write an original song or parody, submit a poem, or just point us to a previously published work about intactness.  Every creative entrant will receive TLC discount certificates just for entering.  Entries due ASAP and no later than midnight September 3nd, 2007.  Click for 2007 contest details.

August 2006 – Toronto Life Magazine Covers Restoration

TLC Tugger is cited in this mainstream publication on the first page of an in-depth 5-page look at restorers.

August 2006 – Joy Behar declares what we already knew

In response to Mel Gibson’s self-outing as an anti-semitic maniac, Joy declares on ABC’s The View that: “Mel Gibson’s indiscretions of the past few days should be punished by a public circumcision.”

So circumcision is indeed punishment.  What is an infant being punished for? Write Joy.

January 2006 – TLC Tugger cited in BBC3 documentary – Circumcise Me?

The BBC3 documentary series Mischief covers a variety of topics in a fun and irreverent manner.  Circumcise Me? is the title of their investigation into the merits of intactness.  The “programme” premiered on the digital channel BBC Three (available on Sky, Cable and Freeview) on Thursday, January 5th at 10:30pm. Watch for other showings.

BBC3 Mischief Documentary “Circumcise Me?” TLC Tugger segment – Interviews with Restoration Pioneers (2:41)
BBC3 Mischief Documentary “Circumcise Me?” including TLC Tugger – full programme (64:00)

January 2006 – TLC Tugger granted US Trademarks for Your-Skin® and TLC Tugger®

Official trademark registrations 3049638 and 3049639 grant exclusive use of these marks for “penile enhancement devices that stretch and restrain the skin over the glans to facilitate elongation and restoration of penile foreskin.”

November 2005 – TLC Tugger cited in new book – Everything You Know About Sex Is Wrong

Editor Russ Kick’s newest defuse-the-illusion volume includes a chapter on circumcision and restoration written by Diane Petryk-Bloom.   See page 283 or 290 for TLC’s 15 minutes of fame.

October 2005 – TLC Tugger and Your-Skin Cone cited in The Guardian UK Newspaper

Very clear and human-focused article “Sore Point” about circumcision, foreskin restoration, and the good works of NORM-UK in England. Read it from the TLC archives, or do a Google on “Guardian UK circumcision” to see if you can still find it at Guardian.Co.UK

October 2005 – Howard Stern again on record denouncing circumcision

Howard Stern, the aptly known King Of All Media, once again used his radio show to rail against those who would deny a child’s right to intact genitals. From October 10th: “God made it – or whatever – and we’re busy mutilating these little babies; it doesn’t make any sense.” HEAR the 8-minute October discussion.  Earlier, he also said “Circumcision should be illegal in the US and all over the world.”  HEAR the 7-minute August newscast. Howard is now heard on SIRIUS Satellite Radio, where he will no doubt continue to make the case for genital integrity in no uncertain terms (free of FCC restrictions).  Hear the 11/15/05 2-min follow-up

Other Howard Stern Audio

August 2005 – 16th U.S. state drops funding for circumcision

Welcome MINNESOTA to the list of states which have voted to remove funding for routine circumcision from public medical programs! (other states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, and Washington; plus Canada, the UK, and most everywhere else in Europe).

May 2005 – TLC Tugger Logo Apparel Introduced

In cooperation with Zazzle.com, TLC fans can now get TLC Tugger shirts for men, women, and infants. See them at our Intactivist Boutique page, or search “TLC Tugger” at Zazzle.com.  TLC fans cans earn 10 TLC dollars by submitting a photo modeling the attire.

April 2005 – Penn & Teller Bullshit! debunks circumcision

The award-winning Showtime documentary series by renowned skeptic magicians Penn & Teller gives the slam-dunk debunk treatment to circumcision in their third season.  THIS IS HUGE!  Watch for it again in re-runs or download it with bittorrent.

April 2005 – 15th U.S. state drops funding for circumcision

Welcome COLORADO and IDAHO to the list of states which have voted to remove funding for routine circumcision from public medical programs! (other states: Arizona, California, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, and Washington; plus Canada, the UK, and most everywhere else in Europe).

March 2005 – TLC Tugger reaching out via Google AdWords

Folks searching with Google for “circumcision” or “delayed ejaculation” and various other phrases will see a sponsored link in Google’s right column results informing them about TLC Products.  Recommend a search phrase we should key off of.

February 2005 – Male Genital Mutilation Bill circulated to US lawmakers

Go to MGMBill.org
for help contacting your US lawmakers.  Urge them to support the bill that would merely extend the protection against genital mutilation that US girls now have to American boys.  Contact Oprah, John Stossel, Andy Rooney, and David Letterman while you’re at it.

July 2004 – Wired.com covers Foreskin Restoration

Very well footnoted article brings the intactness gospel to a very wide audience.  Read it from the TLC archives, or do a Google on “Wired foreskin” to see if you can still find it at Wired.com.

October – December 2003 – RADIO ADS!  For the TLC Tugger®

We believe this is the first time in history foreskin restoration products have been advertised on the radio.  See and hear the ads in mp3 format.  We bought two weeks on the “Private Lives” sex-talk program (weeknights) and Howard Stern’s local station breaks (mornings) on WCKG 105.9 FM in Chicago.  We also sponsored Q101’s Sex-Talk web page for a month.  Recommend a station for us to try advertising on.

October 2003 – MSNBC.com runs a story on foreskin restoration

The founders of NORM and NoHarmm are featured.

September 2003 – Your-Skin® Restoration Cone patent filed

Our simple affordable tapeless device for retaining your own skin over your glans 24/7.  Filing date 9/22/03, Appl No 60/503,815, covering Your-Skin Cone, Conical Spacer, Cylindrical Spacers, and molding fixtures. Title: Tapeless device for retaining the foreskin of a circumcised penis over the glans.

June 2003 – TLCTugger.com goes online

With the help of the open directory project, the site returns a high-ranking with Google for “tapeless foreskin restoration,” “intact penis sensitivity,” and “penis cone.”

May 2003 – TLC Tugger® tooling is complete

Your-Skin Cone bidders are offered the option of adding a tugger to work with their cone.

April 2003 – Ebay cancels Your-Skin Cone listings

Ebay censors respond to complaints about “adult oriented” material by canceling several listings.  The graphics and descriptions are toned down a bit.  Complaints drop off to about 1 per month (1 complaint per 30 listings).

April 2003 – Your-Skin Cone Tooled for Mass Production

After a modest investment in tooling and a batch of expensive food-grade RTV silicone, the first Your-Skin Cones are sold to patient ebay bidders.  The buyers got free shipping for their trouble.  Daily ebay listings commence.

March 2003 – The Your-Skin® Cone offered on Ebay

Just to see if anyone would be interested, the cone was offered in 3 weekly ebay listings.  8 people bid and are told the device is not ready.

2002 – Ron uses the prototype Your-Skin® Cone through a night’s sleep

Oxygen-cure silicone is very hard to work with.  Mass production is still out of the question.

2001 – Ron goes tapeless with a prototype TLC Tugger®

The device is very hard to fabricate; many failed attempts.

2001 – Ron begins restoring with canister

The daily taping is a spontaneity-killing nightmare, but rapid gains in sensitivity and a very understanding wife make it worth while.

2001 – Pro-intact bumper stickers on Ebay

Since 2001, every buyer of these custom bumper stickers has been offered free pro-intact stickers.  Surprisingly few take advantage of the offer.