SAN FRANCISCO: Activists who want to ban male circumcision in San Francisco have taken a step towards putting the issue to a popular vote, sparking outcry from Jewish and Muslim groups.

A coalition of ''intactivists'' submitted 12,000 signatures to the Californian city's authorities this week in support of a ballot measure which would criminalise circumcision of males under 18 years old.

Intactivists ... anti-circumcision protesters in San Francisco in 2004.

The city's Elections Division now has a month to verify that at least 7000 of the signatures came from registered city voters. If so, the issue will appear on a November ballot.

A growing community of anti-circumcision activists say the procedure can cause health risks and diminished sexual function, and should be a matter of individual, not parental, choice.