Tumors contain the seeds of their own destruction. We just need to work out how to activate them.

This TV ad for a watch ran on regular TV in Iceland.
It is a pun: in Icelandic the word for watch is part of the expression to disrobe
https://vimeo.com/475544342
Með Úrlausn hjá Nova er úrið allt sem þarf. Skildu símann eftir heima.
Við viljum vekja athygli á mikilvægi geðræktar og hvernig sé hægt að bæta andlega líðan. Við þurfum að tala aðeins um líkamsvirðingu. Við erum allavega, allskonar og af öllum mögulegum stærðum og
gerðum. Hér er nýja auglýsingin okkar í allri sinni dýrð. Ekkert að fela. Ekkert til að skammast sín fyrir. Allir úr.
Google translate of the text
With Nova's solution, the watch is everything you need. Leave your phone at home.
We want to draw attention to the importance of mental health and how to improve mental well-being. We only need to talk about body respect. We are at least, all kinds and of all possible shapes and
sizes. Here is our new ad in all its glory. Nothing to hide. Nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone from.
They are reporting they are working on a Bill to go before Congress to decriminalize public nudity -- wherever people wear bathing suits, they can be nude as long as there are no suggestive acts. More specifically, they are saying at beaches, lakes, homes, etc.
Well, many people cut their grass in bathing suits, wash their cars in bathing suits, etc. I wonder when this Bill will finally make it to Congress. Hmmm, maybe 2025!
Free to be yourself!
In you own backyard -- or frontyard
Taking a nature walk in the beautiful mountains
Jainism -- one of the oldest of world religions
The Jain community is divided into two major denominations, Digambara and Śvētāmbara. Monks of the
Digambara (sky-clad) tradition do not wear clothes. Female monastics of the Digambara sect wear unstitched plain white sarees and are
referred to as Aryikas. Śvētāmbara (white-clad) monastics, on the other hand, wear seamless white clothes.[172]
ClothesFree.com -
It’s hardly surprising that 27 year old Alejandro Colomar is regularly stopped by police in his home town of Aldaia, to the west of Valencia, Spain, as he spends a good part of his time walking around naked.
Neither is it a surprise that he currently has 3 court appearances pending, one of them from the Local Police of Valencia, who told him to get dressed when he turned up naked at a police station to file a complaint against a third party.
As he refused to dress, he was charged for “serious disobedience to authority.”
The other two complaints were made in the municipality of Xirivella, one of them following a “very unpleasant episode where a group of young people persecuted and insulted me,” he explained.
“I have always liked to go naked,” said Alejandro. “I am a nudist and there is nothing wrong with it. It is not even illegal as exhibitionism is only illegal if you do it in front of children and with a clear sexual intention, and that is not the situation in my case.”
“When the weather is good I go out onto the streets naked. I don’t hurt anyone.”
A computer scientist by profession, he has already accumulated four complaints for walking naked on the street. However, the first one has been thrown out by the judge, who sees no crime in his behaviour. So the young man carries the court dismissal around with him (in a fanny pack due to the lack of pockets) so that he can avoid further sanctions.
“My family know that I go out naked and they are fine with it, my friends do too. I just want the pleasure of going naked when it’s sunny, without hurting anyone. I’m often naked at home, I always go to naturist beaches and I find it to be the most comfortable thing in the world.”
Jack in the Box television commercial in the 1960s.
Don't know how long this commericial ran -- really amazing it ran at all. It also makes we wonder what is coming down the pike now.
https://youtu.be/7t8MJWl0zng
Good enough for aliens out there
Everyone has as happy place
Exercise and fresh air are important for the body
Eat With Friends
And do some gardening to relieve stress -- and you can eat it later!
And hanging out with jovial friends helps the psyche
Posted May 05, 2019
I believe that nudity should be treated as something natural, but unremarkable. Parents will be comfortable with different degrees of nakedness, depending on their own background and body image. Some families are comfortable showering or visiting saunas together. Others may be more comfortable only being naked around same-sex members. Still other parents may be reluctant to undress in front of a child, much less hold a conversation while nude. But remember that your attitudes towards nudity will shape your child’s future in a variety of ways.
Children have a natural curiosity about nudity. Being naked around your children—whether occasionally or regularly—can teach them what a “normal” adult body looks like. Modeling comfort with and respect for your body can become a basis for a healthy body image as your child grows and experiences the changes of adolescence.
Here are some tips for handling nudity in your family.
My father sat at the kitchen table, shaking the crease out of his newspaper while nursing his post-dinner coffee.
“Looks like they’ve finally chased off those nekkid hippies out by the bridge — once and for all! They should all put their clothes on and go get a job!”
I sat quietly, picking at my Hamburger Helper. It was 1978. I was fifteen years old. I finally summoned up the courage to sheepishly utter a question, “So, what’s the big deal? Where are the naked people? And why is everyone so angry?”
I knew damn well what the deal was. I had a paper route back in the day when bundles were dropped at your garage door, ready to be folded, packed into burlap sacks, and delivered to doorsteps by a kid on a bike. The nudies at Wohler Bridge had been front-page news for much of the summer and I had been reading the play-by-play for weeks, stalling the folding regimen long enough to read the rants of angry neighbors. Local residents had gradually inherited a gridlock of so many cars parked along narrow roads otherwise bedecked with pricey country homes in the burgeoning wine country.
My mom piped up, “I read they’re leaving trash behind and urinating in the neighbor’s yards on the way to the beach.”
My mind raced with questions. Did these hippies drive there naked? And who just stops to pee in the neighbor’s bushes when walking down a country road? Such vivid and bizarre images. But for me, much more curious than disgusting. In fact, I was flat out intrigued!
It felt liberating, decadent, and strangely taboo all at the same time.
[To be fair, there was a second nude beach farther up the Russian River that also had a reputation for open air sex. A single resident launched an all-out war on the copulating crazies visible from her plate glass window. That simply inspired the local authorities to get rid of all the nudies in the county in one foul swoop — but we’ll get back to that later.]
Wohler Bridge crosses the Russian River about 12 miles north of Santa Rosa. If you were to look it up on Google maps, you’d see the area is still quite sparsely populated, though today, artsy wineries have largely subsumed the old apple and prune orchards to make way for the fermentation of grapes. I remember sweating in the garage that summer, folding newspapers in stifling heat, scheming about how I might find my way to this magical place on my bicycle to see this spectacle of naked people. Maybe I would even summon up the courage to get naked with them.
For all intents and purposes, I was a latchkey kid. The youngest of four, my siblings were long out of the house by the time I hit puberty. Shortly thereafter, I discovered I was a closet nudist.
I was seldom brave enough to push my luck when my parents were at work. An unexpectedly early arrival of a parental unit would require me to explain why I was sitting nude in front of the TV. In time, I was old enough to stay home alone when they were gone for the weekend, when I would take giddy delight in doffing my clothes to have the run of the house — stark naked. As six-foot fences were the norm in that part of the world, sometimes I would even walk on the wild side to make a quick dash into the backyard to look after the dog. It felt liberating, decadent, and strangely taboo all at the same time. Was this the dream of every teenage boy, or should I be outing myself to a mental health professional? Regardless, I wasn’t about to ask my parents about my naked obsession. It was clear how they felt about nekkid!
I recall one instance that rendered a good bit of nude at home time while my parents took their trailer out for a long weekend at the coast.
“How was your trip? Did you like the place?” I inquired upon their return.
“The place was fine…” my mom began, but then my dad interrupted,
“…but there were a handful of people runnin’ around nekkid at the end of the beach for most of the weekend. Why do they have to go and wreck things for everyone?”
I tried to envision this beach that surely must have been a mile long. What drew their attention to the naked people in the first place? My parents really weren’t fond of things like walking hand-in-hand in the surf, so it seemed unlikely that they unknowingly wandered into a nude volleyball game. By 1978, bikinis were very much the norm. How close would you have to be to those nekkid people frolicking on the beach to discern whether they were scantily clad, or actually naked? But most of all, what’s the harm of simple nudity on the beach in the first place, if they’re simply minding their own business and soaking up the sun?
I don’t have a clear recollection of my response to this trip report, except for the fact that it was becoming increasingly clear that I best well be covered when crossing the hall from the bathroom to my bedroom each morning. At some point around then, I also began sleeping nude, which caused my mom to raise her eyebrows when noticing my bare shoulders peeking out from beneath the covers. She never said a word, while I grew increasingly strategic in positioning the comforter, should she unexpectedly poke her head in the door.
It should be known that my fixation on becoming a home nudist was certainly not a statement of body confidence. On the contrary, I was the personification of that gangly awkward middle-school kid who got beaten up in the hallway simply for the offense of wearing clothes from Sears, accessorized by thick “Coke-bottle” glasses. To this day, every time I see the portrayal of that kid on the Hollywood big screen, I shudder for a moment, resisting the urge to glance over my shoulder, on the lookout for bullies. The thick glasses were part and parcel of a serious vision impairment that greatly inhibited my coordination — or more succinctly, my inability to succeed in anything even remotely athletic. Had there been a school award for The Kid Least Likely to Catch a Ball, I would have had that one in the bag.
Even catching a glimpse of myself naked in the mirror was more rewarding than having to gaze at the reflection of my fully clothed self while brushing my teeth each morning.
Teenagers have a knack for seeking out safe havens in their daily existence of navigating middle-school and high-school, but that didn’t eliminate the requirement to endure two or three rotations of the swimming unit in P.E. Not only was I a horrible swimmer, but every last bit of my gangly-ness was on full display in my ill-fitting swimsuit. To this day, I can’t stand to look at myself in the mirror while wearing swim trunks. I’m certainly not gangly anymore, but I never overcame that self-consciousness regarding my physique. How ironic, then, that my affinity for naked-at-home had become a source of affirmation. Even catching a glimpse of myself — naked — was more rewarding than having to gaze at the reflection of my fully clothed self while brushing my teeth each morning. Something I consider a strange paradox to this day.
By the time I was in high school and in possession of a driver’s license, all the naked fun at Wohler Bridge had come to an end as local politicians legislated social nudity right out of existence — for the entire county! At first, the nekkid hippies were stubborn, organizing petitions and appealing the new anti-nudity laws, but with repeated police raids and subsequent arrests for lewd and lascivious behavior — that was, for simply being naked — the nude beach on the Russian River reverted to its abandoned quiet self, again.
I’m pretty sure my father felt somehow vindicated, if not just relieved.
I lived with my parents, clothed most all the time, until my junior year of college when I moved to the South Bay Area. Shortly thereafter, I met a girl named Charlotte and we began dating. She was nearly two years older than me, and had just graduated from the same school.
Things progressed quickly. We were each the youngest of four, suspecting at the time that we were the only ones in each of our respective families that were brazen enough to have sex outside of marriage. The rules of social engagement had changed quite a lot since the Summer of Love, but we had grown up in households that were governed with care, compassion, and firm guidelines of what shalt not happen under this roof!
It must have been during one of those first dates that we drove out to Santa Cruz to park on the cliffs, watching the waves crash against the rugged shores of the Pacific Ocean. I have a vague recollection that I already knew there were nude beaches in that region, but I hadn’t a clue as to how I would go about finding one. In time, that topic made its way into the obligatory, exploratory, cross-examination young lovers inflict upon one another while staring longingly at the sea.
“I think there’s a nude beach out here someplace. Would you ever do that?” I think my voice was trembling a little.
“Well, I took this class…,” Charlotte led out.
I was already spellbound.
“It was a human sexuality class. You know, one of those easy A courses that knock out a general education requirement.”
Charlotte was slender, vivacious, and her deep brown eyes flashed with the passive flirtation of a new relationship. We had each expressed our reticence about getting too serious, too soon, but a twenty-year-old guy is something of a known quantity when a beautiful, young woman starts undressing herself with her own words. She continued,
Sarah and I got to talking and decided to ask the professor if we could do a research project by spending a day at a nude beach.
“My roommate Sarah and I had signed up for the class together. ‘This will be great. We’ll talk about sex for a couple of hours a week and get college credits to boot.’”
I never met Sarah.
“The prof described the term paper assignment early in the semester so we’d have time to research as needed. Most of the other students in the class made predictable choices,” Charlotte elaborated, “A visit to a Planned Parenthood Clinic, the use of contraception amongst college kids. You know. Researchy stuff.”
I was still fixated on the fact that her story was prompted by my question about nude beaches. The outcome seemed inevitable.
“On the way back to the dorm after class, Sarah and I got to talking and decided to ask the professor if we could do a research project by spending a day at a nude beach. We had lots of questions. Are guys walking around with hard-ons? Do people have sex right out there in the open? And what do nudists look like? Are they all like French models and movie stars?”
“So, you and your room-mate went to a nude beach?” I could feel my heart pounding.
“Well… Yeah.” She paused to read my initial reaction before proceeding with a few more details regarding their “research methodology.”
“There’s a newspaper that publishes a guide to all the nude beaches in the Bay Area at the beginning of each summer. We got our hands on a copy and located a place just up the coast called Red, White, and Blue Beach. We found out it was on private property with a guardian at the gate who collects a modest fee and helps keep the riff-raff away.”
She may have said a few more words about the location, or the gatekeeper, or the woman in the old travel trailer who ran a snack bar through the small slider in the door, but my mind was already gone — spinning through a matrix of questions. Would I do that? Would I get a hard-on? We had certainly seen each other naked by then, but how would that dynamic change when getting naked together… outside… in front of God and everybody?
“Um… so, uh… did you like it? Would you go back?” It was cold and blustery outside on this late-October day. I was pretty sure we wouldn’t be getting naked on any beach today.
“Sure! I’d go back. We only went there once, but we had a really good time.”
I’m pretty sure I was speechless, so she kept talking.
“When we got there, we laid out a blanket, a couple of towels, and pulled out the backgammon board while trying to scope the place out to figure out what happens next. We were both wearing bikinis, which seemed okay as a few others were wearing swimsuits as well, but most everybody else was completely naked, or at least topless. After one game, we glanced at each other, took and a deep breath, and removed our bikini tops. That warmth of the sun on my body felt so good!”
In that moment, an involuntary physical response was providing an answer about whether I might get become aroused on a nude beach.
“After a few minutes of getting used to the sensation of being topless, we removed our bikini bottoms and stuffed our swimsuits into our bags. Seemed we wouldn’t be needing those for the rest of the day. We played a few more rounds of backgammon, ate lunch, ran in the surf, read and snoozed a bit — you know, all the stuff you usually do on the beach. The naked part felt totally normal after a few minutes. No sand in my bikini bottoms. No need to keep adjusting my top. And no wet, clingy swimsuit stuck to my body after playing in the ocean. And we agreed that the sun all over our bodies felt really awesome. You know… it was a nice day.”
I had vivid images of the entire event playing on an endless loop in my head. “Was that it? Have you ever gone back? Did you write the paper?”
“We never went back. Our curiosity was satiated, and when I told the dude I was dating at the time about the whole thing, he thought it was all a little weird and made it clear he wasn’t getting naked on a beach any time soon. So nope. That was it.”
I still had so many questions. “What did the teacher think of “your research?” Did you get a good grade?”
“Ha ha ha… We got an A! Actually, there really weren’t many surprises. People on the beach look pretty much like people always look like on the beach, and pretty soon, you hardly notice anyone is naked. But there were a couple funny stories that sort of summed the whole thing up…”
They gave us a compliment that totally caught us off guard… “You two would look dynamite in bikinis!”
“Yeah? What was that?”
“I think we were playing backgammon again when this guy stopped by, noting that he hadn’t seen us around here before. He started making small-talk about board games, insider knowledge about a few of the locals, and a general orientation to the nude beach community. That’s when we learned that eye-contact is sort of a big deal when you’re talking to a naked guy.”
I think I laughed aloud. Nervously, I suspect.
“He pointed to a tent to let us know where he was camped out for the weekend, and that we were welcome to stop by if we “needed anything.” We were a little creeped out by that, but the real takeaway for the day came from two other guys who stopped by just before we left.”
Once again, I was at a loss for words.
“They were friendly as well. The said ‘hello’, made small talk for a moment, then gave us a compliment that totally caught us off guard. ‘You know?’ they said, ‘You two would look dynamite in bikinis!’ That turned out to be the focal point of our term paper.”
In the ensuing years, Charlotte and I would marry, have three kids, a dog or two, and ultimately, come to share an affinity for nude beaches, though that took longer than one might expect.
At first, casual nudity simply became common around the house, but amazingly enough, it took me, that post-adolescent-gangly-closet-nudist, several years to work up the nerve to get naked in public. (You can read about that in Part Two)
By now, we’ve visited nude beaches, camps, resorts, and boutique clothing-optional hotels — you name it — on six continents. It’s a critical element of our travel planning, no matter our final destination or the intermediary stops. “Really, you’re telling me there’s not a legal nude beach in Morocco? How are we going to make this itinerary work?”
As I was contemplating writing this piece in the car today, I mentioned the potential title to Charlotte, asking her what she would say when queried, “Why would anyone want to run around nekkid??!”
[Naturism reminds] us to appreciate the intrinsic beauty of the other’s physicality, to value the vulnerability implicit of physical and mental nakedness, and to follow the meanderingly naked path off the beaten track.
“Huh. Good question.” She responded. “I mean, who wants to bother with a swimsuit? And the sand? And the wet nylon? Just so unnecessary. And then miss out on the warmth of the sun all over your body? It just feels good.”
It just feels good? It that it? There must be more to it than that. My brain wrestled with her response amidst a collage of reflections of all our naturist doings over thirty-some years of marriage.
Actually, there’s quite a lot more to it than that, which will likely become the main fodder for the next chapter of our Meandering Naturist story, but in case you need a spoiler to entice you to watch for Part Two, I suspect it will go something like this…
Naturism has been a core value throughout the decades of our monogamous relationship, ever reminding us to appreciate the intrinsic beauty of the other’s physicality, to value the vulnerability implicit of physical and mental nakedness, and to follow the meanderingly naked path off the beaten track into the places where real people live, love, work, and play at the far ends of the earth. I’m sure we could have accomplished much of that with our clothes on, but there’s no question that our unrelenting passion for nakedness has enlivened our senses in that relentless, impassioned desire to feel fully alive.
I would stop short of suggesting that communal or social nudity does that for anybody and/or everybody, but it’s certainly done that for us. I can hardly imagine what our lives would have looked like had it not been for our determination to experience life while running around nekkid.
So many more stories to be told — on another day.
(To be continued…)
PART TWO: A young naturist couple figures it out.
If you are curious about taking a trip to a naturist campsite for the first time, read on to find out everything we have learned.
Naturist camping. Many love it, others are simply confused by it. Being nude and at one with the elements can be extremely satisfying and enjoyable for all types of people. Though, many of us are too scared or self-conscious to ever give it a go. We think naturist camping (and naturism in general) is something to be celebrated, not feared. If you are curious about taking a trip to a naturist campsite for the first time, read on to find out everything we have learned.
Why do people do it?
Spending time nude in nature is an extremely liberating and freeing experience. Many naturist camping regulars report wonderful feelings of closeness with nature, freedom of body and mind, and a
sense of community and friendship found nowhere else. Exposing your skin to the elements also has many reported health benefits, plus, people at nudist campsites simply tend to be lovely! Does that
sound like something you’d enjoy? If so, a guide to camping nude to get you started is all you need! Keep reading and start to plan your first adventure into naturism and exploring nude.
What about being self-conscious?
The most common hangup people have regarding camping nude - or any form of nudity for that matter - is the feeling of being self-conscious about their bodies. We seem hard-wired to compare our bodies
to those of others and feel feelings of inadequacy or concern regarding our own appearance. A naturist campsite is not where you are going to find people like this. Naturists tend to be the most
accepting of people, giving little regard to your size, shape, or other bodily features. After all, you’re all in this together, right? There tends to be very little judgment in the mind of a
naturist, so try not to feel too self-conscious. Once you’ve spent time with your new naturist friends you’ll find these feelings slowly slip away.
What to expect at a naturist campsite
A naturist campsite, like many others, will be filled with all the facilities you need to have a great break away from home and work. For basics, you’ll have access to water, sanitation, secure
camping areas, and communal areas. These staples will be found at every good campsite you find. They may also be filled with wonderful activities to undertake as a group, family, or solo. Some of the
most popular organized activities at naturist campsites include nude hiking, sports, and swimming. Hiking is a particularly popular experience. Exploring more of nature, seeing and hearing the local
sights and sounds, all whilst feeling free and happy. Swimming is, of course, a great leisure activity for the whole family. Many naturist campsites are near safe-swimming lakes or the coast for a
bit of open water swimming, while many others have their own swimming facility. You certainly won’t find yourself bored or lonely at a naturist campsite.
Benefits of naturist camping
There are, as we briefly mentioned, some health benefits involved in naturist camping. The most commonly reported benefit is extra exposure to Vitamin D. Having most of your skin on show means
sunlight will be hitting more of your body, allowing you to absorb and use more vitamin D. Vitamin D is great for skin and can even help slow down the effects of aging on your body. Another benefit,
for the mind, is the feeling of increased confidence. As we have mentioned, nudists are not part of a judgmental community, but instead, welcome all types of people into their friendship groups. This
helps to boost your confidence in yourself, your body, and your mind. This can have wonderful effects on a person’s mental health, leaving them refreshed and confident in their life outside of
naturism.
First timer advice
The best thing to do as a beginner naturist is what you are already doing - research. Read about different campsites, their activities, the types of people who stay there. Reach out to some campsites
you like the look of and ask them what you can expect to find there. See if any of the activities or groups sound suitable for you. Let them know you are a first-time camper and they’ll offer you
their own advice. Once on-site you may find your first moments awkward, and that’s fine. Just remember you are not alone. If it helps, look at people in the eyes rather than looking at their body,
you will soon get used to the nudity and begin to feel the enjoyment of your trip.
This short guide should help you make a decision on your first foray into nudist camping. We hope it has been helpful and that you find yourself motivated and ready to take your first trip. Enjoy your freedom and nude happiness!
My parents moved to Fenwick from Toronto in about 1955-56 to operate a nudist camp — a bit unusual in those days I guess, but my father had had this plan since his youth in Germany, where it was already a fairly popular idea. He had found out that a small group of people from Fonthill, St. Catharines, and Toronto had started to gather on some land on Roland Road, and my parents acquired the property, I believe in 1955. They called it Sun Valley Gardens and started to make significant improvements.
At its peak, from the early ‘60s to the mid-‘70s, there were about 500 adult members, and it was one of the largest nudist clubs in North America, with members coming from as far as Toronto, Montreal, Boston, and Cleveland—even annual seasonal visitors from Los Angeles and Florida. It was so well-known that we once received a letter sent from West Africa which was addressed just, “Sun Valley Gardens, Canada.” The post office in Montréal marked it “try Toronto,” Toronto marked it, “near St. Catharines,” and of course, St. Catharines knew where to send it.
I was born in 1957 and lived on the property full time until I left to go to Toronto. An interesting childhood, I would say.
I attended Law’s School for Grades 1 and 2, and then Hansler, South Pelham, Pelham Center, senior public school in Fonthill, Pelham High (until it closed when I was in Grade 11), graduated from E. L. Crossley in 1976, then moved to Toronto for university.
I kept a cottage on the property and stayed there off and on until about 2007, when the property was sold, shortly after my father, Karl, passed away in 2006. My mother, Marlies, passed away just last year, in May. (I’m writing this on Dec. 26, 2020, which would have been her 89th birthday.)
From the very beginning, rather than be secretive, my father took the opposite tack. He made a point of advertising an “open house” weekend so all the neighbors, local politicians, and news media could come and see the place.
He did this twice. The first time, any members who chose to be there that weekend remained fully clothed to avoid any risk of overreaction from the police. In the event, it went really well and some 2000 people toured the place. People realized that it wasn’t a wild sex club or anything, and the press was generally complimentary.
The second time, he had everyone sign a waiver at the entrance that they were aware there would be nudity. Both events were very successful and meant that instead of being harassed, the place was quite quickly accepted by the authorities. In fact, as a direct result, there was a core of members who were locals from Pelham, Welland, and St. Catharines, most of whom kept it a bit quiet. My father was also very astute about the value of positive media coverage, and welcomed visiting interviewers from CHCH-TV, the CBC on multiple occasions (notably June Callwood’s interview), and from some of the Buffalo stations. I’d say our membership was divided about equally between the Canadians and Americans from the Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Rochester area.
People realized that it wasn’t a wild sex club or anything, and the press was generally complimentary
Back when Sun Valley Gardens was in full swing as a nudist camp, the Niagara Regional Police used to come visit now and again. My father was on pretty good terms with them, which meant he could count on help if there were any nosy youth (you guys know who you were) trying to sneak onto the property for a peek. Whenever a new officer was hired, it was part of the hazing to take him out, without any heads-up, to the camp. Generally the senior guy would say it was, “to get to know the rural parts of Niagara better.” At some point the senior officer would say, “Let’s get a coffee,” and the junior officer would of course wonder where there was coffee, out in the middle of nowhere. So they’d drive out Roland Road to the front gate, ring the bell and talk to my dad, who’d buzz them in. The junior officer was still unaware, because the “Sun Valley Gardens” sign is ambiguous. They would drive up the long curved driveway and, when they got to the parking area by the clubhouse, the junior guy’s eyes would bug out because, of course, naked people were walking around!
My father would meet them at their car in his famous “rubber boots and nothing else,” and escort them down to the snack bar beside the pool area, where the police officers would sit and chat with my parents and some of the other folks while drinking their coffee and having a piece of cake.
My father encouraged these visits, of course, because (a) it meant the police were accepting of nudist things and knew firsthand that there was no weird stuff going on (okay, naked is weird for most of you, but nothing really weird) and (b) if there was an emergency they all knew how to get there fast.
Many people wonder about how folks got to be nudists and join the club. In those days, well before social media, my father would run advertisements that were more or less specific, depending on where they ran. Some would be in the various nudist magazines of the time, and these would basically say, “Come visit Sun Valley Gardens, the best nudist camp near Toronto and upstate New York.”
He also ran ads in some of the regional newspapers (not all permitted it), that would be a bit more discreet: “Enjoy a carefree lifestyle at Sun Valley, Canada’s best family-oriented naturist campground.” There would be an address and “Visitors by appointment only.” Most people would write for more information and be sent the many brochures we had on hand. Visitors would arrive at the gate, ring the bell, talk to my dad, and be let in.
Of course, usually the half of the couple suggesting to try nudism would be the husband, and very often the wife would be a bit more reticent—in those days anyway—so it was certainly a bit of a shock for these fellows to be greeted at the clubhouse parking lot by my father, in his rubber-boots-and-nothing else, with the usually-not-visible parts being at about eye level through the car window.
The visitors would be shown a place to park and be invited to tour the grounds, clothed at first. They would walk down the driveway toward the valley, where the pool, snack bar and other facilities were located, probably being greeted by other members (pun intended) as they went. On a weekend there would usually be quite a few people there, and when the visitors reached the valley where the big open area was there they were: sunning, swimming, playing cards or cribbage, volleyball or badminton—adults and kids.
Now what often happened at about this point was that the husband would be slightly disappointed that the place was not full of Playboy models, but of people rather more like your typical Walmart customer, if they were nude. On the other hand, the wife would stop being worried about whether her looks would match up, and realize that these people were just comfortable in their own skin.
After getting toured around the whole property—the cottage area, the campground and trailer area, and the clubhouse building—my father would invite them to spend the rest of the day, but explained that they would now have to be nude as well. It was pretty rare that people would leave. They would change at their car, take a towel (all nudists keep a towel with them to sit on) and go back to the valley to meet some other members, swim, or sit at the snack bar to chat with my mother. And then they would decide whether to become annual members, or to come occasionally and pay the daily or weekend fee.
The stranger thing for me was when I first went to school and had to understand that it was expected that people always wear clothes
In those days it was generally not permitted for a single man to come alone. This was to head off any kind of “singles bar” atmosphere. There were a few exceptions: one fellow from Toronto had been coming since before my parents bought the place, so he was grandfathered in and was a member until he was in his 90s. And there were a couple of others over the years. Some were men who had originally come with their girlfriends, and when they split up, they or sometimes the girlfriend would be allowed to keep attending. Later on, in the late ‘70s and the early ‘80s, that all loosened up quite a bit.
By the late ‘60s some families even lived there full time, but most were either weekend visitors if local, or stayed for two- or three-week vacations in the summer, with many families coming back for ten years or more, with semi-permanent trailer locations or summer-only cottages. Sometimes the children became members in their own right when they grew up, many of whom I still know. The place was always very well represented with kids of all ages, although there was often an awkward stage at puberty, when some kids would stop coming with their parents for a little while, or they’d even stop attending altogether. But mostly the kids got through that experience as well. I mean, there were certainly no secrets about what was happening to their bodies—they could see the adult version all around them. The fact that no one made a big deal of it to them was, I think, a very healthy thing for their self-image.
I’m often asked by friends when they discover how I grew up, “What was that like?”
Well, it felt perfectly normal, to be honest. The stranger thing for me was when I first went to school and had to understand that it was expected that people always wear clothes, even in nice weather. Seemed a bit ridiculous, but that’s where I learned that cultural norms are all relative.
We never concealed where we lived, so it was the subject of a lot of curiosity among the other kids. But most of my friends, male or female, were permitted to come visit me — another benefit of the “open house” policy, because their parents had presumably visited. I had another large group of friends at Sun Valley Gardens as well, who would be there either on weekends or for two or three weeks at a time, and I would see them every summer.
I also get asked, “Do you have to be nude all the time?”
No, it’s just expected that if the weather permits, you don’t walk around dressed when everyone else is not. Raining or cold? Wear something waterproof, or a sweater if you’re cold. Women on their period? They’d wear a bikini bottom or shorts. But otherwise you’d just naturally choose to be nude.
So, finally, some corrections, or a least, an alternate perspective. An oft-cited book on nudism in Ontario, Au Naturel: The History of Nudism in Canada, perpetuates some pretty harsh criticisms of my father. I am the first to admit that he was a strong-willed curmudgeon and had a temper. People thought he could be dictatorial at times (me too), but the book seems to rely too heavily on the statements of some folks who left Sun Valley Gardens on bad terms, and there are of course two sides.
Yes, he was pretty strict, partly because he knew if anything bad happened there, the local authorities would stop being so friendly. And he did not appreciate things like littering or having members step barefoot in someone’s dog poop (which ultimately led to a dog ban, because people would not keep their dogs curbed).
It was said in the book that he didn’t allow people to rearrange the outdoor furniture. Not at all true — what he didn’t appreciate was it being dragged away from the public valley area to a personal campsite, or rearranged and left somewhere for him to put back himself later. And I never saw him limit people playing any of the sports. He had no interest in imposing any kind of activity schedule for others. Maybe someone was hogging the horseshoe pitch or shuffleboard court all day and he asked them to make it available for others?
I do know we had a lot of fun: huge bonfires, campfire sing-alongs, “luau”-style pig roasts and lamb roasts, Halloween and other impromptu parades, dance parties with DJs and treasure hunts for the kids.
One of the main sources of discord was alcohol. Alcohol was a pet peeve for my father, and although he wasn’t anti-alcohol as such, he was mainly concerned that just one bad situation due to excess drinking would cause him a lot of trouble. It was only quite late, in the mid-’70s I think, that he finally started to allow people to drink alcohol at the clubhouse and elsewhere. Until then it was only permitted at your own campsite, trailer or cottage. So if you discreetly had a drink in your own place, that was okay, but loud, late-night drinking parties would get you warned, or summarily expelled. Some of the folks who couldn’t tolerate these alcohol rules went off to start their own very different style of nudist camps, for example near Hamilton.
The focus of the book is on my father, but I should also say that my mother was very much responsible for the success of Sun Valley Gardens. I still meet or speak with people who knew her and were strongly impressed by her ability to keep everything going.
There was definitely a decline in membership starting in the mid- ‘70s, but this was true of almost all nudist camps at that time, often because people had started to combine their nudism with going south for a vacation (which wasn’t so common before) or looking for a more party-like atmosphere. So they stopped coming to the campground-style nudist resorts. Many of the nudist resorts then went down a more commercial route to increase revenue, with big parties every weekend, a real emphasis on alcohol sales and even open-to-the-public judged “naked women” events — I call it that because it really got away from the nudist philosophy and into marketing nakedness. This was never my father’s style.
The end of the Sun Valley Gardens era really came when my parents split up. My father was left to run the camp, but it was pretty clear that he was not a people-person and had relied on my mother to do most of that, so it didn’t go so well. And his heart wasn’t in it anyway, so he closed it. He would be very sad to see how the place looks now, but he wouldn’t have compromised to keep it going either.
Am I still a nudist today?
In the long run, I haven’t kept up “being a nudist,” i.e., attending a nudist campground. I’ve moved around the world too much, and it’s just not been a priority. I’ve gone on holidays to nude resorts in the Caribbean, and visited nude beaches on my travels. The main thing I think I carry with me from that upbringing is to understand that nudity per se is not sexual. All this weirdness about whether some particular part of the body is visible or not, or the idea that a man (or woman) “can’t control themselves” if they see too much skin, is just ludicrous to me. I applaud that toplessness is legal in Ontario, but also recognize that by harassing, ogling and cat-calling women if they do choose to go topless, men are causing women to not take advantage of this legal freedom. (It’s a lose-lose situation, guys! Wise up.)
It has also caused me to be very accepting of a wide range of ways of living. I’ve lived in many places in the world, feel comfortable with the idea that “the way we do things here” is not “the best” and certainly not the only way to live, and I am adamant that people should be able to choose their preferred way to live, as long as it doesn’t directly harm or restrict the freedoms of others. Be gay, straight, bi, poly, asexual or whatever; choose your expressed gender according to how you perceive yourself and how you feel comfortable in your skin; practice any religion you choose or none, but don’t force your beliefs on others; treat people from all races and cultures equally and value them.
This is more than mere “tolerance”—it is affirmative acceptance—and nudism (and Canadian multiculturalism) was my gateway.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A 71-year-old man in South Carolina was embarrassed and feared for his life when a police officer looking for teens who might have been breaking into cars held him outside naked and at gunpoint after he peeked out his door to check on the disturbance, the man said in a lawsuit.
Body camera video of the June 2019 encounter in Rock Hill shows Officer Vincent Mentesana cursing at Jethro DeVane and telling him not to close the door.
Mentesana orders DeVane to stand outside his home naked at 4 a.m., facing the wall, according to the video, which DeVane and his lawyer obtained through a public records request and released Tuesday. When DeVane asks what’s going on, Mentesana responds, “I don’t want to talk to you.”
The officer held the gun to DeVane’s head for 90 seconds as other officers looked through his home, according to the lawsuit.
“I did what the man said. He had the weapon. He could have took my life in a minute,” DeVane said at a news conference Tuesday with his lawyer.
Once Mentesana got the all-clear, he asked DeVane his name and told him why police were in the neighborhood.
Police did not have a search warrant for DeVane’s house, according to the lawsuit filed Monday, which claims gross negligence, emotional distress and false imprisonment. The suit does not ask for a specific dollar amount.
At the news conference, DeVane said he was embarrassed because there was at least one woman among the officers. He also said he feared for his life; that if he tried to close the door, grab some clothes or argued, the officer with the gun to his head would fire.
“I won’t get over it the rest of my life,” DeVane said.
DeVane’s attorney, Justin Bamberg, said the way police treated his client reminded him of a police video out of Chicago that surfaced earlier this month. In that video, police are seen breaking down the door of a Black woman’s apartment as she is changing clothes, and handcuffing her while she is naked.
What took place at DeVane’s house would never happen in a rich white neighborhood, Bamberg claimed Tuesday.
“Why do we have to be here advocating for human decency and human dignity? It is utterly ridiculous and it is unacceptable,” he said. “And it needs to stop before there is a death. God forbid, if Mr. DeVane had panicked like a lot of people would and tried to close that door.”
DeVane’s lawsuit says the Rock Hill police chief found that Mentesana was discourteous, but acted properly, along with the officers who went inside his home and searched it without a warrant.
Rock Hill Police spokesman Lt. Michael Chavis said the department does not comment on pending lawsuits. Mentesana requested a transfer from the police department to Rock Hill’s utility department in February, the city’s law firm said.
In a news release shortly after the encounter, police said officers who saw the teens running noticed DeVane’s house with tall grass, no lights, an open door and a dirty swimming pool. They thought it might be abandoned and the teens could be inside.
DeVane was detained by officers and police searched his home in the interest of public safety, the news release said.
DeVane said the police chief went to his home later that month to discuss what happened and said he probably shouldn’t sleep naked.
“I didn’t have my clothes on that night. Why? I’m in my house,” DeVane said Tuesday, adding, “Like I told him, if you had let me know you were coming, I would have put my clothes on.”
Professional dancers from all around the world stripped down to pose for Manhattan portrait photographer Jordan Matter's new book: Dancers After Dark.
From London to Paris to New York City, this professional photographer traveled to many different cities to capture dancers' completely naked bodies in public places. "Often, in life, we have to run toward our goals blindfolded, trusting our instincts to guide us. This kind of photography art represents our willingness to throw ourselves into the streets without fear of failure," Matter said. "Doing so led to beauty and exhilaration we could not have imagined." Each photo shows how the dancers have left their comfort zone to pursue their dreams with extraordinary commitment. Take a look at some of Matter's interesting photos celebrating the human body shot in New York below.
Sign the petition: http://chng.it/xyjjgfDrPm
Bare Body Freedom Activist, and Music Au Naturel Artist and Producer, Ton Dou, believes the responsible at-will practice of wholesome nakedness is an essential part of the natural plan, and the solution to many of the issues humans have had with themselves and each other historically, and continue to perpetuate the problems we struggle with in society everyday.
Ton Dou writes the lyrics, sings the songs, talks the talk and walks the walk of intrinsic wholesome nakedness in the light of day for the world to see because he believes it is precisely what the world needs to see if it is ever to be experienced the way nature intended it to be.
Ton Dou believes it is not only when we die that we are with the Great Spirit, it is also when we are naked on the land or at sea. He also believes Bare Body Freedom is as natural and significant a human right and life choice as any other, and should never be legislated as criminal behavior, and it is this message he hopes will resonate with every member of society.
He needs your help to tell law makers and law enforcers whose jobs are to serve and protect us, that we are not alarmed and / or offended by the mere sight of the bare human body. We are capable of determining whether something is right or wrong with an individual’s behavior, and in this modern day of technology, we are capable of documenting it!
He needs your help to tell them that we appreciate and respect the natural human right of others to be responsibly bare for psychological and physical purposes if they
choose. We are fully supportive of every member of society who resorts to nature to live a harmless, happier, healthier and more productive life.
He needs your help to tell them to use currently existing laws to address lewd and lascivious behavior, when and where it is thought to have occurred whether nudity is involved or
not. We believe that an individual’s state of nakedness is not an indication of a crime, and that an assessment of their behavior should be made before any other legal action is
taken.
He needs your help to tell them the bare human body predates any form of governance, and while human laws govern human conduct, nature's laws determine human appearance. We are very happy to have laws that help to keep us safe, and fully supportive of every official who writes and/or enforces them with this element of nature in mind.
He needs your help to tell them, before electing them, that we expect them to fulfill their duties to serve and protect, on behalf of all of humanity, in concert with the laws of nature. We need your vote of confidence, and your commitment to provide for the practice of the most natural of human rights, and to protect it by removing it from penal laws nationwide.
If law makers and law enforcement officials provide for the protection of the responsible at will practice of simple nudity, whether publicly or privately, society will eventually be rid of the stigma associated with the bare human body, and the average person will develop greater appreciation for who they are naturally, and more willingness to be respectful of others.
If they do not, a natural source for physical and psychological health, happiness, and safety as a result of increased awareness will continue to be undermined for the average person, and nudity penal laws will continue to create and claim victims as the result of the suppression of a natural human right that if practiced would minimize or eliminate these problems naturally.
Please sign this petition and be one of the very important people who are helping to send this message to lawmakers about this very important natural human rights cause.
Dear United States Legislators,
I started a petition on behalf of all of humanity for the most natural of human rights, and genuinely hope it reaches you in good health and great spirit.
I would very much like to have your input, and hope you will not hesitate to contact me with any concerns, questions or recommendations you may have.
Sincerely,
Ton Dou
Sign the petition: http://chng.it/xyjjgfDrPm
They are reporting they are working on a Bill to go before Congress to decriminalize public nudity -- wherever people wear bathing suits, they can be nude as long as there are no suggestive acts. More specifically, they are saying at beaches, lakes, homes, etc.
Well, many people cut their grass in bathing suits, wash their cars in bathing suits, etc. I wonder when this Bill will finally make it to Congress. Hmmm, maybe 2025!
A woman braved the cold and bared all to raise awareness of a very important cause.
Former head girl at St Crispin's School Kerri Barnes raised over £7k for charity this weekend by cycling around London – completely naked.
The woman who lived in Wokingham, rode 10 miles around the City’s landmarks on Sunday, November 29, to raise awareness for suicide prevention.
Braving the cold and the prying eyes from strangers, she raised thousands of pounds for Mind Charity, which experienced its largest ever increase in helpline calls during the nation’s first lockdown.
The former Bracknell student explained how the suicide of her cousin inspired her to do this challenge.
Kerri said: "Earlier this year, due to the pressures of the first lockdown, one of my loved ones tried to kill themselves. It was absolutely heartbreaking, and I felt very powerless to help, given that I was locked down in another city. Added to that, I've already known the pain of losing someone to suicide.
"The more I spoke to people, the more I realised just how widespread mental health problems are, particularly after the difficult year that we've all been through.
"There seems to be a lot of stigma surrounding mental health problems and suicidal feelings, as it stops people getting the help they need."
So far Kerri’s bold decision has paid off, as she smashed her target of £1,000 - reaching over £7,000. ($9,000)
She added: "I was strangely quite calm about the prospect of the cycle to be honest! It was bloody cold, but very liberating. There was no negative attention from anyone. So many people saw the signs, and cheered warm words of encouragement - even the various police I met along the way were hugely supportive! In London, anything goes!
We’ve seen some discussion on Florida naturist Facebook pages about the changes that occurred to Florida statute 800.03 as a consequence of HB 675 and paired Senate Bill 1018. We
looked into the changes with a focus on naturist/nudist concerns.
Wording from House Bill 675 which will modify Florida Statute 800.03
The exposure of sexual organs by any of the following does not violate this section:
(a) A mother breastfeeding her baby or
(b) An individual who is merely naked at any place provided or set apart for that purpose
This text from the staff analysis is landmark in that it records in Florida State legislative documents the precedence that ‘nudity with out sexual intent’ is not an offense
of 800.03 as clarified by the state courts.
From the Staff Analysis of HB 675
The bill also clarifies that public nudity is unlawful only when it is vulgar or indecent and that nudity at any place provided or set apart for that purpose is
lawful.
Florida courts have also clarified that an indecent exposure offense requires lascivious exposure of a sexual organ, meaning the exposition or exhibition involves an
“unlawful indulgence in lust, eager for sexual indulgence.”10 Therefore, public nudity alone or an act such as urinating in public does not, by itself, constitute a lewd or lascivious act and
is not indecent exposure,11 whereas other types of nudity may be considered lewd or lascivious.1
Note that the changes are concerning indecent exposure, not simple nudity.
The concerning effects of HB 675 on 800.03
The bill allows an officer to conduct a warrantless arrest of a person the officer reasonably believes has committed indecent exposure. The bill makes a second or subsequent indecent exposure offense
a third-degree felony. By expediting the arrest process for indecent exposure, and increasing the penalty for a second or subsequent offense, the bill may reduce the time an offender remains out of
custody after committing an offense, which may prevent the offender from:
-Committing additional indecent exposures or another sexually-based offense;
- Fleeing or going into hiding; or
- Becoming hostile when law enforcement returns to execute an arrest warrant.
#FloridaHB675 #NAC #NaturistActionCommittee #Nude #NudeRights #FightingForYou
Jennifer carefully placed her hand on her leg to reveal the massive diamond engagement ring she received from fiance Alex Rodriguez nearly two years ago.
She's known for keeping up with her impeccable fitness routine.
Jennifer Lopez, 51, posed naked to announce the release of a new single, In The Morning.
In the video, Jennifer rocks short wavy hair with subtle makeup - with the unreleased song playing in the background.
The video consists of various different angles highlighting her incredible physique.
Jennifer's tagline for her new project is 'Beauty Has No Expiration Date.'
So you wake up, do your morning routine, then decide to head out for your usual morning run.
As you get ready for the exercise, you realize your sports bra is in the laundry.
Your options are to skip the running session and go through the day feeling less energized, or embrace the absence of your bra and run braless.
Most women have been told that wearing a sports bra is essential during any type of workout. But today, we're tackling the topic as we discuss the pros and cons of running braless.
Is it painful? Is it Comfortable? Can it cause sagginess?
Or is it actually better for your breasts? Keep reading to find out more about running braless.
Your breasts are made of fatty tissue, glandular tissue, and connective tissue. A lot of people worry that running or exercising without a bra will lengthen the connective tissue in your breasts and make them sag. This may not be entirely accurate.
A long-running French study has proven that wearing bras is likely to be the reason beasts lose their shape over time. The study suggests that the support of bras weakens the muscles in the chest, causing the breasts to drop.
According to Dr. Donnica Moore (MD, host of the podcast In The Ladies Room, and women's health expert in Chester, NJ), the breast tissue can stretch over time if you never wear a bra to exercise.
However, going braless every once in a while isn't going to cause any significant changes. Plus, it's totally normal for your breast shape to change as you get older anyway.
Running braless may actually help keep your breasts rounder and perkier.
Running braless can boost your blood circulation. According to a study published in Chronology International that covers the effects of clothing (particularly tighter clothing) on body circulation, wearing tight bras isn't a good idea for your blood circulation.
All the tightness and squeezing around your chest area compresses major blood vessels and can slow your circulation, which has been linked to possible cardiovascular issues in the long run.
Besides allowing for better blood flow, not wearing a bra means that sweat and dirt won't be trapped against your skin by a tight sports bra. This reduces the chances of developing rashes, acne, and inflammations on your breasts from running.
The French study we mentioned above sheds light on other ways that running braless may help improve your breast health. Scientists have found that wearing a bra too often may be compromising your ability to grow healthy breast tissue.
Healthy breast tissue can reduce the risk of various breast diseases (such as breast cancer) and help strengthen chest muscles. For these reasons, it may be a good idea to run braless whenever you get the chance.
Bras are expensive, even more so when we talk about sports bras. You may end up paying up to $100 for a quality sports bra, so owning a few ones can take a toll on your wallet.
If you run braless, you won't need to buy as many sports bras, which in turn, saves you money.
The breasts move independently from the rest of your body and their weight is naturally supported by 2 structures: the skin itself and ligaments called Cooper's ligaments.
The purpose of wearing a sports bra – and any bra, really – is to support the weight of your breasts and minimize their movement while you work out.
The skin can resist a certain amount of strain, but if the exercise becomes too vigorous, it won't be able to provide the needed support. This can lead to breast pain as the tissues get irritated.
Some people can tolerate this just fine and they run braless, while others simply can't take it and have to wear a bra.
One issue that stops many ladies out there from running braless is avoiding unwanted attention.
It may be because you don't want others to judge how your body looks or you're just not comfortable with people eyeing your bouncing pair.
Both are valid reasons for deciding against running braless.
Not wearing a bra can negatively affect your performance as some research has shown that women have to work harder without a bra than with a sports bra due to increased upper body muscle activity.
This means that if the breasts aren't properly supported when running, the use of the upper body muscles will increase.
You may also experience a change in breathing patterns. Running without a bra puts more pressure on the rib cage, so your breathing is likely to be shallower and quicker.
A study conducted by the University of Portsmouth has shown that wearing an incorrect sports bra or any sports bra at all can cause a change in running gait.
They found that stride length decreased by 4cm. There was also a reduction in body rotation as well as the range of movement in the arms.
Contrary to popular belief, ditching your sports bra the next time you go running isn't an outrageous idea. As we mentioned, there are several reasons why it can be beneficial for your body.
So, should you run with or without a bra?
Well, after studying the pros and cons of running braless, it's probably safe to say that a little bit of both is the best way to go.
Of course, the decision is totally up to you if you want to never wear a bra while running. But if you feel physical discomfort, then you're probably better off alternating between both options.
This way, you also won't be missing out on the benefits of either choice.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Minneapolis parks will no longer cite anyone for being topless in a city park.
Wednesday, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board voted unanimously to approve a resolution to repeal its ordinance regarding proper attire after determining the ordinance is already covered by city and state law.
The repealed language stated, "No person ten (10) years of age or older shall intentionally expose his or her own genitals, pubic area, buttocks or female breast below the top of the areola, with less than a fully opaque covering in or upon any park or parkway".
Under Minneapolis and Minnesota law, it is not illegal for women to be topless. Under those statutes, indecent exposure involves lewd behavior.
A person who commits any of the following acts in any public place, or in any place where others are present, is guilty of a misdemeanor:
(1) willfully and lewdly exposes the person's body, or the private parts thereof;
(2) procures another to expose private parts; or
(3) engages in any open or gross lewdness or lascivious behavior, or any public indecency other than behavior specified in this subdivision.
A person who commits any of the following acts is guilty of a gross misdemeanor:
(1) the person violates subdivision 1 in the presence of a minor under the age of 16; or
(2) the person violates subdivision 1 after having been previously convicted of violating subdivision 1, sections 609.342 to 609.3451, or a statute from another state in conformity with any of those sections.
A person is guilty of a felony and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than five years or to payment of a fine of not more than $10,000, or both, if:
(1) the person violates subdivision 2, clause (1), after having been previously convicted of or adjudicated delinquent for violating subdivision 2, clause (1); section 609.3451, subdivision 1, clause (2); or a statute from another state in conformity with subdivision 2, clause (1), or section 609.3451, subdivision 1, clause (2); or
(2) the person commits a violation of subdivision 1, clause (1), in the presence of another person while intentionally confining that person or otherwise intentionally restricting that person's freedom to move.
It is not a violation of this section for a woman to breastfeed.
Folks are comfortable with one another in a resort. Nude is actually normal.
(Clothes Free International News)
Hello everyone,
I am a 21 year-old newly-married male. Two years ago when my wife and I were dating, I revealed to her my regular practice of home nudity and my desire to visit a nudist club. She didn't understand
why anyone would want to do this at first and was very reluctant to even talk about it, but after months of discussion and thought, she agreed to give it an honest try. It turned out she really
enjoyed our first visit - we went back several times that summer.
Some things I learned during this process were:
Finally, here are some "Baby Steps" to ease your partner into viewing simple nudity as fun and relaxing:
A GROWING number of people are stripping off across Ireland to help themselves cope with the woes of life in lockdown.
According to Newstalk, there has been a surge in the number of people showing an interest in joining the Irish Naturist Association.
This has been partially attributed to the Covid-19 restrictions in place across the country, with many exploring new ways of letting off steam and enjoying their natural surroundings.
The Irish Naturist Association is reporting a 31% increase in new memberships between May and July.
Speaking to The Hard Shoulder, member Ciara Boud cited the fact many have more free time on their hands during lockdown to explore such options.
"Maybe people had more time to be online, they're looking up stuff,” she said.
"The Irish Naturists have a very good presence on Instagram or Facebook or their YouTube channel.”
She also suggested naturism offers a unique chance at self-reflection – something that has proven a common experience among those living in lockdown.
"For me personally, it was quite a reflective experience: if you're spending more time with yourself".
Ciara also believes the inclement Irish climate no longer puts people off in the way it might have once done.
"You get accustomed to it, the same way that people live out by the sea and they're swimming every day... and even in the harshest of winters,"” she said.
"I'm not that brave - I go out for the New Year's Day swim but that's kind of it for me.
"I prefer the warmer weather as well, I suppose".
The real test will come once restrictions are eased altogether and the public has more freedom to live as they choose.
However, with cases of coronavirus beginning to edge up across the country, that time may not be arriving just yet.
It wasn’t a clothing optional protest, but one woman now known as “Naked Athena” took a seat in the nude on Friday night.
The woman was clad only in a face mask and a beanie when she got between protesters and officers in Portland, according to Oregon Live.
Video shows the woman pacing on the sidewalk, before taking a seat and doing some naked yoga and ballet poses.
“Everyone seemed surprised and kind of astounded,” said Dave Killen, a photographer for The Oregonian/OregonLive.
He said police shot pepper balls at the woman’s feet, even when another protester tried to run in front of her to protect her. Police reportedly left about 10 minutes after “Naked Athena” arrived on the scene.
“She was incredibly vulnerable,” Killen said.
“It would have been incredibly painful to be shot with any of those munitions with no clothes on.”
If you see a naked man swimming in the ocean at night, do not be alarmed.
It might be Bruce Springsteen.
The Boss delivered an ode to the joys of summer on his “Bruce Springsteen: From His Home, To Yours” broadcast of Wednesday, July 15 on Sirius XM's E Street Radio channel. The show was called “Summertime, Summertime.”
Those joys include skinny-dipping.
“There is nothing like the sea at night when the water is slightly warmer than the air, even though the air is humid after a 95 degree day,” Springsteen said. “God, I love swimming at night. It is all darkness and mystery. It is the void and it must be done naked. Clothes at the waterline, please. Do this, and my pilgrim, you will become cleansed. Never will the evening air, or a kiss on the beach, or a dry towel, ever feel so good again. The walk to the car will be filled with starlit grace and you will never forget it.
“Once you hit the water, you will be covered in the blossoming beauty of your youth no matter how old you are and whoever you're with, you will always remember them.”
Springsteen, as one could probably tell from his songs, loves summer. His telling of summer stories on the broadcast , and the songs that accompanied them, went beyond nostalgia to an almost impressionistic hue.
Springsteen spoke of walking the streets of Freehold in the middle of the night, hitch-hiking to the beach in Manasquan, drive-in movies and the big Freehold drug bust in the Summer of 1967. The Boss, not one to partake, was not arrested but it did mean the end of his first band, the Castiles.
He read surfing magazines as a kid.
“The advertisements for Fender guitars,” Springsteen said. “The true objects of my desires. Three white Fenders, a bass, a Stratocaster and a Jaguar. I spent hours in my room salivating over those guitars.”
Springsteen would later become make history with a Fender – a modified Telecaster. There was a hint of future music to come on the broadcast before he played a “studio outtake” of his “County Fair.” Unreleased songs recorded in the period between “The River” and “Nebraska” “will show up magically,” Springsteen said.
Summer is a season of magic.
“I loved and love summer,” said Springsteen at the beginning of the broadcast. “As a child I became summer. I melted into the hot tarmac and I rolled myself into a sandball at the beach. I slid beneath the murky waters ducking summer dragon flies at the Freehold pond. I sat in the tops of trees feeling the summer breeze prickle over my freshly cut Saturday afternoon flat top.
"I'd stand with my bike under the August sun on the roadside watching the local road crew lay down a steaming black top that beneath their rakes and shovels and heavy equipment curled and flattened like licorice. When the big man and the machinery moved away, I waited and I wanted my wheels to be the first to touch that steaming virgin roadway.
“In the twilight I sat glued to a curb with a pinkie rubber ball in my hand waiting for my best friend Bobby Duncan to finish his dinner so we could engage in epic gutter ball tournaments into the night, and later with scissors we'd poke holes into the lids of glass mason jars and invade the vacant lot across from my grandmother's front porch to capture our nightly quota of the evening's fireflies just to leave them twinkling till dawn on our night tables. May they rest in peace. We'd play home free, running from pool of light to pool of light under our neighborhood street lamps until we were called in, as the neighborhood's porch lights went dark, by my grandmother's voice. There my sister and I would sleep on opposite sides of the bed wrapped between hot sticky sheets on pre-air conditioning humid Jersey summer nights.”
On This Show: Join Tim, Paul and Melissa from Las Vegas and Philip, Madison and Corky from California.
Top Stories: Walt Disney wholesome nudity. Basic benefits of naturism. Nudism in Russia, Historic nudism in Germany. High School Nude swimming in the 1950’s. Plus more.
Although National Nude Day is not an officially observed holiday, it is a good excuse to go skinny dipping if you have a pool or enjoy lying naked in bed. Every July 14, National Nude Day is celebrated, and although the origins are unknown, nudism, which revolves around the philosophy of naturalism — had been practiced for thousands of years.
The holiday is meant to celebrate nudity and nakedness, and essentially enjoying your body and escaping from the pressures of wearing clothes all the time. In the United States, being naked is, of course, only publicly legal in certain places or under certain circumstances. Nudity laws have changed over the years, but in most places, there are only laws about indecent exposure of specific body parts.
Plenty of places have nude beaches and areas where it’s okay to bare it all, but it’s not as common as it was in yesteryears when the 1980s popularized nude swimming and the YMCA used to allow men to be nude together to swim. Now, there are legalities surrounding nudism in the U.S. that involve actual punishments and legal repercussions for walking around nude — the total opposite of some places in the world like Spain, where being nude is written into the country's constitution as an inalienable right. Consequences for indecent exposure can range from and include incarceration, fines, being put on a sexual offender registry, community service time, and more. In Vermont and Alaska, for example, you could still get in trouble for "exposing" yourself.
The laws all widely differ, and while some pose a threat to freedom, others are intentionally restrictive safety measures. There are states and cities, however, that allow people to celebrate nudity in all of its forms in special locations. Ahead, we've mapped out some of the U.S. cities and states where you can be free to (publicly) celebrate National Nude Day.
Seattle, WA
Seattle actually allows for people to be nude anywhere anytime as long as you’re not making anyone uncomfortable. Many people go to relax at beaches or parks without the stress of clothing, and have been doing so since the 1990s when the case of Seattle v. Johnson made it legal.
Oregon
Most places in Oregon are pretty lenient when it comes to nudity, as it turns out. There are plenty of nude spas and clubs you can go to (when it’s safe to go places again after the COVID-19 pandemic, of course). There are even lots of hot springs where you can enjoy unwinding totally au naturale.
Austin, TX
Surprisingly, Austin is one of the most topless-friendly cities in the United States, where there are no laws specifically forbidding public nudity. In fact, Hippie Hollow is Texas' government-maintained clothing-optional park, which covers 100 acres on Lake Travis's shoreline and is a great place to cool off in the nude.
New York, NY
New York is one of the only places where anyone of any gender can go topless publicly without it being considered indecent exposure. However, it's still not legal to bare your genitals, so no summer streaking across Rockaway Beach unless you want a hefty fine.
Philadelphia, PA
Philly technically allows you to be naked as long as you're not being "lewd." In fact, there's usually an Annual Naked Bike Ride, which has also been seen in other places like Los Angeles. Still, people usually cover their genitals.
Florida
It's actually completely legal to go out in the nude for some sun at many beaches in Florida, where at places like Miami's Haulover Beach it's clothing optional. Feel free to bare it all at Playalinda, Blind Creek Beach, or even South Beach (although, watch out for camera phones). Perhaps the only exception (though there is no legal precedent) is Bunche Beach Preserve in San Carlos Bay of Fort Myers, which definitely does not want anyone to take their clothes off.
At a lake in Berlin on Wednesday, where Germans are known to bask and bathe in the buff, a middle-aged nude man found himself at the center of a ridiculous scene — chasing down a wild boar while naked.
According to Adele Landauer, another visitor to Teufelssee — that’s “Devil’s Lake” in English — a boar and her two piglets had been perusing the shore in search of snacks. After reportedly consuming a stash of leftover pizza from the backpack of another tourist, who was swimming in the lake at the time, the pig posse moved on to the bright yellow bag, which they surely thought had food inside.
What happened next was pure mayhem.
“In the yellow bag is the man’s laptop, so he gave it his all in Adam’s costume,” she said, adding that the man had “laughed loudly” at the images, and authorized her to post them on social media.
“Everyone of us adored him how focused he stayed and when he came back with his yellow bag in the hand we all clapped and congratulated him for his success,” the acting coach captioned. “This happens when you’re focused on your goals.”
The wild suids of Europe have been known to stick their snouts where they don’t belong. Late last year, a boar in Italy unearthed an estimated $22,000 worth of cocaine buried in the Tuscan countryside by drug traffickers. And in May, as the streets of Spain cleared due to pandemic lockdown measures, officers in Catalonia were forced to herd the potentially dangerous hogs back to the forest, before they could attack residents.
The deceptively agile animals, which can run as fast as 30 mph and climb walls up to 6 feet high, are not to be trifled with — lest you find yourself defenseless facing a pack of untamed porkers.
In a viral tweet last year, a concerned Arkansas man asked rhetorically — as a defense in favor of assault rifle ownership, no less: “Legit question for rural Americans — How do I kill the 30-50 feral hogs that run into my yard within 3-5 mins while my small kids play?”
Helena Howard says it's legal on non-Minneapolis Park Board roads and that women should be able to go topless on a hot day.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN — When planning a bike ride, a helmet is a must. Sometimes Helena Howard brings her adorable pup, Grazie, along too. All else for them is optional though, including a shirt.
"I think it's pretty silly," Howard said. "They're just nipples."
Howard has been biking topless for a while now.
"It's hot out and men can do it so why shouldn't everyone be able to do it?" she said. When asked if she has gotten negative feedback, she said, "a little bit. I think mostly positive or just kind of curious comments but there has been some cat-calling or rude comments."
Howard said her curiosity about what the state allowed in terms of her being topless was triggered when she was cited for being topless on a beach about two years ago.
"I was on my stomach, my partner was on his back," she said. "And the police came on a routine check of the beach, they walked past me and came around again and told me that I needed to put a shirt on. Took my ID and gave me a citation for being topless in a Minneapolis park."
The Minneapolis Park Board ordinance states, "No person ten (10) years of age or older shall intentionally expose his or her own genitals, pubic area, buttocks or female breast below the top of the areola, with less than a fully opaque covering in or upon any park or parkway..."
However, Howard, in her research to fight the citation, found that the state of Minnesota doesn't say it's illegal for a female to be topless. The State Statute just defines indecent exposure as "engag(ing) in any open or gross lewdness or lascivious behavior, or any public indecency other than behavior specified in this subdivision."
Knowing this, Howard said she hit the road on her bike staying just a few feet away from parks and parkways where she still could be cited.
"I was also nervous about what other people would do but didn't really get any comments," Howard said, referring to her first topless bike ride ever. "Got some people looking or taking pictures but after that I started biking by myself. I felt safe for the most part."
Since that first ride, Howard said she takes full advantage of the sun on hot days. She is also encouraging others to give it a shot, if they're curious.
"I just want people to know that it's legal and also make people think about why it's weird to them or why they think it's not acceptable," she said. "I don't think it's all that different from a man being topless. I also want to fight the sexualization of breasts and female bodies. I think it would be a safer place if female bodies could just exist without being objectified."
Howard said she is organizing a group topless ride this Sunday at 6:30 p.m. She said all are invited to meet her and join her at the Recovery Bike Shop in Northeast Minneapolis. If you have questions or want to get in touch with her, she said she can be reached at hmlhoward@gmail.com.
Jessica Layton, a local theatre performer, had been making the most of the sunny weather and was just about to head home when she saw the family in distress.
A woman is being hailed a hero for her unabashed bravery in helping a family in distress, near a UK nudist beach.
On Wednesday, a family of three were caught in a rip tide near the naturist beach of Pedn Vounder in South West England, reported The Sun. Fortunately one sunbather noticed their plight and was not reserved about coming to their rescue.
"It was just after 3pm and the tide was coming in. I decided to go for a final rip before going home," Layton told The Sun.
"I was topless in the sea when I saw two teenage girls struggling to swim near rocks, their mum ran in to help them and she started struggling too.
"I swam towards them and thought, 'Oh s**t' as I realised how strong the rip current was.
"I was struggling myself and they were panicking, which wasn't ideal in a situation like that.
"I was going to tell them to float, which is the best thing you can do in a rip current, but they were panicking so much it wouldn't have worked.
"They were all holding hands, so I grabbed one of their hands and pulled them all on to the beach."
While she admitted that it might have been quite a scene, she was grateful to have seen the family before she had left.
"Fortunately I'd just put my bikini bottoms on before it happened," she told The Sun.
"It's a classic – of course, I was going to be topless when something like this happens."
The nudist beach does not have a lifeguard and was one of many overrun by visitors as the UK's Covid restrictions ease, ahead of summer.
The popular lakeside bar at Florida’s oldest nudist resort is still shuttered, even as the rest of the Lake Como Family Nudist Resort in Lutz slowly reopens. The Bare Buns Café, for instance, now allows limited seating on the screened patio and under the pool deck canopy, albeit with everyone six feet apart — and please bring a towel to sit on.
Across the country, state and local governments are easing restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The virus continues to kill and new cases pile up, leaving businesses and communities struggling with when and how to resume operations. Florida’s robust nudist industry is no different.
“We’re in the first phase of our four-phase reopening plan, with phase four being everything goes back to normal — but whether we’ll actually get to that, nobody knows,” said Mike Kush, marketing director of Lake Como, founded in 1941 as the Florida Athletic and Health Association.
Florida’s year-round balmy weather has made it a magnet for tourists with a taste for clothing-optional swimming, tennis and volleyball. Florida has more nudist resorts than any other state — 29 registered clubs, more than twice as many as California.
Like all other aspects of the tourism industry, Florida’s nudist resorts have been hurt by the coronavirus and stay-at-home orders. Lake Como was open only to its 200 year-round residents; the 800 who visit regularly were locked out. The resort also canceled three of its biggest events, including its Dare to Go Bare 5K Run, which usually attracts 150 unclothed competitors.
Nobody knows yet how much money the resorts will lose this year because of stay-at-home orders and quarantines, said Erich Schuttauf, executive director of the American Association for Nude Recreation.
Roe Ostheim, 72, a 24-year resident of Cypress Cove Nudist Resort in Kissimmee, normally stays busy playing tennis, golf and pickleball in the nude. For two months, she had to content herself with riding her bicycle around the resort — but she didn’t mind.
“I feel safer in here than I do anywhere else,” the Scottish retiree said, explaining that the resort’s residents all know each other and look out for each other.
Ostheim said a few residents have complained about the resort keeping its gym closed, as well as a temporary requirement to wear a mask in common areas, but she is not one of them. She’s glad that the golf course has reopened, albeit with some new rules: “Nobody touches anybody else’s ball, and we all start on a different hole, alternating with the one, three and five holes.”
Her friend Carolyn Hawkins, 77, has lived at Cypress Cove for 40 years, and said she’s never seen such a strange time. In the past, when other residents would stop by her house, she would gladly invite them in — but not now.
“I don’t ever let anybody in my house,” she said.
She helps supervise the resort’s recently reopened pool, where swimmers are limited to 10 at a time and must stay six feet apart.
“That’s a little challenging,” Hawkins said, noting that the rules have sparked a little grumbling. “A lot of people are waiting to get in, but they also don’t want to see it shut down again.”
All in all, though, she was glad she was inside the resort when Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) issued his stay-at-home orders.
“I could hang out in my house with no clothes on, and there’s no stress here,” she said.
At Hidden Lake Resort, near the Panhandle town of Jay, visitors who had recently arrived from New York, Canada and Illinois were allowed to stay on during the shutdown. It was safer than sending them home, said owner Jim Nowling. Meanwhile, nobody else was allowed in. Nowling said he had to cancel pages of reservations.
Hidden Lake is one of the smallest nudist resorts in Florida. It typically has about 35 people staying there over Memorial Day weekend, Nowling said. That marks the end of their busy season, which begins in October and goes all winter and into the spring.
With just a handful of guests over the past two months, the 800-acre resort was particularly quiet. Nowling said they lit a bonfire most nights and held potluck dinners.
Hidden Lake and the other resorts began reopening in mid-May. Doing so has meant some changes. For instance, people who normally wear nothing are now walking around wearing masks.
“We’ll have tan lines, but in a different place,” Schuttauf joked.
Some popular resort amenities — bars with live music, like the Butt Hutt, for instance — are still deemed too risky to reopen. Others are once again accessible, but with limits.
At Cypress Cove, management announced that only three people at a time will be allowed in the outdoor hot tub, and then for only 15 minutes at a time. Six can occupy the indoor hot tub, but still for only 15 minutes. Meanwhile, only 10 people at a time can occupy the pool, and for a maximum of 30 minutes per person.
The Caliente Club & Resorts in Land o’ Lakes, which bills itself as “the hottest nudist resort in the country,” posted a long list of new precautions ahead of its May 11 reopening: new hand sanitizer stations, increased cleaning, menu boards rather than handed-out menus, disposable cutlery in the restaurant, and thermal imaging cameras to check body temperature.
Lake Como and Caliente are both in Pasco County, which has so many nudist resorts it’s become known as the “Nudist Capital of the U.S.” Pasco officials have embraced the nudist resorts because they generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in tourist taxes.
Nudists may not have pockets, but they do have a lot of money to spend. A 2017 study by Saint Leo University, paid for by the association, estimated that 2.2 million nudists visit resorts and beaches and take nude cruises, contributing more than $7 billion to Florida’s economy.
Nudism first caught on in the United States 90 years ago, brought over by German immigrants who believed the best way to commune with nature was in one’s birthday suit. The nation’s first resort for nudists opened in New York’s Hudson River valley in 1931 and drew 200 members as well as police raids. A judge acquitted the members of lewd behavior, ruling they had done their best to avoid exposing the public to naked bodies.
In the 1940s, the nudism movement spread across the country, particularly once resorts began including pools and RV parking. Now they range from expensive lodging with glitzy nightclubs and four-star restaurants to facilities with few amenities beyond nature trails and a high fence.
Nudism, however, isn’t necessarily any more or less dangerous than a clothed lifestyle when it comes to the coronavirus.
“I don’t see wearing clothing as being much of a risk factor,” said University of Florida epidemiologist Cindy Prins. As for whether swimming and sunbathing can block the virus’s spread, she said, “it depends on whether you’re doing social distancing.”
“It’s generally safer to be outside than inside,” said Marissa J. Levine, director of the Center for Leadership in Public Health Practice at the University of South Florida. Other than that, she said, nudism offers no real advantages in warding off the virus
Prins and Levine did agree that one special instruction Caliente’s management offered its residents might not be as effective as it hoped.
“Being wonderful and social we know our members and guests often greet each other with a hug and a kiss,” the Caliente notice said. “In this time we might suggest a variation … We might suggest embracing the butt bump. It’s more fun than the elbow bump and doubles as a great move on the dance floor.”
Prins said: “I would recommend — not.”
Rosie Del Campo CTV News Kitchener Producer
A woman cooks at a barbeque at the Bare Bistro at a naturist resort near Newmarket, Ont. (Courtesy: Bare Oaks Family Naturist Park)
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KITCHENER -- After months of COVID-19 related closures, naturists are removing the shackles of life in quarantine by removing their clothes.
“There’s something about taking your clothes off that makes you feel like you’re really finally losing all the shackles of society and all the rules,” says Stéphane Deschênes, owner of Bare Oaks Family Naturist Park near Newmarket, Ont. “You almost feel cleaner because your body is breathing and you can feel the sun on your skin. Makes you feel very alive.”
And Deschênes is not alone. The naturist resort has been welcoming more visitors than usual during this time of year, especially thanks to sunshine and summer-like temperatures last weekend.
“We were unusually busy,” he says. “I think people had a ton of cabin fever.”
He says he's looking forward to welcoming even more visitors now that the Ontario government is allowing all short-term rentals.
Meanwhile, at Ponderosa Nature Resort in Freelton, Ont., there’s been an increase in the number of inquiries about memberships and permanent residences.
“I think people are looking ahead at the future of travel,” says resort spokesperson Shawn Rutledge. “We have a lot of snowbirds that season here who are anticipating not being able to snowbird this coming winter. So those people have started to inquire about permanent residence, as well.”
It’s still unclear, though, what restrictions will still be in place during the upcoming snowbird season.
Amenities at both Ponderosa and Bare Oaks, such as pools and saunas, are off limits and new safety measures have been put in place.
At Bare Oaks, everyone is asked to maintain physical distancing, not to gather in groups of more than five people, and to wear masks while using the washrooms.
Travel restrictions are also a concern in the Ontario naturist industry, which relies on tourists from south of the border and other provinces.
“Overall, in the long term, it will affect us because we won’t be able to have our American visitors and right now we can’t even have people from Quebec, and a lot of people come from Quebec, as well,” says Deschênes.
Whether they’re long-term tenants, seasonal visitors or out-of-town guests, all naturists at the park help create a sense of community.
“It’s really important because you can’t get it just anywhere else. There are very few places you can go,” he says.
Some naturists are getting their sense of community by baring it all online.
A U.K. nudist organization is making an effort to bring naturists together through virtual pub or morning coffee meetups and naked yoga.
British Naturism has gained over 370 members since the pandemic began and has seen an increase in the number of people signing up for online events.
“The number of new people joining us has almost tripled since the beginning of the U.K. lockdown at the end of March,” says British Naturism’s commercial manager, Andrew Welch.
Now that more people are working from home, Welch believes fewer people are worried about what to wear – or haven’t bothered with clothes at all.
“People have discovered that, contrary to popular belief, it’s nice to be naked and not shameful, ridiculous, harmful,” he says.
“Being naked with other members of your household isn’t weird, provocative or in any way negative. In fact, you feel human again. What’s the point of wearing hot, sticky clothes when the weather is warm?”
At a time when people may be experiencing feelings of fear and anxiety, Welch says not wearing clothes doesn’t seem so shocking or eyebrow-raising.
“The world has changed and we’re rewriting the rules,” he explains. “Unusual might be the new usual.”
A homeless woman was jailed Monday morning after Ocala Police officers received reports about a woman walking at a busy intersection with nothing on but a pair of sneakers.
While responding to the intersection of E. Fort King Street and S.E. 12th Terrace, officers were notified by dispatchers that they were receiving additional calls about the naked woman, later identified as 33-year-old Irma Delarosa, crossing over State Road 40 and walking near the busy intersection, a report states.
Upon turning onto SE 12th Terrace from E. Fort King Street, officers were flagged down by a person who pointed them toward Delarosa. The officers then saw her wearing no clothes and walking south on SE 12th Terrace in a residential area. A previous caller reported that Delarosa had been naked when she walked between churches, the report says.
Officers made contact with Delarosa and placed a blue plastic garment over her body to “cover her private parts.” She told officers she was walking naked because she was hot and was trying to cool off. She said she was coming from the area near the Salvation Army and “felt fine.” Officers noted that she “was able to have a coherent conversation and did not appear to be impaired,” the report says.
Delarosa also told officers that she hadn’t use any illegal narcotics and hadn’t had anything to eat or drink other than a small amount of beer earlier that morning. She was able to tell officers what day it was, the name of the president, the city she was in and the year, “Indicating she was of sound mind and body at the time of the contact.”
Paramedics from Ocala Fire Rescue responded to the scene to evaluate Delarosa. She denied any further treatment and refused to go to a hospital after also admitting that she hadn’t taken her medication “in some time.”
An officer who was at the scene said he had been in contact with Delarosa a few days earlier and he was advised that she hadn’t taken her medication in approximately two years. She later told officers that she hadn’t taken the medication in about three weeks, the report says.
Delarosa, who is homeless, was arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail, where she was charged with exposure of sexual organs. She was released Tuesday night on her own recognizance and is due in court July 14 at 8:30 a.m.
Many areas in Florida permit “clothing optional” beaches.
A Florida lawmaker wants to make clear that it’s OK to be naked at a nude beach.
While it is illegal to expose one’s sexual organs in public, many areas permit “clothing optional” beaches and the state has at least 34 nude resorts.
But there are cases where people have been arrested and charged for being nude at a nude beach.
Sen. Jason Pizzo, D-Miami, wants to make sure folks who enjoy Florida beaches au naturel aren’t arrested and charged under the same set of laws as, say, child molestation.
“That’s ‘no bueno,’ as we say in Miami,” said Pizzo, about something “that is already legal and allowed by numerous communities across Florida.”
His bill (SB 850) would expressly allow being “naked in public ... including, but not limited to, clothing-optional beaches.”
“A mother breastfeeding her baby does not, under any circumstances, violate” the law, it adds.
When he addressed the state’s Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee Tuesday, Pizzo had a staff analysis that detailed how nude tourism holds a billion-dollar potential for the economy.
The state’s nude resort industry already attracts more than 2.2 million tourists a year, according to reports, and nude beaches generate an economic impact of as much as $7 billion.
For instance, Haulover Beach — the No. 2 nude beach in the world, according to Cosmopolitan magazine — is in Pizzo’s district. It produces more than $980,000 in parking fees annually for Miami and attracts as many as 7,000 tourists a day, he said.
But Pizzo has heard from people who said they were arrested and charged with lewd and lascivious conduct simply for being nude at a nude beach.
Communities along the state’s east coast have voted to make clothes optional at places like Apollo Beach near New Smyrna, Playalinda Beach near the Cape Canaveral Seashore, and along some Panhandle beaches west of Panama City.
It’s hard to undo a lewd and lascivious charge in the eyes of a public unfamiliar with the legal system, said Pizzo, a former prosecutor.
“It could be something completely innocuous, like being in the parking lot, but you get arrested and I do a background check, and see a lewd and lascivious charge,” Pizzo said. “I’m not going to hire you.”
Pizzo now has presented the bill to two committees without opposition from lawmakers or any members of the public.
It has one more committee to clear before being available for the Senate floor. There is no House companion.
This story originally published to tallahassee.com, and was shared to other Florida newspapers in the new Gannett Media network.
CONCORD, N.H. — There's no reason for the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in on New Hampshire's "Free the Nipple" case, the state attorney general said this week.© Rich
Beauchesne Image: Free the Nipple Movement
The high court is deciding whether to accept the appeal of three women who were convicted of public nudity at Weirs Beach in Laconia in 2016. Part of a campaign advocating for the rights of women to go topless, Heidi Lilley, Kia Sinclair and Ginger Pierro argue the city's ordinance discriminates on the basis of gender and that the Supreme Court should step in to settle disagreements on the issue that have arisen elsewhere.
The court asked the state to respond in September. In its filing this week, the state said there has been no meaningful disagreement. Nearly every state high court and federal appeals court has upheld similar ordinances, it said. And the only federal appeals court that ruled to the contrary involved reviewing a preliminary injunction, not the merits of the law.
The conflict the women identify is therefore "illusory," the state said, and the court need not "wade into areas better left for the policy making of local legislative bodies."
The state also argues that the state Supreme Court was correct in concluding that the Laconia ordinance does not discriminate based on gender bur rather "simply reflects common understanding of nudity, and that men and women are not interchangeable within those understandings." While the women argue that the ordinance is based in "archaic, overbroad, and obsolescent notions about gender," the state pointed that it is consistent with other laws that recognize the female breast as an erogenous body part warranting concealment in public.
For example, the state's revenge pornography law makes it illegal to distribute private sexual images that show female breasts or other intimate parts. And another law makes it a crime to secretly observe or photograph someone's private body parts, including female breasts.
"The Legislature left that language undisturbed when it amended the statute in 2012, not so long ago as to be considered a bygone era," the state wrote.
The women now have two weeks to file a response.
There’s almost nothing you can’t do naked if you’re in this club
By Hannah Frishberg
July 29, 2019 | 3:53pm | Updated
Everything’s better in the buff. So says Léa Panduccio, 27, who co-founded NYC nude events group Just Naked with husband Adam Schwietert, 29, this past January.
Together, the two are encouraging nudity-loving New Yorkers to strip down for all manner of activities: playing Pictionary, listening to poetry and jazz, eating pizza, sketching live models — and, for their latest birthday-suit bash, gymnastics.
“Come roll around and embrace your inner child self with our Naked Introduction to Adult Gymnastics,” reads the description for the July 30 event.
After 20 minutes of (clothed) mingling, participants will expose themselves and practice their handstands, backbends and cartwheels in a “private space near Herald Square.” (The address is provided with ticket confirmation.)
Beginner gymnasts are welcome — as are beginner nudists. Tickets are $17 each but a $35 monthly membership fee gets you free entry to all Just Naked events.
“Being naked is just kind of a fun thing, especially for people who are not used to it,” says Schwietert, who says he isn’t a nudist or naturalist. “There’s often a lot of laughter.”
Feeling a little shy? Women can keep their undies on for cartwheels, the event page says.
There’s even a specific policy for erections.
“Become aware of your arousal, take a moment to yourself to celebrate the fact you are human and then to please excuse yourself until your fire cools,” says the event page.
There isn’t a specific social media policy, Schweitert says — but it usually works out. “We don’t even ban phones … [But] if you’re naked, where you gonna put it?”
So far, Just Naked has held over 50 events attended by more than 600 people. The Naked Dinners, they say, are the most popular. Memberships run $5 to $35.
At this point, the company’s more exciting to Schwietert than the bodies.
“The naked part will get boring after awhile,” he says, “but the people never do.”
by Gustavo Olguin, KTUL staff
TULSA, Okla, (KTUL) - You could see the confusion on people's faces at the Riverside trail Sunday.
People were pointing and staring at women skating around without their shirts.
"I really don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. I mean we all come into this world naked. So, it shouldn’t be an issue,” said Derrick Smith, who was at the park with his kids.
A recent federal ruling says events like these are OK in Oklahoma. Giving Tulsa its first topless event since those changes were made.
“Nipples and breasts are sexual just because we’ve covered them for so long and that’s the only reason,” said event creator Lex Taylor.
She said the fact that women don't have to wear a shirt in public anymore is a big win when it comes to body positivity across Tulsa.
She uses her time as a breast-feeding mother as an example of why this change was needed.
“I was shamed for like two years for just feeding my child. Breasts aren’t sexual to me,” she said.
Of course, not everyone was OK with all the skin showing.
A man with a megaphone protested the event today.
He said everyone participating should be ashamed of what was going on.
This led to shouting matches with the crowd.
Since it's a public park many parents, like Smith, were playing with their kids just steps away the half-clothed people.
He said his family wasn't bothered by it, because now everyone can take off their shirt regardless of gender.
“I understand if you’re walking around with your genitals hanging out. That’s one thing, but men walk around without their shirts all day long,” Smith said.
The people in charge of the event said now that there's court backing for anyone to take their shirt off in public they hope to use Sunday's big event to normalize women being topless around Tulsa.
Taylor said she hope to skate like this more often, without a giant crowd present to watch.
Down in Australia, nudist spend some of their time at the beach picking up trash others have left behind. Get a tan and do somthing good for the environment.
Cut and paste and see for yourself:
https://www.facebook.com/getnakdaustralia/videos/396086957956675/https://www.facebook.com/getnakdaustralia/videos/396086957956675/
Does nudity negate professionalism? Distract from intelligence? Challenge integrity? In a time when sexual freedom is still a battleground, six journalists argue against society's expectations, speaking out on the true meaning of freedom and rejecting the notion that sexual expression and intellect are mutually exclusive.
https://youtu.be/XC4LmqIfXHM
By Nick Levine Posted: Monday June 4 2018, 4:22pm
Tube driver, photographer and life model Natasha Porter explains why World Naked Bike Ride is much more than an excuse to get your kit off
It boosts your body confidence
‘Originally I thought I’d take part as a one-off, but the bike ride changed my life. It’s just made me so much more confident and outgoing. I even do life-modelling now, where you’re much more
scrutinised than on the bike ride.’
There’s a real sense of camaraderie
‘On a good year, we get more than a thousand people taking part. It’s almost like a carnival atmosphere. You’re all in the same boat and there to have fun.’
It encourages creativity
‘Some of the body paint people wear is like proper artwork. Honestly, you wouldn’t want to wash it off afterwards.’
It works well in London
‘We do get a few lairy comments from people who’ve been out drinking all day, but most people in the city don’t bat an eyelid – they just see it as a bit of fun.’
You don’t have to be completely naked
‘Lots of first-timers do the ride in their underwear, which is still a pretty big deal. The important thing is you feel comfortable.’
It normalises nudity
‘We see so many sexualised images of women’s bodies in music videos and on billboards. But this isn’t about appealing to the male gaze. It’s about rejecting the idea of perfection and showing that
all bodies are valid and equal to one another.’
World Naked Bike Ride takes place on Sat Jun 9 with starting points in Tower Hill, Regent’s Park, West Norwood, Hyde Park and more. Times vary. Find your route at wnbr.london. Free.
WORKING FOR TAMPA BAY’S OWN CLOTHING OPTIONAL BEACH! Tampa Area Naturists is a non-profit naturist group which is dedicated to obtaining publicly managed, officially sanctioned, clothing optional beaches in the greater Tampa Bay Area. TAN is proudly affiliated with The Naturist Society.
Source: www.tanfl.com
Young people reportedly make up a large proportion of the growing interest
The French motto of "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité" could not be more fitting as the number of French people identifying as nudists has risen by more than 50 per cent in the past four years alone.
Figures from the French Federation of Naturism (FFN) reveal that the country typically associated with the sensual pleasures of food and love can now claim around 2.7 million nudists.
Last year, a section of one of Paris’ largest public parks, the Bois de Vincennes, was set aside as a clothing-optional zone.
Paris’ first nudist restaurant, the aptly named O’Naturel, opened its doors to the clothing averse in November last year.
And, when the Palais de Tokyo museum in Paris advertised a naked session of an exhibition, an incredible 30,000 people requested one of only 161 tickets on offer, according to The Telegraph.
Organisers of other clothing-free events are also reported to be heavily oversubscribed.
Images of retired hikers can also be dismissed, as more young people than ever before are exploring the liberating lifestyle, according to the FFN.
Jacques Freeman from the Association of Promotion of Naturism in Liberty suggested that young people’s growing interest in naturism could be part of a wider political movement.
“Nudity is synonymous with freedom,” he told French news site The Local.
A spokesperson for the French Embassy seemed happy with the developments: “Naturists and nudists are welcome all over our country! There are over 80 centres and 180 clubs throughout the country ready to welcome them, which makes France the country most visited by naturists and the best-equipped to meet their needs.”
Those considering a move away from “travelling textile” – the term used to describe being fully clothed – are well served. Earlier this year, NaturistBnB was launched to help naturist travellers find nudist-friendly holidays. The Airbnb-style booking site lists over 200 properties around the globe for those seeking some clothing-free rest and relaxation.
Radium Produccions/Westend61 GmbH/Newscom
Federal courts now disagree on women's right to bare breasts.
February has seen two new rulings on whether women should be allowed to show their nipples in public, including one decision that sets the issue up for a potential turn at the Supreme Court.
The more recent ruling, from the Denver-based 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, holds that a Fort Collins, Colorado, ban on female toplessness is likely unconstitutional and that a lower court was correct in issuing a preliminary injunction to stop it. In a 2–1 decision, judges suggested:
the city's professed interest in protecting children derives not from any morphological differences between men's and women's breasts but from negative stereotypes depicting women's breasts, but not men's breasts, as sex objects.
You can read the whole ruling (and dissent) here. The decision diverges from federal judicial wisdom in a 2017 case out of Chicago. In that ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit upheld a lower court's decision to dismiss the claims of Sonoko Tagami, who got a city citation and fine for protesting with only paint covering her breasts.
The disparity between the two federal appeals court rulings could mean a future U.S. Supreme Court case.
In other recent nipple news, the Supreme Court of New Hampshire has ruled in favor of allowing city bans on bare-breasted women. The February 8 decision upholds the convictions of three topless women arrested for breaking the City of Laconia's anti-nudity law.
"We conclude that the Laconia ordinance does not classify on the basis of gender" because it "prohibits both men and women from being nude in a public place," the New Hampshire ruling says. "That the ordinance defines nudity to include exposure of the female but not male breast does not mean that it classifies based upon a suspect class."
Two justices did dissent in part. "We agree with our colleagues in most respects: Laconia's ordinance does not violate the defendants' rights to freedom of speech and expression; it falls within the regulatory authority of the City of Laconia," they write. "However, we part company with the majority when it rejects the defendants' equal protection claim."
The skinny dipping event - from 6pm to 8pm this Saturday at Blackpool's Sandcastle Waterpark - has been organised by British Naturism
In my 2011 book, 2025 Five Days in Paradise, I have Grandpa reading his newspaper on Monday, July 27, 2025 when he sees the headlines: Cure for Cancer Discovered! Today I see researchers in Australia have found a common DNA thread for all cancers and have created a 10-minute cancer test. While 'we' are not there yet, we are getting closer!
Inexpensive procedure shows whether patient has cancerous cells in the body, but does not reveal where or how serious it is
Coloured scanning electron micrograph of dividing breast cancer cells. Photograph: Steve Gschmeissner/Getty/Science Photo Library RM
Scientists have developed a universal cancer test that can detect traces of the disease in a patient’s bloodstream.
The cheap and simple test uses a colour-changing fluid to reveal the presence of malignant cells anywhere in the body and provides results in less than 10 minutes.
While the test is still in development, it draws on a radical new approach to cancer detection that could make routine screening for the disease a simple procedure for doctors.
“A major advantage of this technique is that it is very cheap and extremely simple to do, so it could be adopted in the clinic quite easily,” said Laura Carrascosa, a researcher at the University of Queensland.
The test has a sensitivity of about 90%, meaning it would detect about 90 in 100 cases of cancer. It would serve as an initial check for cancer, with doctors following up positive results with more focused investigations.
The test was made possible by the Queensland team’s discovery that cancer DNA and normal DNA stick to metal surfaces in markedly different ways. This allowed them to develop a test that distinguishes between healthy cells and cancerous ones, even from the tiny traces of DNA that find their way into the bloodstream.
Healthy cells ensure they function properly by patterning their DNA with molecules called methyl groups. These work like volume controls, silencing genes that are not needed and turning up others that are. In cancer cells, this patterning is hijacked so that only genes that help the cancer grow are switched on. While the DNA inside normal cells has methyl groups dotted all over it, the DNA inside cancer cells is largely bare, with methyl groups found only in small clusters at specific locations.
Writing in the journal Nature Communications, the Queensland team described a series of tests that confirmed the telltale pattern of methyl groups in breast, prostate and colorectal cancer as well as lymphoma. They then showed that the patterns had a dramatic impact on the DNA’s chemistry, making normal and cancer DNA behave very differently in water. “This is a huge discovery that no one has grasped before,” said Carrascosa.
After a series of experiments, the scientists hit on the new test for cancer. The suspect DNA is added to water containing tiny gold nanoparticles. Though made of gold, the particles turn the water pink. If DNA from cancer cells is then added, it sticks to the nanoparticles in such a way that the water retains its original colour. But if DNA from healthy cells is added, the DNA binds to the particles differently, and turns the water blue. “The test is sensitive enough to detect very low levels of cancer DNA in the sample,” Carrascosa said.
Led by Matt Trau, a professor of chemistry at the University of Queensland, the researchers have run the test on 200 human cancer samples and healthy DNA. “We certainly don’t know yet whether it’s the holy grail for all cancer diagnostics, but it looks really interesting as an incredibly simple universal marker for cancer, and as an accessible and inexpensive technology that doesn’t require complicated lab-based equipment like DNA sequencing,” Trau said.
The scientists are now working towards clinical trials with patients that have a broader range of cancer types than they have tested so far.
To test for cancer today, doctors must collect a tissue biopsy from a patient’s suspected tumour. The procedure is invasive and relies on the patient noticing a lump, or reporting symptoms that their GP recognises as a potential sign of cancer. A less invasive test that has the potential to spot cancer earlier could transform how patients are screened for the disease.
The DNA in cancer cells can be riddled with mutations that drive the growth of a specific tumour, but these mutations tend to differ depending on the type of cancer. A universal cancer test would not be precise enough to pinpoint the location or size of a tumour, but would give doctors a swift answer to the question: does this patient have cancer?
Tests in the lab showed that the scientists could distinguish normal DNA from cancer DNA by looking for a colour change in the gold particle solution that was visible to the naked eye within a few minutes.
“This test could be done in combination with other simple tests, and become a powerful diagnostic tool that could not just say that you have cancer, but also the type and stage,” said Carrascosa.
Ged Brady, of the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, said: “This approach represents an exciting step forward in detecting tumour DNA in blood samples and opens up the possibility of a generalised blood-based test to detect cancer. Further clinical studies are required to evaluate the full clinic potential of the method.”
Readers, this is the Generation that I believe will make my Chapter 25 "World Peace" come into being. Read this article in OZY created with JPMorgan Chase & Co.
You Call Them Gen Z, We Call Them ‘Philanthroteens’
Asked to picture a member of Generation Z, you might imagine a young adult with earbuds and their face glued to the screen of an iPhone. Or you might picture someone rallying behind a meaningful cause or posting on Snapchat about a new movement.
All of these, and more, are accurate depictions.
Gen Z — generally defined as anyone born after 1996 — is often referred to as the “philanthroteen” generation due to their propensity for activism and support of social causes. Born in an era dominated by the war on terror and raised during the Great Recession, Gen Z has inhabited a vastly different world than the one familiar to millennials. As a result, they’ve developed a very specific viewpoint on how to help the world. In fact, a 2018 study from Girl Up found that:
So how, exactly, does this generation plan to leave a lasting impact? Let’s look at some of the key places where Gen Z is concentrating their philanthropic efforts.
Millennials may remember iPods and MySpace from their teen years, but Gen Z is the first generation to be raised in the age of smartphones — and they don’t know anything different. In fact, many cannot remember a time before social media. Dean McGovern, executive director of the Bennion Community Service Center at the University of Utah, points out that social media plays a major role in how Gen Z gives back because it’s so integral to their lives. “We know social media is a big part of where Gen Z students spend their time, get news, meet people, buy products, contribute to causes and learn about events and programs,” he says.
And it’s such a tremendous driver that Gen Z may be responsible for enhancing Americans’ civic engagement. Robert Putnam, a political scientist at Harvard, reported a decline in social capital over the past decade due to decreased participation in civic groups and social clubs. But in the past few years, Gen Z has rapidly replenished this social capital through targeted websites and social media platforms.
“They’re sparking a bit of a revolution,” says McGovern.
While social media digitally connects Gen Z to various causes, this generation also seeks to bring civic engagement into their everyday lives. “They want to make change locally and actually see the difference they are making,” says McGovern. “They also want their volunteering efforts to translate to employable skills and connections to jobs.”
Considering that Gen Z will account for 32 percent of the global population next year, companies are getting smarter about engaging this growing pool of talent. And some companies are ahead of the curve. For example, JPMorgan Chase’s Good Works program connects employees to community volunteering, workplace giving, skills-based volunteerism and even board service. And the company’s employees are eager to make a difference.
In 2017 alone, more than 56,000 JPMorgan Chase employees participated in volunteer projects, donating nearly 400,000 hours of their time and almost $7 million to nonprofits of their choosing, utilizing the company workplace giving program. And to a generation of young employees that believes in putting their money where their mouth is, that level of commitment resonates.
Much as they donate to causes they support, Gen Z also wants their consumer dollars to make a positive difference. According to a 2018 study by DoSomething Strategic, more than 50 percent of Gen Z has purchased a particular product or service to show support for a preferred cause.
Affi Parvizi-Wayne, founder of Freda, the UK’s first customized organic subscription box, explains what might be behind this type of spending mindset: “Overall, this generation is more conscious and wants to buy from brands that have purpose — allowing them to be a part of a caring movement. They have giving and activism in their DNA.”
In order to keep this young generation engaged, corporations must make a concentrated effort to promote philanthropy and encourage volunteerism to help push forward Gen Z’s belief, says McGovern, that “the world really will get better, not worse.”
For Your Covenience, My 2019 Business Card. At least you can use the calendar in nothing else!
Update on man doing yardwork in the nude and not being arrested in Martin County.
Indecent exposure is illegal in public places in the state. But while some may be disturbed by the man’s choice to go in the nude, officials with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office previously told WBPF-News they're unable to take any action against him because the man is on private property and is “not touching himself inappropriately."
Martin County Sheriff William Snyder told Fox News on Wednesday authorities are currently in the process of obtaining a warrant to arrest the man if he is spotted in the nude again.
“We’re putting the case together as we speak,” he said.
Precedents set by previous court rulings led officials to “believe we have the elements from two different state statutes” to possibly arrest and prosecute the man, Snyder said, adding the sheriff’s department worked with a legal advisor with the county's state attorney’s office to make this determination.
“We may have a case since he’s in the front yard,” Snyder said, adding the sheriff’s office first received reports of the man in 2015. At that time, however, he was only spotted nude through a window.
The man has only recently begun to “venture outside,” Snyder said.
Authorities plan to notify the man in the next couple of days of the possibility of his arrest, which would occur "only if he persists,” he said.
Man Doing His Yardwork in the Nude in Martin County, Florida -- NOT arrested!
On September 19, Channel 25 WPBF in Martin County, Stuart in particular, the TV news reporter did a piece on some neighbors' complaints regarding a man doing his yardwork in the nude. When
Deputies were called, they said he was not breaking the law!
See for yourself:
https://www.wpbf.com/article/stuart-neighbors-upset-about-man-doing-yard-work-in-the-nude/23310164
What does the Florida Law actually say? It is found in Section 800.03 of Florida Statutes
EXPOSURE OF SEXUAL ORGANS- FLORIDA
DEFINITION, PENALTIES, AND DEFENSES
In Florida, Exposure of Sexual Organs (Indecent Exposure) is an intentional and lewd exhibition of a person’s genitals within a public place or on the premises of another. Exposure is a serious
offense, with penalties that may include up to 1 year in jail and the creation of a permanent criminal record.
Definition of Exposure
Exposure of sexual organs is defined as the as the exposure of a person’s genitalia to another person with lewd intent.
Section 800.03, Florida Statutes, provides as follows:
“It is unlawful to expose or exhibit one’s sexual organs in public or on the private premises of another, or so near thereto as to be seen from such private premises, in a vulgar or indecent manner,
or to be naked in public except in any place provided or set apart for that purpose.”
Proof at Trial
To prove the crime of Exposure of Sexual Organs at trial, the prosecution must establish the following four elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
The defendant exposed or exhibited his/her sexual organs or was naked;
The defendant did so in a public place, on the private premises of another, or so near the private premises of another as to be seen from those private premises;
The defendant intended the exposure or exhibition of his or her sexual organs or nakedness to be in a vulgar, indecent, lewd, or lascivious manner;
The exposure or exhibition or nakedness was in a vulgar, indecent, lewd, or lascivious manner.
Fla. Std. Jury Instr. (Crim) 11.9
‘Vulgar’ or ‘Lewd’ Manner
As used in the statute, the terms “vulgar,” “indecent,” “lewd,” and “lascivious” mean the same thing. They mean an unlawful indulgence in lust or a wicked, lustful, unchaste, licentious, or sensual
intent on part of the person committing the act. Chesebrough v. State, 255 So. 2d 675, at 677, 677-78 (Fla. 1971); Fla. Std. Jury Instr. (Crim) 11.9
Public Places vs. Private
A “public place” is defined as any place intended or designed to be frequented resorted to by the general public. For exposure offenses occurring in a public space, there is no requirement that any
person be offended by such act. State v. Kees, 919 So. 2d 504, 507-08 (Fla. 5th DCA 2005).
For incidents occurring on or near private property belonging to another person, a conviction requires a showing that someone was offended. Id. at 506 (citing Schmitt v. State, 590 So. 2d 404,
410 (Fla. 1991)).
Penalties for Indecent Exposure
In Florida, Exposure of Sexual Organs is classified as a first degree misdemeanor, with penalties of up to 1 year in jail or 12 months of probation, and a $1,000 fine.
In addition to potential jail penalties, a conviction for Indecent Exposure in Florida will subject the accused to a permanent stigma of having engaged in lewd behavior, and interfere with employment
prospects, professional licensing, college applications, and other aspects of daily life.
Mere Nudity Insufficient
Proof of mere nudity or visibility of a person’s genitals is insufficient to sustain a conviction for Exposure of Sexual Organs. Hoffman v. Carson, 250 So. 2d 891, 893 (Fla. 1971).
In order for nudity to constitute a crime, the exposure must be ‘lewd’ or ‘lascivious’ in nature. Duvallon v. State, 404 So. 2d 196, 197 (Fla. 1st DCA 1981) (overturning conviction of a female
protester who wore only a cardboard sign, which allowed exposure of her buttocks and the sides of her breasts).
Lewd or Lascivious means that there must be some type of sexually-oriented intent that is lustful and/or indulgent. Chesebrough, 255 So. 2d at 677-78.
Thus, appearing nude at the beach, sleeping nude on a dock, or urinating in public are insufficient, by themselves, to sustain a conviction. U.S. v. A Naked Person Issued Notice of Violation No.
P419490, 841 F. Supp. 1153 (M.D. Fla. 1993)(nude sunbathing); Goodmakers v. State, 450 So. 2d 888 (Fla. 2d DCA 1984)(nudity while asleep and motionless on a dock); Payne v. State, 463 So. 2d 271
(Fla. 2d DCA 1984) (public urination).
Breastfeeding
The act of breastfeeding a baby is also insufficient to sustain a conviction for indecent exposure. Under Section 383.015, Florida Statutes, breastfeeding is a protected act.
Thus, a mother may breastfeed her baby in any location, public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be, irrespective of whether the nipple of the mother’s breast is uncovered
during or incidental to the breastfeeding.
Constitutionality of Exposure Statute
Florida’s indecent exposure law has so far survived constitutional challenges brought on First Amendment (free speech) grounds and vagueness grounds. Hoffman v. Carson, 250 So. 2d 891, 894 (Fla.
1971).
This, however, is not to say the law will survive all First Amendment challenges if the conduct forming the basis of an exposure charge is sufficiently expressive or artistic so as to fall within the
realm of constitutionally protected speech. Id. at 894.
Defenses to Indecent Exposure
There are many defenses available to contest a charge of exposure in Florida. Some of the more common defenses include the following:
Exposure was not intentional;
Exposure was for a non-lewd purpose;
Defendant was not aware of the presence of other persons, or his or her visibility to others;
The alleged act occurred in the course of breastfeeding;
Evidence limited to mere nudity.
Case Example- Exposure
State vs. J.M. (Seventh Judicial Circuit, St. Johns County, Florida (2013)- Our client was charged with Exposure of Sexual Organs after allegedly engaging in nude sunbathing at a public beach.
Although he attempted to isolate himself in an area without other people present, he was later discovered by Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) officers conducting a patrol in the area.
Upon being retained in the case, our firm filed a Motion to Dismiss, arguing that, although our client was fully nude, there was no evidence of any lewd act or intent, as required under applicable
case law.
Outcome: Case Dismissed
Contact an Attorney
If you have been accused of indecent exposure or exposure of sexual organs, contact Hussein & Webber, PL for a free consultation. Our attorneys handle exposure cases in Jacksonville,
Orlando, and throughout the State of Florida.
Out of curiosity, I asked a deputy in Marion County if what occurred in Martin County also applies in Marion? His response was:
I did speak with our staff attorney and he agrees that we will most definitely arrest someone here in Marion County for indecent exposure under Florida Statute 800.03. The Breach of Peace and Disorderly Conduct statutes are a little different and may or may not be the appropriate charge for someone that is naked in a public area. For instance, a person that is drunk and urinating in public would be charged with disorderly conduct most likely. The law always goes back to ‘intent’. He was intending to urinate in public and not necessarily “flash” passers-by. However, if this same person was to yell at someone walking by and make any type of lewd gesture with his genitals towards that person, then he is looking at an indecent exposure charge. Again, I can’t speak for other counties in Florida but, as far as Marion County goes, this is how we will handle this type of incident.
Okay, then what is Breech of Peace or Disorderly Conduct? It appears to be a 'catch all' used at the discretion of the officer. Seems to be very broad in scope. Where is it found? Florida Statutes Title XLVI. Crimes § 877.03. Breach of the peace; disorderly conduct.
How is the law applied? I did some browsing and found this 1976 case adjudicated by the Florida Suprene Court -- I'm sure there are others closer to 2018 with similar arguments or even
better arguments.
Justia › US Law › Case Law › Florida Case Law › Florida Supreme Court Decisions › 1976 › Moffett v. State
340 So. 2d 1155 (1976)
Donna MOFFETT et al., Appellants, v. STATE of Florida, Appellee.
No. 48260.
Supreme Court of Florida.
October 14, 1976.
Rehearing Denied January 24, 1977.
Elton H. Schwarz, Public Defender, for appellants.
Robert L. Shevin, Atty. Gen., and Anthony J. Golden and Charles W. Musgrove, Asst. Attys. Gen., for appellee.
BOYD, Justice.
Donna Moffett and Janis Chiapparo were arrested for topless sunbathing on a public beach in St. Lucie County. They were charged with violating Florida's disorderly conduct statute, Section 877.03, Florida Statutes (1975) which, in part, reads:
"Whoever commits such acts as are of a nature to corrupt the public morals, or outrage the sense of public decency . . *1156 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree... ."
Following a trial without jury in County Court, St. Lucie County, the two were found guilty and sentenced. The trial court having passed on the constitutionality of Section 877.03, Florida Statutes (1975), we have jurisdiction of this direct appeal.[1]
Moffett and Chiapparo attack the disorderly conduct statute on several grounds of constitutional invalidity. In our view none of them are meritorious. The portion of the statute against which Moffett and Chiapparo level their attack has been upheld as constitutional by this Court before.[2]
Since the beginning of civilization public nudity has been considered improper.[3] We are fully aware of the changing social values as expressed in new modes of dress, but are convinced that by enacting Section 877.03, Florida Statutes (1975), the Legislature intended to prohibit adult females from appearing in public places, including Florida's public beaches, with openly exposed breasts.
Since the statute is constitutional as applied in this case and appellants' conduct falls within the statute, their convictions are affirmed.
It is so ordered.
OVERTON, C.J., and ROBERTS and HATCHETT, JJ., concur.
SUNDBERG, J., concurs in result only.
ENGLAND, J., dissents with an opinion with which ADKINS, J., concurs.
ENGLAND, Justice (dissenting).
I respectfully disagree with the majority's conclusion as to the applicability of this statute to the conduct of these appellants, and I regret my colleagues' decision to summarily dispatch the significant legal issues raised in this proceeding.
The conduct of appellants Moffett and Chiapparo which brought about their convictions under the disorderly conduct statute was, as the majority states, simply that they were sunbathing on a public beach in St. Lucie County without wearing a top to their bathing suits. Approximately 50 to 75 other people were present on the beach at the time. The arresting officer testified that some of the witnesses were personally offended by the presence of topless women on the beach; other witnesses testified that they had no objections. So far as the record indicates, no one left the beach or moved to a more remote section of the sandy expanse as a result of the women's choice of attire. There was no evidence or any suggestion of a disturbance. One of the appellants testified that a male made an amorous advance, which she ignored, but that like advances often occurred regardless of her state of attire.
Moffett and Chiapparo attack the disorderly conduct statute on the ground that it violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution, and Article I, Sections 2, 4 and 9 of the Florida Constitution.[1] Essentially they urge recognition of a right of free expression encompassing this type of activity, and argue that Section 877.03 fails to establish any discernible standards for what is permissible and what is not.[2] Their challenges to this statute raise innumerable questions which have plagued other courts attempting to deal with identical language in similar laws. For example:
*1157 "First ... there is the problem of what is meant by `public decency.' Does the word `decency' refer merely to bad manners or to immoral conduct or, more specifically, to immoral conduct with overtones of sex, eroticism or nudity? Does the term an `act * * * which openly outrages public decency' refer to conduct decent and moral when done in private, but not when in public; or conduct indecent or immoral, or both, even if private, which outrages the `public', whether done in private or public? Finally, even if we decide which attitude of the public, the moral or the decorous, is the one which must be outraged, there is the question `who is the public'? Do twelve jurors automatically represent it? That answer is a great deal easier to give in a homogeneous society, in times of well established precepts of morality and manners, such as Victorian England, than today. Our American ... society ... is highly heterogeneous in religion, race, social background and national origin, a fact which gives little assurance that the collective judgment of one jury will, in all but the most extreme cases, be anything like that of another. When the statute speaks of `public decency' does it presuppose some kind of consensus among the majority of the public as to what is and what is not `decent' and, if that assumption is wrong, to which segment of the public is the trier to look?"[3]
It is not necessary to resolve many of these complex questions, however, or to address appellants' free expression assertions. The bare facts in the record before us avoid these problems because they simply do not establish the commission of a crime under Section 877.03.
The language of Section 877.03 requires the prosecution to prove that a defendant committed an act which, by its very nature, corrupts public morality or is so indecent as to incite public outrage.[4] The State argues that it proved the commission of such acts by the testimony of policemen who believed other persons were offended by appellants' near nudity.[5] I would find that evidence, however, legally insufficient.
Section 877.03 contains strong words which require far more compelling evidence. The act derives its force from the action verbs "corrupt" (public morals) and "outrage" (public decency). If the statute's prohibition is dependent on mere offensiveness to casual observers, serious constitutional issues would be present as to whether the act was impermissibly vague. Musser v. Utah, 333 U.S. 95, 68 S. Ct. 397, 92 L. Ed. 562 (1948).
This Court has already held that the terms of this statute connote much more than an offense to the sensibilities of the persons who might view a particular form of conduct, and that the conduct it proscribes does not make the criminality of an act depend on the personal feelings of select observers.[6] Since that which is considered "immoral" or "indecent" varies considerably from generation to generation and from place to place within the state, the statute can only validly condemn acts repugnant to a general, public standard of morality.[7]*1158 The moral standards of contemporary society are hard to pinpoint, and in each case all the circumstances surrounding the alleged misconduct must be considered. This becomes less difficult, arbitrary or subjective if the inquiry is focused on a "corruption" of public morals or an "outrage" to public decency. These elements necessarily limit the statute to acts which incense virtually the entire citizenry, or which have a direct and positive corrupting effect on minors or others.
The record in this case presents no outrage or corrupting influence. Evolving standards of morality have made the freedom associated with minimal attire a feature of our contemporary society. Miniskirts and bikini bathing suits are accepted and, in some locales, standard modes of attire. Throughout Florida and the United States, if not throughout the western world, it has become common for women to wear tight-fitting and semi-transparent blouses or tops without an under-covering for their breasts such as brassieres. The apparent trend toward near nudity, and the preoccupation of our society with minimally-clothed females, are not merely expressions of personal freedom and taste. For years the government of Florida promoted nationwide interest in our sun and our beaches by advertisements which prominently featured skimpily clad females.[8]
I cannot conclude at this juncture in the evolution of modern society that the wearing of see-through blouses, or bikini bathing suits on Florida's public beaches, constitutes criminal conduct under this statute. By the same token, I can find no reasonable basis to differentiate and condemn as "disorderly conduct" the form of partial undress present here. How, I must wonder, will the majority react to a prosecution for wearing a transparent bathing suit, or one made from a translucent material which becomes transparent when wet?
The point is that under the wording of this statute it makes no sense for the courts of this state to be involved in drawing lines between permissible and impermissible variations on the degree of clothing worn by females. It seems far better to relegate criminal law enforcement to disruptively outrageous behavior, and to let society regulate its own dress standards through peer pressure and, whenever possible, civil community action. For example, there is nothing to prohibit communities from dividing beaches between those portions open to the general public and those open to persons who choose to go topless. Cf., Young v. American Mini Theatres, 427 U.S. 50, 96 S. Ct. 2440, 49 L. Ed. 2d 310 (1976); Village of Belle Terre v. Boraas, 416 U.S. 1, 94 S. Ct. 1536, 39 L. Ed. 2d 797 (1974). While some may choose to cross the lines for effect, curiosity or mere defiance of authority, the harm in such cases (if any) is minimal and well within the ability of local authorities to control.
I in no way suggest that Florida should tolerate public nudity, the apparent concern of a majority of this Court.[9] Nor would I rule out the possibility that the public sense of decency can be outraged by the conduct of persons who are nude or nearly nude in places where persons of all ages are permitted to swim or otherwise enjoy the resources of the state. If Moffett and Chiapparo had been bottomless as well as topless, or if their behavior had in fact been disruptive *1159 to others, a different situation might be presented upon which I am not now prepared to pass. I have no doubt, for instance, that some forms of sexual activity in a public place clearly fall within the prohibition of the statute even by contemporary standards,[10] although other conduct (such as public kissing) would not outrage the public sense of decency or offend contemporary public morals though some persons might find even that conduct improper.
I simply hold the view that less extreme challenges to decency and morality require a careful study of all surrounding circumstances, and that a conviction for criminal conduct can only be sustained on the basis of proof that an act actually causes public "outrage" or "corrupts" decency and contemporary morality.[11]
For the situation now before us, I would hold that topless sunbathing on a public beach is not by itself a violation of Section 877.03, and that no violation of that statute occurred on September 3, 1975 at "North Beach" in St. Lucie County when the two appellants, out of 50 to 75 present, were lying on the sand with their breasts uncovered.
ADKINS, J., concurs.
NOTES
[1] Art. V, § 3(b)(1), Fla. Const.
[2] State v. Magee, 259 So. 2d 139 (Fla. 1972).
[3] Genesis 3:7 (King James) "And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons."
[1] This Court recently upheld the constitutionality of a different part of this statute after considering similar arguments. White v. State, 330 So. 2d 3 (Fla. 1976). We there construed the statute to prohibit conduct as opposed to mere words, limiting the operation of the statute to conduct which invades the rights of others to pursue lawful activities.
[2] In State v. Magee, 259 So. 2d 139 (Fla. 1972), we expressly upheld the very language now before us against an assertion that the language was unconstitutionally vague. It is not necessary to recede from Magee in order to reverse these appellants' convictions.
[3] In re Davis, 242 Cal. App. 2d 645, 651-52, 51 Cal. Rptr. 702, 706-07 (1966) (footnotes omitted).
[4] State v. Magee, 259 So. 2d 139 (Fla. 1972), is illustrative.
[5] The arresting police officer testified:
"Q [by defense counsel]: Did anybody mention that their morals were being corrupt[ed] by what they saw?
A: No, I think they were more embarassed."
[6] Gonzales v. City of Belle Glade, 287 So. 2d 669 (Fla. 1973).
[7] It is instructive to consider this observation made in Miller v. Jersey Coast Resorts Corp., 98 N.J. Eq. 289, 298, 130 A. 824, 828 (1925):
"[I]t would be a far stretch of the powers of this court, in this day of one-piece bathing suits, to hold that the defendant was guilty of maintaining a nuisance because the occupants of its cottage walked the streets clad only in their bathing costumes. It may be that the bather of yesteryear, clothed in the bathing costume of 1871 (the date of the covenant), was a less objectionable sight than the bathing beauty of to-day. But, judging from the popularity of the bathers' parades staged at some of our seashore resorts, the modern bathing beauty is not so uniformly objectionable to the eye as to justify the exercise of the injunctive powers of this court in excluding bathers from the streets of a seashore resort."
[8] The fact that toplessness is not more prevalent on the beaches or in the state's advertising programs may reflect in part the views of many that some fabric on females may have psychological effects on observers at least as stimulating as would be the case if no fabric were worn at all. Witness the disuse after only one or two fashion seasons of topless bathing suits.
[9] Florida's indecent exposure statute, § 800.03, Fla. Stat. (1975), prohibits such conduct. (One circuit court has held, however, that exposure of female breasts alone does not constitute indecent exposure. Moffett v. Collier, Case No. 76-5-CA (Fla. Okeechobee Cty.Ct. 1976.))
As to the relevance of Adam and Eve to this controversy, I prefer Holmes to Genesis:
"It is revolting to have no better reason for a rule of law than that so it was laid down in the time of Henry IV." Holmes, The Path of the Law, 10 Harv.L.Rev. 457, 469 (1897).
[10] See State v. Magee, n. 5 above (fornication).
[11] Cf. City of Cincinnati v. Wayne, 23 Ohio App.2d 91, 261 N.E.2d 131 (1970), reversing conviction for indecent behavior and indecent exposure for lack of proof that a woman attired without any covering above the waist, except for hat, gloves and "pasties", was not dressed according to community standards. "Courts are not privileged to take judicial knowledge that the dress of any person is indecent absent evidence." 23 Ohio App.2d at 96, 261 N.E.2d at 135. See also, People v. Gilbert, 72 Misc.2d 795, 339 N.Y.S.2d 743 (1973) (nude female sunbathing on public beach not inherently lewd); In re Smith, 7 Cal. 3d 362, 102 Cal. Rptr. 335, 497 P.2d 807 (1972) (nude male sunbathing on public beach not necessarily lewd and indecent exposure).
With its ideal climate, over 1,000 miles of coastline and a huge tourism industry, you would think Florida State would have a lot more official clothing-optional beaches than it currently does. Not only is its environment conducive to nudism, but Florida law expressly states that public nudity is legal “in any place provided or set apart for that purpose.” Florida case law has established that nudity becomes a crime when it involves “lascivious” behavior, and simple nudity is not a violation.
But Florida has just eight clothing-optional beaches, most of them unofficial (and one is only accessible by boat). Establishing a c/o beach is no easy feat, even when the law is on your side, and then maintaining the c/o status requires work and vigilance, as it can so easily be taken away by those in power. (You can read SFFB’s history of what it took to establish and protect Haulover Beach, the state’s first official nude beach, in their March and April 2017 newsletters.)
There is plenty of coastline available to designate for both clothed and clothing-optional use in Florida, and there is also a solid argument to be made for how c/o beaches bring in tourism dollars and benefit the economy. More research needs to be done on this, but the B.E.A.C.H.E.S. Foundation estimates that Haulover Beach alone generates over $1 billion per year. The beach gets hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.
Haulover Beach – Florida’s first officially sanctioned nude beach established by South Florida Free Beaches (photo via BEACHES Foundation)
And from the 2015 Naturist Education Foundation poll, we know that 70% of Americans approve of setting aside land for clothing-optional use!
Now, with the work of local naturist advocacy groups, in alliance with the B.E.A.C.H.E.S. Foundation, Florida stands to gain two more official clothing-optional beaches in the near future. But they need your help!
Both of these campaigns have online petitions, which you can sign no matter where you live. And seriously, how sad is it if we can’t get a few thousand people to sign an online petition? How are we supposed to portray ourselves as an actual significant population that cares about these issues, or furthermore as a forced to be reckoned with, if we can’t demonstrate our numbers with a simple petition? We know there are way more than 10,000 of us in the U.S. alone!
You may not live in Florida or travel there, but don’t think that means that the success of these campaigns won’t benefit you. The more campaigns we win and the more nude-friendly places we have, the easier it will be to establish more c/o beaches in other cities and states.
So please SIGN and SHARE these petitions using the links below, donate if you can and learn more below about these beach campaigns. You can also help by volunteering or becoming a member of these groups as well as of South Florida Free Beaches (SFFB).
1. Tampa Bay – Tampa Area Naturists (TAN), a non-profit advocacy group, has renewed their efforts to designate a new naturist beach in the Tampa Bay area. Last year they re-launched their online petition for this purpose and reported that they’ve obtained a lobbyist in Tallahassee.
TAN has identified two excellent locations for an official nude beach – Honeymoon Island State Park and Caladesi Island State Park (though they note that they are “open to other suitable locations at county or municipal beaches”). These are two state-owned parks located in Dunedin, FL. But there is one obstacle in their path – as an exception to statute 800.03 described above, nudity is currently prohibited in Florida State Parks due to an administrative rule.
Honeymoon Island State Park had an unofficial clothing-optional area in the 1980’s and is now one of the possible locations for an official c/o beach
The rule can be amended, but to make this happen, TAN needs at least 10,000 signatures on their petition. They are currently at a little over 3,600. So if you haven’t already, please SIGN THE PETITION. It only takes a minute, and you can even do it anonymously by using a different name. You can also donate to their fundraiser.
Then share this petition with your friends and on social media! Here is a shortcut link: https://tinyurl.com/tandip
TAN also says that printed and signed petitions carry more weight, and on their website they provide a petition form that you can print, fill out and mail to them.
2. Palm Beach County – Palm Beach Naturists is a non-profit group seeking to designate a clothing-optional beach in Palm Beach County. They have an online petition with close to 250 supporters and are aiming to reach 1,000.
If the County Commission doesn’t take action to make this happen, PBN says they are going to put up signs to designate a beach themselves.
PBN has identified several locations for a c/o beach, one of which used to have an unofficial nude area for decades. This was “Air Force Beach,” which is now part of MacArthur Beach State Park. In 1980 it was reportedly the largest c/o beach in the United States. But nude use ended in the 1980’s, and it was almost paved over for commercial development when Palm Beach County and Florida State acquired ownership of the land. Today the beach doesn’t see many visitors at all. Unfortunately this would be one of many examples of the government taking away a nude beach once visited by thousands of people a year. You can read the full history of this beach at Treasure Coast Naturists.
Air Force Beach was once the biggest clothing-optional beach in the United States in 1980 – image & history via Treasure Coast Naturists
Take action: SIGN PBN’s petition (please note you can make up a street address if you don’t wish to put in your complete address). You can also donate or sign up to volunteer on their website www.palmbeachnaturists.org. On April 11 in Boynton Beach, FL, attend a public discussion with PBN and its board members about their plans for a c/o beach.
This post about establishing two new clothing-optional nude Beaches in Florida was published by – Felicity’s Blog
10 Most Popular Nude Beaches in Florida
(but there are others around Florida!)
So you finally wanna get naked on a beach? Go here first.
Miami
One of the most entertaining things to do during a day at Florida’s most popular nude beach is sit along the park’s southern border near Bal Harbour and watch tourists on their morning runs
unknowingly stride right into the middle of hundreds of naked bodies. Not one can -- or will -- hide their complete shock. Still, once you’ve gotten used to the sea of skin it’s just like any other
beach in Miami with beautiful turquoise water and grainy sand. There’s even a chair rental guy who will happily look you right in the eyes while conducting business.
The beach is located in Haulover Park, and you’ll have to park across Collins Avenue and walk under the road to get there. But once on the sand, the feeling of being there is relatively nondescript. And for a nude beach first-timer, there might not be a better spot in America.
A nudist haven forgotten by society and condo developers
Titusville
Following the signs from Titusville to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge might lead you to think the place is full of turtles,
manatees, storks, and other Florida flora and fauna. Which it is. But head out a little further to Playalinda Beach and you’ll find another breed of
natural Florida wildlife: Nudists. Characterizing them as “wild” might be a bit misleading -- the crowd here isn’t exactly boisterous -- but it’s definitely uninhibited and a welcoming place for
anyone looking to try the naturist lifestyle. You won’t find them stretched through all of Playalinda, though, as most keep to the far stretch up near Access #13.
The beach is typical of Central Florida: Blue water and thick sand, and there’s not much here in the way of amenities. Hiking (with your clothes on, please) through the refuge can be a nice way to break up the day, just be advised going north of Access #13 to Klondike Beach requires a backcountry permit. And it’s barely over an hour’s drive if you find yourself at Disney with an extra day to explore.
St. Lucie Inlet | FloridaStock/Shutterstock
Mansions and mystique set the tone at this inlet
Jupiter
Though not nearly as popular as some other clothing-optional spots in the state, St. Lucie Inlet gives you a chance to sunbathe in the buff just steps from Celine Dion’s house. OK, that’s a slight
exaggeration, but the mega mansions set along the ocean here are celebrity favorites. And while you probably won’t see any of them out tanning sans swimwear, that doesn’t mean you can’t.
St. Lucie Inlet is another beach where it’s not technically legal to be naked, but heading a little south of the boardwalk finds you in a secluded spot where nobody will bother you. Head here during the week and you might find it tough to figure out where this section starts, as there might not be any other nude sunbathers to clue you in. But since nakedness isn’t unheard of at St. Lucie Inlet, just pick a spot and keep to yourself, and you should be just fine.
Hobe Sound/Jupiter | Florida Stack/Shutterstock
An amazing beach with the added sight of massive waves crashing on limestone formations
Jupiter
The beach here offers the same celebrity-adjacent nude sunbathing thrills as nearby St. Lucie Inlet, but with the added proximity of the Blowing Rocks
Preserve. Yes, you’ll have to wear clothes there, but the limestone formations and massive waves crashing off of them are one of the coolest natural attractions in Florida, and a must-see before
or after your nude beach experience.
If just sitting on the sand in your birthday suit gets a little old, Hobe Sound also offers naturist boating expeditions that’ll take you to St. Lucie Inlet as well as along the Hobe Sound Pipe Crossing. Try not to giggle too much. It’s a scenic ride around Jupiter island, by some of the most impressive beachfront homes in the state.
Sand and azul waters as far as the eye can see mere minutes from A1A
Fort Pierce
As nude beaches in Florida go, this one might feel the most remote, even though it’s only about 8 miles from the Jensen Beach Causeway. There’s not much in the way of development here, and the little
brown sign on the side of A1A is pretty easy to miss. But once you’re there, the beach feels like a step back into a time before anyone set foot in Florida, where views both north and south show
nothing but sand, ocean, and vegetation. That’s a big part of the reason Blind Creek is so popular with naturists: It really feels
like nature, so walking around without anything but a layer of sunscreen doesn’t feel weird.
South Pointe Park | franckreporter/E+/Getty images
Watch out for camera phones (read: avoid on the weekends if you really wanna get naked)
Miami
Once upon a time in an era before phone cameras and social media, South Beach was the American Riviera where topless tanning and occasional nudity was pretty much the norm. Now, not so much, as
the abundance of amateur beach “photographers” has made nude sunbathers a little more wary. That said, toplessness is still tolerated (for the most part) and if you head to less-populated areas
during the week, and keep a lookout for sketchy dudes with phones, it can be a nice experience.
It’s also the only beach on this list that’s not set in a park or other natural preserve. Which does lend itself to a lot of onlookers, but also gives you things to do off the beach other than look at egrets.
Great for those who love seclusion, jokes about the moon, and turtles
New Smyrna
If you’ve got a friend who’s a fan of dad jokes and nude beaches, this might be the best place in the world. This beach that shares a name with the famous moon missions sits on the Canaveral National Seashore, allowing for endless jokes about moons and space and all kinds of other stuff you’ll probably try and tune out. Nude sunbathing
here isn’t legal, per se, but if you keep to yourself and don’t bother anyone, they won’t bother you. Most experienced Apollo naturists advise taking the time to trek to more deserted parts of the
beach to avoid any potential adversity.
Once you’ve got that golden brown, line-free tan and feel like throwing your clothes back on, wander over to Mosquito Lagoon, where manatees migrate from November to April. In the summer, you can also make reservations to watch the massive sea turtles who nest along the shoreline. Both allowing for even more bad jokes about the people you just saw on the naked beach.
South Florida Free Beaches October 2018 Newsletter link:
https://sffb.com/enews/2018/2018-10.php?fbclid=IwAR2HwoFC2VNczvIKsHme7koPf3xjUHfObJF-Xz2s-0y2dNJCcorwqe9n0dE
Sample of Front page of the October 2018 Newsletter:
by Richard Mason
What does SFFB do for you and why should you join and donate to it?
South Florida Free Beaches (SFFB) was established in September 1980, while there was still an informal, historically clothing-optional beach on Virginia Key (located in Biscayne Bay between Coconut Grove and Key Biscayne). That nude beach was lost in 1982 when jurisdiction was transferred from (then) Dade County to the City of Miami. Haulover's naturist beach didn't just happen by itself, nor was it created by the government. Through diligent research, planning, organization, and execution, SFFB launched the clothing-optional section of Haulover Beach, which is part of a Miami-Dade County park, in 1991. Its existence is based on the facts that there is no anti-nudity ordinance at the County level and the Florida Supreme Court has ruled that mere nudity in the absence of lewd and lascivious behavior is not a violation of Florida Statute 800.03, the state's indecent exposure law. Support this important work and help keep Haulover Beach clothing-optional. Join or renew as an SFFB sponsor / member and/or donate! Haulover Naturist Beach has been an enormous success over the past more than quarter-century, providing a clean, safe, pleasant, and easily accessible place for naturists to sunbathe, swim, and socialize nude in the open air. Countless friendships and even marriages and other long-term partnerships have resulted from its peaceful and welcoming ambience. It has also had an enormous, positive economic impact on Miami-Dade County as a significant draw for tourism. It's tempting to take the nude beach in Haulover Park for granted, as too many beachgoers do, but it has gone through and still faces many challenges. Through all of these, SFFB has been and continues to be the mentor, advocate, and watchdog for the naturist beach, vigilantly monitoring for threats and opportunities, lobbying, cajoling, and protesting, making carefully considered campaign contributions to naturist-friendly candidates for office, and rallying the public to resist encroachments on its right to nude recreation on Haulover Beach. It's SFFB that meets constantly with Haulover Park staff, Miami-Dade County and adjacent city officials, and state legislators and administrators in Tallahassee, Florida's capital. It's SFFB that for many years solely carried the cost of a lobbyist there, as described above left, although a couple of other Florida naturist organizations have since also hired him, multiplying his impact for naturist interests. |
This is an appeal to join or renew as a sponsor / member of South Florida Free Beaches / Florida Naturist Association, Inc. (SFFB/FNA). We want to start by thanking all current and past members for their dedication and support to our association. If you are a current member of SFFB (with membership expiring at the end of 2018) or were a member in any of the previous several years, you should also receive a printed renewal notice by regular mail.
Annual membership runs from January 1 to December 31. A new or lapsed member who joins now, however, gets the rest of 2018 plus all of 2019 for the cost of one year! We are keeping our annual membership dues at $35 per household, or just 67¢ per week. With that, you get peace of mind that Haulover Beach will remain open to nude use and the pride and satisfaction of helping keep it so. Join or renew on line (preferred) or download a form that you can mail in with a check, at sffb.com/join.php.
With your application, in addition to dues, if you can, please make a substantial donation to our Legal Defense & Political Action Fund, which supports our government affairs efforts and assists individuals cited for nude sunbathing.
It costs much more than we receive in dues to operate this association, which deals with local, statewide, and sometimes national concerns. We try to accomplish as much as possible with volunteers and additional fundraising. To keep Haulover Beach open to nude / naturist use, we must keep our commitment as its mentors and stewards to the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners and the Mayor, and we incur expenses in doing so.
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Ramon Maury, SFFB lobbyist
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SFFB/FNA is the only strong, non-landed naturist association in Florida. It has therefore fallen to us to maintain a paid, professional lobbyist in Tallahassee, the state capital, to educate legislators and other state officials about naturist issues and to vet legislation with any possible impact on naturists, especially proposed changes to the criminal code.
Furthermore, we have to keep Haulover Beach squeaky-clean and safe in order to protect its clothing-optional status and to help other groups like ours obtain or preserve their naturist beach. We have therefore additionally tasked our lobbyist to advocate for more funding in the Miami-Dade County budget for needed public safety services on Haulover Beach that are lacking or deficient.
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Other successful naturist beaches include Blind Creek, Playalinda, and Apollo Beaches on Florida's east coast and Bates Beach in Santa Barbara, CA. We are also making progress with our partners toward obtaining a rule change, at least, on a trial basis, that could allow for nude beach use in an as yet undetermined Florida State Park.
Consider your dues and donation to be an investment in the future of naturist / nude recreation in Florida and the other 49 states. "Haulover Beach is the model. South Florida Free Beaches is the way!"
Thank you in advance for your 2019 membership and additional support and for sharing this message with a friend!
If you are not a current sponsor / member of South Florida Free Beaches, please consider becoming
one — numbers matter. At $35 per year for your household, it costs just 67¢ per week, as noted above. A key benefit is the continued, clothing-optional use of Haulover Beach. How much is that worth
to you? Join or renew at sffb.com.
SFFB also has a separate Legal Defense & Political Action Fund that supports its government affairs efforts and assists individuals cited for nude sunbathing. Even if you're not ready to (re)join
just yet, please consider donating to this fund (not tax-deductible) to help with current challenges. Donations by bank check
should be mailed to the address below (in
e-mail version of newsletter). Thanks!
I’m not one of those nudies that feels compelled to be naked 24 / 7, and I would say that many nudists can’t be and don’t care to be naked everywhere, all the time. (I’ve mentioned this before in the common myths about nudism.)
I’m quite comfortable wearing clothes in the winter. I get cold very easily and am grateful for the sweaters I have to keep me warm. Though I’m not much into fashion or clothes shopping, I do like dressing up sometimes and expressing myself with certain colors, fabrics and styles.
However…there is one item of clothing that I prefer to keep buried and forgotten in my dresser: my bathing suit.
The bathing suit is one of the most useless articles of clothing ever invented by humanity. It doesn’t help you bathe or swim. Its only purpose is to cover up the body parts that American culture (and other cultures) has deemed obscene: butts, genitals and FEMALE nipples.
In the U.S., the general consensus seems to be: remove bathing suits and all hell will break loose. The beach will become overrun with public sex and perverts. This comes from our society’s gymnophobia (fear of nudity) and the idea that nudity = sex.
The fact is, we can do just as well as without bathing suits, if not better. Swimming nude used to be the norm in ancient Greek culture. Nude spas have been around for centuries. In America, nude swimming was mandatory and considered the norm at YMCA’s and in schools up until the 1970’s. Many of today’s nude beaches have been around for decades, proving that all kinds of people can indeed swim and sunbathe naked together with civility and respect. Acts of public sex are illegal at a nude beach just like anywhere else.
Though the bathing suit has gradually shrunk down from full-length costumes to today’s teeny bikini, the practices of skinny-dipping and nude sunbathing have never disappeared. The liberating feeling of swimming without a suit is a common reason people get into nudism.
Felicity Jones Nude Bathing and Swimming at “Big Deep,” Woodstock, New York
Sure, people can wear swimsuits as a form of self-expression. There are all sorts of swimsuit designs out there. But I would argue that the discomfort, inconvenience and cost far outweigh any joy you might feel from wearing a stylish suit that fits.
Here’s why I think we’d all be better off without bathing suits:
1. They’re uncomfortable, tight and restricting before you even go in the water. Then you swim and get it wet… now you have cold, sopping wet fabric clinging to your skin. If you were swimming in the ocean or at a sandy beach, you’ve probably got some sand in your crotch, too. You get out of the water, and now the rest of your naturally-water-repellant skin dries while the suit stays wet for at least the next 15 – 30 minutes. For women who sit in wet bottoms, this can be the ideal breeding ground for a yeast infection. That should be a pretty big clue that we’re not meant to be wearing these things.
2. They’re unhygienic and unsanitary. Swimsuit fabrics trap detergents, perspiration, dirt, fecal matter and bacteria and then carry all that right into the public pool. This can lead to the spread of Recreational Water Illnesses (RWI’s). This is why it’s important to shower before entering a pool. But how many people actually shower first at American public pools? According to 2012 survey by the Water Quality and Health Council, only 32% of American adults said they always shower first, and many Americans — 44% — don’t even think a pre-swim shower is necessary.
And due to America’s weird hang-ups about nudity, how many of that 32% are showering in their swimsuits and still entering the pool with germs attached? We probably have the dirtiest public pools of any developed country.
Ever swim in a pool with a strong chlorine smell? That’s not an indicator of a clean pool. In fact it’s a result of impurities from people’s bodies mixing with chlorine in the water. This creates chloramines, which give off that irritating odor.
Needless to say, the preemptive shower is much easier and more effective when done naked. And any bacteria, fecal matter, sweat, germs, etc., that get trapped in suits could be avoided altogether if everyone swam nude. When kids were required to swim naked at the Y, hygiene was the primary reason given, and it’s still a good reason. Though we now have better chemical technology, chlorine is not some miracle pool cleaner.
Hot Tub Rules Sign at Lake Como Nudist Resort
The cleanest pools in America can probably be found at nudist resorts. No one is bringing in impurities from their clothing, and resort pools often have multiple signs instructing people to shower before entering. And if you don’t, a club member is likely to remind you because they want a clean pool.
3. Bathing suit shopping. As if anyone needed proof, Australian psychologist Marika Tiggemann’s 2012 study on body image and swimsuits found that women get anxious and depressed just thinking about swimsuit shopping. Most people seem to approach it with as much anticipation as a trip to the dentist, and with good reason. Every spring, we’re surrounded by ads about how to obtain the perfect “bikini body,” eg thin, tanned and toned with no cellulite, wrinkles or imperfections. It’s a message that only one type of body belongs in a bikini or any kind of revealing swimsuit. Some body-positive campaigns have been trying to challenge this in recent years with memes saying that bikinis are for everyone. However the bikini-body magazine stories, workouts and products will continue to sell as long as a profit can be made of course.
Body-positive bikini meme – “How to get a bikini body: put a bikini on a body”
But even when you can ignore all the body-shaming media and advertising, you’re still faced with the task of finding a swimsuit that fits well. For “plus-size” women and women with large breasts, it’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack. When you do find your holy grail of a suit, you’re lucky if it doesn’t come with a hefty price tag.
Here’s a tweet that sort of sums my feelings: “It’s pretty annoying that I have to pay like $120 for a swimsuit, like you literally are a piece of cloth that covers my nipples.”
This isn’t to say that men are exempt from any pressure to look slim and muscular in their swim attire because they definitely aren’t. Many guys certainly do experience body image issues come beach season and in general. Society needs to do more to acknowledge and address this.
How much of a relief would it be to skip the whole process of swimsuit shopping and go to a nude beach or nude pool instead?
Plus, the “unsanitary” factor applies here as well – those new swimsuits at the store are covered in all kinds of nasty bacteria!
4. SexXy double standards. The swimsuit industry is all about sexually objectifying women. A lot of swimsuits are made to emphasize a woman’s cleavage and butt. The over-sexualization of breasts is part of the reason we’re forced to wear tops at all. Victoria’s Secret adds the word “sexy” into the names of every single one of their bathing suits. This is, again, about “bikini body” standards, but it sends the message that women are supposed to wear bikinis so they can look “sexy” and attract the (heterosexual) male gaze. Why else would we go to the beach, right? Of course people want to look and feel good in what they wear. But women are just people who want to enjoy the beach like everyone else in a bathing suit that hopefully fits right and feels comfortable (if we have to wear one).
It sounds counter-intuitive, but nude beaches and nudist resorts create a more equal and less sexual environment because everyone is naked.
As for men, I know some guys wish that America would embrace the speedo already. But be happy you can legally wear one, dudes. If I showed up at the beach or pool in a speedo, I’d very quickly be arrested or shown the door in most places. It’s been 80+ years since men won the right to be topfree in public, and women are still waiting for the same right (in most states / cities).
Tobias “Never Nude” trying on a speedo on TV Show Arrested Development
5. Bikini tops fall off in the water or at the water park, and then everyone stares at you as you try to discretely tie or re-clasp your top back on. Many have those annoying pad inserts, too, that get scrunched up or have to be wiggled back into place all the time.
6. Tan lines. They’re unsightly and avoidable.
Bad Tan Lines From Typical Summer Activities
As the swimsuit has shrunk in appearance, one would hope that we are eventually going to do away with it entirely or at least get more top-optional / swimsuit-optional places.
For those who do need a new bikini, maybe consider getting one that makes a statement like the TaTa Top?
The TaTa Top bathing suit https://thetatatop.com/
Felicity Jones Nude Bathing Is Better Than Bathing Suits Felicity’s Blog
This article was originally published in 2015 and has been updated in 2018.
Guest Blog by: Liam Cyfrin and Caroline Tully
A Fig Leaf of our Imagination
There are countless quirks about humans, but one of the real doozies is that most are confused, divided and downright ditsy when it comes to their own physical nature. To millions, the human body in its natural state is embarrassing, shameful, indecent or undignified. Its exposure provokes hostility, fear, nervous laughter or mockery. It threatens social standing, challenges order, infringes laws and is often punished with a severity bizarrely incommensurate with the offence.
The really odd thing about this is that it’s not generally considered odd at all. The necessity of concealing bits of the human body is taken for granted in precisely the same way that the need to provide animals with trousers isn’t. And they call Pagans irrational and superstitious.
The Golden Age by Lucas Cranach the Elder circa 1530
Witches, Druids, and Pagans of many other species tend to be among the minority who don’t buy into humanity’s alienation from its unembellished form, recognizing this to be both symbolic and symptomatic of a desperately unhealthy estrangement from nature. Partly for that reason, as you’re reading this, several thousand Witches and Pagans around the world will be casting their Circles, wearing no more than they wore in the womb.
Not all Pagans regularly work skyclad – some do when alone but not in shared Circles, many alternate between skyclad and robed workings, and others always work in clothing of some sort – but most respect the practice and consider it a valid element of the modern Pagan tradition. If nothing else, this shows a spirit of determination, given that it is often cited by opponents of the Pagan path as evidence of chronic “up-to-no-goodness.” Acknowledging this, some groups (especially in the US) have chosen to downplay or totally abandon skyclad working. For many in the Old Religion, however, it remains as much a part of the path as such other “unpopular” elements as spell-casting, individual approaches to deity, and the troublesome words Pagan and Witch itself. Let’s consider the lineage of ideas that led to this conclusion.
Much Ado about Wearing Nothing
Those disapproving of ritual nudity often argue that the practice has no significant historical precedent in either religion or magick. Leaving aside the issue of whether this has any (for want of a better word) bearing on the effectiveness of skyclad Witchery, it is true that, although attitudes towards nakedness have varied enormously in different times and places, religions in which nudity is an essential part seem to have been thin on the ground. Paddy Slade, one well-respected Witch with a disparaging, slightly Granny Weatherwax-ish attitude towards nudity as a Wiccan dress option, maintains that “no tribe, primitive or otherwise, goes to meet its God unclothed” (Natural Magick [Hamlyn, 1990])
This would seem to be a wee bit of an exaggeration. The idea of ritual nudity is an old one, being found in the ancient cultures of places such as Pompeii, Greece, India, Rome, Persia and Britain. The Mother Goddess of Calcutta in India, Kali, is usually represented as nude and she is said to be Digamba, a Sanskrit word meaning “clothed in Space.” Pliny the Elder, in his Naturalis Historia, records that the women of ancient Britain performed their religious rites in the nude.
11th century sculpture of the Hindu Goddess Kali
Such traditions notwithstanding, Ronald Hutton, Professor of History at the University of Bristol, was initially of an opinion similar to that of Ms. Slade. However, in his appealingly titled essay, “A Modest Look at Ritual Nudity” (included in his Witches, Druids and King Arthur, [Hambledon and London, 2003]), he modified his position in the light of continued research. In that piece, he lists a few historical precedents for Wiccan naked gatherings (generally among minor 14th and 15th century sects, such as the Turlupins of France, the Men of Intelligence of the Netherlands, and the Adamites of Bohemia), before concluding that the Craft “is not unique in this respect, although it is unusual.”
Ritual nudity does, Professor Hutton acknowledges, regularly feature in rites of passage, particularly initiations, which leads him to offer the tentative theory that one of its purposes in the Craft is “to sustain throughout all its workings the intensity and transformative power of initiatory experiences.” He finds it more significant though that, while nakedness in religion is about as common as integrity in politics, nudity in magickal lore and practice is widespread, both globally and historically. For example, there is an old English idea that a woman can be cured of infertility by walking about nude in her vegetable garden on Midsummer’s Eve.
The most casual research into traditional spellcraft and the representation of Witchcraft in art and literature confirms the point, and the often repeated line in Aradia (Charles G Leland, [1899]) exhorting Witches to be “naked in your rites, both men / And women also …” is simply one of the more obvious statements of the principle. In many cases, though, such folkloric mentions of nudity weren’t intended as sociological observations as much as evidence of the depravity of the Witches (or heretics, supposed savages or, a little later, hippies, “ferals,” trouserless animals, etc). Accordingly, they may be no more reliable than the occasionally attendant charges of cannibalism, shape-shifting and broomstick aviation.
A naked witch on a broomstick in “Départ pour le Sabbat” by Albert Joseph Penot (1910)
Some corroboration, however, might be found in other, less accusative descriptions of sorcerous activities in which nakedness still plays a part. In these instances, the absence of clothing is often just one of several reversals of the normal social order used in the working. Fair is foul, foul is fair, and naked is perfectly normal.
The concept of social reversals remains a force within the Craft. When our sense of ownership of our bodies is challenged by laws or other imposed codes of behavior, reclaiming it can be a source of personal and magickal power. As Australian Witch, Priestess and suspected Elf, Amargi Wolf, puts it: “The breaking of taboo can help put you in a headspace where anything might be possible. Even for those of us who are inclined not to wear clothes whenever we can get away with it on a day-to-day basis, society’s conditioning regarding nudity is a strong force to be played with.”
This mightn’t be exactly how it would have been conceptualized by a 17th century farm girl performing a love spell (yes, the politically incorrect sort, most likely) naked beneath a waxing moon, but she’d still have been aware of being in a strange and invigorating situation in which mundane reality was kept at bay and the possibility of her spell’s bringing results seemed well within the bounds of expectation.
Gerald Gardner and the Bare Witch Project
Skyclad bodies abound in pre-20th century folkloric accounts of spellcraft and divination. They’re equally common in several other major influences on the Craft, such as faerie-lore and imagery and Classical art. It’s nevertheless not uncommon to read that today’s naked Witch exists solely because Gerald Gardner, one of the Craft’s most significant revitalizers, happened to be a card-carrying, sun-soaking, bottom-baring naturist. Likely? Let’s see.
Gerald Gardner, naturist known as the “Father of Wicca”
We don’t yet (and may never) know precisely how modern Wicca got started, but we can be reasonably confident that two of the most widely published versions are as full of holes as a very large Swiss cheese sandwich after a drive-by shooting. Version One is the “Unbroken Line” theory, which maintains that Wicca is an ancient Pagan religion that went underground and survived the Burning Times, Spanish Inquisition, English Civil War, Punk Rock and Disco. Version Two is the “Guru Gerald” story, which claims that the late Mr. Gardner pieced together the whole shebang in a prolonged fit of post-retirement restlessness.
Plaque for Gerald Brosseau Gardner 1884 – 1964, naming him the “Fathering of Modern Witchcraft”
While little real evidence has come to light establishing that Gardner actually encountered an active form of the Craft in the 1930s, recent studies strongly suggest that: (a) the revitalizing of Witchcraft was a group effort; (b) several members of that group were already merging folklore, occultism and Paganism before Gardner’s involvement; and (c) another common interest in this subculture, before and after Gardner’s joining in, was naturism.
It now seems likely that it was through membership in naturist organizations that many key players in the magickal revival first met. Consequently, even if we choose to discount earlier Witch-lore and date the skyclad tradition to this era (as we can the Wiccan use of the word skyclad, borrowed from Jainism), we need to allow that it was the product not only of Gardner’s interests, but of those of a small but significant subsection of the magickal community of the time.
If we consider today’s nudist organizations, the more conservative of which still fall over themselves to project an image of utter normalcy (once the dress-code is overlooked), their significance to the Craft might seem strange. In the 1930’s, however, naturism was a new, rather radical and esoteric movement, possessed of a strong spiritual dimension. Its earliest forms in Germany typically embraced a reverence for nature, a longing for the pre-industrial past, and the promotion of physical fitness, often expressed through abstinence, vegetarianism, and exercise regimes that would make the average Tae-bo trainer run for cover. (Much of the movement’s spirituality seemed to slip away in the 60’s and 70’s, only to find a new home in various nude-friendly offshoots of hippiedom, from Australia’s Down to Earth Co-op and Osho communes to emerging Pagan organizations such as the Church of All Worlds.)
In Gardner’s time, naturism was becoming a little worldlier but still attracted many artists, poets, bohemians and occultists. Among his naturist contemporaries were: several of his original co-Coveners, including (probably) his initiatrix (probably) Edith Woodford-Grimes; Ross Nichols, founder of The Order of Bards Ovates and Druids; Harry Byngham, a major Pagan influence on the already Pagan-ish Order of Woodcraft Chivalry; poet and former Crowley associate, Victor Neuberg; and possibly even Dion Fortune, whose Fraternity of the Inner Light owned property at the Bricket Wood nudist club was frequented by Gardner and Nichols. (For more on this, see Philip Heselton’s Gerald Gardner and the Cauldron of Inspiration [Capall Bann, 2003].)
So linked were naturism and Paganism at this time that it became a standing joke in England to mix the metaphorical and literal senses of the expression “sun-worshippers” when talking about nudist venues. Even as late as 1984, the male lead in a naturist promotional film called Educating Julie facetiously warns his girlfriend about visiting a sun club, claiming “They worship these strange sun gods and have ritual dances in the woods” (a suggestion later labeled as “daft” by a club member).
Attempts to reunite the naked and the sacred weren’t pervasive in the magickal community of Gardner’s time, but they were an influential undercurrent. Gardner emphasized the idea’s importance within the Craft – as Byngham did in his area of Paganism, and Fortune and Nichols didn’t in theirs (although Nichols’s successor, Philip Carr-Gomm, champions skyclad Druidry on the Order’s website and is the author of the excellent A Brief History of Nakedness [Reaktion Books, 2010]). But to claim that old Gerald introduced the concept to his community is a little like suggesting that Norman Lindsay introduced the cheerful, nude-cluttered and defiantly Pagan imagery of his etchings to the world of art.
In the end, “Gerald made us do it” arguments against the use of skyclad ritual become unraveled when they take into account that universal quality of Witches: their fondness for making up their own minds. Most Wiccans have, for example, long since jettisoned the endless binding and scourging that swamped Gardner’s early rites. Ritual nudity, however, retains its currency. Robes, costumes and street clothes are more common at Craft gatherings than they once were, as the Craft takes on open Circles, rituals in public places and so on, but the naked Witch is far from being an endangered species.
That suggests the practice just might have its uses.
Guest Blog by: Liam Cyfrin and Caroline Tully
Releasing the Magick of the Body
To most Witches, precedent provides a comforting source of continuity, rather than a necessary validation of a custom. Validation, to the ever-pragmatic Witch, proceeds purely from utility. And since skyclad Witchcraft shows no sign of vanishing (despite being something of a PR nightmare at times), clearly many Witches find it a powerful technique for enhancing magick. Let’s try to see why.
One rationale for the practice is based on the idea that the physical body is the origin of much of the energy used in Wiccan ritual. Witches, therefore, work skyclad to maximize the area able to release this radiant energy.
Skyclad witchcraft: Does it enhance energy?
The standard counterargument to this is that, if the energy raised can’t penetrate a layer of fabric, it probably lacks the magickal brio to do anything else. This sounds reasonable initially, but it wobbles a bit under pressure. Consider, for instance, a phenomenon often observed in skyclad Circles – tan lines. If a thin garment can block the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, might it not have a similar effect on energy released from the body?
“Well, then,” our sceptic ripostes, “by that logic, presumably indoor workings are useless, since the energy can’t radiate through the wall.” The skyclad apologist may then shift analogies, likening the magickal energy to sound rather than UV. You can quieten a noisy radio by muffling the speaker with a small cloth. If you attempt to deaden it from a distance of several yards, you haven’t a prayer. The energy has spread (and has probably woken up your flatmate in the bedroom next door).
The problem with both sides of this debate is that everyone gets vague on the nature and function of this energy. Does it directly affect distant physical reality in a vaguely telekinetic manner? Or does it simply charge up the Circle to enhance the subtler energies being manipulated?
In the absence of any hard evidence, personal experience is our only guide. California-based Priestess Valerie Voigt is an advocate of skyclad working but observes that: “a loose, well-fitting robe doesn’t interfere at all with my energy or magick. On the other hand, a tight-fitting cingulum (while robed or skyclad), or having my hair in a tight bun or clasp, definitely interferes with my energy and focus.”
Enhancing the Senses
While the nature of the out-going energy from the skyclad Witch remains a bit hazy, the input of the environment’s energy is obviously enhanced by bare skin. This is noticeable even in indoor rituals (where a term like air-conditioning-clad might at times be more accurate than skyclad). As for the great outdoors, Amargi Wolf’s experience is that: “When I’m naked I feel like I have stripped away the illusion of separateness between humankind and the rest of Nature. I’m closer to that raw energy of the natural forces around me. My body is no longer protected from the Elements, therefore I can more easily unite with them.”
Rowan, the originator of the Australia’s “Magick Happens” fairs, is on the same wavelength: “Both in my mundane and spiritual activities being skyclad is an instant connection with all that is around me. There are no barriers; there is nothing to hide. Being skyclad in nature brings a freedom of mind, body and spirit that is unequalled.”
The sense of release felt in skyclad working – or just plain living – often engenders a deep sense of relaxation and of distancing ourselves from the petty, confining aspects of mundane life, a sensation neatly and cheerfully put by 18th century writer Horace Walpole, who proclaimed: “When I cast off my clothes, I cast off my cares!”
A somewhat later commentator, Wiccan author Fiona Horne, sees this principle in the context of her rituals: “Because my meditative state during ritual is naturally enhanced by being skyclad, my magickal work is enhanced also. Working skyclad heightens my feeling of expressing the divine within me and merging with the divine around me. ‘Pure and perfect, clad by the sky’, I have a renewed appreciation for the infinitely valuable gift in every one of our lives that we take so much for granted – our extraordinary bodies.”
At other times, exposure to the elements can have an opposite but equally magickally empowering effect. Amargi observes that the tingling of the skin can set energy dancing through a skyclad body: “Being naked does make me more susceptible to arousal, even only in a subtle way, and there’s nothing like a bit of arousal to add to magickal oomph!”
Either eventuality provides a strong case for skyclad ritual. And for those unconvinced, here’s a simple test to try at home. First, shower naked. Then, shower robed. Any questions?
The Assumption of Innocence
Naturists frequently counter the question of why they spend so much time naked by asking why their questioners don’t. The usual response is a series of wuffling noises while the questioners search for an answer that had previously seemed obvious and commonsensical but is now either vague or discomfiting.
Most answers indicate: (a) an unquestioning acceptance of social convention (which raises the issue of how many more of their deep-seated beliefs are mere constructs of conditioning); (b) dissatisfaction with his or own body (as discussed below); or (c) good old-fashioned, Eden-after-the-apple shame – an insidious, irrational and puritanical mistrust of the body, the senses, sexuality, Nature, Life, the Universe and Everything.
The primary Wiccan alternative to skyclad working is (or was until fairly recently) the robed ritual. The tradition of the robe was inherited from Ceremonial Magick, which in turn assumed the costume from the ecclesiastical world. And this, some Witches consider, makes these often amorphous garments a peculiar choice for a spiritual path directly opposed to the world-denying theology of earlier eras.
The Wiccan community’s widespread use of both ritual and casual nudity, on the other hand, celebrates liberation from the oppressive shadows of history with all the innocent exuberance of a skyclad
four-year-old playing under the sprinkler.
Wiccans in Uniform
Another reason sometimes offered for ritual nudity is that it symbolizes equality and prevents any sense of competition in costume. Much the same argument is often offered by advocates of school uniforms, but Witches don’t need to do so much ironing to stay egalitarian.
Again, there is precedent for this. A well-known 1497 engraving by Albrecht Dürer shows four women undressing for a Witchcraft ritual. By their headdresses, which they’ve not yet removed, we can see
that the women all represent different classes of society. There is a noble woman with an elaborate coif of delicate material on her head, a courtesan with long, flowing hair bound in a garland of
leaves, a respectable business woman with a rather plain headdress, and a peasant woman with a scarf or shawl over her head.
“The Four Witches” 1497 engraving by Albrecht Durer
Dürer is saying here that these four women from different classes are sisters when it comes to the religious observances of their Craft and that Witches come from all classes of society. When we are naked, we meet as equals and social distinctions are forgotten. Today, a Circle can consist of such apparently incompatible people as a judge, a punk, a hillbilly grandmother, an airline pilot, an ice skating champion, a wildlife officer and an Indian prince. Once skyclad, it is difficult to tell who has what career out in the mundane world.
As to the idea that nakedness prevents costume-envy – well, it’s true that clothed Wiccan and Pagan gatherings do sometimes veer off towards alternative fashion parades, but it’s almost unheard of for this to engender any real rivalry for the title of Best-Dressed Witch. Furthermore, robes, costumes, masks and so on can certainly be used effectively in ritual to identify with and draw out specific aspects of the Witch’s personality.
Often though, dressing up in Middle-Earthish finery has the less desirable potential of overshadowing, rather than enhancing, a ritual’s purpose. While enjoying fancy-dress parties as much as the next person, many Witches find that working skyclad keeps things real. As Janet and Stewart Farrar put it: “Wicca aims at personal development through discovery and integration of one’s true Self, the shedding of comforting masks and images; and there is nothing so image-creating as clothes.” (The Life and Times of a Modern Witch [Piaktus, 1987]).
Perfect Trust
A potential weakness in the “school uniform” case for skyclad working is that anyone inclined to envy another Witch’s prettier robe is just as likely to be jealous of their (conventionally) prettier body. This, however, also seems rarely to occur.
Some Witches, though, shy away from skyclad working for a related reason. Conditioned by a culture that encourages us all to judge our physiques by the standards of those of professional actors, athletes, models and dancers, not all Witches are immune to the compulsion to hide their little (or large) bumps and wrinkles and bulges away in manner that would have felt familiar to the Elephant Man. Many judge their bodies infinitely more harshly than they would those of anyone with whom they shared a Circle, while fearing the same degree of faultfinding from those very people.
Over the years, numerous Wiccan and Pagan authors, artists and speakers have challenged this type of thinking not only through their words but through their willingness to appear skyclad in print,
on film or online. Collectively, these spokespeople – among them, Alex and Maxine Sanders, Patricia Crowther, Rosaleen Norton, Janet and Stewart Farrar, Oberon and Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart, Vali
Myers, Margot Adler and Fiona Horne – present a pretty representative sample of human body types, diverse in age and build, and clearly emphasize that if Pagans acknowledge the Body to be sacred,
each body is sacred, whether or not it resembles that of the current media-approved permutation.
When working skyclad in a shared Circle, Witches are continually putting the Wiccan principle of Perfect Trust to the test. Australian Witch Aconite stresses that working with “no masks, no pretense,
nothing physically or psychologically to hide behind” leads to “a bond of honesty, of trust, of acceptance … that is reaffirmed with every skyclad Circle.”
This is daunting to many people, he acknowledges, finding it “no coincidence that ritual nudity is one of the first elements dropped” by many groups. Furthermore, the genuine trust and commitment it demands may not be necessary in every sort of working. An uncomplicated Sabbat celebration by an open Circle, for example, may not need to challenge each individual’s trust and dedication. Heavier duty magick, however, frequently will, and unsurprisingly skyclad working is commonest among groups which delve most deeply into the mysteries of the Craft.
The Wiccan ideal of Perfect Trust can be undermined by numerous unhelpful attitudes. Witchcraft’s emphasis upon nudity can sometimes mistakenly encourage sight-seers – those who are more interested in “getting a gawk” than experiencing Mother Nature in a mystical sense. Witchcraft is emphatically pro-sex, but not at the cost of spirituality. Wiccans believe that Spirit and Matter are entwined and do not emphasize one over the other. Anyone hoping merely for eye-candy or a bit of “slap ’n’ tickle” is advised to look elsewhere. Wicca is a participatory religion. No one just stands by and watches. They join in – otherwise, there is no point in being present.
Taking the initial plunge can, of course, be a shock to the system. Sydney Witch Minxi recalls her first shared skyclad Circle:
“I felt terrified, even though everyone else would be naked as well. Body issues bubbled to the surface. ‘My thighs are going to wobble as I dance! My breasts will bounce all over the place!’ The Priestess assured me that if I didn’t want to continue with getting naked no one would mind, just to do what I felt comfortable with. In the end, I chose to do what I felt was uncomfortable and pushed through the boundary that was stopping me.
And I danced my heart out around that Circle! I felt proud of myself, glad I made the right choice, and liberated. I felt more mature for being able to do it and now really enjoy it as part of my practice. I’m more comfortable than ever to just be me, even when I pursue nakedness in a social situation, like skinny-dipping with friends. I’ve become more confident about my body – and it didn’t involve losing weight, which is what I previously thought it would take!”
The Verdict
All this suggests that the Craft would lose more than a glamorous all-over moon tan by allowing the skyclad tradition to fade away. Should you, then, toddle off and package your robes away in mothballs? Probably not. There are obviously many times when skyclad working is impractical. There’s this thing we call “cold,” for instance. There’s also this thing we call “the law,” and although there’s something morbidly Mediæval about laws that insist that those they govern are inherently indecent, they can cause problems when ignored.
It should also be remembered that there’s more than just everyday demureness preventing some people from feeling comfortable in skyclad Circles. While many Wiccans can adapt to skyclad working as easily as undressing for bath, those who bear the psychological scars of sexual abuse or even excessive childhood teasing will often find it an insurmountable challenge. It would be a dim bulb indeed who’d assume that they were somehow second-class Witches on that basis.
Ultimately, skyclad working is no more an essential ingredient in Witchcraft than are candles, incense, moonlight and a good Sabbat feast once in a while. But if you suggested abstaining from any of these to many a Witch, you’d doubtless hear the same bemused reply very, very often: “Why would you want to?” Witchcraft ritual is a mysterious, magickal technique for uniting mankind with the oldest Gods – the Gods of Nature. The freedom and exhilaration of reclaiming our physical selves, of honoring these stardust forms we inhabit, or of simply dancing nude under a full Moon inevitably draw us closer to those Gods.
This is a 2018 guide to naturist, clothing-optional and naked events happening around the U.S. and Canada this summer! It’s split into two sections — Naked / Clothing Optional Events (more mainstream events that appeal to naturists) and Naturist Events (organized by and for naturists). The list is focused on big festivals, gatherings and unique events, excluding regular club socials like potlucks, BBQs or holiday parties. Check back here as I will update this list with more events!
All of these events are inclusive, meaning they are LGBT+ friendly and all are welcome regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation or marital status. There are some well-known clubs / events that are intentionally left out here, either because they don’t align with naturist values or because they try to use sexy naked female models to promote themselves (a personal pet peeve), or are not inclusive, or all of the above.
But this is not a complete list of everything, and as I’ve pointed out before, a lot of nudist clubs don’t post very much information about their own events, leaving me unable to figure out what they even are or if they’re worth sharing. If you have an event you feel should be included here, feel free to contact me or leave a comment!
The following is a list of more mainstream naked events that also appeal to nudists and naturists.
World Naked Bike Rides (WNBR)
For those not familiar with it, the World Naked Bike Ride is an international protest event that aims to draw attention to fossil fuel / environmental pollution and cycling safety. Participants bike
nude (or semi-nude) to draw attention to the vulnerability of cyclists. Many wear fun costume accessories or get body painted before the ride. Two big rides coming up on June 23 are
in Los Angeles, CA and Portland, OR. The Southern California Naturist
Association (SCNA) helps organize the LA WNBR. Find info on more rides at the WNBR Wiki.
Celebrate PRIDE – Toronto, Canada and Seattle, WA
June 23 – 24th
March in the Toronto Pride Parade this Sunday June 24th with the Federation of Canadian Naturists! What’s special about this is you can actually march naked, and it’s legal. Learn more
at https://fcn.ca/. And over in Seattle, WA, Tiger Mountain Family Nudist Park will have a booth at PrideFest this weekend,
and they’re looking for help handing out
brochures and chatting with people.
Also, I think naturists supporting or participating in Pride is a great way for us to celebrate and demonstrate acceptance! Even if you have to or want to wear clothes. (If you know of other opportunities for naturists to join in Pride celebrations before the month is out, please share in the comments!)
Sunburn
July 6 – 9, 2018
Penn Sylvan Health Society (PSHS) located at 5028 Camp Rd, Mohnton, PA
This is an annual all-ages event run by a local “burner” community and promises art, music, workshops and a lot of fire. It’s not an official regional burn, but it does abide by the 10 principles of
Burning Man. Attendees are a mix of nudists and non-nudies (favoring the latter). The grounds are clothing-optional but nudity is still required in the pools, hot tub and sauna. Tickets are limited
to 182 people, and kids 12 and under are free. Learn more: https://sunburn.ticketleap.com/sunburn2018/
Naked Tour of Howe Caverns
July 14
Howes Cave, NY 12092
This is perhaps the first ever naked tour of a prominent underground cave site in the U.S. (Europeans have probably tried this already). On International Nude Day, July 14th, you can join a group for
“a leisurely naked stroll through the cave by lantern light” at Howe Caverns. Their website says they believe “natural is beautiful” and want to promote body positivity. In the caverns you can see
limestone formations, stalactites and an underground lake (I will assume skinny dipping is not part of this. Ha!). The caves are 52 degrees year-round, but the staff assures people that they took a
naked stroll to try it out and that it’s comfortable enough. However shoes are still required (no flip-flops). The tour will take place after hours, at 7:30pm. It costs $65 per person and includes a
“souvenir robe and complimentary adult beverage.” The caverns are normally a family tourist destination but unfortunately this event is 21+. Reservations are required – see their website for details.
http://howecaverns.com/
These are events organized by and for naturists / nudists. They all take place at nudist clubs / resorts or nude beaches.
Nude 5K Races
Nude 5k runs take place around the country every year at various nudist clubs and resorts. I don’t have a resource for all the race events and dates in one place (anybody got one?), but here are some
upcoming races:
• June 23 Annual 5K Race at Turtle Lake Resort in Union City, MI
• June 23 Annual 5K Race at White Tail Resort in Ivor, VA
• June 30 Annual 5K Race at Coventry Club & Resort in Milton, VT
• July 7 State Line Streak at White Thorn Lodge in Darlington, PA
• July 8 Bare Buns Fun Run at Tiger Mountain Family Nudist Park in Issaquah, WA
• July 15 Bare Buns Run at Wreck Beach in Vancouver, BC, Canada
• July 22 5K Colour Fun Run at Bare Oaks in Ontario, Canada
Celebrate Legalization of Marijuana in Vermont + Water Wars Weekend at Abbott’s Glen
June 30 and July 27 – 29th
3542 VT Rt 112, West Halifax, VT
Just before their 4th of July festivities, Abbott’s Glen will celebrate Vermont’s new legalized marijuana law going into effect at midnight on July 30. (Starting July 1, adults 21+ in VT can legally
possess up to one ounce of marijuana.) The bed and breakfast style inn will have a party with a reggae band called The Equalities. All overnight guests can attend the event, but if you want to visit
just for an evening at the nightclub, you must be a couple. Abbott’ Glen has charming guest rooms and suites as well as camping. Amenities include a hot tub, wood fired sauna and nightclub, as well
as a pond, river and hiking trails on their beautiful grounds.
Also of note at Abbott’s Glen is their “Water Wars” weekend (July 27 – 29). That Saturday will be a day to unleash your inner child and engage in a day-long water fight with super soakers, squirt guns and “any vessel that holds water.” There will also be a group bonfire on Friday, a Saturday night dinner and a nude yoga class. Visit AG’s website at abbottsglen.com for more info.
Young Nudist Weekend at Dyer Woods
July 6 – 8th
114 Johnson Rd, Foster, RI, 02825
Like our previous young naturist gatherings, Dyer Woods is once again organizing a weekend of fun activities for “the young and young at heart.” Join them for hiking their nature preserve, naked slip
n slide, yoga classes, body painting, evening bonfires, volleyball and games, and more. The club also offers a swimming pond, wood-fired sauna, hot tub and clubhouse. Camp out at the group campsite
or contact them to book an overnight rental. Visit dyerwoodscampgrounds.com for more info.
Solair Young Naturist Weekend / 3rd Annual Brew Fest
July 6 – 8th
65 Ide Perrin Rd, Woodstock, CT
Solair has been organizing “young naturist” weekends for a few years. This event offers fun games and competitions, a “brew fest / pizza party,” a live band called Heavy Rescue, and a carnival on
Sunday. Solair is a large co-operative club with a few hundred members and modern facilities that include a swimming lake / beach, outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, tennis and volleyball courts,
clubhouse and more. All are welcome to attend, and for those under 40, the fee is only $10 per person or couple. Learn more at www.solairrl.com.
4th Annual Blind Creek Beach Skinny Dip with Treasure Coast Naturists
July 15
Fort Pierce, Florida
This event is part of National Nude Weekend, and as TCN describes it, “Each year we attempt to break a new record for the number of nude humans in the surf on our stretch of shoreline. Be a part of
the fun. Volunteer for activities including Beach Ambassadors, litter clean up, and more. Interested? Email: blindcreekbeach@yahoo.com if you are planning to participate.” More info on the Facebook event. Similar events will take place on July 14 at different clubs, as this is AANR’s
International Skinny Dip Day.
Bodyfest Canada
July 27 – 29, 2018
Bare Oaks Family Naturist Park in Ontario, Canada
Bodyfest is a Naked Club event that originated at Lupin Lodge in California and launched a Canadian version last year at Bare Oaks. The Lupin event already passed this month, but Bodyfest Canada is
happening again at the end of July. This is a lively weekend full of activities for adults and kids alike with nude Olympics, body and mud painting, water games, yoga, a standup comedy show and more.
Bare Oaks is a thriving naturist park with a couple hundred members, beautiful grounds and facilities – outdoor pool, swimming pond, hot tub, two saunas, restaurant, lounge / game room, volleyball
courts, campground and overnight rentals. More info here.
Northeast Naturist Festival at Empire Haven Nudist Resort
July 31 – August 5th
5947 Sun Lane, Moravia, NY
The Northeast Naturist Festival, now in its 27th year, is an annual gathering with 6 days
of various workshops, live music, children’s activities, evening drum circles, a sweat lodge and more. All this takes place at Empire Haven Nudist Club in Moravia, NY, which also has its own
facilities to offer like an outdoor pool, sauna, hot tubs and nature trails. Find more info and how to register at the Empire Haven website.
Naked Man at Laguna Del Sol
August 2 – 5th
8683 Rawhide Lane, Wilton, CA 95693
Since 2012, Laguna Del Sol has organized an annual event in honor of Burning Man, and they call it “Naked Man.” From what I’ve read online, it seems like they get a couple hundred people for this.
I’m not sure if there’s any sort of event schedule, but you can expect many of the same things you’d find at any “burner” event – art, music, games, costumes, performances and a little fire with
their own Naked Man effigy. The club itself has a 25 acre lake, multiple pools and hot tubs, full-service restaurant and lounge, guest rooms, sports amenities, children’s playgrounds and more. I
found a brief review of last year’s event and visit their website for more info: www.lagunadelsol.com
Music Medley at Sunsport Gardens
August 10 – 12th
14125 North Road, Loxahatchee, FL 33470
Sunsport Gardens Naturist Resort organizes young adult festival weekends with a group called The Tribe, 3 times / year. The summer festival happens every August. These events usually feature a number
of live bands, workshops, performances, yoga, body painting, fire and drum circles, and more. Naturists age 18-30 and under pay special rates and have a designated campsite. For those over 30,
regular rates apply. Children under 18 are always free. More info: sunsportgardens.com.
Avalonfest Music Festival
August 10 – 12th
Avalon Resort at 223 Avalon Rd, Paw Paw, WV 25434
This is a 3-day outdoor festival with live music, arts and crafts. This is a big annual event with vendors, food, camping and an “eclectic” mix of music. Avalon is a well-developed resort and has
many facilities including an indoor and outdoor pool, hot tub, a restaurant and bar, library, volleyball and tennis courts and 18 room lodge. See their Facebook event and website for more info: www.avalon-resort.com.
Superbowl XLVIII Nude Volleyball Tournament
September 6 – 10, 2018
White Thorn Lodge at 383 Stateline Road, Darlington, PA 16115
Happening annually since 1971, Superbowl is the largest nude volleyball tournament in the world. Hundreds of players compete in games that range in skill level from B to AA. There is always other
entertainment scheduled as well, such as live music, body painting and dance parties. WTL is a great co-operative club that offers sports facilities, a heated swimming pool, in-ground “therapy pool,”
hot tub, sauna, a lovely clubhouse space and more. The event remains affordable at $75 pp and $10 for camping for the main tournament days (4 nights). Learn more on the WTL website.
Family Naturist Events
Most of the events listed above are family-friendly, but there are also special events just for children and their families. Some nudist clubs organize family event days or full weekends that include all kinds of games, food and activities for kids and their parents. Examples: Family Fun Day at Rock Lodge Club (NJ, July 28), Family weekend at Bare Oaks (ON, Canada, 3rd wknd of July), and Family Day at Mountain Air Ranch (CO, July 7). Laguna Del Sol (Wilton, CA) has been offering educational programming for children every Saturday this summer, such as fishing lessons, fire safety, nature hikes, games, and arts and crafts. See their Facebook page events for more. Also, the Northeast Naturist Festival listed above is a great event to bring your kids to and has a schedule of kids’ workshops / activities for the duration of the festival.
Going on for 12 years now, Sunsport Gardens in Florida has hosted an annual week-long Naturist Family Youth Camp for kids, ages 4 – 17. Older campers are encouraged to help as counselors. It’s described as a fun week of growth, community, learning and creativity. Activities include a camp variety show, crafts, tie dye, nature exploration, canoeing and kayaking, non-competitive sports, games, body acceptance workshops, slip n slide and more. This year it takes place July 14 – 22, 2018. Get more info and registration forms at sunsportgardens.com.
Nudist / Naturist Organization Events
In addition to all of the above, the major nudist / naturist organizations like AANR regionals, TNS and FCN all have annual conventions and gatherings in the summer. These events are often a good opportunity to learn about politics and legal matters affecting naturists and what you can do, via different workshops and seminars. The Naturist Action Committee (NAC) always does seminars at the TNS gatherings. Of course there are also fun activities scheduled as well, like dances, talent shows, volleyball, games and workshops on other topics.
What’s your experience with these events? What festivals or events will you be heading to this summer? Share in the comments!
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has been carrying out market research on the British public about a number of issues
VIEWERS could soon see more erect penises on screen - if soft Brits don't take offence.
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has been carrying out market research on the British public about a number of issues - including nudity.
And if viewers don't find it too hard to watch, more erect penises could be seen on our screens from next year.
BBFC boss David Austin said Brits are becoming more desensitised over nudity in films and TV, with the censors planning to publish new guidelines in 2019.
He told Radio 4's Front Row: "These days if you have an erection on screen, the issue is is it a 15 level erection or an 18 level erection.
"We've been consulting with the public on this and in 2013, we liberalised slightly and we're now going back to the public as we speak and saying, 'have we got this right, have we done what you asked us to do in terms of how we classify erections'."
Currently, if the nudity is non-sexual, it's fine to appear in a U or PG film, which is suitable to children.
But once it becomes sexual in nature, it rises to a 15 or 18 depending on the "strength" of the nudity.
Mr Austin said: "It's clear from the research we're doing at the moment and were doing four/five years ago and to an extent before that that the public are relaxed about nudity and don't equate it to sex.
The Mull of Kintyre test is an unofficial guideline used by the BBFC to decide whether a penis can be shown.
According to the myth, the censor board would not allow a film to be released if a penis shown was more erect than the Mull of Kintyre’s outline.
But the test is just an urban legend, according to the BBFC. "They're less concerned about nudity than they are about violence or discrimination or drug misuse."
An urban legend has been circulating for years that the BBFC use the "Mull of Kintyre" test to judge whether a penis can be used.
The censors have denied using the test, which claims a penis should not exceed the angle equal to that made by the Mull of Kintyre on maps of Scotlan
I get asked all the time about naturist activities in New York City or nearby, especially in the off-season months. Unfortunately there are no official nudist places within the 5 boroughs.
So how else can one get naked here and connect with other nudists? This is my guide to local NYC naturist groups, naked events, nude classes and more!
In part one, I list the closest outdoor places including nude beaches and nudist clubs. In Part 2, I cover all the indoor options.
Guide to Nudism, Naturism and Naked Events in NYC By Felicity’s Blog
NUDE BEACHES: Since Lighthouse Beach was closed to nude use, Gunnison Beach in New Jersey has become the main nude beach destination for New Yorkers. It’s located on Sandy Hook, which is accessible by car or a short ferry ride from Manhattan.
Gunnison nude beach sign
There are also two clothing-optional beach areas Fire Island: Cherry Grove and the Pines. These beaches are part of well-known gay communities, and (so far) the NY anti-nudity law is not being enforced here. To get there, you have to park on the mainland and take a ferry.
NUDIST CLUBS: There are three clubs in northern New Jersey – Rock Lodge, Goodland Country Club and Sky Farm. These clubs are all within a 1-2 hour drive from NYC and only accessible by car. Rock Lodge is a family-oriented, co-operative club and Goodland is privately owned. Both clubs are inclusive and welcome everyone. As for Sky Farm, please note that if you are a single male, you might not be able to visit or join (although they may have changed their visitor policies by now).
Nudist club near NYC – Rock Lodge Club
There’s also Juniper Woods in the town of Catskill, New York. It’s a 2.5 hour drive from NYC or you can take a train to Hudson, NY and arrange with the club to be picked up from there.
SKINNY DIPPING PLACES: In the area of New Paltz, NY there are two great skinny places. One is a legal, official area in the Mohonk Preserve. The other is an unofficial spot known as the “nudist pool” in Stony Kill Falls located in Minnewaska State Park.
One of the pools for skinny dipping at Stony Kill Falls
SOCIAL NUDIST GROUPS
The Long Island Travasuns – The Travasuns are a longstanding, co-ed nudist group that hosts clothing-optional monthly swim parties and other events on Long Island and in Queens. The monthly parties take place at a spa / gym in Wantagh, Long Island. This venue has a pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room, bar, dance floor and more. Other activities usually include naked yoga and volleyball games.
To get there: It’s about an hour’s drive from Manhattan, and you can also take a train via the Long Island Railroad if you arrange for pickup at the local station. For more info on this and other events they host, visit their website at http://travasuns.org.
“Nude” — This is a nudist group that started 2-3 years ago in NYC, and at first it was just for men. Now they organize different workshops and events, which can be for men only or co-ed. You can check them out at https://www.meetup.com/nudeevents/.
“Nude” nudist men’s group in NYC
Go Naked – This is another new social group that caters to men, but has also organized all-gender gatherings. Events take place in NYC and Philadelphia, and include naked dance / bar socials. More info at https://www.gonaked.co.
Males au Naturel (MAN) – a social nudist group just for men that’s been around for many years and still regularly organizes events in NYC. Most of their members identify as gay or bi, but men of any sexual orientation are welcome. More info at http://man.shuttlepod.org/
Naked FITNESS CLASSES
Naked personal training sessions – A personal training business called Hanson Fitness started offering naked fitness classes at one of their gyms in NYC. Their last class was one hour long and described as a “total body workout.” The downside is they allow people to wear “nude underwear” if they want to, which negates the whole idea of it. But if you’re interested in attending a class like this, contact them at their website hansonfitness.com or see their Facebook page (events section) facebook.com/HansonFitnessNYC/.
Naked yoga – I have a guide just for naked yoga classes in NYC – coming soon!
Naked in Motion – a naked yoga & pilates class in NYC
NuDance – naked dance classes in NYC. Learn more at https://activenaturists.net/nudance/.
NAKED SPAS
There are a few nude spas in NYC, though ALL of them gender-segregated and not co-ed. One of the biggest is a Korean place called Spa Castle, and you can read my review of their Queens location (coming soon). They also have another location in Manhattan.
Other nude spas you might want to try:
– Russian & Turkish Baths (Manhattan / East Village) – old-school bathhouse that has all-male and all-female nude days. (Non-nude during co-ed hours.)
– Juvenex Spa (Manhattan / Koreatown) – clothing-optional for women during daytime hours.
– New York Spa & Sauna (Flushing, Queens) – Korean day spa with gender-segregated nude bathing areas.
(If anyone has been to these places or other nude spas in NYC, your feedback is welcome in the comments! Or you can contact me.)
NAKED EVENTS AND SHOWS
The Naked Show – This is a late-night event where naked comedians perform stand-up, and the audience is also invited to strip down after the show begins. It has previously taken place at The Creek & The Cave, a bar in Long Island City, on the occasional Friday night.
This show is currently on hiatus, but I am told it will be coming back! To stay up-to-date, “like” / subscribe to the Facebook page.
The Naturist Education Foundation (NEF) commissioned a U.S. opinion poll in 2015 to gauge Americans’ views on naturism and public nonsexual nudity and nude sunbathing. Bob Morton, executive director of NAC (Naturist Action Committee) has published a full report of the results on the NEF website.
These nationwide polls were started in 1983 by Lee Baxandall, founder of The Naturist Society. The first poll was conducted by Gallup and there were only 3 questions (the same questions as #1, #2 and #10 in the latest poll). Subsequent polls were expanded to include more questions and were conducted by Roper in 2000 and 2006. This year, NEF’s 10 question poll was conducted by Zogby Analytics as their professional pollsters.
You can read more on the history of the polls in the NEF report.
This 2015 poll was an online survey of 1,026 adults with a margin of error of about 3 percentage points and a “95% confidence level.”
So here are some key findings:
65% of Americans said they are fine with other people sunbathing naked in designated areas, such as on a beach (Question 1). Surprisingly this percentage has gone down from previous polls (it peaked at 80% in 2000). That said, the 2015 poll still shows that public nude sunbathing (in designated areas) still has the approval of nearly 2 / 3 of Americans.
Since 1983, the polls have been asking Americans if they agree with creating designated clothing-optional areas by setting aside public land for nude sunbathing / swimming.
In the 2015 poll, 57% agreed with setting aside these areas (Question 2). There has been a steady increase of approval to this question, which started at 39% approval in 1983.
The percentage of approval is even higher, however, when you look at the results from a subsequent question. Question 5 asked people where designated nudie areas should be located: “close to population centers, far away from population centers, both or neither.”
By combining the first 3 choices NEF concludes that the majority of Americans – 70% – approve of having areas set aside for clothing-optional use. While the majority of responders said nudie places should be “far away” from civilization, only 19% believe that no such places should exist at all.
Most Americans approve of having clothing-optional areas on public land according to the NEF 2015 Poll. (photo: naked-club.org)
NEF Question 3: “Do you agree or disagree that people have the right to be nude in their homes or on their property, even if they may occasionally be visible to others?”
The majority – 59% – said they agree with this (39% said Disagree and 6% said Not Sure).
There have been many cases of people facing legal ramifications and public persecution for just being naked in their own home or backyard – even when they were clearly trying NOT to be seen by anyone! This poll result is an encouraging show of support for people’s freedom to be as naked as they wish on their own property.
From this question, Bob Morton / NEF conclude that most Americans “see nudity as a personal right.” They note its significance given the troubling increase in “morality laws” that have been pushing their way into people’s private lives.
NEF 2015 Poll: Most Americans think people have the right to be nude in their own home or on their own property, even if neighbors might occasionally see them.
It seems to be a widely held assumption that the majority of Americans are offended by non-sexual nudity. This survey indicates that this is simply not true.
NEF’s question 4: “Do you agree or disagree that you are personally offended by the non-sexual nudity of others?”
Over half of respondents – 52% – said they disagree, while 40% said they agreed and 8% said “Not sure.”
NEF Question 6: “Women in some jurisdictions are required to cover their chests, even where men are not. Do you agree or disagree that the government should compel women to dress differently from men in this manner?”
The answers — 39% said “Disagree,” while 52% said “Agree” and 9% were “Not sure.”
This was a new question for the 2015 poll, so there are no comparison stats with previous polls. (Though if there were, I personally would guess it’d show an increase of support.) The greatest percentage here did not support women’s topfreedom, but nearly 40% is no small group either.
Interestingly, the NEF poll notes that there was a significant difference in response from men and women. Over 50% of men agreed with topfree gender equality, versus 29% of women.
NEF also noted the difference in political parties – 61% of Republicans were in agreement with gender-based (sexist) dress codes, versus 47% of Democrats.
Nearly 40% of those polled said they disagree with the government mandating that women cover their chests when men don’t have to.
NEF’s Question 10: “Have you, personally, ever gone skinny-dipping or nude sunbathing with others?”
35% answered “Yes” and 63% said “No.”
This question has been included in each poll since 1983, when 15% of respondents said “Yes.” In 2000, it went up to 25% and remained at this percentage in 2006.
NEF 2015 Poll: 35% of Americans have tried skinny-dipping or nude sunbathing with others.
NEF presented some details about the ethnicity, ideology, religion, income and more, of those who’d responded “Yes” in 2015.
NEF question 8: “How likely is it that you would consider going nude at a clothing-optional beach if you knew it was safe and legal?”
28% said they would likely consider it. 68% said “Unlikely” and 4% were in the “Not sure” camp.
NEF notes that the younger age group of 18-29 showed the most interest in visiting a clothing-optional beach – 43% of them said “likely.” Among older adults, it was around 30% likely until age 65+ at which dropped to 10%.
NEF Question 9: If a candidate for public office supported the designation of clothing-optional areas on public land, would you be more or less likely to support the candidate, or would it make no difference?
24% said “More likely,” 38% said it would make no difference and 32% said “Less likely.”
Would Americans vote for a political candidate who’s also a naturist or who supports naturism? The NEF poll results indicate that’s a YES! Most Americans – 70% — said they’d be either inclined to support the candidate or would just be indifferent to it.
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There were lots of encouraging findings in this poll. While the U.S. is no Germany when it comes to nudity or getting naked, this country is also not as anti-nudie as one would think. Furthermore, the results from previous polls indicate a strong ongoing support for people’s right to be naked and have designated clothing-optional beaches or areas. They also indicate an increasing participation in nudism, as more and more people have said they’ve tried social skinny-dipping or nude sunbathing.
This is just an overview of the stats and findings from the recent NEF poll — visit the Naturist Education Foundation website to read more. And if you want to see more survey research like this, please donate to NEF. It’s is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and relies entirely on donations to stay up and running!
NEF 2015 Poll: Most Americans Approve of Nude Sunbathing was published by – Felicity’s Blog
This article was originally published October 8, 2015.
Meet Laura, the 7th participant of my series, The Real Nude Beach Photography Project, which took place at Gunnison Beach in 2017. Laura had her first social nude experience at the beach, which felt a little less intimidating for her after having already embraced topfreedom in NY. She was introduced to Gunnison through a bisexual / poly group and has never looked back. Learn more about Laura in our interview below!
Introducing Laura in The Real Nude Beach Body Positive Photography Project
Name: Laura
Age: 24 years old
Lives in Warren, NJ
What are your favorite hobbies?
I work at a day program for adults with autism and developmental disabilities. Hobbies include reading, writing, and arguing about politics.
How often do you visit Gunnison Beach?
Several times a season.
Why do you visit the nude beach?
It’s just more fun. Also, don’t need to buy bathing suits or worry about awkward tan lines.
What made you decide to visit the beach for the first time? How would you describe your first experience?
There was a bisexual / poly meetup and it sounded fun. I’m already someone who goes topless where I can, so it wasn’t a big stretch. That said, I was a bit anxious and it took me about 30 minutes before getting totally naked for the first time.
Do you feel that your sexual orientation affects your experience of the beach?
I’m bisexual, so it just means more potential partners in general. Mostly though, it provides a community of people with similar experiences and is a safe space.
What do you like about Gunnison?
Everyone you meet is super welcoming! I’ve met several friends there; it’s just an honest environment.
Do you identify as a nudist or naturist? Why or why not?
I’ve never really thought about it, but no.
Has visiting the nude beach changed the way you feel about yourself and / or your body?
It has definitely made me more comfortable with my body; particularly more accepting of pubic hair. I also used to hate having a small chest, until I started going topless in NY a few years ago, and visiting the nude beach has further boosted my confidence with myself.
Has visiting the nude beach changed the way you perceive and interact with others?
I’m generally very shy and reserved, but it’s always been easy to talk to people when you meet them while nude…like, there’s just no secrets. It has made me less judgmental as well.
Has visiting the nude beach had an impact on your life in any significant way?
It has expanded my social network and introduced me to new lifestyle perspectives (meeting poly people).
What would you say to people who claim that the only people who visit the nude beach are the ones you “don’t want to see naked”?
Tell them they’re flat out wrong. There is literally every body type and skin tone represented at Gunnison.
Do you ever feel unsafe or intimidated at the nude beach? Do you ever worry about gawkers or people being there for the wrong reasons?
Not at all.
Do your friends / family know you go to Gunnison? Who do you visit the beach with, if anyone?
Yes. My mom thinks it’s weird, but my friends are the ones I go with!
Why do you think nudity is so controversial in America?
We’ve never gotten over repressive puritan ethics. It’s really the issue of people feeling comfortable and claiming their own bodies, because sex is used to sell everything, but you can’t acknowledge it.
This interview for the Real Nude Beach Body-Positive Photography Project was published by Felicity’s Blog.
As naturists, there are certain false assumptions we hear over and over again, and myths that are perpetuated by the media. Here we debunk 10 popular myths about naturism and naturists.
Most of us can’t be naked all the time. Even if we live in a nudist club, it’s still necessary to venture outside, and that usually requires pants. How often one can be naked depends on climate, location, what nudist spots are nearby, etc.
Are all nudists like Bart Simpson? Some are, some aren’t.
Also, many nudists don’t want or don’t have a need to be naked all the time. Some people get home and immediately undress out of constricting, uncomfortable work clothes. Others switch into pajamas or take off only their top or bottom. (Of course there are also those who can’t be home nudists because of who they live with.) Many are happy to just partake in nudie time outdoors, when it’s hot out.
I don’t know about you, but I have no interest in being naked on a NYC subway train. Naked is fun, but not everywhere. Most nudists are happy to have their own section of a beach. But it would be nice if it weren’t a serious crime to be seen naked, without any lewd behavior involved. We find it obscene and oppressive that it’s illegal to simply show body parts that most people have and that most people have seen.
Nudists Want To Be Naked Everywhere, 24/7?
I asked 9 leaders in the nudist community what it means to be a nudist, and I got 9 different answers. I’ve also written up my own definitions before. But it just goes to show, there are no set definitions in the community at large. Most people can agree that as a basic definition, “nudist” and “naturist” refer to people who enjoy being nude in a non-sexual setting. I often use these terms interchangeably.
There are no nudist colonies. Nudists don’t colonize. Nobody in the nudist world says “colony.” This is a term that the media keeps using, and it just won’t die. The proper terms are nudist resorts or clubs.
Nudism is not about sex, but it can also be a bit disingenuous to say it’s “not sexual.” Given the strong association between nudity and sex in our culture, many nudists are quick to insist that nudism is not sexual, but almost to the point of rendering themselves asexual. Most humans are sexual beings. It’s not as if we enter a nudist setting, and our sexuality disappears (nor is it suddenly an uncontrollable force).
Nudists have sex, still experience sexual attraction and express affection in public, whether naked or not. The point is, nudist settings are no more sexual than public textile settings. Most people on nude beaches behave the same way they would on a textile beach. They socialize, swim, laugh, play in the sand, sunbathe nude. People can control their behavior whether naked or clothed. There’s a time and place for everything.
Sexuality is in the mind, and your sexiest body part is actually…your brain. There are many things that trigger arousal and people don’t need nudity to get turned on. If the first part of this myth were true, we’d all be doomed to sexless marriages and relationships. But there are couples who have been married for 40+ years and still have healthy sex lives.
As for the second part, we’d say nudists probably have better sex because they tend to be more comfortable with their bodies. But do they have more sex than the average person? We’d have to do a study to find out.
Naturism Nudism Myths about Sex and Sexuality
As explained in myth #5, nudists don’t become super aroused and jump each other the minute their clothes come off. They have sex in private settings just like everyone else.
Nudists can be found all over the world and range in age from newborns to centennials. Some nudist clubs or clothing-optional locations are filled with young naturists in their 20’s and 30’s.
Other clubs have predominantly older, retired empty-nesters.
Naturism and Nudism is NOT only for older people
Many would say the latter describes most clubs in the U.S., and we might agree with that. But the nudist demographic all depends on where you go. In the U.S., nude beaches and clothing-optional hot springs tend to have a lot more young people. In European countries such as France, there are large resorts and beaches that are very popular among young people. As a fact, there is no lack of young people in the nudie world.
There have been quite a few articles in the last few years that report on how old nudists are trying to get more young people involved to keep nudism alive. But nudism is not some outdated, obscure lifestyle that’s about to vanish as all the elderly nudists head to their graves.
Certain nudist clubs and organizations may be losing members, but naturism is enjoyed by millions of people all over the world. And that’s not about to change. Many young people are into naturism, but for many reasons, many of them aren’t joining clubs, resorts or organizations.
When clubs and resorts close down, I believe it’s because they failed at business and marketing. They likely failed to attract any new members for some time, let alone young ones. As for organizations, a diminishing membership means that some things aren’t working, and changes are needed. But none of this means that naturism itself is dying.
No, man. You’re just being confronted with the reality of what bodies actually look like. What were you expecting, the scene of a Playboy photo shoot? This is real life. There is no Photoshop or airbrushing.
To get a dose of naked beach body reality, check out The Real Nude Beach Photography Project where I introduce different people who visit and enjoy Gunnison nude beach.
Oftentimes, when a person is “disgusted” by average bodies, it is just a reflection of their own discomfort with their appearance. As Bob Belcher once said, “Nude beaches are full of overweight, out of shape old bodies and I don’t wanna go there and realize I look exactly like that.” (In actuality there are people of all different body types and ages at a nude beach, but you get the point.)
So work on your body image and try to do a little less judging of others.
Also, if you’re going to the nude beach for the purpose of looking at others’ bodies for your own sexual gratification, that’s called a voyeur. Naturists don’t like voyeurs.
Naturism is not about showing off how fit, toned and tanned you are. It’s about acceptance of people just as they are, regardless of what they look like. On a nude beach, no body is perfect, and everyone has flaws.
There are all types of bodies, and no one should feel like they’re not good-looking enough to be there. A naturist setting is the one place where you can feel like you are good enough!
Naturists come in all shapes and sizes, and all are welcome!
10 popular myths about naturism and nudism published by – Felicity’s Blog
This article was originally posted September 2014.
Guest blog by: Melissa Starr
Benjamin Spock, Ann Landers, and Abigail van Buren, all popular authorities on child-rearing and other matters, have often warned of the dangers of exposing children to nudity. (It is questionable whether Landers and van Buren expressed this conclusion for there is evidence to the contrary.) Though their theories on the matter are well-known, are they truly valid? Is there solid research to prove it? Studies of how nudity affects kids are actually sparse, though they have slightly increased in number in recent years.
The findings and their interpretations are often influenced by researchers’ own preconceptions, including findings that may better explain the effects of parents’ attitudes toward nudity on kids rather than the actual effect of children being exposed to nudity.
However since the late 1970’s, more objective and controlled research has taken place in an effort to identify the truth of how exposure to nudity affects child development. All of this nudism research indicates not only a lack of negative effects, but a whole list of benefits to children.
One of the first truly objective studies was developed by Dr. Marilyn Story, a researcher who sought to examine the role of family social nudity classification on body self-concept development in preschool-aged children. Dr. Story interviewed 264 children aged three to five years as well as their parents. The children were classified in one of three categories: social naturists or simply put – nudist kids, at-home nudist, and non-nudist kids.
Family nudity – How does it affect childhood development? We consult the research!
Each child was interviewed individually as they were asked about their body parts, namely whether they like each of the 16 body parts discussed. Within this study, a correlation was identified between gender and which body parts were most desirable.
The study also found that non-nudist kids most often identified their genitals as their least-liked body parts. Adversely, nudist kids (which basically means – children from nudist homes) identified their genitals as their most-liked body parts and identified no parts of their body that they liked the least. Within this study, naturism / nudism was found to be a more important variable than gender, race, and geographical area in terms of having a positive self-concept, body acceptance, and self-image.
Another important study was conducted by Ron and Juliette Goldman in 1981 to examine children’s perception of clothing and nakedness in regard to modesty in four different locations: North America, England, Australia, and Sweden. Within this study, children aged five to fifteen were studied, and research centered on children’s perceptions of the need for clothing in different circumstances as well as the reason given for the need for clothing.
Though the study was intended to determine which societies were most insistent on wearing clothes for the purpose of modesty, this study determined that children’s perceptions of nakedness was strongly tinged with guilt. As they aged they conformed more to their parents’ modesty training, thereby causing children’s guilt about nakedness to increase with age. Such guilt was found in children who did not understand, accept, or enjoy their body and its sex organs as natural and normal.
Robin Lewis and Louis Janda conducted a study in 1998 to examine the relationship between adult sexual adjustment and childhood exposure to nudity, sleeping in the parental bed, and parental attitudes toward sexuality. These components had mixed results in previous studies, which necessitated further research. Lewis and Janda used an extensive questionnaire to survey 210 undergraduate university students about their childhood experiences with nudity.
Research studies have found family nudism to be beneficial to children as they’re growing up and later on in adulthood. (Photo: Rock Lodge Club)
The results of the study were clear: there is a positive relationship between childhood exposure to nudity and adult sexual comfort. Further, the study found that children from birth to age five who were exposed to nudity felt less discomfort with affection and physical contact as they grew older. Children ages 6-11 who were exposed to nudity (i.e. nudist kids ) had greater self-esteem and knowledge about sex.
Margaret Mead is an anthropologist who has completed many studies on the effects of nudity on children and is one of the most well-known researchers on this topic. Dr. Mead studied cultures throughout the world and noted many negative effects that clothing had in the western culture’s clothing-dependent society.
These effects include a separation of “self” from the “body,” a lack of point of comparison for all body parts due to clothing covering them, a preoccupation with sex that is emphasized through clothing, and a lack of education about the human body related to lack of exposure to it. She further identified that the nudity or partial nudity common to more primitive cultures was not an indication of a lack of modesty, and the way nudity is handled within a culture is more important than the presence of nudity in determining whether it will have negative effects. One area that she emphasizes is that a child must see nudity among adults so that they know what their body will become; this is essential to the developing person.
One common theme throughout the research was the effect of the family’s and society’s attitude about nudity on children. The presence of a positive or negative attitude towards nudity was far more important than any other factor in nearly every situation when it came to how a child would react to nudity around them. These studies show that not only is nudity not harmful to children (sorry Dr. Spock), but that they can benefit in various ways from exposure to nudity in a body-positive, accepting environment.
Children can gain increased knowledge and understanding of the human body in all of its forms along with greater comfort with sexuality and physical contact as they grow older. They also learn to accept their own bodies and have greater self-esteem. Thus it is really up to us as parents, as educators, as individuals, as a society, to adopt a more open and accepting view of nudity for children to benefit.
This article was originally published on May 20, 2012.
I have always been a "nudie booty" in my own home. I would come home from work or class and just shed my clothes.
It's not so much that I dislike clothes; I actually love them quite a bit. I love to be able to express myself with my wardrobe, but when I want to relax, I don't want anything to do with them.
Not even underwear. Nudie Booty! I like being naked at home.
My husband had always liked it in the past. He'd come home from a long day at work to find his naked girlfriend sitting at her computer playing World of Warcraft, or his naked newly big-breasted pregnant wife sleeping on the couch.
He even thought it was cute after our first son was born to find the two of us naked napping in the bed.
But something changed when we found out our second was a boy too.
Not too long after the big gender reveal of our latest pregnancy, my husband came home and found me and our son, both naked, playing in the bathtub together. He very calmly said "Don't you think you should start covering up around him? He's getting a little old for that." I just brushed it off saying that our two-year-old didn't care or understand just yet. Husband let it go.
But now that our youngest son is about to turn one and our oldest son is just over three and well aware of the differences between my body and his and his brother's, the thought of my nudity at home around them has stirred up a sense of panic in my husband again.
He uses words like "appropriate" and "decent" to try to justify my need for covering up. I guess I still don't really get it — why I, as their mother, would need to cover up around my sons.
I mean, they both grew inside my body, made their way through my body, and used my body for nourishment and comfort. Neither one sees my body as something bad or as something to hide — it's just mommy's body.
Husband and I had a long talk about it one night because I honestly don't understand his problem with my being nude around our boys and he rebutted that he didn't understand why it was such a big deal to me.
That one stumped me.
I told him I'd think about it and get back to him.
Well, I've thought about it, and here's why it's a big deal: because my body isn't bad.
Why should I hide my very real body from my sons? They're going to be accosted by images of perfectly Photoshopped and smooth women their entire lives. Wouldn't it be a good idea to show them, starting from a young age, what one real woman's body looks like? A size 10, saggy belly, dimply, stretch-marked, real and very imperfect body.
Wouldn't it be a good idea to show them that bodies are nothing to be ashamed of? That just because you're not what our society deems as perfect doesn't mean you should be ashamed of your body.
I want my sons to grow up with a much healthier view of their bodies than I had growing up. I want them to see their bodies as instruments, not ornaments. Finely tuned machines that need to be treated well to run well with good clean fuel and plenty of exercise. To make them want to do all these things because they want to be healthy, not just skinny.
I want them to respect all shapes, sizes, and colors of people's bodies for more than just their aesthetic appeal. To realize that there is much more to a woman (or any person) than just her physical body.
I feel like not changing who I am, not hiding my body or being ashamed of my body will be a good foundation and example to point my sons into this direction.
Of course, I do realize there will probably come a time when being around naked mommy will embarrass one or both of my boys, and when the time comes that one of them asks me to cover up, I will.
But for now, while they still have innocent pliable minds, I think my nude booty will do them more good than harm.
Now all I need is a plane ticket to Europe. I want a crack at those nude beaches again.
Nude at home
In the Parade Magazine February 25, 2018 edition, Jimmy Kimmel was asked, "You wear a tux onstage (while hosting the Oscars). What do you wear when you watch the show at home?"
Jimmy answered, "If I have any clothes on at all, it's cause for celebration."
Being naked is naturally more comfortable than wearing anything. Our bodies don't like being covered and that discomfort quietly builds the longer we don't free our bodies of our clothes for at least a while. At home, there's often no reason not to shed your clothes and enjoy the comfort and freedom of being nude. But sadly, many of us live in a culture or in a climate where that's not acceptable or practical in many places. It often is acceptable at designated clothing optional beaches in some countries, and is at least tolerated in wilderness environments of most others (skinny-dipping in a lake, soaking nude in a natural hot spring a long hike from the road, and so on).
Skinny Dipping -- Do you enjoy it? Others have and do.
Yoder was on a fact-finding trip to Israel paid for by the American Israel Educational Foundation when he took off his clothes and jumped into the water in front of several colleagues and a few of their family members. Several other trip participants also went swimming, but none of them disrobed completely. The late-night dip reportedly took place after a long dinner with drinks being served. The incident angered Rep. Eric Cantor, the senior Republican on the junket, who scolded the lawmakers for being distracted.
Known for his skills as an inventor, diplomat, and author, Ben Franklin also was an avid swimmer who enjoyed a good dip, whether he was clothed or naked. Franklin, who is credited with inventing the swim fin, was an accomplished swimmer who could handle long distances in the water as a young man. Franklin also enjoyed what he called “air baths” where he would sit without any clothes on for about an hour in the morning before starting his work.
In his autobiography, Theodore Roosevelt recounted how he tried to sneak in his exercise while living in the White House. Some days that meant playing tennis or going horseback riding. Other days that meant going swimming in Rock Creek or the Potomac. “If we swam the Potomac, we usually took off our clothes,” Roosevelt wrote.
Not only did Lyndon Baines Johnson go skinny-dipping in the White House pool, he was at least at one point accompanied by famed evangelist Billy Graham. The preacher was visiting Johnson in the Oval Office when the president suggested that they take a dip. “That no one had brought a bathing suit was no deterrent,” Graham later wrote. “[I]n years to come the president would often interrupt meetings to suggest [a] swim and needle anyone who was reluctant to strip naked and dive in a baptism in intimacy.”
Johnson wasn’t the only president to wade in the White House pool sans swim trunks. John F. Kennedy routinely took dips in the buff while a Secret Service stood guard, according to Seymour Hersh’s titillating exposé, The Dark Side of Camelot. Of course, Kennedy had company. According to one Secret Service agent, Kennedy’s two favorite assistants, nicknamed Fiddle and Faddle, joined him for nude swims. If Jackie were on her way to the pool, the trio would scramble for cover, the agent told Hersh. “You could see one big pair of footprints and two smaller pair of wet footprints leading to the Oval Office.”
Like many fit politicos, John Quincy Adams would wake up early every morning—around 5 a.m.—for his daily exercise. He’s in a smaller company, however, for doing it nude. Adams swam each day in the Potomac River, fully nude—a risky routine, as he learned after refusing an interview with reporter Ann Royall. She reportedly hiked to Adams’s preferred bathing locale, gathered his clothes, and held them hostage until he agreed to speak with her. When the naked commander in chief relented, he became the first president to grant a female journalist an interview.
Sen. Paula Hawkins, a Florida Republican who served one term in the U.S. Senate from 1981 to 1987, was a trailblazer. She was one of the first women to be elected to the Senate without having been the wife or daughter of a politician. She pushed through the monumental Missing Children’s Act of 1982 and supported legislation aimed at helping women in the job market. She also forced senators to wear bathing suits while swimming in the Senate gym, so she could unashamedly work out at the formerly all-male—and often nude—fitness center during the daytime.
Joe Biden, Vice President
Joe Biden apparently likes to skinny-dip in his own pool, proving, once again, he's just a regular guy. (Insomuch as regular guys have their own pools.)
SpaceX's aspirational goal is to send our first cargo mission to Mars in 2022. The objectives for the first mission will be to confirm water resources and identify hazards along with putting in place initial power, mining, and life support infrastructure. A second mission, with both cargo and crew, is targeted for 2024, with primary objectives of building a propellant depot and preparing for future crew flights. The ships from these initial missions will also serve as the beginnings of our first Mars base, from which we can build a thriving city and eventually a self-sustaining civilization on Mars.
In my book, 2025 Five Days in Paradise, written in 2011, I have the first Manned Mars launch happening in August 2025. Elon Musk plans to beat my prediction by launching in 2024.
SpaceX's billionaire founder and CEO just published the plan, which he unveiled at a conference in Mexico in September 2016, in the journal New Space. Musk's commentary, titled "Making Humanity a
Multi-Planetary Species," is available for free on New Space's website through July 5.
"In my view, publishing this paper provides not only an opportunity for the spacefaring community to read the SpaceX vision in print with all the charts in context, but also serves as a valuable archival reference for future studies and planning," New Space editor-in-chief (and former NASA "Mars czar") Scott Hubbard wrote in a statement.
Musk's Mars vision centers on a reusable rocket-and-spaceship combo that he's dubbed the Interplanetary Transport System (ITS). Both the booster and the spaceship will be powered by SpaceX's Raptor engine, still in development, which Musk said will be about three times stronger than the Merlin engines that power the company's Falcon 9 rocket.
The booster, with its 42 Raptors, will be the most powerful rocket in history, by far. It will be capable of launching 300 metric tons (330 tons) to low Earth orbit (LEO), or 550 metric tons (600 tons) in an expendable variant, Musk said. For comparison, NASA's famous Saturn V moon rocket, the current record holder, could loft "just" 135 metric tons (150 tons).
Credit: SpaceX
ITS rockets will launch the spaceships to Earth orbit, then come back down for a pinpoint landing about 20 minutes later. And "pinpoint" is not hyperbole: "With the addition of maneuvering thrusters, we think we can actually put the booster right back on the launch stand," Musk wrote in his New Space paper, citing SpaceX's increasingly precise Falcon 9 first-stage landings.
The ITS boosters will launch many spaceships and fuel tankers (which will top up the spaceships' tanks) to orbit over the course of their operational lives; the rockets will be designed to fly about 1,000 times each, Musk wrote. The spaceships, meanwhile, will hang out in orbit, and then depart en masse when Earth and Mars align favorably. This happens once every 26 months.
Eventually, Musk wrote, he envisions 1,000 or more ITS spaceships, each carrying 100 or more people, leaving Earth orbit during each of these Mars windows. The architecture could conceivably get 1 million people to Mars within the next 50 to 100 years, he has said.
The ships would also fly back from Mars, using their nine Raptor engines and methane-based propellant that was manufactured on the Red Planet. Each ITS ship would probably be able to make 12 to 15 deep-space journeys during its operational life, Musk wrote, and each fuel tanker could likely fly to Earth orbit 100 or so times.
The ITS' reusability is key to making Mars colonization affordable. This reusability — combined with other measures, such as fueling the spaceships in Earth orbit and making propellant on Mars — could bring the price of a Red Planet trip down to $200,000 or so per person, from an estimated $10 billion using conventional spaceflight systems, Musk said.ITS spaceships could begin flying to Mars about 10 years from now, if everything goes well, Musk added. But he acknowledged that success is far from guaranteed.
"There is a huge amount of risk. It is going to cost a lot," Musk wrote. "There is a good chance we will not succeed, but we are going to do our best and try to make as much progress as possible."
By SPACEX, VIA REUTERS The success of this launch gives SpaceX momentum to begin developing even larger rockets, which could help fulfill Elon Musk’s dream of sending people to Mars.
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — From the same pad where NASA launched rockets that carried astronauts to the moon, a big, new American rocket arced into space on Tuesday. But this time, NASA was not involved. The rocket, the Falcon Heavy, was built by SpaceX, the company founded and run by the billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.“It seems surreal to me,” Mr. Musk said during a news conference after the launch.The launch of this turbocharged version of the workhorse Falcon 9 rocket, which has been carrying cargo to space for years, marks an important milestone in spaceflight, the first time a rocket this powerful has been sent into space by a private company rather than a government space agency.The rocket carried a playful payload: Mr. Musk’s red Roadster, an electric sports car built by his other company, Tesla. Strapped inside the car is a mannequin wearing one of SpaceX’s spacesuits. They are expected to orbit the sun for hundreds of millions of years.“It’s kind of silly and fun, but silly and fun things are important,” Mr. Musk said. The success gives SpaceX momentum to begin developing even larger rockets, which could help fulfill Mr. Musk’s dream of sending people to Mars. To do that, he has described a new-generation rocket called B.F.R. (the B stands for big; the R for rocket) that might be ready to launch in the mid-2020s. The near-flawless performance of the Heavy on Tuesday “gives me a lot of confidence we can make the B.F.R. design work,” Mr. Musk said.
He added that he hoped the launch would encourage other companies and other countries to aim for more ambitious goals in space.“We want a new space race,” he said. “Races are exciting.”
Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, on Monday at Launch Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where the
Falcon Heavy rocket launched on Tuesday afternoon. Credit Todd Anderson for The New York Times
Mr. Musk’s visions include humans living both on Earth and Mars. He’s part of a new generation of entrepreneurial space pioneers that includes Jeffrey P. Bezos, the founder of Amazon, who has said one of the goals driving his rocket company, Blue Origin, is the prospect of millions of people living in space. Planetary Resources, an American company with a large investment from Luxembourg, hopes to mine asteroids for profit. Moon Express, based in Florida, sees a business in providing regular transportation to and from the moon.For now, the Heavy will enable SpaceX to compete for contracts to launch larger spy satellites, and some experts in spaceflight are encouraging NASA to use private rockets like the Heavy instead of the gigantic and more expensive rocket, the Space Launch System, that is currently being developed in part to take astronauts back to the moon.“It basically gives them another tool in their toolbox for accomplishing the space community’s goals,” said Phil Larson, an assistant dean at the University of Colorado’s engineering school who previously worked as a senior manager of communications and corporate projects at SpaceX.
SpaceX successfully launched its newest rocket, the Falcon Heavy, on Tuesday.
Although delayed by high-altitude winds, the countdown proceeded smoothly, without any of the glitches that have bedeviled other maiden launches of new rockets.The Heavy roared to life, a plume of smoke and steam shooting sideways from the launchpad. It rose from the pad, with an impossibly bright glare of 27 engines beneath it.About 15 seconds later, a thunderous roar, traveling at the speed of sound, rolled over the spectators. Just over three minutes after it blasted off, the most suspenseful part of the flight was over, as the boosters dropped off and the second stage continued into Earth orbit.Some eight minutes after launch, a pair of sonic booms rocked the area as the two side boosters set down in near synchrony on two landing pads at Cape Canaveral. In the past few years, SpaceX has figured out how to routinely bring a booster stage back in one piece to fly again on future flights.The one blemish on the mission was that the center booster, which was to set down on a floating platform in the Atlantic, slammed into the water instead, because some of the engines failed to ignite for the final landing burn.
A screen grab from the SpaceX launch webcast, showing the red
Tesla Roadster and its mannequin occupant after it was deployed into space. Credit SpaceX Once in orbit, the rocket sent back video of the spacesuit-wearing
mannequin in the car, with a hand on the steering wheel. On the dashboard were the words “Don’t Panic,” a nod to Douglas Adams’s book “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.”The spacecraft journeyed through
Earth’s Van Allen radiation belt. About seven hours after the rocket took off, Mr. Musk announced that a third and final burn had
put his sports car on an elliptical orbit away from Earth and around the sun that extends beyond Mars’s orbit. Since 2010, the company has been sending the smaller Falcon 9 rocket into orbit,
deploying satellites and carrying cargo to crews aboard the International Space Station. The company has disrupted the global launch business with its lower prices and reusable boosters.The Falcon
Heavy is capable of lifting 140,000 pounds to low-Earth orbit, more than any other rocket today. Because all three boosters are to be recovered to fly again, a Falcon Heavy launch costs not much more
than one by the company’s existing rocket, Mr. Musk said. SpaceX lists a price of $90 million for a Falcon Heavy flight, compared with $62 million for one by Falcon 9, a bargain in the context of
spaceflight.Mr. Musk estimated that his company had spent more than half a billion dollars on Falcon Heavy and said that the program was almost canceled three times. SpaceX has booked coming Heavy
flights for Arabsat, a Saudi Arabian communications company, and the United States Air Force.
Two of the Falcon Heavy’s boosters returning to Earth at Cape
Canaveral eight minutes after launch. Credit SpaceX However, the market for the Heavy is smaller than what Mr. Musk envisioned when he announced development of
the rocket in 2011. Back then, he expected that SpaceX’s launches would be evenly split between Falcon 9s and Heavies.But the development of the Heavy took years longer than anticipated — the central
booster had to be redesigned to withstand the stresses of the powerful side boosters — and with advances in miniaturization, the trend is toward smaller satellites. SpaceX also boosted the capability
of the Falcon 9, which now can launch many of the payloads that would have originally required a Heavy.In addition to its central booster, the Falcon Heavy was equipped with two additional side
boosters that essentially tripled its power at liftoff. While the Heavy uses many of the same components as the Falcon 9, Mr. Musk had cautioned that failures during a test flight would not be
surprising. In particular, he worried about complex buffeting of air flowing past the boosters, which is difficult to predict even with the most sophisticated computer simulations.The success of the
Heavy could quell criticism that followed SpaceX’s first launch of the year — a Falcon 9 rocket that carried a highly
classified payload code-named “Zuma,” on Jan. 7. A day after the launch, there were reports that Zuma had fallen back to Earth. SpaceX officials vociferously
asserted that the Falcon 9 performed as expected, suggesting that blame for anything that went wrong should fall on Northrop Grumman, which built Zuma.
In the past year, SpaceX has tabled many of the plans for future development of the Heavy. The company had intended to use the rocket to launch one of SpaceX’s capsules, known as the Dragon, without people, on a mission to land on Mars. That was scrapped last summer.
Last year, Mr. Musk also said two space tourists would be launched by a Falcon Heavy on an around-the-moon trip this year. On Monday, he said that for now the company had no immediate plans to make the improvements needed before putting people aboard.
Instead, SpaceX is focusing its efforts on the B.F.R. It would be a two-stage rocket: a powerful booster to provide lift out of Earth’s gravity and then a spaceship on top for interplanetary missions. The full vehicle would not be ready until the 2020s, but Mr. Musk said he had “aspirational” hopes to begin short hopper tests of the spaceship portion next year.
Meet the Millennial Nudist of Florida
Video on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=49&v=iCLjkCcE2hE
Body Image Blogs, Events and Parties, Nudism and Naturism, Social Nudity Blogs | Posted by : Guest Blog
Guest Nudist Blog By: Jessica Marie
First Time Nudist – If you asked me to join a nudist club a year ago, I would have been out the door faster than you would have even begun to take your clothes off. Why? Because I have been extremely self-conscious my entire life. Starting in middle school, I had always tried to fit in.
I joined cheerleading, the town dance group, gymnastics, and the school band. But even after all of these attempts at being a part of something, I was always the odd man out. I always saw myself as a little too chubby, a little too awkward, a little less flexible, and not as coordinated as everyone else as I approached my teen years.
It was in high school where I finally found my place, but I was still uncomfortable in my own body, so getting naked was far down on my list of things to do. In fact, it wasn’t on the list at all. After all, I was seventeen, barely five-feet tall, and (gasp) a size A cup.
Even now, after college, not much has changed. Even recently, I was still terrified to take my shirt off in front of anyone for fear they might see my barely existent love handles and my small breasts. And then I met someone whom I will refer to as Bryan.
First Nudist YNA Gathering
I first met Bryan through a website, and when we finally decided to meet in person, it was no secret to me that he was totally comfortable being nude and not a first time nudist like me. After a month or so of getting to know him, he asked me if I wanted to go to a nudist event held by YNA at Juniper Woods. Since it was YNA organizing the event, I learned that young people would be attending. I automatically said yes to the invitation since I was already comfortable around Bryan. I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into.
A week passed and all the while, Bryan and I were hyping up how cool the event would be. And then the day to go came. I packed my things, he picked me up from my house, and we made our way to the Catskills. The first half of the car ride had been wonderful as we sang and I watched the beautiful countryside pass by the window. And then we passed a sign for the Rocking Horse Ranch, where we had school camping trips when I was younger.
I tried picturing a camping trip with all the kids I went to school with getting naked, and all I could think of was how judgmental they would be. I freaked out. I started hyperventilating. I couldn’t believe I was actually going to get naked in front of people I didn’t know. How many would be there? Should I just wear shorts? What about my small boobs? I should definitely wear my hair down in front of them. Oh, and I’m going to have to suck in my stomach. Bryan talked me out of one anxiety attack after another. I soon learned I had nothing to worry about.
We finally pulled up to a large gate with a sign in front with buzzer. Bryan spoke into a box saying we were here for the YNA event. I sat there unable to speak or move. The gates began to move after some time, and soon before our car was a middle-aged woman, completely naked, sitting in a golf-cart. I thought it was funny. I hadn’t seen too many naked people out in the open like that before.
After we finished filling out some paper work, we drove down to our camping spot where Bryan sat up the tent. I tried helping as much as I could but my mind started racing again as the only thing left for me to do was get naked. And there was no turning back. After all, if I just sat at our campsite fully clothed, I would, once again, be the odd-person out.
It was then I realized that if I didn’t strip down within the next five minutes, I was probably not going to do it at all. So, when the tent was finally up, I went inside and got butt-freakin’-naked. It was a strange feeling being completely nude outdoors. It wasn’t really so bad, I thought. But the real test of my new-found courage would be facing all of these complete strangers.
When Bryan was done getting naked, we walked down to a tented area where the nudies were body painting. Bryan introduced me to a few of them and told them I was a first time nudist and that it was my first time at a YNA (or any) nudist event. And before I knew it, I had a group of people coming over to meet me.
Everyone was extremely friendly, and although I was still nervous, I began to feel more comfortable. They weren’t like the people who I went to school with who I knew would have been eyeing me up and down. Instead, my new friends were giving me comforting smiles and waves. I looked around the small group of people; they were all different shapes and sizes and they were so comfortable in their own skin. I knew at that moment the feelings they had were what I wanted.
It was in that moment when I finally let all of my guards down and declared to the world, “I am Jessica!”
The weekend was probably one of the best of my life. I got body painted, went to a bonfire, danced, went swimming and hot-tubbing. But most importantly, I was beginning to see past my insecurities and in my own skin I felt, to be honest and clichéd, liberated and so very free. I was slowly but surely learning to love everything about myself, even my small breasts and love handles.
In doing so, in learning to accept who I am on the outside, I can fully concentrate and love my entire person, both inside and out. And this change happened with the help of everyone there. I know if everyone wasn’t so incredibly nice and welcoming and totally and completely non-critical, I would have never kept my clothes off, and I wouldn’t have felt everything that I had experienced.
My first nudie adventure was only a couple months ago, and since then, I have been going to every nudist event that I can. Through Young Naturists America, I have made incredible friends, and the old insecure Jessica is slowly becoming just a shadow of my past.
This article about being First Time Nudist At The YNA Gathering was published by – Young Naturists and Young Nudists America YNA
(Guest Nudie Blog About Seeing Naked Girls and Boys Nude)
Naked Girls and Nude boys – Being a girl and growing up in a house of four other girls, nudity was never a big deal to me. If it weren’t me who was naked and checking out my body in the mirror, it was my sister’s naked butt I had to watch bounce from the room we shared to the bathroom next door.
However, this nakedness was all within the safety of our home, the security of our walls and privacy of a family. I never imagined that nudity outside of these safe spots would feel any different.
Topless and Naked Girls and Nude Boys During The WNBR
For my first social nude experience, I was fifteen years old. My friends and I were all invited by one of our other friends to a cabin up north. It was in the beginning of July, and the days were hotter than ever.
We spent hours upon hours out on the lake and if not there then enjoying iced drinks on the dock. Staying cool was the top priority.
Nude Picture Of Naked Boys by Jock Sturges
The first night some of the boys brought up going skinny dipping. However, the idea got shut down since most of the girls were not interested in getting naked.
The second night, however, was a different story. The majority of the girls were burnt to a crisp and suffering from hot flashes. So before the sun was even fully set, all of us tippy-toed out to the beach.
Picture of Naked Boys and Girls Nude
I really was not expecting the experience to be anything other than what I had witnessed at my house. Nor did I think it would feel any different. Up until that point in my life, I had never seen boys naked and I only saw a couple of very close girlfriends naked.
The boys went first. I could not stop staring. Of course, I knew what a boy’s penis looked like. I had seen them in movies, pictures and the general media.
However, it all seemed so much more “real” when they were “flopping” right there in front of me. My initial feeling was that of shyness and discomfort. As though I were eavesdropping or looking through the window into someone’s home.
Naked Nudist Girl Sunbathing Naked
Then the girls got naked. I was a little less shocked by the sight of the naked girls, but, I was very surprised by the variation. All the naked girls I saw had their own unique body.
Some of the girls had fat in different spots, others seemed to have none at all. Even the girls with generally the same breast size as me, had different shaped breasts.
Nude Picture Of Naked Girls by Jock Sturges
By the end of the day, I was impressed with the other girls’ bodies… but I was still quite uncomfortable with seeing the naked boys’. I suppose the reason why I did not notice the nuances of the boys’ nakedness was because after the first few seconds of seeing the boys naked, I chose to look away as much as I could.
For months after, I felt as though I had done something really wrong. I felt like I was supposed to look away even more. Though I understood then that the naked body of both girls and boys was not something to be ashamed of, I guess I was simply not ready for social nudism yet, at least not at that stage of my life.
Nude Nudist Teen Girls and Boys Naked Hiking
This blog about seeing naked girls and nude boys for the very first time was published by – Young Naturists And Nudists America YNA
When parents decide to raise naturist kids or introduce their children to naturism, there are some common questions and concerns that tend to arise.
Since we occasionally get emails from parents looking for answers and guidance, we decided the best way to address this is to ask naturist parents from our community! This will be a 3-part series addressing different questions. This article, part one, introduces the families I interviewed and also addresses the question of how to teach young kids about naturism and dress code rules.
YNA Guide To Raising Naturist Kids (Pictured: Felicity as a young child at Rock Lodge Club)
So let’s meet the amazing families who were gracious enough to take the time to answer most of my questions.
I will include their names (the * indicates their names have been changed to respect their request for privacy), kids’ genders, ages and their answers.
Interview with naturist parents about kids and naturism:
Question 1: At what age and where did you introduce your kid(s) to naturism? How did that go?
Karen and Robert*, three kids: girl age 7 ½, boy age 6 and girl age 4 ½
“We went to Sunny Rest four summers ago (they were 3 ½, 2 and 5 months) for the first experience. A few weeks later we found Rock Lodge in NJ and have never left. Since they were so young and enjoyed being naked anyway, they didn’t really seem to react at all. The oldest doesn’t even remember Sunny Rest.”
Michael and Laurie, two girls ages 8 and 6
“Both the girls have been raised in a nudist environment since birth, it’s all they’ve ever known. We are very active with nudism as a family. We are definitely nude at home most of the time. We visit clothing optional beaches like Gunnison in Sandy Hook, NJ regularly. We find the nudist / clothing optional beaches when we are away on vacations or in the Caribbean. We also visit resorts like PineTree Associates in Maryland on a regular basis.”
Tom and Soraya*, two girls age 12 and 7
“Mostly the family / house pool. But I am not sure you could call what we do ‘naturism.’ I have long believed that naturism is a non-thing — the absence of shame. My wife and I agreed that the best course of action was to simply never teach our kids to be ashamed of their bodies, and to see how things turn out.”
Aviva*, girl age 13 and boy age 9
“I discovered Rock Lodge when I was pregnant with my oldest. I felt that Rock Lodge is a great place for kids. It is safe, everyone is friendly, and the nature is just phenomenal. It seemed very natural to want to continue to go there with the kids, and my kids just love to go there.”
Naturist Kids Finger Painting During The Midwinter Naturist Festival At Sunsport Gardens Nude Family Resort in Florida
Question 2: How do you explain to your kids that they can only be naked in a naturist setting or certain situations (like at home when there are no guests)? Do they have any trouble understanding this?
Based on my research, this actually turns out to be a non-issue for most parents. People tend to think their kids will be confused, but then find that’s not the case. My own parents don’t recall it ever being a problem for my family and I.
I asked all the families if they ever had any trouble explaining the rules to their kids and if they had any problems or confusion. Here’s what they said.
Karen and Robert: “Inside the house is clothing optional as long as no one else is around (we have a part-time nanny and I also have employees that come to the house for my home-based business, so they cannot be naked when anyone else but the five of us are in the house). They have no problem following those rules and often don’t need reminders more than the occasional ‘so-and-so is coming, put some clothes on.’”
Any questions / confusion from the kids as to when / where they can be naked?
Karen and Robert: “Actually, no, they never really asked. Early on we established the ‘you can be naked in the house and only at the lake’ rule and they have never questioned it. I always thought it would lead to confusion, but it hasn’t!”
Aviva: “There is absolutely no confusion. They would NOT want to be naked in a non-nudist place, since they understand it is unacceptable. I had many conversations with my daughter about the topic. She feels very passionate about nudism and thinks this should be the norm at least at the beach / in nature. But, she is also very well aware that this is not the norm.
On one occasion when she was a bit younger (age 10) she said she wants to walk in the streets of New York shirtless. We had a discussion about that, and I explained to her that it is actually legal to do that in NY, but she can expect that she will attract attention. After some deliberation, she decided to not do it.”
Tom: “Oddly enough, they seem to instinctively understand that it is not ok to be nude elsewhere.”
Michael & Laurie: “We remember only one time when Lilly was about 4 years old she got upset and cried because she didn’t what to wear a wet bathing suit at a pool we were visiting. Other than that, they have not asked too many questions. They just tend to go with the flow. I think when the question comes up we will try to explain it to them in the simplest terms. There are different rules for different beaches / pools. The rules at this beach / pool are etc….”
I also came across a Q & A article on the Bare Platypus blog that further confirms this question as a non-issue. It’s titled, “We Raised 4 Kids As Nudists.” When these parents are asked if their kids “ever embarrass you by being naked at an inappropriate time?” They replied, “… Not once. From an early age our children grasped the concept of context easily. They understood that we put on dressier clothes to go to church, that we got dressed to go outside for shopping, etc. Appropriate nudity comes down to time and place. If you have kids who understand when they can go about in their underwear and when they shouldn’t, they will grasp when it’s okay to be au naturel.”
In discussing this topic with different people, I did hear one story of parents whose pre-school aged kid was undressing in school whenever nap time started. Apparently she would sleep naked at home, so it seemed like the proper thing to do at school, too. The parents got a call from the teacher, and that ends my knowledge of it but hopefully they sorted it all out!
What we can learn from this is that it’s best to explain to kids in simple terms where / when they can be naked and address any questions that might come up.
This part 2 of our series on family nudism and how to raise naturist kids. Part 1 introduces the families we’ve interviewed and discusses dress codes for kids. In this article, we’ll share what these parents have to say about two more common naturism questions.
Question 1: “Do I tell my kids NOT to tell peers / friends / teachers / family members / other adults etc about our family being naturists? What will happen if my kids tell others?”
When it comes to kids and naturism, this question will inevitably come up. Parents often want to avoid a misunderstanding or an awkward situation that may arise from their kids speaking to people who have no knowledge of family naturism. Especially with toddlers and little kids, there’s really no controlling what they may blurt out to others.
Attitudes on this have certainly shifted in the past few decades as nudism has become less stigmatized. In talking about my naked childhood, I’ve often said my parents had told me not to tell anyone about us being nudists. More specifically it was my dad who had imparted this mandate. He also grew up as a nudist at Rock Lodge, but in a different time when people had to be much more secretive. Back then (at least in the 1950’s / 60’s but probably onward as well) it was common for parents to tell their kids to keep it private, as my dad’s parents did with him.
Nudists of older generations were more secretive about nudism.
These days, people are more open. Though not with everyone in their lives. Many people cautiously choose who to tell and who to hide it from (which can include coworkers, friends, family or even their own parents). Though it seems more parents tend to leave it up to their kids to decide who to tell and who not to tell, at least among their own peers as they get older.
Some parents still worry about the repercussions from their kids inadvertently telling teachers or other students in school. One of the common fears is that a young child might talk about how their family goes naked and that an adult will misinterpret the situation and assume there is abuse or something “weird” going on. Or perhaps parents also have a general fear of being outed and, as a result, having an awkward conversation or being judged.
As a young kid (under 10), I can recall not really understanding why I needed to keep our naturism a secret. And my dad’s order didn’t stop me from blabbing about it to some girls in my Girl Scout troop. (Who knows who else I told and just don’t remember!) I guess this could’ve created issues for me / my family but I vaguely recall that the scout leader, who was present, was unfazed and just settled whatever reaction it got by saying something along the lines of, “Yeah some people like to do that.”
Plus my mother was featured in TV news reports about Rock Lodge in the 90’s, so we weren’t exactly keeping a low profile as a family.
As I got older, I definitely understood that what we did was not the norm and that I could be judged for it. By age 12 I actually feared what sort of reaction I’d get from close friends. (As it turns out, I did not get a single negative response when I did reveal it.)
For school settings (or extracurricular clubs), one of the solutions offered these days is for parents to be proactive about it and actually tell the teacher or administrator about what their family does on weekends in order to avoid any future misunderstanding. However, based on my conversations with nudist families, not many actually do this.
Karen and Robert (interviewed in part 1) said they had taken the step of talking to an administrator at the school their kids were attending. The person was surprised, but didn’t respond negatively. But they later left their position, so it didn’t affect them one way or the other. Other parents I spoke to said they hadn’t tried this, but thought it was a good idea.
Things can also get complicated when parents are trying to keep their lifestyle a secret from close family members, like their kids’ grandparents. It’s going to be more difficult to hide it from any family members that spend a lot of time with your kids. I would suggest that unless you truly believe that they’re going to disown you or really freak out, why not just tell them? That said, I do acknowledge it’s easy to say this as an outsider, and there’s no way of knowing about people’s families and / or relationships.
In discussing the general concern of whether kids should / shouldn’t tell others, here’s what the naturist parents had to say:
Aviva: “Although I was a bit worried, I was uncomfortable to tell my daughter to hide an important part of her life. I think it will send her the wrong message (like – nudism is wrong). I gave her the choice if to tell to her friends about Rock Lodge. I also explained to her that she may get some odd unexpected reactions if she chooses to tell. My daughter decided to tell two of her closest friends. Her reasoning was that this is a very important part of her life and if they reject her because of it then it means they are not true friends. … What my daughter chooses to tell is her choice, she has very good judgment, and very close friends that truly love her.”
Aviva also said that in regards to her kids talking to friends, she was more worried about reactions from the friends’ parents. She reported, “One mother actually now wants to visit the place after she found out from my daughter who is very close with the entire family. :)”
(Side note: In part 3, we share what Aviva’s 13 year old daughter had to say about her experiences telling other kids.)
Karen said: “Yes, I worry about them telling others. My husband originally started calling Rock Lodge the ‘naked lake’ four years ago. When we decided to rent a cabin the next year, we had to spend all winter actively renaming it ‘the lake’! That first September, we talked to the two oldest about not telling anyone. Since then, we mention it occasionally that they can call it the lake but not say they are naked. Again, they don’t seem to think anything is weird about this (I always thought they would!)”
Felicity as a child at Rock Lodge
Michael and Laurie: “We are very open about our nudism / naturism. Everyone knows, friends and family. We would never hide it. We think being open and matter of fact about it is the best way to make it normal and more mainstream. We do not worry about them telling others. …Our kids have very loudly yelled out the vehicle window to the neighbors ‘We are going to the naked beach!’ our neighbors just laugh and say have a great weekend.”
There was one other couple I talked to, Lauren and Kirk, who have two boys ages 12 and 19. They said: “When they were younger we did make this request of them, but also at the time we were newer to naturism and were more apprehensive to peoples’ reactions and judgments. Now that our youngest is 12 and our other son is 19, we have not made the request of them and left it up to them individually to make the decision to tell people. However, we have asked that they not tell their grandparents at this point because we know they would worry and assume things that are not true. No, we don’t worry about them telling others now. We just do not care about the reactions of others as we have grown as a family.
Our older son told the grandparents when he was much younger, and that led to assumptions being made, which took a while to straighten out. In the end nothing negative came of it and we think the grandparents just became blissfully ignorant about the whole thing. Other than that, we are not aware of them telling others.”
Question 2: What if your children’s friends want to participate in naturism or go naked at home with your kids?
So your kids are in the business of telling friends, and those little friends decide that naturism sounds like fun and they want to join! (Can you blame them?) Now what?
I’ve learned that a lot of naturist parents are cautious about this, especially about being naked around other people’s children. But if you’re just inviting your children’s friends to your home where they can all skinny dip in the pool or run naked through the backyard sprinkler, then it’s simple enough to just ask the parents for permission. Or invite the parents, too.
If the kids hanging out naked in your own home, and adults are staying clothed, the “nudist” label doesn’t even need to be discussed. It’s just kids doing what they’re naturally prone to do – run around naked.
But if you want to invite your kid’s friend to join the whole family (adults included) for a naked pool day, that’s definitely going to warrant more of a discussion. Talk to the kids’ parents first as you never know how people will react, especially when it comes to matters involving their kids.
And if your children want to invite their friends to the nudist club or nude beach, obviously that’s also going to require some discussion and good judgment. (Also, most nudist clubs require express permission from children’s parents / guardians in order to visit without them.)
On this subject, Aviva said, “Last weekend my daughter sent some pictures to her friend, who expressed interest in visiting, and my daughter told her she will need to feel comfortable to be in the presence of naked people. The friend probably won’t come and I definitely do not want to encourage this, since nudism + kids is so loaded in this country. I am a bit concerned to push it too much with the parents so I am very careful to actually never invite any kid, or even raise the subject with the kids or their parents.”
I also read the following Q & A on the Bare Platypus blog “We Raised 4 Kids As Nudists” mentioned in part 1:
“Q. What about when friends and relatives came to visit?
A. When it came to other people’s kids, we exercised an abundance of caution. We were always fully dressed in their presence. If friends or cousins came over with their parents and our kids wanted to swim in their birthday suits, we would ask said parents if that would be okay. We paid close attention to body language and non-verbal cues. If it was okay, our kids went bare. Sometimes our visitors would follow ‘suit.’ Always with their parents’ permission and direct supervision.”
Previously: How to Raise Naturist Kids Part 1 and Part 2: Telling Others
When parents worry about their kids telling the wrong people about naturism, they also worry about what could happen when kids tell their peers. Maybe their friends or classmates will think it’s cool…or maybe they will see a reason to bully or pick on the kid.
Parents may fear that their child will tell the wrong “friend” who will then blab to other kids or students. Gossip about a student being a “nudist” could spread around a school or community really fast, especially since a lot of bullying now happens on social media. It can result in the child being ostracized, verbally harassed, physically attacked etc.
A lot of bullying now happens online and on social media (known as cyberbullying)
But in most cases it doesn’t matter what characteristic a bully might be focusing on or what words they’re using to taunt someone else. A kid who wants to bully will find something to latch on and attack, whether it’s the victim’s weight, appearance, hobbies, sexual orientation or an identity like “naturist.”
The likelihood for bullying in regards to naturism seems greater just because naturism isn’t widely accepted or understood, especially in certain communities and especially when kids are involved. It can definitely make a kid stand out as “different.”
If a child is picked on for being a naturist, ultimately it needs to be addressed just like with any other harassment situation. Bullying is a widespread issue and affects all kind of families and communities. It can have serious negative effects on the victim’s mental health and emotional well-being. It can also be violent and in the most extreme cases has even lead to suicide or murder.
Bullying is a serious issue that can break down a kid’s self-esteem and self-worth
Though progress is too slow, bullying is definitely taken more seriously than it ever was before. Many schools have developed policies to address it along with programs for prevention. Parents can find plenty of online resources for how to deal with bullying and how to talk to their kids about it. This general advice can be helpful whether a child is being harassed about naturism or something else.
Have there been cases of kids being harassed for being naturists?
Growing up as a naturist, I have heard a story or two over the years about nudist kids of previous generations getting taunted at school. I can’t verify these stories, but I’m sure that it has happened to some poor souls out there. But I don’t think it’s been anywhere near commonplace, and kids have been much more likely to experience harassment that has nothing to do with naturism.
I personally was careful about which friends I told about naturism as a kid. As I mentioned before, I never got a negative reaction. Mainly friends responded that they thought it was cool or interesting and were curious about it. They may have even visited Rock Lodge with me if they’d been given the opportunity.
In high school I ran into a situation that other nudist teenagers had actually thought about and feared – a kid from my high school randomly showed up at Rock Lodge when I happened to be there. His father was on a construction job at the club so he tagged along. Admittedly I panicked when I first saw him, but nothing happened. He said hello, he got naked and enjoyed the beach like it was no big deal. And he didn’t go around talking about me at school or anything like that.
What do naturist parents today think about bullying?
Continuing our interviews with naturist parents as in the last two articles of this series, we asked these same parents if they worry about bullying and if they’d ever run into a harassment situation that involved naturism.
Michael and Laurie (two girls ages 8 and 6): “We have thought about bullying quite a bit. I think we have prepared ourselves the best we can by creating a good base of nudist family friends that we hang out with on a consistent basis. Those families have good well-balanced children. We think that will give us a good example to counter act and use as a defense against bullying. We have seen bulling at this young age already. When we hear negativity from other children we do step in to the girl’s defense. We explain to them that everyone doesn’t have the same views of the human body that we do but it’s ok, there is nothing wrong with our bodies. There is nothing to be ashamed of.”
It helps when nudist families can befriend other nudist families with kids
Tom and Soraya (two girls ages 7 and 12): “I have worried about this to some extent, mostly for their sake. I do not want them getting made fun of, or having people think they’re weird. But again, they seem to know instinctively not to tell others. I worry about bullying, but nothing has happened yet. For our family it is such a non-thing, I can only see them getting bullied maybe over what someone might find online about their dad.”
Aviva (girl age 13 and boy age 9): “I was a bit worried, but nothing ever happened. I am fortunate to be living in New York, guess that is part of this.”
Karen (girl age 7 ½, boy age 6 and girl age 4 ½): “I have been concerned but since it hasn’t come up yet, I haven’t had to deal with it. As they get older, we will need to discuss the issue. Probably in the next year or so with the oldest.”
Lauren and Kirk (two boys ages 12 and 19): “We have thought about this, but really have not had to experience it. We don’t know if our children have told anyone, but we are secure enough to trust their discretion and handling of a situation if it did occur. Our younger son routinely hangs out in his underwear around his friends in our home and his friends are perfectly comfortable with him doing that, so for them to either know or hear that he is a naturist would more than likely be no surprise to them.”
I also got to interview Aviva’s 13 year old daughter directly about her thoughts and experiences growing up as a naturist. When I asked about telling others and bullying, here’s what she said:
“When I was eight years old I told my best friend that I went to a nudist club. I don’t remember her exact reaction but it was somewhat along the lines of that’s kinda weird (which she didn’t say out loud, but implied) and her spoken reaction was okay. I told my mom that night not thinking much of it and she freaked out. She was worried that my best friend wouldn’t want to be friends anymore. Luckily she didn’t care that much and we are still best friends to this day. Since then I’ve told four more friends and although not all their reactions were great I didn’t lose any friendships over it. The worse thing that came out of telling them was that one of my friends at my birthday party out of the silence asked if I ‘still went to that naked people thing’ in front of 10 of my other friends. I was really embarrassed, but my other friends were all pretty tired, since it was late, and didn’t seem to think much of it.
The reason I carefully chose the few people I tell about Rock Lodge and not most people is because not everyone is open minded and I’m afraid that I’ll be judged, bullied, avoided, etc.”
From all these interviews, it seems like naturist parents and kids worry about bullying, but it doesn’t actually happen very often.
I think if there is any specific advice for nudist kids dealing with bullying, it’s “keep your cool.” Treat naturism like it’s no big deal. This goes along with general advice that kids should act confident and put on a brave face in front of a bully. Getting upset or angry is the kind of reaction a bully is looking for so they can feel more powerful.
As for parents, teach your kids to be kind, respect others and be accepting of their differences. Encourage and teach them how to stand up for others when they see another kid being picked on.
Parents: Teach your kids kindness and acceptance!
Aviva also had some advice that I think applies here: “You yourself must be 100% comfortable with [naturism]. If you are conflicted kids will sense it, and may think you are doing something wrong, or that the family is ‘different’ in a ‘weird’ way. Since I am absolutely 100% good with nudism, my kids, if anything, feel special and proud about our family culture.”
Parents should aim to be positive role models. If you have any fear or discomfort about identifying as a naturist, your kids will definitely pick up on that. You can talk to your children about the fact that most people don’t grow up with naturism and might think it’s weird or misunderstand it (but that it’s perfectly normal). You can explain that their peers may think nudity or human bodies are gross or shameful because that’s what they’ve been taught. But it’s best to trust your kids to decide who they should or shouldn’t tell.
If you have the opportunity to befriend other naturist families with children as Michael and Laurie have, I think that would definitely help to create a supportive environment for kids.
For more advice and resources about bullying:
The outdoor naked season always goes by so fast, at least for us here in the northeast! It’s almost August, but we’d like to think we still have about two more months of pleasant weather. Before we blink and the season is over, here is a list of cool naked activities, festivals and events to try or check out around the U.S. (and Canada).
1. Hike naked
What many people say they love about naturism is getting naked in nature. It allows you to feel the sun and the air on your body and feel connected to the earth.
Nude hiking is a great way to fully experience this, and it’s a popular activity across the U.S., Europe and other countries.
The fact that it’s not legal in most places would seem like a hindrance, but even when anti-nudity laws work against you it’s still doable. All you need is some isolated wilderness and a towel or cover-up in case somebody who might get offended may see you or if you get lost!
Every year there’s “Hike Naked Day,” which occurs on the summer solstice. This is supposed to be the day to hike naked on the Appalachian Trail. Who knows how many participate, but really you can try this on the AT at any time, when there’s not a single soul for miles.
As for where you can hike naked legally? There’s the nude-friendly state of Vermont where naked hiking is legal almost anywhere (please don’t walk naked through an actual town center, though). In Oregon, nudity is legal in state forests, which have many hiking trails. And in California, it’s legal in certain counties and parks, such as San Bernardino National Forest where you can free hike to Deep Creek Hot Springs.
Nude hiking in the Mojave Desert in CA with SCNA
Plenty of private nudist clubs and resorts also have naked hiking trails on their property. These can vary from short, easy nature walks to a few miles of trails. One such place is Dyer Woods in Rhode Island, which has quite a few trails on their 200 acre nature preserve and adds to them every year. Another is Orient Land Trust in Colorado – a clothing optional, nonprofit land trust with 2,200 acres and numerous hiking trails. It also has beautiful hot springs.
Group hike on one of the trails at Dyer Woods Nudist Campground
For upcoming organized hikes:
• The Sequoians nudist club is organizing a “Full Moon Hike” on August 5 in Castro Valley, CA (SF Bay area).
• SCNA will host a nude hiking / camping weekend to Deep Creek Hot Springs September 9 – 10
• The Northeast Naturist Festival has their annual hike to Potter’s Falls on
Wednesday, August 2
2. Skinny dip at a nude swimming hole
We may not have that many official nude beaches in the United States, but we do have some pretty cool clothing-optional and nude friendly swimming holes out in the forests, or even in the desert.
Swimming holes may be located on streams, rivers, hot springs or lakes. If not legal, the nudity is often traditional and tolerated by locals and the authorities. They’re usually free to visit and on public land.
Mohonk Preserve Clothing Optional Swimming Hole in Upstate NY
In New York, there’s places like the Mohonk Preserve, Stony Kill Falls, Potter’s Falls and Nine Corner Lake. The Punch Bowl and the Ledges are two well-known swimming areas in Vermont.
The website swimmingholes.org is a good resource for finding places to go throughout the U.S. They list both swimsuit-required and clothing-optional swimming holes, so you have to look for ones listed as c/o. (Please also note that information listed there may not be updated, so it’s possible to end up at places that are unfortunately no longer c/o.)
3. Practice naked yoga outdoors
If you’ve only practiced naked yoga indoors, you should know that it’s an entirely different experience outside! You can breathe in fresh air, listen to the sounds of nature as your soundtrack and be at one with Mother Nature as you get centered.
Outdoor naked yoga at the Northeast Naturist Festival
Some nudist clubs and resorts regularly host outdoor classes, and we hear you can even find naked yoga at Gunnison Beach early in the morning. Goodland Country Club and Rock Lodge Club are two nudist clubs in NJ that have outdoor naked yoga classes throughout the season.
4. Run a naked 5K
Naked 5K runs take place throughout the summer and at various clubs and resorts in the U.S. These events tend to be a lot of fun and a great opportunity to meet new people.
Naked 5K race at Le Betulle Villaggio Naturista in Italy
You can find a listing of all the 5K races happening in the U.S. and around the world here: http://www.asitiz.com/naked-running-races/
A few races coming up soon:
5. Join a World Naked Bike Ride
The World Naked Bike Ride is an international protest event that aims to draw attention to environmental pollution and cycling safety. Participants bike nude (or semi-nude) to draw attention to the vulnerability of cyclists. Many wear fun costume accessories or get body painted before the ride.
The 2016 World Naked Bike Ride in Los Angeles
Naked Body Art at The Philly World Naked Bike Ride
They are public events that anyone can join, and it’s attended by naturists and non-naturists alike. Some cities get thousands of participants.
Find a list of rides here: http://wiki.worldnakedbikeride.org/index.php?title=List_of_rides#United_States In the northeast, there’s the Philly Naked Bike Ride on September 9, 2017.
6. Attend a Nude or Clothing-Optional Festival
Summer is the season of festivals! There are naturist-organized festivals coming up, like the Northeast Naturist Festival in upstate NY (starting next week August 1 – 6) and Avalonfest Music Festival in WV (Aug 11-13).
Avalonfest Music Festival at Avalon Nudist Resort Aug 11 – 13, 2017
In Florida, Sunsport Gardens has the Summer Daze Music Medley on August 11 – 14. They’ll have live bands playing all weekend, plus workshops, drum circles, body painting, performances and more.
The Summer Daze Music Medley will feature live bands all weekend Aug 11 – 14, 2017 at Sunsport Gardens Nudist Campground
In Leesville, South Carolina, Cedar Creek Resort will be hosting Nudestock, a live music festival September 22 – 24.
Up in Canada, the first ever BodyFest Canada is taking place at Bare Oaks this weekend July 28 – 30. Then August 4 – 7, there’s the Freedom Festival hippie weekend at Freedom Fields Naturist Ranch (please note this club is adults-only). And August 10 – 13, the annual Canadian Naturist Festival is at Bare Oaks, which will have workshops, kids’ activities, belly dancing and nude golfing off-site.
Then there are more mainstream festivals that have a free-spirited and body-positive atmosphere and allow visitors to be naked if they so choose.
Burner events, which are regional Burning Man events or inspired by Burning Man, are known for being clothing-optional. In fact PSHS (a nudist club in PA) hosts events called Sunburn (every July) and Burning Leaves (Sept 29 – Oct 1, 2017). At Laguna Del Sol in California, there’s an annual Burning Man inspired event called “Naked Man” August 3 – 6. Other burner events can be found at…
Pagan and Wiccan festivals are also sometimes clothing-optional. Brushwood Folklore Center is a clothing-optional campground in Sherman, NY that hosts festivals. Its big festival Sirius Rising has already passed, but they do host other events, like the Women’s Weekend August 18 – 20.
7. Play in the biggest nude volleyball tournament in the world
Every year just after Labor Day, White Thorn Lodge hosts the Nude Volleyball Superbowl. This event has been happening annually since 1971 (nearly approaching 50 years!) and attracts hundreds of players from around the country. This year it’s happening September 2 – 11, 2017.
Nude Volleyball Superbowl will take place at White Thorn Lodge Sept 2 – 11, 2017
Whether you’re a level B newbie or a competitive AA player, you can find a team / game that’s right for you and practice your skills in this tournament.
The event remains very affordable — for 2017, it’s only $75 for entry and 4 days of camping during the main tournament weekend or $180 for all 10 days.
Even if you’re not into volleyball, you can still attend and enjoy WTL facilities and the other fun activities that go on – such as evening dances, live music and body painting.
Learn more at: http://whitethornlodge.org/public/superbowl.html
For Canadians, there’s also the annual Lee Baxandall volleyball tournament August 18 – 20, 2017 at Bare Oaks. Aside from the games, they have other fun entertainment lined up including a comedy show, Rock Horror party, drum circle, a body painting contest and more. Find info at http://www.bareoaks.ca/index.php/en/events.html.
8. Feel like a kid again with silly naked summer games
The Southern California Naturist Association (SCNA) organizes the annual Nude Summer Games event at Olive Dell Ranch in Colton, CA. This year it takes place on Saturday, August 5.
Water balloon toss during the SCNA Naked Summer Games at Olive Dell Ranch
SCNA describes it as “a day of hilarious ‘athletic’ competitions and games of skill.” Anyone can participate, and medals will be awarded at the end. Read a previous report on the event to see what it’s like and get more info at socalnaturist.org.
Also August 5, Mountaindale Sun Resort in North Plains, OR will have nude Olympic games as part of their SunFest weekend.
Water Wars Weekend at Abbott’s Glen in Vermont July 29, 2017
This Saturday July 29, Abbott’s Glen in Vermont hosts “Water Wars.” Be prepared to laugh and get soaked on this all day water fight with water guns, buckets and anything else that can hold water. You’ll need to “bring a device to arm yourself,” as the club writes on their website! The weekend also promises tasty dinners, nighttime karaoke and dance parties.
9. See the August 21st solar eclipse at a nudist club or nude beach!
Okay so obviously you can see the eclipse naked or clothed, but why not experience this once-in-a-lifetime event at a naked place!
It just so happens that a few clubs are on or near the Totality path of the eclipse and hosting special events for it.
Where to find a naked viewing of the August 21 2017 solar eclipse
In Hopkins, South Carolina, the Travelites Nudist Retreat is inviting people to come for the whole weekend to enjoy their facilities and see the eclipse. They have some sunglasses to protect your eyes (it’s never healthy to stare directly into the sun without eye protection, even during an eclipse).
In Leesville, SC, Cedar Creek Resort is having a Solar Eclipse Party and Space Dance Night on August 19. Bring your own UV sunglasses to see the event there on the 21st.
South of St. Louis, MO, a nudist bed & breakfast called Chateau Nu De Vin will be having an all-inclusive eclipse weekend and promises a spectacular view (glasses included). Space and accommodations are very limited, so act quickly and contact them for more information.
A few other places to see it are Rock Haven Lodge (TN), Forty Acre Club (MO), Bare Mountain Retreat (ID) and Squaw Mountain Ranch (OR) which also happens to have their annual music festival that weekend.
Oregon has nude beaches and hot springs that would be great for eclipse viewing as well. There’s Collins Beach on Sauvie Island, Rooster Rock State Park, Terwilliger Hot Springs and Deer Creek Hot Springs to name a few.
10. Visit a nude beach…and then join / organize an end-of-season beach cleanup!
So maybe this doesn’t sound as fun as all the other activities here, but beach cleanups are important! One of our principles at YNA is to leave a place (or person) better off than when you found it. We’re all about making naturism environmentally-friendly so we can keep enjoying our nude beaches and natural places for years to come.
Beach cleanups are also a great way for naturists to contribute to the local community and help ensure that we don’t lose the nude beaches we have.
Saturday, September 16 is International Coastal Cleanup Day when volunteers around the country get together to pick up plastic and trash along beaches and rivers.
Cleanup at Bates Beach, CA September 16, 2017 with SCNA and Friends of Bates Beach.
So here are 3 naturist beach cleanups happening Sept 16, 2017:
You can also organize your own!
11. Experience the Joys of Topfree Equality
Even though Maryland decided to treat topfreedom like a dangerous emergency this summer, there are other states and places that aren’t trying to roll back women’s topfree equality!
The Outdoor Co-Ed Topless Pulp Fiction Appreciation Society gets together for topfree meetups in NYC
In New York State, women can go topfree in public anywhere a man can do so. This includes public beaches and parks. In NYC, the Outdoor Co-Ed Topless Pulp Fiction Appreciation Society still regularly organizes topfree outings in parks and other public areas.
Topfree Activist Chelsea Covington with her bike in a Philadelphia park
Other cities to try topfreedom are Austin, TX; Portland, OR and Washington, D.C. For more suggested places, follow the Breasts Are Healthy blog of activist Chelsea Covington who’s been establishing women’s topfreedom across the northeast.
12. Become a Naked Goddess in the Willamette River in Portland, August 5
The Naked Goddess Swim is a unique event just for women in Portland, Oregon. For $30, you can take a naked swim under moonlight in the Willamette River and receive a Naked Goddess cap and tote bag. You could also take part by kayaking instead (for free). This event is to benefit the Human Access Project whose mission is to “transform Portland’s relationship with the Willamette River” and make it more accessible to people.
Find more info and 2017 tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/naked-goddess-swim-tickets-35441914721?
I recently attended a reunion of the class of 1961 of Bennett High School in Buffalo, NY. As part of the weekend events we were given a tour of our high school to see what had changed and what remained the same. When we went to the pool our tour guide said, “you men will probably remember the barbaric practice of having to swim naked.” I protested, “it wasn’t barbaric, it was a good tradition.” A couple of the guys in our group, with whom I probably had swimming classes, nodded in agreement. The guide asserted, “Well, I think it was barbaric. I don’t know what the rationale was for such a practice.”
I didn’t press the issue, although I thought as a retired teacher he probably should have found out what the rationale was. But here’s the answer…or at least an answer: Tradition. It was traditional for boys to swim naked and no one saw any reason to break with the tradition until cultural mores changed radically after the 1960s.
People who didn’t experience this find it hard to believe. Many men over 50 testify that they swam naked in high school and college. Many people under 50 don’t believe them. But it was the practice and there are some pictures to prove it. The following photo of a swimming class with naked teen age boys was even featured in Life magazine in 1951. It reminds me of what I experienced at Bennett High School in Buffalo during my freshman year (1957-58).
Among other changes, our tour guide pointed out that the diving boards had been removed from the pool because of a fatal diving accident. It was undoubtedly traumatic that such a thing happened. But thousands of boys had learned to dive off those boards, including me. I was never a good diver because I was nearsighted and was always worried about where I would land. But I at least had the experience of trying it under supervision.
When we got to the gym our guide pointed out that the climbing poles and ropes had been removed and climbing was no longer a part of the school gym curriculum. Apparently there had been some accidents. I was sad to hear that the ropes and poles were gone because I had actually done well in climbing in the 7th and 8th grades and did it in the boys gymnastic show in P.S. 61.
We were often shirtless in elementary school gym class, which was a situation in which adolescent boys were often insecure because our bodies were developing at wildly different rates. Ironically, I felt less self-conscious being naked in 9th grade swimming class than being shirtless in 8th grade gymnastics. Maybe it was because in swimming we shed those school-issued shorts that accentuated skinny legs.
Reasons for this Blog Article
Why would I even be interested in responding to the issue of naked swimming in the schools in the old days with a blog article? For two reasons. First, here was a practice most men experienced as recently as fifty years ago, and is a living memory for many of us, and people don’t know about it. Some even deny it happened because it doesn’t fit our current cultural mores. So this article is an exercise in social history to discuss what was standard practice in America until around 1970. Boys swam naked in American high schools and sometimes teachers or coaches were naked too (although my swimming teacher always wore a swim suit). I set this in the broader context of naked swimming in America.
Second, it fits in with my ongoing “return to the body” project that is evident in many Frank Answer articles and in my book, Embodied Liturgy (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2016). (I actually first broached this topic of swimming naked at the YMCA in my “Frank Answer About Being Naked Before God.”) Philosophically, I don’t think that the body is just something that we have, as if the real me is something other than the body (like the mind or the soul). Rather, I was created as a body; I am a body with a mind and a soul. So it is a serious thing if the body becomes a source of shame because then we’re talking about my shame. There may be issues of which I am ashamed, but not my body as such.
Yet there is body shame. Our society today tends to have crazy attitudes toward the body. The body is glamorized in the media (using impossible models for the rest of us) and this in turn leads to issues of body shame (sometimes producing eating disorders). Let’s not think that body shame is only a women’s issue. Men also feel that they are physically inadequate when they compare their bodies to media-glamorized images of the male body. Even when I was a youth there were muscle magazines encouraging boys to bulk up so they wouldn’t be the skinny kid having sand kicked in his face on the beach—in front of his girl friend, who then walks off with the muscle guy! Today youth use steroids and consume protein shakes to bulk up in order to compare more favorably with ideal models. But many remain dissatisfied with their bodies because the results are never quite as perfect as they desired.
Religions have also played a role in inculcating negative attitudes toward the body, for example, by their emphases on modesty in dress. Whether intended or not, people picked up from this the idea that there’s something not quite good about the human body. But God said that what he created was “very good.” That includes our bodies. It was Adam and Eve who concluded that they had cause to be ashamed and wanted to cover themselves. God asked them, “Who told you you were naked?” Being ashamed of our bodies is not what God intended. It’s caused by situations of our own making. But Christianity affirms that the body is God’s good creation and as such it needs to be honored and respected. (For my theological affirmation of the body see “Frank Answers About the Body—God’s and Ours.”)
Reasons for Swimming Naked
In any event, what our alumni tour guide apparently didn’t know is that there was actually a common sense answer for swimming naked in pools. Lint and threads from the cotton and woolen bathing suits worn at the turn of the 20th century clogged up the filters of the early modern indoor swimming pools. It’s been claimed that chlorine also degraded the swim wear and sometimes burned skin. More importantly, there was concern that bacteria could cling to woolen bathing suits and spread disease. The American Public Health Association recommended in 1926 that the best prevention of the transmission of disease in the pools was to shower with soap and swim naked. School boards, the YMCA, the Boys’ Club and other health clubs with pools followed these recommendations and mandated that men and boys swim naked, which they were used to doing. Women and girls were allowed to wear swimming suits in deference to the view that female modesty should be respected but specified that the suits should not be dyed. Everyone, boys and girls, had to shower naked with soap before entering the pool in the interests of hygiene and public health.
The above photo appeared in an October 1941 issue of Life magazine—a family magazine— in an article dealing with physical education in the public schools. The photographer for Life apparently saw no problem with walking into a boys shower and taking a picture of naked boys for an article that would appear in a popular national magazine.
When I was in elementary school there were “shower periods” in which children were called out of classes to take showers in the separate boys and girls locker rooms in the interest of promoting public health, if their parents signed a permission form. A slogan we heard repeatedly in the 1950s was “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” Today taking showers is no longer required by schools out of concern for child molesting and most students don’t.
As showers began to be installed in private homes the practice of school showers abated. But with the installation of home showers, and more than one bathroom in the home, boys and girls became more used to privacy when bathing. Mothers especially began to question the practice of boys swimming naked in schools. It was pointed out that swim suits were being made of synthetic material. Chlorination in the water in the pools was better regulated. Filters were improved. The following story from the Appleton Post in 1961 reports on the emerging controversy and the decision of the school district to maintain the tradition of boys swimming naked.
(Left click on the image to be able to read the article.)
The American Public Health Association removed its recommendation of nude swimming in 1962. But the weight of tradition kept the practice going in many places for a decade or more longer, as many men testify.
The History of Naked Male Swimming
Where did this tradition come from? Quite simply, it had been the custom for men and boys to swim naked outdoors. Benjamin Franklin was interested in the science of swimming and swam naked in the Thames while in London in the 1750s. Two U.S. presidents—John Quincy Adams and Theodore Roosevelt—were known to swim naked in the Potomac River. Adams, president 1825-1829, stripped down to his birthday suit for laps in the Potomac at 5:00 am every morning. (A female reporter once sat on his clothes until he answered some questions.) Teddy Roosevelt, president 1901-1909, wrote in his Autobiography that he sometimes went swimming with his “tennis cabinet,” and noted “If we swam the Potomac, we usually took off our clothes.”
Men and boys swam naked into the early 20th century, but not on public beaches. By the late 19th century public bathing beaches had developed and if men swam at the same beaches as women they were required to cover up. “Bathing costumes” at first covered the body from the neck to the knees. This photo from Atlantic City in the early 1900s shows some fashionable beach attire for men and women.
By the early 20th century men’s fashions reduced the top part to tank tops and the shorts became shorter. But not until the 1930s could men swim shirtless on public beaches. Nevertheless, men did continue to bathe naked in less public places, as this photo indicates.
A common experience shared by many men who were drafted during World War II was being naked together in the military for medical exams, showers, and even swimming. The experience most men had of swimming naked in school and the YMCA eased the transition to naked interaction in the military as millions were drafted or volunteered for service during the war. The following photo shows U.S. Marines on Guadacanal in 1943 bathing and having fun with a makeshift water slide.
Even as adult males were required to put on swim wear at public beaches back home, boys swimming naked was still so taken for granted that the opening scene in Walt Disney’s 1960 film, Pollyanna, has boys swimming naked off a railroad bridge to give a sense of youth activities in the small town where the story took place.
Nude Male Swimming in Art
A number of late 19th/early 20th century impressionist artists captured scenes of boys and men swimming nude. Above this article is “The Swimming Hole” (1884-85) by American painter Thomas Eakins. He took several photographs of young men swimming in a swimming hole in 1884 that served as studies for the painting.
Below is “The Bathers (1922)” by English painter Henry Scott Tuke, who was a prolific painter of boys and sailing ships.
The photograph distributing firm of Underwood & Underwood purchased and distributed thousands of copies of this photo taken early in the 20th century. It shows two boys with their father “Down at the Old Swimming Hole,” the name of the photo.
This photo reminds me of the poem, “The Old Swimming Hole,” by Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley, perhaps written about the same time. The first stanza:
Oh! the old swimmin’-hole! whare the crick so still and deep
Looked like a baby-river that was laying half asleep,
And the gurgle of the worter round the drift jest below
Sounded like the laugh of something we onc’t ust to know
Before we could remember anything but the eyes
Of the angels lookin’ out as we left Paradise;
But the merry days of youth is beyond our controle,
And it’s hard to part ferever with the old swimmin’-hole
.
There was a famous cover of the Saturday Evening Post (August 1911) showing boys skinny dipping, also at about the same time. Perhaps with industrialization and urbanization there was nostalgia for simpler, freer times.
Skinny Dipping
Of course, the practice of skinny dipping has never completely died out. One of my fond memories from my youth is from the summer of my 15th year (1958) when I spent a week camping with three other Scouting friends in a wilderness area known as Zoar Valley south of Buffalo, NY. (Yes, our parents let us do this!). We spent the week exploring the South Branch Cattaraugus Creek and came upon a beautiful swimming hole just below an area of rapids. We didn’t think twice about taking off all our clothes and jumping in. We had spent the school year swimming naked together in high school swimming class and had participated in Scout swim nights at the YMCA. We then laid on rocks worn smooth by spring torrents to dry off in the warm sun and connecting with nature in this very natural way. I found a photo of our secluded swimming hole on the internet.
A few years later when I was visiting a friend in Virginia during my college days he invited me to go swimming in the river on a warm summer night, and of course we swam naked. Again, we didn’t even think about it because that’s the way boys swam, at least if no one was around.
There are photos of young men and women bathing naked at the three-day Woodstock Music Festival in 1968. Skinny dipping received new life in the post-Woodstock era with both men and women, especially college students, shedding clothes and experiencing nature in the same state as they came into it. In fact, I understand that Zoar Valley became a hang out for nudists in the 1970s, probably because it was fairly secluded and unpoliced. (I wonder if we boys in 1958 had started something!)
In the post-Woodstock era women joined men in swimming naked in lakes and streams.
The Physical Culture Movement
It was one thing for boys and men to swim naked outdoors in secluded places, but another thing to bring naked swimming into indoor pools. I think this practice owes a lot to the physical culture movement that began in northern Europe (especially Germany and Scandinavia) in the early 19th century. This movement also gave us calisthenics, gymnastics, and physical education. Germans especially considered it healthy to be outside naked soaking up sunshine and getting vitamin D, which today we don’t get enough of.
This movement was partly inspired by the Romantic Greek Revival movement. The ancient Greeks idealized the nude body in drawings on urns and sculptures. The Spartans were basically bare and their victories in pan-Hellenic sports competitions enticed all neighboring Greeks to exercise naked, creating the word “gymnasium” (from the Greek gymnos = naked). They exercised and bathed naked and discussed philosophy while sitting naked in the pools.
“Young Spartans” (1861) by Edgar Degas
In Europe generally nude swimming was allowed on public beaches. There were “topless beaches” along the Mediterranean coast and discrete nude swimming of both men and women was allowed along rivers in France. In Germany in particular, which had promoted the physical culture movement, nude swimming for both sexes was allowed on beaches. It is said that in the former German Democratic Republic (Communist East Germany) nudity on beaches and in public parks was a form of freedom of expression in a society where freedom was generally suppressed.
German boys swimming nude on a beach in the 1960s.
The YMCA
The YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association), with its emphasis on healthy minds, bodies, and spirits as a trinity of Christian values (note the Y’s triangle logo), promoted the physical culture movement. When it began installing swimming pools in the late 1880s to teach urban boys to swim, the practice of boys and men swimming naked was simply transferred to indoor pools where it lasted long after public male naked swimming ceased to be a general practice. It was later reinforced by the health concerns, which I discussed above.
The YMCA advertised its swimming classes and ads usually informed parents that boys should bring a towel but not a swimming suit. This ad in the Waterloo, Iowa Courier June 8, 1960 said about bathing suits: “We do not encourage the use of bathing suits, but if a boys wishes to wear one, he may.”
Ads also showed naked swimming, such as the following photo that was used on a poster.
Boys and men swimming naked remained the YMCA’s required practice until the late 1960s/early 1970s, sometimes several years after women and girls were invited into membership and the Y became co-ed. Initially there were separate times for men’s and women’s swimming at first. But eventually co-ed swimming classes were instituted at the Y and the boys and men had to put on swim wear.
These boys were wearing swim suits when the new pool opened in the Walla Walla YMCA in 1960.
Boys and Girls Together?
It’s often asked whether girls were present when boys swam naked in the schools. Girls and boys had separate swimming classes. Generally there were male teachers for boys and female teachers for girls. But some men have reported that occasionally a female instructor served as a substitute swimming teacher for boys. Some vintage photos suggest that women PE teachers also helped to monitor boys’ swimming competitions.
The following photo from the Chicago Critic purports to be of a Chicago high school swim meet in 1966. There is clearly a woman monitor sitting behind the boys and the men who are presumably coaches are naked.
There are some photos on the internet of naked boys and suited girls participating in swimming meets. If that happened it was probably in college meets, not high schools. Young men in colleges and universities, as in high schools, YMCAs, and health clubs, would have also swam naked. But were there co-ed swimming competitions with men’s teams and women’s teams jointly participating, as this photo suggests?
There were scenes of co-ed naked swimming lessons in the 1973 film The Harrod Experiment , based on the novel of that title by Robert H. Rimmer and starring Don Johnson, in which a small liberal arts college experimented with young men and women living together, sharing dorm rooms, and having opportunities to be naked with each other in classes.
The book and movie were not so far-fetched in terms of collegiate experiments in co-ed living during the 1970s. In some colleges men and women lived in the same dorms, shared bathrooms and showers, and had nude co-ed swims. Weekly nude co-ed swimming was practiced at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio as well as at Adams House at Harvard, which had a magnificent indoor pool. So in some college and university situations women’s liberation did not mean suiting the boys but unsuiting the girls.
The End of Boys Swimming Naked
But back to everyday reality. As families and school mates began attending swimming competitions, a question arose about whether boys should swim naked at swim meets at which women, including mothers and sisters of the swimmers, might be present to cheer on their sons and brothers and brother’s friends. At my high school boys wore bathing suits for competitions. But I’ve heard some men say that they swam naked in swimming meets, so it must have happened.
Certainly swim meets and family nights held at YMCAs and Boys’ Clubs would have required swimming naked where bathing suits for boys and men were not allowed. If parents and families attended swim meets there were undoubtedly mothers and sisters in the bleachers. Of course, it may be that adolescent boys were not always happy about being naked in front of the women, at least out of the water. But these situations undoubtedly hastened the end of boys swimming naked in indoor pools
.
In the YMCA in particular, once women and girls were admitted into membership they had to be given equal access to the pool in the times in which children and youth could be in the Y facilities (after school, weekends). The easiest scheduling arrangement was to have co-ed swimming classes and open swims. This put pressure on the Ys to require the boys and men to wear swim suits. There was less pressure on the high schools because they had the students all day, and boys could continue to swim naked behind locked doors. But toward the late 1960s the debate in various communities about the wisdom of requiring the boys to swim nude in public schools sharpened. This newspaper article from the Janesville, WI Gazette in 1967 is typical of discussions going on elsewhere.
(Left click on the image to be able to read the article.)
Boys swimming naked in schools slowly came to an end in one community after another during the 1970s. But we see ample testimony from articles published in newspapers and magazines, old photos on google images, and discussion on internet blogs and forums, that before ca. 1970 it was both accepted and expected that boys would participate in PE swimming classes and sometimes even in competitions naked, sometimes even with members of the opposite sex present.
Benefits of Boys Swimming Naked
Did we derive any benefit from this practice of swimming naked in school? I can think of several benefits. I think the first and most important benefit was self-acceptance. I remember that our swimming teacher, Mr. Rudolf Heis, met with us at the beginning of the term and said, “You will be showering and swimming naked. You all have the same physical equipment and none of you has anything to be ashamed of.” Our bodies at that age (in the freshmen year we were between the ages of 13 and 15) were all at different stages of development. I think our naked swimming classes did a lot to compensate for whatever body shame some boys might have had inflicted on them by others. I think most boys accepted their own physical development without a lot of anxiety. Boys on swimming teams took it in stride, and even with a sense of pride, if they competed naked.
The second benefit was socialization. Fourteen-year old freshmen boys were thrown into a year-long experience of being naked with other kids, most of whom were new to us in high school, and bonding naturally developed because we were going through a common experience. I think the practice actually had an initiatory quality. Swimming naked in freshman swimming class was like a rite of passage into high school, something every boy had to go through. We simply got used to being together naked and there was a lot of mutual acceptance. In fact, I think we became so used to being together this way that we didn’t even think about the fact that we were naked when we interacted physically, like playing water polo or just horsing around during free time. I remember wrestling in the water with my boyhood friend Gary Hughes (now deceased) in a game of trying to dunk each other.
The third benefit was that nakedness was not identified with sexuality. I don’t recall any sexual overtones in swimming class. When you’re naked, what you see is what you get. Initial curiosity is quickly satisfied. (Nudity is how naked bodies are portrayed in films and magazines and works of art; nudity always leaves something for the imagination. That’s why I prefer the term “naked” to describe what we actually experienced.) Today nudity seems to be almost exclusively associated with sexuality because that’s the only experience of nakedness most of us have.
There was clearly a differentiation of the genders back in the days when boys swan naked. Modesty was required of the girls but not of the boys. But with pressure for co-ed swimming the boys became suited too—sometimes with school-issued speedos that, like the girls’ lycra suits, were turned in after each swimming class so they wouldn’t be left wet in lockers to mildew. Boys I’ve talked to in recent years say these speedos don’t leave much to the imagination after repeated use. But they admit that the use of the long swim trunks that boys prefer on the beach today aren’t good for learning how to swim. I wonder what they would think about what we wore in the high school pool fifty years ago.
Social Norms
Body changes during puberty and adolescence affect our self-image, which is based primarily on our body image. One’s identity is also shaped by cultural upbringing and sense of social propriety. From an early age we are taught was is proper bodily behavior, and in a clothed society strict boundaries are set for public nakedness. These factors dictate how we should feel when a naked body is exposed. When is nakedness or nudity considered a breaking of social norms?
For boys of my vintage, nakedness was an acceptable social norm if boys were showering and swimming together in indoor pools, and it was still socially OK to swim naked in secluded outdoors lakes and streams if girls weren’t around. By and large these venues for being naked with other males are closed off today. Lacking situations to counter the inculcated social norm that we should not be naked (i.e. show one’s “private parts”) in public, most boys today have acquired such a sense of modesty that they don’t even like to be naked in front of one another in locker rooms and showers. I notice in the YMCA locker room that young men and older youth do the “towel dance” to keep covered while changing clothes and leave their bathing suit on when they shower while the old guys walk around “butt naked.” These millennials have had no experience of being naked in front of other men.
I’m sure the practice of men and boys swimming naked in public places is long gone. In my view, it was good while it lasted, for the reasons I’ve given. But I also recognize that there are issues to deal with today that weren’t dealt with back in my day, like spy cameras in various places around the school (including the locker rooms) and how to handle transgendered boys and girls.
Nevertheless, I’ve found that there is a lot of curiosity about this custom of boys and men swimming naked in schools and the YMCA fifty-plus years ago. Readers are welcome to post your own experiences of swimming naked in the comments section below. While this has been mostly a male-oriented post since it’s the boys who swam naked in school, female readers are invited to share their experiences and observations.
Frank Senn
Men and boys in a YMCA pool. Photo date unknown. Probably late 1950s or early 1960s judging by the man’s glasses (the time during which I would have been naked in the pool with them).
Body Pride is a four-hour session where strangers have facilitated conversation about body image, sexuality and relationships, clothes off and completely exposed.
It’s a Friday night in Toronto, and Caitlin K. Roberts is getting ready for the evening as if she were getting together with friends. There are bottles of wine — one red, one white — enough for people to have a glass without getting hammered. She slices apples and puts them on plates that she places on the floor alongside spreads of chips and salsa and hummus and pita bread. Twelve pillows form a circle around the snacks; on each pillow is a clean, white hand towel and a clipboard of consent forms arranged on top.
“I don’t get chocolate and cheese, because they make people gassy — you don’t want that when people are getting naked,” Roberts says, adding that she covers her bases by going with vegan bites. “But people don’t come here for the food.”
As 7 p.m. approaches, Roberts lights candles that she placed throughout the room. Her tailored Spotify playlist isn’t co-operating. She skips through others she thinks are too weird, until she settles on Drake. She has a quick but necessary conversation with her trainee, Jassie: “If anyone gets overwhelmed and needs a few minutes, can you step aside with them to make sure they’re OK?” Jassie agrees.
Roberts isn’t hosting an orgy or a swingers night; she’s prepping for Body Pride, a four-hour workshop where strangers come together for a facilitated conversation about body image, sexuality and relationships — clothes off and completely exposed, all of which culminates in a naked dance party and (optional) photo shoot.
Roberts, a 27-year-old cisgender woman and sex educator-in-training, founded Body Pride five years ago. She was inspired by a documentary about Betty Dodson’s women’s-only group masturbation classes called Bodysex Workshops. Dodson, who is now 87 and recently relaunched her classes two years ago, is one of the founders of the 1970s pro-sex feminist movement.
Watching a documentary about Dodson and her workshops was a transformative moment for Roberts, who at the time was in her early 20s. “Normalized nudity was huge for me,” she says.
Roberts had been interested in sex since her teens, but the film and the idea of desexualizing the human body empowered her to take a bold step. One night back in December 2011, Roberts sat in her apartment and used her MacBook to take naked photos of herself making silly faces and striking funny poses. She then posted the photos to her blog. “Girls reading this: I want to have a page of full on non-sexual pictures of you naked,” she wrote. “Let’s be proud of our bodies just as they are.”
The responses — most of them positive — flooded in. But one stood out: Will girls send in their own pics or is there going to be a happy naked girl party with lots of cameras? Roberts had an aha! moment. She envisioned creating a safe environment that normalized nudity for people by disconnecting it from sexiness.
A month later, Body Pride was born. The concept might seem odd or frivolous, but some experts argue that socialized nudity helps people become comfortable with their bodies. “People say, ‘My (breasts) aren’t equal,’ or ‘I have a scar over here,’ ” Dodson tells me. “But if you look at all these (naked) bodies . . . you see they are a wonderful thing. How do we ever get to see (that) if we are all shrouded in clothing?”
Research shows that we often equate nudity with sex, even though nudity is not a sexual thing but a natural state of being, says Rosalyn Dischiavo, founder and director of the Institute for Sexuality Education and Enlightenment. “To take nudity out of our lives and to make it something unusual and odd and something that only happens when you’re sexual is an enormous mistake,” Dischiavo said.
To understand Body Pride, I had to try it. So one Friday night back in February, I awkwardly stood in a cosy attic space above Toronto’s Good For Her sex shop, where Roberts holds her classes. The atmosphere was charged with that first-day-of-school nervous energy. After we signed some paperwork, Roberts made an announcement. “We have ground rules to cover, but before we do that, let’s get naked,” she said nonchalantly, before undressing in front of us.
When she first started Body Pride workshops, Roberts held classes for women only. Soon after, men were asking her if they could also join; she has since made them gender-inclusive. In our group that night, there were four men, seven women and one intersex, gender non-binary person. Most of us were in our 20s, two in their 40s, of varying backgrounds and sexual orientations.
One woman, Liz, tells me that she felt a tightness in her chest as she got undressed. “You’re becoming vulnerable enough as it is when you’re talking about your insecurities,” she says.
We mostly sat cross-legged, or with our knees tucked into our chest. It’s surprising at how little below the hips is revealed when a person sits cross-legged, which is how I sat, hunching my shoulders forward while trying to hide my chest. I caught myself thinking that if only my A-cup breasts were a little bigger, maybe they wouldn’t sit so awkwardly in the air and I wouldn’t feel so exposed. Other women, too, covered themselves at first, folding their arms across their chests.
Getting naked was just the first step; then came the revealing conversations. (Part of the ground rules of my participating in and writing about Body Pride was that people’s identities would remain confidential.) One woman said she was a cancer survivor struggling with the weight she’s gained from chemo; another came back for her fourth class; one man said he wanted to understand what makes people insecure; another man said he realized he’s still dealing with insecurities he thought were behind him. “This was the first time I ever spoke about my issues with my sensitive complexion, and how my absentee father wasn’t around to teach me to shave without damaging (it),” he told me.
I also shared more than I had intended. Random stories tumbled out: About how the first time a boy asked to feel me up, I told him to “go feel a wall”; how I was teased about my frizzy hair as a kid; about my mother’s absence the past 10 years; about never feeling good enough.
As we opened up more, our body language did, too. People started to stretch out onto their sides while some pulled one knee into their chest instead of two. I eventually laid on my stomach with my butt in the air.
Roberts says that Body Pride is a step for people, not a solution, to confronting their insecurities. “It’s a step in thinking: ‘This is the body I have, and it’s not going to change. . . . So I may as well put the work into being OK with it, and hopefully one day I will be,’ ” she says.
That rings true for Liz. At Body Pride, she fought through tears as she talked about how her ex-boyfriend gave her a complex about her differently sized breasts. She told me later that, at one point “it got so bad” she scheduled a consultation with a plastic surgeon.
But being at Body Pride and sitting in a circle with naked strangers, Liz appreciated the beauty of how different we all were. Then, the thought occurred to her: I’m not judging their bodies, so why would they judge mine?
Since attending the workshop that night, she’s seen marked improvement in her confidence. “I used to not like being topless in a well-lit room around my current partner for too long,” Liz says, adding she’d always put on a shirt, even if she didn’t have pants on. “Now, I am just me: I can be naked and not worry about it so much.”
On June 14, the Maryland Attorney General’s Office (OAG) issued a “letter of advice” about women’s topfreedom in Maryland. It came out just a few days after the town of Ocean City, MD passed an “emergency” ordinance that outlawed women from going topfree in public.
This letter arrives 10 months after the OAG had received the request for an opinion on this subject. And still, they say this is not their “official opinion.”
As Chelsea Covington, the activist at the forefront of the battle for women’s topfreedom rights in MD, has pointed out, the letter seems to have been haphazardly written up. My guess is the OAG hadn’t spent any of those 10 months actually working on an opinion, but this widely-covered story about OC put some urgency and forced them to respond.
When the advice letter came out, Chelsea told the MC Dispatch: “Why accept the opinion request at all? Now we take the issue to court and see who wins and loses. We could have started this a year ago. The Attorney General stalled for a year, created unnecessary drama and contention between the parties, wrote a wildly incomplete analysis that clarifies nothing and will ultimately cost Ocean City a lot of money to defend an unconstitutional ordinance. Bravo.”
Chelsea captions this photo from last year on her blog: “Ocean City, Maryland, September 2016. I’ve gone bare-chested in Ocean City between 20 and 30 times in the last two years. By and large people ignored me, as they should.”
So what does the OAG’s letter say? First off it states the OAG’s opinion – that if topfree laws were challenged in Maryland courts, these laws would not be found unconstitutional on a state or federal level.
They back up their opinion by citing various case laws and try to make the same justifications as Ocean City did in its ordinance. They write:
“But equal protection principles do not require ‘things which are different in fact … to be treated in law as though they were the same.’ Michael M. v. Superior Court of Sonoma County, 450 U.S. 464, 469…”
That was quoting a 1981 U.S. Supreme Court ruling about statutory rape laws in California. At that time, the law only defined statutory rape as a crime committed against a female victim. So be default, only a male could be criminally charged. Michael M. tried to challenge the law on the basis that it was gender-discriminatory and therefore unconstitutional.
He lost after the justices voted 5-4. They basically said it was justified because sexual relations have greater consequences for women than they do for men. They also argued that it would help prevent teenage pregnancies. Their flawed logic was based on gender stereotypes and offered no proof of reducing teen pregnancies.
This case was supposed to be an example of how the law could “legitimately” treat genders differently and still be constitutional. At least as long as the court can justify it. But this was a terrible example. In fact, that CA law was overturned in 1993 and now the CA statutory rape law is gender-neutral.
The AOG letter goes on to say it’s been acceptable for other jurisdictions to discriminate with topfreedom because of the “’real physical differences’ between men and women in this regard.” Of course as I mentioned in the OC article, male and female breasts are almost identical. Many times people can’t even distinguish them if all other gender markers are removed from the picture so this argument is utter nonsense. Though I am sure we’re going to continue hearing it over and over again in the governments’ attempts to justify topfree discrimination.
Then we run into the “public / moral sensibilities” bullshit argument.
The AOG cited United States v. Biocic from 1991 which “held that a federal law prohibiting indecent exposure in national parks could be applied to topless women sunbathing and not men, without violating equal protection:
‘The important government interest is the widely recognized one of protecting the moral sensibilities of that substantial segment of society that still does not want to be exposed willy-nilly to public displays of various portions of their fellow citizens’ anatomies that traditionally in this society have been regarded as erogenous zones. These still include (whether justifiably or not in the eyes of all) the female, but not the male, breast.’”
This is basically an argument for outlawing something just because some people find it “offensive.” It is a disturbing idea to me, as I think it should be to anyone, that this type of reasoning is used as a valid basis for gender discrimination.
In the People v. Santorelli 1992 ruling that made topfreedom legal in NY, judge Vito J. Titone wrote in a concurring opinion:
“Indeed, the concept of ‘public sensibility’ itself, when used in these contexts may be nothing more than a reflection of commonly-held preconceptions and biases. One of the most important purposes to be served by the equal protection clause is to ensure that ‘public sensibilities’ grounded in prejudice and unexamined stereotypes do not become enshrined as part of the official policy of government.”
But we don’t have to go back to the 90’s to find a judge with this opinion. We have a 2017 opinion from a federal judge that beautifully argues in favor of topfree equality!
The opinion comes from a lawsuit in Fort Collins, Colorado. The city had passed a topless ordinance, and this past February, Judge R. Brooke Jackson issued a temporary injunction that blocks them from enforcing it (until the trial).
Judge Jackson’s opinion concludes that FC’s ordinance violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th amendment. He pretty much argues the complete opposite of the OAG’s letter.
Here is what he has to say about the issue of offending public / moral sensibilities:
“Throughout this case, Fort Collins has repeatedly pointed out that it is far from unique in enacting laws that criminalize females—and only females—who appear topless in public… and that striking down the law would upset many Fort Collins residents. Unfortunately, our history is littered with many forms of discrimination, including discrimination against women. As the barriers have come down, one by one, some people were made uncomfortable. In our system, however, the Constitution prevails over popular sentiment.”
And about how a topfree ordinance violates the Equal Protection Clause:
“The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment bars state governmental entities from discriminating between the sexes unless they have an ‘exceedingly persuasive justification’ for doing so. See United States v. Virginia, 518 U.S. 515, 524 (1996); KT.& G Corp v. Attorney Gen. of State of Okla., 535 F.3d 1114, 1137 (10th Cir. 2008). Phrased somewhat differently, the government’s rationale for distinguishing between males and females must satisfy the intermediate scrutiny standard of being ‘substantially related’ to an ‘important governmental interest.’ Id.
This heightened standard bars governments from discriminating on the basis of supposed ‘differences’ between the sexes when doing so is a means of ‘creat[ing] or perpetuat[ing] the legal, social, and economic inferiority of women.’ Virginia, 518 U.S. at 534. Indeed, as the Supreme Court has made ‘abundantly clear in past cases[,] . . . gender classifications that rest on impermissible stereotypes violate the Equal Protection Clause, even when some statistical support can be conjured up for the generalization.’”
Judge Jackson is essentially explaining that thanks to the Equal Protection Clause, government cannot create laws based on gender stereotypes and then justify it by saying “But men and women are different”!
Obviously the sexes do have physical differences, and there are cases where there are valid reasons for differential treatment by the government. But as the judge notes, this is not one of those cases.
He explains that topfree ordinances are not based on physical differences, but on the “generalized notion that, regardless of a woman’s intent, the exposure of her breasts in public (or even in her private home if viewable by the public) is necessarily a sexualized act. Thus, it perpetuates a stereotype engrained in our society that female breasts are primarily objects of sexual desire whereas male breasts are not.”
Judge Jackson goes on to explain how this stereotype and sexual objectification are actually damaging and harmful to women and society. (Thank you, Judge!)
The fight for topfree equality in Fort Collins will continue, but this opinion from Judge Jackson is an important win that’s also going to help with topfreedom cases elsewhere.
At the end of their advice letter, the Maryland OAG equivocates by stating that public morals / sensibilities can change and “quickly.” They also advise law enforcement to consider “context” when enforcing the law and not to interpret it too broadly.
One could argue that popular opinion has already turned around in recent years, especially since the Free the Nipple campaign launched. But whether it changes and how fast it changes should be irrelevant. Topfree laws are discriminatory and unconstitutional, period. And the law should be leading social change, not falling back on stereotypes because it’s “the way we’ve always done it.”
Despite the OAG’s opinion and support of Ocean City, the battle is not over in Maryland…
Chelsea Covington has said she’s retained a national civil rights attorney named Devon M. Jacob. No doubt Chelsea will continue this fight for equality, and we stand with her!
(Guest Blog by a non nudist girl who wishes to remain anonymous)
Young Cheerleader Struggles With Body Image – Most people think that the only ones with body issues are those who are either “grossly” overweight or anorexic. Let me be the first to tell you… that could not be further from the truth!
As a person who has been involved in sports from the age of 8, I have always been aware of my need to stay thin. As an adult, I am still haunted by the voices from my past that continue to drive that point home.
My first negative encounter with regards to my weight came during my first year as a cheerleader. I was a “flyer” – the person that is lifted / propelled into a stunt.
During one of these stuns, my bases made a comment about how heavy I was. Up until that point, I had never heard any negative messages related to the way I looked. I was young at the time so it did not register with me that those girls were possibly exaggerating, or maybe even just whining.
Cheerleader Flyer Girl
All I knew, from that point on, was that I was heavy – FAT! I never forgot those words. From that day on, I became extremely sensitive about what other people thought or said about my body.
Puberty was possibly the worst experience of my life. As a young woman’s body begins to change shape, most girls undoubtedly begin to feel a sense of insecurity. No longer was I simply “The Short Skinny Girl Who Weighed More Than She Should”. I was now also “The Short Skinny Girl with Big Boobs“. Originally, I only felt the need to remain trim; but with Mother Nature’s help, I now felt the need to keep my breasts and body covered.
Be careful what you say!
It wasn’t until I became a dancer that I began to understand that there was absolutely nothing wrong with me. My dance instructor explained to me that she once suffered from an eating disorder while in dance school.
She explained how people do not always factor in someone’s muscle mass when they assess their weight and that she suffered as a result. I immediately identified with what she was saying. I felt a sense of relief knowing that there was a legitimate reason for my weight: I simply had a lot of muscle mass.
Body Image Issues – Too Many High School Girls Think They are Fat!
Even though I will never forget the experiences of my past, I am aware of my own power over them. I will probably always strive to stay thin, but no longer is it simply for its own sake. I do want to be thin, but I want to be healthy and happy first.
Perhaps the nudists of this world have a better and healthier attitude towards body image. I envision that most naturists are much more accepting of their own body. I hope that they are as accepting of those around them. I for one, feel that nudism, as a movement could teach us none nudists a lot!
Keep up the good work! Body Image is a big problem and I hope that one day we could all see people for who they are, not what they look like.
This guest blog post about body image was published by Young Naturists And Nudists America YNA.
There’s an interesting political race going on in Montana for a vacant seat in the House. The candidates are Democrat Rob Quist, Republican Greg Gianforte and Libertarian Mark Wicks.
According to one poll from May 8, Gianforte has the lead on Quist by 8 percentage points, but Quist is said to be gaining support. (The support for Wicks is reportedly very small.)
Montana 2017 congressional candidate Rob Quist
This election came to our attention because of one particular background detail on Quist – he is a musician and has (gasp!) given performances at a nudist resort in the past. We all know this now because the Republican National Committee released a detailed story about this at the Free Beacon for their mudslinging purposes.
Quist performed several times at one nudist club in Idaho called Sun Meadow Resort. He has said that he was clothed in these performances (not that we, or anyone else for that matter, should care).
Up until this story came out, the resort had a photo on their homepage of Quist playing guitar on stage with his daughter (since replaced with a different picture). The resort has not replied to media requests for comment.
In an email comment to USA Today, NRCC spokesperson Jack Pandol said, “The more Rob Quist’s past is laid bare, the more his claim to represent Montana values is exposed as another charade. When all is stripped away, this washed-up hippie is just a naked embarrassment to the voters he’s running to represent.”
Did you get enough double entendres in there, Jack? And just what do Quist’s performances have to do with “Montana values”?
The Republicans’ mudslinging just looks like a desperate attempt to squash the growing support for Quist.
Quist’s communications director Tina Olechowski commented (to USA Today), “This is just a naked attempt to distract voters from (Republican rival) Greg Gianforte’s shady Russian investments.”
It’s distracting voters from all of the more important issues at hand, such as, I don’t know, healthcare? Gun rights?
But also… do voters even care about Quist’s nudist resort gigs? And if so, what’s their issue with it?
Personally I really hope that most do not, though it’s hard to say. In the 2015 NEF poll, we did learn that most Americans would either be indifferent or more supportive of a naturist political candidate (or one who supports clothing optional use of public land).
It looks like it’s going to be a close race. We hope that Montanans will do their homework on these candidates and vote for the person they think is best for the job.
Regardless of which candidate you support, whether you are a Republican or a Democrat, whether you live in Montana or not, it is important for naturists to let Quist know that we support him, and we all loathe the RNC’s smear campaign.
We urge everyone to contact the RNC, the NRCC and Jack Pandol to tell them that their antics and their weak attempts at character assassinations are despicable and have no place in politics. After all, Quist did nothing wrong nor did he break any laws (as far as we know).
You can email Quist here: http://go.robquist.org/page/s/contact-us or send to: info@robquist.org . His Twitter handle: @RobQuistForMT
You can TWEET at Jack Pandol: @jackpandol and the NRCC: @nrcc . Pandol has his own awful quote from the USA Today story as his pinned tweet!
Contact the RNC at ecampaign@gop.com or email the NRCC here: https://www.nrcc.org/contact-form/
The Montana special election will take place on May 25 so please make your voices heard!
Last week, news came out that topfreedom was allowed, or more precisely, not outlawed, for women at Ocean City beach in Maryland. This was after three women were recently seen sunbathing topfree, and word got out that the Ocean City Beach Patrol had issued a memo telling their staff not to bother topfree women.
This, however, was not done in the name of gender equality. It was based on the absence of any law against it. There are currently no state laws against women’s topfreedom in Maryland.
People thought this was great news. Meanwhile Ocean City was trying to quickly backtrack their new reputation as having a topfree beach. On June 9, a post appeared on the .gov website declaring, “Ocean City Is Not A Topless Beach & Will Not Become A Topless Beach.” It clarified that the Mayor and City Council were firmly against women’s topfreedom.
On June 10, just 3 days after the first story came out, Ocean City unanimously passed an emergency law against women being topless anywhere within the city. Violating the ordinance is a “municipal infraction” subject to a fine of up to $1,000. (Hefty punishment for having female breasts!)
There was lots of talk from the Mayor about OC being a “family” destination and how they need to protect the kids from exposure to female breasts. No word on what kind of detrimental effect all the male breasts have had on these kids over the years.
I couldn’t find the full ordinance to read online (if anyone finds it, please share), but have seen excerpts, and it’s terrible. Unsurprisingly it reveals just how sexist and stupid the city officials are. Here are a few excerpts I’ve pulled from this article at Maryland Coast Dispatch:
“There is no constitutional right for an individual to appear in public nude or in a state of nudity. It does not implicate either the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, the right to privacy, or a protected liberty interest. It lacks any communicated value that might call for First Amendment protection, nor does it implicate the right or privacy or the right to be alone. One does not have right to impose one’s lifestyle on others who have an equal right to be left alone.” [Being topfree is a LIFESTYLE, now?]
“…Whatever personal right one has to be nude or in a state of nudity, that right becomes subject to government interest and regulation when one seeks to exercise it in public… A gender-based distinction challenged under the equal protection clause of the United States Constitution is gauged by an important government interest this is substantially accomplished by the challenged discriminatory means.”
“…Protecting the public sensibilities is an important governmental interest based on the indisputable difference between the sexes. Further, a prohibition against females baring their breasts in public, although not offensive to everyone, is still seen by society as unpalatable.” [LADIES, YOUR BREASTS ARE NOW UNPALATABLE. Except to babies. And heterosexual men. Other than that your breasts are definitely unpalatable.]
“…The equal protection clause does not demand that things that are different in fact be treated the same in law, nor that a government pretend there are no physiological differences between men and women.”
Yes, that’s right. They think having topfree equality means pretending there are no physiological differences between the sexes. Apparently no one has ever informed them that male and female breasts are actually made of pretty much the same exact tissue and parts, including mammary glands. And if you believe female breasts are different because they feed babies — well, that actually requires them to be exposed. But even beyond that point, this poorly written argument makes no sense!!!
This story is actually bigger than just the town of Ocean City, though. It’s also about the pending legal acceptance of topfree equality in Maryland and whether discriminatory topfree laws are unconstitutional.
As stated above, Maryland does not currently have any laws against women being topless in public. But as many people know, the absence of a law doesn’t mean that it’s accepted and that there won’t be arrests, charges, fines, etc.
As we discussed in our interview with her, activist Chelsea Covington has been establishing topfree rights in many places across the northeast by contacting police departments and local authorities beforehand. She has been very successful (her persistence helps) in getting official permission to be topfree in various parks, towns and cities (and thus permission for all women to do so in these places).
But… not when it came to Maryland. She has been communicating with legal authorities and trying for years to get them to state that female toplessness is legal. She has also gone topfree herself in Ocean City on many occasions, without incident
.
Finally, last August the Worcester County State’s Attorney Beau Oglesby made an opinion request to Maryland’s Attorney General. This opinion was supposed to be written up within 3 – 9 months, but here we are 10 months later and still no opinion.
When asked about this, a spokeswoman for the Attorney General told the Washington Post, “We will be drafting one, and I expect it to be released soon.”
What’s even more important and interesting is that this “opinion” is not really a question of whether or not female topfreedom is legal in MD. It is already pretty clear that it is legal. (For more details on the current MD laws and how they’re enforced, see this explanatory post on Chelsea’s blog.)
Chelsea recently reports on her blog that the opinion request was reworded at some point “to examine whether a local ordinance that treated genders differently would be unconstitutional.”
Like the one in Ocean City for example. The town actually wrote that they have passed this new ordinance “while awaiting AG opinion.”
So the AG’s office will effectively indicate how they think a local discriminatory topless ordinance case would play out in the highest courts of Maryland.
Chelsea has also pointed out: “Maryland’s constitution protects gender equality with the highest standard in the nation, namely with an ‘absolute prohibition’ on gender discrimination. This means there exists no justification for treating genders differently when making or enforcing the law. None.”
Let’s hope that now the AG will finally release their opinion in light of this Ocean City nonsense, and that it will be in favor of gender equality!
And as a side note, I’m glad to see how this OC issue has inspired opinion posts like this one: “If only lawmakers acted on bicyclist safety as quickly as they did beach nudity.”
Photo credit: By AerialLimits – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50682908
(Guest Nudist Blog By Anon)
In this day and age, nudity is as common as cell phones, laptops, or its antithesis of clothing. Nudity and nudism for many, especially the young, is no big deal. Yet, nudity often strikes a different chord with those firmly planted in the “age of reason”.
My first experience with social nudity was a couple of years after graduating from college. It happened unexpectedly as one would imagine with such a topic.
It all began when a female friend from school contacted me about attending a “Come as You Are” party. I’m always interested in a good party so I inquired as to the concept of the theme. I was floored when she explained that “come as you are” meant attending the party naked!
Nude College Naked Party
Now, some might think that being male, I would have jumped on the offer to attend a naked party, but I was actually pretty hesitant. I wondered what kind of people would go to such a party. I envisioned a party filled with old naked hippies or exhibitionists and voyeurs, prancing around naked to the music from Hair. Yet, I was also a little curious.
I was flattered when my friend revealed that she’d thought of me because I was one of the most open minded guy she knew. She also reassured me that the group attending were anything but sleazy. I don’t know if it was her faith in me or my own personal curiosity, but after a week of pondering, I relented.
Naked Party
Our naked party night approached quickly. Upon arriving, I was apprehensive, especially as I scanned the room seeing mostly naked masses of skin staring warmhearted and smiling at me. I was approached by the hostess who invited me to relax and offered me a cocktail, which I’m sorry to say quickly turned into three.
My female friend disappeared into the powder room leaving me to fend for myself. Eventually I joined in. I must confess that going nude in public isn’t that bad, albeit it was “uncomfortable” at first.
Naked Party Picture
We did everything found in a conventional party, we just did it in the nude. We danced, had some drinks, laughed and basically just had a good time (even though I was a little concerned for the furniture).
In the end, I found the naked party experience quite rewarding. I realized that in the grand scheme of things, clothing, or as in this case, the lack therefore, has nothing to do with sex. I was pleasantly surprised at how fun and freeing nonsexual social nudity can be.
However, going nude in a public is an acquired taste. I’m sure it becomes easier for some, yet, I don’t think I am quite there yet.
It will take me some time before I am ready to attend my next naked party
Nudist Blogs And Nudism Articles About Nude Party And Naked Parties By Young Naturists And Nudists America YNA
Reasons to be a nudist – Practicing nudism is often misunderstood and misinterpreted by many. However, there are in fact many benefits for being a nudist. An educated understanding and an open mind will unveil the many reasons why people choose to become nudists.
Often, we feel intrigued about naked bodies because they are hidden. However, sometimes we fail to understand that the human body is not something so secretive that we can only look at it with immense curiosity, and sometimes even a sense of guilt or shame.
Being a nudist will familiarize people with naked bodies and what they look like. It’s especially great for kids to learn what bodies look like. They’ll grow up without body shame, and they can also learn what their bodies will look like as they get older.
Be A Nudist Because Nudism Demystifies The Naked Human Body
Although being comfortable in one’s own skin seems to be a cliché, being a nudist helps people feel more at ease when facing their own bodies.
Under the influence of media, we tend to be overly critical of our bodies, and we try to hide our physical “flaws” with clothes. As such, being a nudist provides the opportunity to accept one’s body as it is.
Be A Nudist Because Nudists feel more comfortable in their own skin
Skinny dipping and swimming nude is simply more fun because water feels better on bare skin than on a layer of tight swimsuit.
Be A Nudist Because Because Skinny Dipping Is More Fun
Sleeping without clothes allows the body to evenly distribute heat.
Be A Nudist Because Sleeping Nude Is Healthier
Since you are not going to wear any clothes, you no longer need to spend time wondering how to put together a presentable outfit. It also means less time and fuss with bathing suits!
Be A Nudist Because Because Being nude Saves Time With Fashion Picks
Without clothes, there are fewer barriers that distinguish people of different social and economic status. In fact, many nudists state that they feel more united with other people as less judgment is imposed.
Be A Nudist Because Nudism Promotes Social Equality
Naturist groups often organize all kinds of nudist events around activities such as hiking, volleyball, body painting, swimming at the beach and outdoor naked parties. Without the constraint of clothes, we can all have fun in nature.
Be A Nudist Because Nude Events Are Fun
Nude sunbathing will eliminate awkward tan lines. There is no clothing to create an uneven tanning effect!
Be a Nudist Because Sunbathing nude Eliminates Awkward Tan Lines
Being a nudist will automatically lessen your laundry load.
Be A Nudist Because Nudists Have Less Laundry Hassles
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Naturism can really help you get back to nature and connect to the Earth. There are many natural places to go, such as clothing-optional swimming holes in rivers, streams and lakes and other nude beaches or recreation areas.
Plenty of nudist clubs are located in a rural setting surrounded by a forest and hiking trails. Some nudist resorts are also located near a beach. Not only can you enjoy the freedom of being nude, you can also relax with the calming ocean and sand.
Be A Nudist And Connect To Nature At Nudist Resorts
Hope we were able to offer some insight to some of the best reasons to be a nudist!
This article about the benefits of becoming a nudist was published by – Young Naturists & Nudists America
Guest Blog by: Daniel Jacobs
Why Get Naked? I had never given much thought to being a nudist. My girlfriend and I had tossed the idea around a bit, but I’d never taken it too seriously. I’ve never had any great yearning to be nude.
More often than not, I wear clothes around the apartment.To be fair, that’s because I get cold. If I’m warm, I take them off.
I had thought about getting naked around people when I was a freshman in college, but that was in the context of a party where people are getting drunk and doing crazy things. Things like dancing on tables, making out with complete strangers, and taking their clothes off in front of everyone (yes, those seemed “crazy” to me; my high-school years were not exciting).
Getting Naked and Being Nude Is About Comfort
For me, the idea of taking off being and getting naked in front of people was a way of coming out of my shell. I didn’t get naked because it was comforting, I did it because it was exciting and, for the people around me, a tad shocking.
Being Nude and Getting Naked Is Liberating
However, I’ve always had a boundary. I figured being in your underwear is no different from what you wear at the beach, so that’s no big deal, but I wouldn’t go beyond that.
At the time, it was one of several prudish ideas I had. As I grew older, it became more a matter of simple bashfulness. I had never been naked around anyone I wasn’t having sex with, and the idea can be scary for a first-timer…. Like doing karaoke!
Nude College Kids Get Naked For Art
I never had any strong desire to be nude, and still don’t. But I also don’t feel any particular aversion to the naked idea either. Aside from those first-time jitters, I think about the idea and ask, “Why not?”
My body has its imperfections, but those can be seen when I’m in my underwear or a swimsuit as well as when I’m naked. I’ve come to terms with those and am not ashamed. In fact, overall I’m fairly happy with my body.
Get Naked in Nature And Feel the Freedom
I simply find myself caring about the issue less and less. It’s not a passion for being naked that draws me to nudism, but ambivalence about being clothed. For some people nudity may be about a thrill, or a movement, or even some sort of cause, but for me, getting naked is just about being comfortable.
Sex Positive and Body Image Blogs by – Young Naturists And Nudists America YNA
(***This body image blog we re-published 5/5/2017)
My friend, Hadassah, has elbows. I’ve always assumed this but only a short time ago I did see her elbows for the first time to prove that she does have them. It’s funny that we’ve known each other for 14 years yet it was only recently that I saw her elbows.
Why did this happen? Hadassah is of the Orthodox Jewish faith, which dictates that her whole body, including elbows and knees, must be covered. I guess she joined a more moderate branch of Judaism recently, as her elbows can now be seen. This is a huge change for her- and for me, as I look at her elbows for the first time.
For Hadassah, exposing her elbows was a breach of modesty, as seen by her faith. Her religious beliefs had more emphasis on which body parts are acceptable to see and show, perhaps, than most people’s beliefs, but how different are they from modern culture, really?
Body Image X Ray Asking If Its A Good Or Bad Body Part
While most people in the USA would agree that having people see your elbows is fine (and you may get some funny faces if you suggest otherwise!), how many people have that same good part / bad part response when talking about… a woman’s pubic mound / labia majora? Or a penis? Or a woman’s breast?
These body parts are the parts that are so sacred / private/ obscene/ bad that they have many, many names. A penis could be a dick and may have a name, the labia majora may be called a crotch, and a woman’s breast might be called a boob.
Snoppen och Snippen Swedish Children’s Penis Cartoon
Even the grouping of the parts has a name: our private parts or, as some kids say, our privates.
Of course, we all know numerous other names for all these parts and many parents teach their children to call them some off-the-wall names. And don’t even get me started on what we call the urine or feces that come out of these parts!
All of this begs the question of why certain body parts have numerous names and are “forbidden” while other parts only have one name and get no attention.
Case in point: a diagram that leaves out the “shameful” parts.
Think of the poor elbow: it only has one name and certainly no pet names. All children call it simply “elbow” and everyone knows the name of this body part.
Not so with the genitals: they have numerous names, none of which are to be said in “polite” conversation. I double-dog-dare you to bring up the status of your penis next time you’re at your family reunion… I’m thinking this won’t go well. Compare this with a discussion of your elbow and you’ll see that there is a huge difference in how discussion of body parts is received.
Breasts / Boobs
What I find even more interesting is that men’s genitalia are typically correctly labeled – penis, scrotum, and testicles – while women’s genitalia are confused, even by adults. We talk about the vagina as the part that is seen when the clothes come off, but, unless you’re the woman’s gynecologist or are very intimate with her, you’re really not seeing her vagina. This is a common misconception.
Let me give you a little anatomy lesson, in case you didn’t know: the vagina is the canal inside of the woman that leads to the cervix. (You’ll put your Diva Cup in the vagina, for those of you who have followed Felicity’s Blog about the Diva Cup.)
Anatomical Diagram of the Vulva
If you are at a nudist event, you most likely are seeing the woman’s labia majora, otherwise known as the pubic mound. You may also see the labia minora, the inner lips inside of the labia majora, if the woman has “protruding labia.”
What’s sad to me is that so many people don’t know this basic anatomy- and I’m not just talking about children here!
All of the silly labels for genitalia and the incorrect use of the terms of the woman’s genitals are simply a result of the stigma that is attached to these parts. So why are these parts “bad”???
Your Lady Parts Are Normal
In this day and age we can understand this a bit because these are the parts that have been wrong for us to talk about and wrong for us to see or show since childhood. We can understand that and, as nudists, we can take away the penis and labia majora stigma by not hiding these parts either with clothing or in our conversation.
This is something that we need to help our society to overcome, though! This may start with first educating people on what their parts are, as so many people don’t have any idea of what’s what.
After that, we need to normalize these parts and take their stigma away by treating them with the same respect as our elbow, which has no stigma. But surely there’s more….
What more can we do? How do you help others to stop seeing their and your genitalia as bad parts that can be neither seen nor heard about?
* Be sure to visit Young Naturists America often to stay up-to-date on news that matters and thoughts that change you!
Body Image: Good Part, Bad Part… Isn’t a Part Just a Part? and Nudist Blogs by Melissa Of Young Naturists and Young Nudists America YNA
aanr undressed press
When Should You Stop Being Naked In Front Of Your Kids?
By Megan Zandera
April 2017
In B.C. years (that's Before Children), you'd think nothing of walking naked from the shower to your closet or being topless for a few minutes while you hunt through the laundry pile for a bra. And when your baby was still a baby, you probably didn't change your naked ways all that much. But as your child gets older and refuses to let the bathroom door close unless they're on the other side with you, you might start to wonder if you need to to start covering up. Is there a point at which allowing your kids to see you naked isn't the best thing for their development, or is simply inappropriate? Or should you strut your stuff in the buff without caring if your kids see?
Of course, it's ultimately up to you whether you feel comfortable enough to be in your birthday suit around the house. But therapist Dr. Lynn Fraley told Romper that allowing your kids to see you naked won't harm them at all. In fact, it could even be good for them. "The few studies that have been done in this area have found that children who were exposed to parental nudity benefited from it," Fraley, a therapist based in Spokane, WA, explained. "Increased self-esteem and comfort with physical love and affection are present in households where children weren’t sheltered from the human body."
With that in mind, we asked some parents when they started to be more conscious of being naked around their kids. Turns out, age isn't a factor so much as how the child feels — and how you feel
about it, too.
Some parents see no issue with it at all. "My girls are 6 and 5 .... and I roam around naked," said Betty*, 36. Meredith, 39, agreed: "My kids (boy/girl twins) are 9 and I still do. I figure they'll make it plenty clear when they're uncomfortable with it."
"I recommend that families take cues from their children. They will let you know what makes them feel uneasy and it is your responsibility to be aware of their feelings."
Fraley said that this approach of waiting for your kids to tell you know when it's time to cover up is spot-on. "I recommend that families take cues from their children. They will let you know what makes them feel uneasy and it is your responsibility to be aware of their feelings."
Some parents think that it depends on the age of the child, as well as the gender. Wendy, a 39-year-old mom of two, told Romper that while she previously didn't have an issue with letting her sons see her naked, as her older child gets closer to puberty she's beginning to reconsider. "I'm just starting to feel sort of uncomfortable about it with my 10-year-old. I've started to hear him make sex jokes with his friends (nothing outrageous and most of it over their heads!)" she told Romper. Around her 4-year-old, however, she sees no issue with, say, being in the buff around the breakfast table.
Many moms feel that being nude in front of their kids can be a teaching moment for them. Thanks to the media's unrealistic representation of what real female bodies look like, some women deliberately decide not to cover up around their daughters to allow them to see what a female body looks like without Photoshop.
"I have 2 girls, ages 3.5 and 9.5. They see me naked all the time (mostly because they seem to love to talk to me when I am in the bathroom or getting dressed!)," Melody, 38, told Romper. "I never thought about not letting them see me naked. I guess I want them to feel comfortable with their bodies and not have to rely on the media for an unrealistic perception of how their bodies should look."
"I think it's important she sees a 'normal' female body regularly so she knows not everyone is a model."
Valerie, 35, also felt that allowing her daughter to see her nude teaches her an important lesson about body image. "My daughter is 9 and I am still naked in front of her sometimes, which I see as NBD since she sees naked strangers in the YMCA locker room whenever we go swimming," she told Romper. "I also think it's important she sees a 'normal' female body regularly so she knows not everyone is a model."
This message of self-empowerment is crucial, according to Dr. Fraley, who warned that our kids can tell when we're not feeling comfortable in our own skin. "Hiding behind towels and generally feeling discomfort with your body will absolutely affect the way your children perceive themselves," she says. "If you are ashamed of your nakedness, how can you expect your children to feel good and embrace theirs?"
"If you are ashamed of your nakedness, how can you expect your children to feel good and embrace theirs?"
Dr. Wyatt Fisher, a marriage counselor in Boulder, CO, agreed. He suggests being nude around your kids when you feel like it, with the caveat that you stop allowing children to see their parents naked once they start to take serious interest in what's between their legs. "You'll know you hit the age when your child moves from seeming oblivious to your sexual organs to constantly staring at them, making comments about them, and giggling about them," he says.
That's precisely what prompted Jennifer, a 34-year-old mother of 4, to stop being naked around her then-5-year-old son. "He started asking a lot of questions (which I answered in terms he could understand) and there was a lot of staring going on after that so I figured it was the right time for a little more discretion," she explains. "He'll still barge in on me in the bathroom though, if there is something he really needs." It's also different for men, she pointed out: her husband stopped being naked in front of their kids the second they "pointed a certain something out."
Worrying about at what point you may go from boosting your child's self-esteem to causing more harm than good seems stressful, but moms who've been there say the decision to cover up isn't something they had to debate. The transition will happen naturally when everyone's ready.
"The human body is a beautiful thing and I think it’s very important for small children to know that it’s normal and natural to be naked."
It's also important to teach our children that nudity can be totally appropriate depending on the situation. "Something as incredible and nurturing as breastfeeding should not be hidden and acceptance of our bits and pieces should be celebrated." Dr. Farley reminds us. "The human body is a beautiful thing and I think it’s very important for small children to know that it’s normal and natural to be naked."
So follow your instincts and let your kids be your guide, instead of feeling like you have to stop being naked around them once they reach a certain age. As they develop a sense of modesty and approach puberty, they should show signs of wanting more privacy, which includes having you cover up. As long as they're cool with seeing you naked, you don't have to stress over whether you locked the bathroom door. But it's not a bad idea to have a pretty bathrobe on backup, just in case.
aanr undressed press
What’s it like to run a naked 5K? Fit City finds out at Star Ranch
Runners bare all at Bare Buns 5K in McDade.
By PAM LEBLANC Pam LeBlanc writes about fitness and travel for the Austin American-Statesman.
Posted: 11:00 p.m. Saturday, April 22, 2017
Highlights:
+ Most runners wore running shoes and a hat, but nothing else.
+ Star Ranch in McDade, about an hour’s drive east of Austin, opened 60 years ago.
+ Most of the runners don’t live at the park; they signed up for the race because it’s unique.
+ Running naked feels pretty much like running with clothes on, but you get a cooling effect from the breeze.
Around me, dozens of naked people are applying sunscreen and stretching out their legs.
I’m still wearing street clothes, but in a few minutes, I know, I must join them. After all, I’ve come to Star Ranch, a nudist park about 10 miles east of Elgin in McDade, for the Bare Buns 5K.
It’s taken a lot of soul searching to get here, and for days I’ve contemplated how the race might unfold. Will I run into anybody I know? (Yes, three so far.) Will it be weird? (Sort of.) Will everybody have a perfect physique? (No, of course not.) Will my boobs get in the way? (No, too small.) Will my butt jiggle, horrifying runners behind me? (Who cares?) How will it feel to run without clothing? (I’m about to find out.)
To bolster my confidence — and frankly, I’m less worried about the nudity than my running pace, because I’ve been sidelined with plantar fasciitis for the past 14 months — I’ve enlisted a trio of friends. Two are running the race; the third is providing moral support for her husband while he runs. When I finally shuck off my shorts, she sprays a little glitter on my rump and gives me a fist bump.
I can’t believe I’m doing this.
I’ve written about the Bare Buns 5K in my Fit City blog several times in the past few years, and organizers always ask me to join in. Until now I’ve turned them down, but since I’ve declared 2017 my Year of Adventure, participating seems somehow fitting.
Besides, a quick scan of the website makes the place sound bucolic — “wholesome and safe! 110 wooded acres! Newly remodeled swimming pool!” The park opened in 1957, and about 50 people live here year-round. Others pay a day fee to use the tennis courts, nature trails, the Nekkid Lunch Cafe and campground. An activity calendar is packed with events like the upcoming Jimmy Buffet-themed Parrot Head weekend.
The park is part of the American Association for Nude Recreation. The Bare Buns 5K is one of four naked races in the organization’s southwest region. Although runners can wear whatever clothing they want (sports bras for women, for example), most are nude except for shoes.
My male friend is among them. “You want to see my new running outfit?” he asks with a wink. My female friend has covered her important parts with a tiny costume — a bird mask over her eyes, a pair of panda masks over her chest, and a black kitty mask at her groin. She’s practicing flicking her head like an eagle, and I can’t stop laughing.
Me? I’m suddenly down to a pair of running shoes and a straw cowboy hat. If I’m going to do this, I’m going all in.
As race time approaches, runners crowd toward the front to get a good start. I hang at the back. I’ll be happy just to finish.
This event, organizers tell me, typically draws between 100 and 120 people, most of whom don’t live at the park. But the residents get into it, handing out timing chips and directing athletes along the course. Afterward, there’s a pool party and burger cookoff.
“A lot are not nudists, but they’re willing to get naked and run and think it’s cool and different,” says park manager Rod McClanahan. “I think it has a lot to do with the uniqueness of it. We have lawyers, bankers, people that have been on TV — I think they just like the freedom aspect. Maybe it goes back to when we were little and we liked to run out of our diapers.”
At that, the race starts. Suddenly I’m running, in the buff, over pine-needle covered trails, sandy roads and a hay field. It’s hilly, and the course challenges. After a few minutes, I almost forget I’m naked. I’m just out there running.
Even better, I realize my heel doesn’t hurt. I start passing the other runners, and about two-thirds of the way in, one of the course attendants yells, “Females No. 1 and 2!” I’ve never won an overall race before, so that lights a fire under my (naked) butt. I pump my arms, speed my cadence and sweat. I catch my straw cowboy hat as it blows off my head.
And, in the end, I persevere, crossing the finish line first overall among the other females.
“This is the epitome of ‘I don’t care what people think,’” my guy friend tells me as we stand panting at the finish line. “I want to be able to sit on a porch and say, ‘Yep, I scuba dived, I sky dived, I did Ironman triathlons, and I ran a naked 5K.’ Everything’s an experience.”
I bump into another friend who hasn’t told anyone he’s here. He tells me later he signed up partly as a sort of test.
“I think it’s because I want to believe in myself, and in my self-confidence, that I’m comfortable enough with myself and that I love myself so much that I still want to experience and learn from new life adventures,” he says. “A part of it was a curiosity of running nude and what it would be like.”
He worried, though, that he might inadvertently stare at someone. That didn’t happen. He described the overall experience as freeing and exhilarating.
“I only experienced a short moment of being uncomfortable, and that is when I initially disrobed at my truck,” he said. “It was fleeting, and, once nude, I was amazingly comfortable with it.”
We agreed that once we began running it didn’t feel much different than any other race, other than a nice cooling effect from the breeze.
I will say this: I loved the naked run as a one-time, special event, but I’ll never become a nudist. My naked body is sacred territory, and I’m not going to share it with just anybody.
As for my friends? They loved the race, too.
“This was so fantastic,” one said. “What are we doing next?”
aanr undressed press
I spent a week at home in the nude, and this is what I learned about my body
CAT RODIE – last updated 09:51 April 3, 2017
After spending a week naked at home, the prospect of stripping off in public became less daunting.
I am not a total prude, but I've always possessed a degree of awkwardness about nudity. I can change into togs in a communal changing room, but I'll do it as fast as I can with my eyes fixed to the floor.
So when I read that naturists have higher self-esteem than those who keep their clothes on, I decided to spend a week in the nude in the privacy of my own home to see what I could learn. I hoped that my naked experiment would make me more comfortable with my body and its imperfections.
I worked, slept, cooked, cleaned, and got on with family life minus my clothes. Although I was a little apprehensive about my nudity project, on the whole I really enjoyed it.
There were low points. On one excruciatingly hot days, sweat pooled under my unsupported breasts and my thighs stuck to my synthetic office chair. I was extremely uncomfortable and desperate to cover up. On other days, though, my nudity was liberating and fun. There were even a few moments where I felt profoundly present in my body.
Then, one rainy afternoon, I ran into the backyard to rescue some laundry on the washing line. I'd forgotten I was nude, but the feeling of big bulbous raindrops on my skin was heavenly. It was something I hadn't experienced since childhood, and so joyful that I even sashayed around doing a bit of a dance before dashing back into the house with the laundry basket.
Apart from one accidental FaceTime incident (sorry, Jo!), the only people who saw me naked were my husband, who was amused but had no complaints, and my young daughters, who enjoyed poking my "squishy" tummy. By the end of the week, my nudity seemed to be business as usual.
Did it make me more comfortable with my body? Perhaps.
But what I absolutely gained was a sense of "knowing" about my body, as if I had rekindled a childhood friendship, or come home after a long and arduous journey.
There are legitimate reasons why nudity is good for you. As mentioned, University of London researchers discovered that naturists who took part in an online survey have higher self-esteem than their fully clothed peers. They also had better body image and were happier in general. Although the vast majority of survey participants were men, the positive body image effects extended for women, too.
After spending a week naked at home, the prospect of stripping off in public became less daunting. In fact, when I misunderstood an email about this article and thought that my editor was asking me to go to a nudist beach, I didn't completely baulk at the idea.
So, do naturists agree that being naked in public is an important part of the self-esteem equation?
Jenni Parry, 48, has been a naturist for five years. "People are judged by what they wear; the brand and labels of their clothes," she says. "And the fit: is it too tight, too baggy, hanging too low, showing arse crack, too much cleavage – the list goes on. Without clothes, you are accepted as you are."
Parry tells me that naturism has released her from "a vicelike grip" of society's expectations of how she should look.
"Once you are comfortable in your own skin, you own your spot in the world," she says. "And man, do I own that spot! Yes, I'm human, so I have moments [of self-critique]. But they are less often and easier to come out of."
Psychologist Dr Samantha Clarke says that many of us view ourselves though a very critical lens: "We don't look at our body as a whole, we focus on the bits we don't like."
Spending time nude can help us perceive our body as a whole, she explains. "Getting comfortable with your body, and being aware of all the amazing things it does, can really help you embrace its assets.
"Your body isn't who you are," says Clarke. "It's just a vehicle that allows you to move around the world."
aanr undressed press
Nude Versus Prude: What the Experts Say About What to Wear – & Not to Wear – to Bed
April 7, 2017
RESTONIC BLOG
It’s time to stop being clothes-minded when it comes to sleeping naked
The people have spoken. Their preference between sleeping nude and sleepwear is clear. Cover it up! Only an estimated 8% of the population prefers being naked between the sheets. But wait just a minute before you commit to pajamas for good.
There’s a significant body of research that suggests naked is the healthier way to go in bed. It may even be better for your love life. “When you and partner both sleep naked, the skin to skin contact will release oxytocin, the natural feel-good hormone, and it even reduces blood pressure,” explains Dr. Fran Walfish, a Beverly Hills family and relationship psychotherapist, author, The Self-Aware Parent.
And given the impact of body temperature on quality of sleep, going nude might help keep skin temperature from over-heating to a level where it causes disruption and an increase in early morning waking, according to a study from the National Center for Biotechnology Information.
There’s also evidence that spending time au naturel could boost happiness and confidence levels, as research from Goldsmiths University of London attests. Could it make you wealthier, too? Some researchers have made that leap because there’s evidence that people with self-confidence tend to have higher incomes.
It’s not surprising that the American Association for Nude Recreation is all for it. Public relations/communications Alexandra Schuttauf says, “Go to sleep with nothing between you and the sheets. Multiple recent studies have linked weight gain and obesity to lack of sleep. And one of the most popular ways that people are getting a better night’s sleep is by shedding their pajamas and inhibitions and reaping the rewards of increased comfort.”
Despite what science says, shyness still rules. Just 31% of American men shed their clothes for bedtime versus 47% for British gents, according to one study.
Both American and British women feel the same away about sleeping naked with just 14% and 17% respectively participating. In another study published in Allure.com, there’s one possible explanation: 31% of female pajama wearers said that didn’t want their partners to see them in the nude.
Clothes versus nudity isn’t a black & white issue
Some people prefer a happy medium and opt for being partially clothed at bedtime. About 53% of Americans prefer this middle ground, as cited by Men’s Fitness magazine.
But you should be aware that wearing any type of clothing to bed does pose some challenges and even risks. Microbes from our skin cells can be transferred to fabric and could cause infections if they get into cuts. It’s important to exercise good jammies hygiene and wash whatever you don regularly – at least once a week.
One survey revealed that 38% of men said underwear was their garb of choice, while 37% of women opted for a two-piece pajama set. Washing frequency was another story though. Men waited an average of 13 nights before laundering their sleepwear, while women stuck to the same sleep outfit for 17.
What’s the bottom (pun intended) line in the nude versus prude sleep conundrum? According to Michael Larson, a member of the Sleep Research Society, a professor at the University of Colorado and founder and CEO of Sleep Shepherd, you should do what you like.
“While there are issues of body temperature and comfort that come into play, at the end of the day (literally), sleep is all about slowed brainwave activity,” he says. “Feeling uptight is a sure way to keep our brain humming and not sleeping; so people should sleep in, or out of, whatever makes them feel most relaxed.”
David Ezell, CEO and clinical director of Darien Wellness, a counseling and mental wellness group in Darien, Connecticut, has a slightly different view. “When I am evaluating clients who are in my office suffering from insomnia, what to wear, or not wear, is a frequent topic in my initial evaluation and treatment plan. I always suggest trying a change for a number of nights and seeing what the outcome is.”
He agrees with Larson that there is no “should” on the subject. “Throw that word out the window and let comfort be your guide.”
And that’s the naked truth…
LOOKING TO SHED SOME EXTRA
POUNDS? TRY SLEEPING NAKED
If you’re looking to shed some extra weight, weight loss experts suggest sleeping naked might be the secret.
Sleeping in the nip “offers significant health benefits” including maintaining your body temperature and keeping cooler, which usually results in a less disturbed sleep cycle.
When you aren’t sleeping through the night, your body produces more cortisol, a steroid hormone which can lead to an increase in your appetite.
Dr. Sarah Brewer explained the importance of body temperature and sleep, saying: “Sleeping naked means that your body remains cooler during the night, which is important as overheating is a common cause of disturbed sleep.
“Being too hot in bed by three to four degrees changes brain-wave patterns, reduces the amount of time you spend in REM sleep, increases the chances of waking up and reduces deep sleep.
“Many worry about sleeping naked in the winter, however if your bedroom is the recommended temperature of between 18-24 degrees all year round, there shouldn’t be a problem.” Other benefits to sleeping naked include increasing male fertility and can help “improve relationships with your significant other.”
Source: WWW.AANR.COM
Sunlight offers surprise benefit: It energizes infection fighting T cells
Date: December 20, 2016
Source: Georgetown University Medical Center
Summary: Sunlight, through a mechanism separate than vitamin D production, energizes T cells that play a central role in human immunity, researchers have found. The findings suggest how the
skin, the body’s largest organ, stays alert to the many microbes that can nest there.
FULL STORY
A surprise research finding could reveal another powerful benefit of getting some sun.
Sunlight allows us to make vitamin D, credited with healthier living, but a surprise research finding could reveal another powerful benefit of getting some sun.
Georgetown University Medical Center researchers have found that sunlight, through a mechanism separate than vitamin D production, energizes T cells that play a central role in human immunity.
Their findings, published today in Scientific Reports, suggest how the skin, the body's largest organ, stays alert to the many microbes that can nest there.
"We all know sunlight provides vitamin D, which is suggested to have an impact on immunity, among other things. But what we found is a completely separate role of sunlight on immunity," says the study's senior investigator, Gerard Ahern, PhD, associate professor in the Georgetown's Department of Pharmacology and Physiology. "Some of the roles attributed to vitamin D on immunity may be due to this new mechanism."
They specifically found that low levels of blue light, found in sun rays, makes T cells move faster -- marking the first reported human cell responding to sunlight by speeding its pace.
"T cells, whether they are helper or killer, need to move to do their work, which is to get to the site of an infection and orchestrate a response," Ahern says. "This study shows that sunlight directly activates key immune cells by increasing their movement."
Ahern also added that while production of vitamin D required UV light, which can promote skin cancer and melanoma, blue light from the sun, as well as from special lamps, is safer.
And while the human and T cells they studied in the laboratory were not specifically skin T cells -- they were isolated from mouse cell culture and from human blood -- the skin has a large share of T cells in humans, he says, approximately twice the number circulating in the blood.
"We know that blue light can reach the dermis, the second layer of the skin, and that those T cells can move throughout the body," he says.
The researchers further decoded how blue light makes T cells move more by tracing the molecular pathway activated by the light.
What drove the motility response in T cells was synthesis of hydrogen peroxide, which then activated a signaling pathway that increases T cell movement. Hydrogen peroxide is a compound that white blood cells release when they sense an infection in order to kill bacteria and to "call" T cells and other immune cells to mount an immune response.
"We found that sunlight makes hydrogen peroxide in T cells, which makes the cells move. And we know that an immune response also uses hydrogen peroxide to make T cells move to the damage," Ahern says. "This all fits together."
Ahern says there is much work to do to understand the impact of these findings, but he suggests that if blue light T cell activation has only beneficial responses, it might make sense to offer patients blue light therapy to boost their immunity.
SCIENTISTS HAVE DISCOVERED THE SECRET TO
HAPPINESS - AND IT’S STRIPPING OFF AND GETTING
NAKED
JOHN VON RADOWITZ
As written in WWW.AANR.COM
Casting off clothes as well as cares may be the key to happiness and well-being,
research suggests. Scientists revealed the naked truth after investigating the psychological effects of nudism. They found that people taking part in naturist activities felt better
about themselves, their bodies and their lives overall.
The more time they spent naked, or partially disrobed, the happier they were. Lead
researcher Dr Keon West, from Goldsmiths, University of London , said: “The naturists have been saying this for some time.
“However, despite a lot of positive claims, little to no empirical research has investigated whether naturist activity (rather than attitude or beliefs) actually makes us happier or, just as importantly, why it makes us happier.”
In the first of a series of studies, an online survey of 850 British citizens found higher levels of contentment and positive body image among those who spent significant amounts of time wholly or partially naked in public.
Two further studies took place at a “Bare all for Polar Bears” event at Yorkshire Wildlife Park and British Naturism’s Waterworld event in Stoke-on-Trent. At both events, participants were psychologically assessed just before shedding their clothes and before getting dressed again.
In each case people experienced “immediate and significant improvements in body-image, self-esteem and life satisfaction” when free of their clothes.
Analysis of the data suggested that seeing other people naked was more important than being naked yourself. The findings appear in the Journal of Happiness Studies.
Dr. West pointed out that for a long time many people, including health experts, assumed that public nudity was a sign of psychological dysfunction.
He thought more research was needed involving a wider range of participants.
Most of of those taking part in the survey were white, heterosexual and middle-aged.
Naturism may offer a low-cost and simple solution to body dissatisfaction, Dr West
added.
“At the very least, this is worth investigating,” he said.
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Published: 02:37 EST, 23 January 2017 | Updated: 06:53 EST, 23 January 2017
A personal trainer has launched Britain's first nude-ercise class where keep fit fanatics work out completely naked.
Former recruitment consultant Helen Smith, 35, led the first circuits-style workout class for ten participants on Saturday evening in Southampton.
The hour-long class, which was attended by people aged between 33 and 70, included jumping-jacks, sit-ups, push-ups and partner work.
It has been described as 'gentle boot-camp style exercise with partner games and teamwork' suitable for all fitness levels.
Ms Smith, who is a British Naturism member, said: 'The main benefit of exercising naked is that you can really see what the instructor is doing in the exercises.
'For example, if you are doing a plank but wearing baggy exercise clothes, it is hard to tell if you have the correct form or not.
'You also don't have to think about washing sweaty gym clothes after the class, and it's a great way to celebrate the body.'
While the class is a nude activity, women can wear sports bras for comfort and participants can wear trainers for some exercises if they wish.
Ms Smith, from Basingstoke, came up with the idea after someone on a forum asked her whether she did nude fitness training.
She said: 'I decided to look into it, and I couldn't find anything else like it. I think I'm offering the first classes like this.
'The focus is to allow people to take part in a normal activity, but naked, so people don't feel they are doing anything unusual.'
She added: 'Participants are required to pre-register by emailing me, and to show ID at the beginning of the class, just for everyone's peace of mind.
'Nothing untoward happens in these classes, and if there was any hint of that then the person responsible would be asked to leave.'
Ms Smith left her job in recruitment two years ago to become a full-time fitness instructor, and she runs various classes and boot camp workouts.
She was inspired to become a naturist two years ago after visiting a nudist beach in France.
She said: 'I was introduced to naturism in the South of France when I was on holiday with my partner.
'We turned up at a beach, and realised in was a naturist beach. I looked at him, and he looked at me, and we thought 'let's do it'.
'It turned out to be a really enjoyable afternoon. I think people are starting to embrace naturism more and more.
'It's interesting, because in this day and age you have on one hand pop-stars wearing scantily-clad clothing, and that being seen as quite sexual behaviour.
'And on the other hand you have things like naked bike rides. The idea behind naturism is that it is your natural body, and there is nothing sexual about it.'
Fitness enthusiast and naturist Colin Campbell, 66, described the class as 'fun and interactive' and would 'definitely recommend it.'
Retired Mr Campbell, from Winchester, said: 'I'm a naturist and I keep fit, so I thought - why not combine the two?
'The class was really fun and interactive as Helen has a delightful way of getting everyone involved.
'She caters to all fitness abilities, so you can do the different activities at the level you want.'
Mr Campbell, who enjoys running, cycling, circuit training and rock climbing, said he heard about the classes through British Naturism, which he is a member of.
He said: 'People do exercise to improve their body as well as to keep fit.
'And a benefit of exercising naked is that once you strip away the clothing then what's left is what's left - there's nothing to be self-conscious about.
'It's about normalising the human form. The class didn't feel weird at all, and I think that's a lot to do with the way Helen runs it, you are just there to have fun.
'The class was similar to normal circuits classes, but a bit more playful in the way that it wasn't all hardcore exercise and involved games and was about working comfortably.
'We also did some push-ups, lunges, squats and all the usual things you would do.
'It's really good being naked, especially doing core work, because you are actually able to see your core, and that's really useful to make sure you have the right form.'
He added: 'I would definitely go again. What I would say to anyone thinking about it is to come along and experience it, because Helen is an excellent teacher.'
Retired Ray Humphry, from Southampton, who also took part in the class, believes exercising in the nude can help people become less body conscious.
The 66-year-old, who previously worked as a line operator at a motor company, said: 'I
like taking part in things like zumba, pilates, and yoga.
'So when I heard about nude-ercise through my membership of British Naturism, I thought I'd give it a go.
'Too many people are body conscious, but it doesn't hurt to be health conscious and do exercise. I really liked the class because it felt freeing and liberating.
'You mix with people who are not self-conscious and there are no barriers between you, within the realms of decency!
'Helen was such a warm, nice person who really knows what she was doing and makes you work hard.'
The father-of-two added: 'You can make the exercises in the class as hard or as gentle as you want.
'We did lots of different things, including a competition to see who could hold a plank the longest.
'We also played a game in two teams where there were lots of cones on the floor and one team had to run around turning the cones upwards, while the other team competed to turn them all down. It was all different, and very fun.'
Mr Humphry said he became a naturist when he was in his 50s, after he was inspired by people he met on a beach.
The nude-ercise classes take place in Nursling Village Hall at Southampton, at 5pm on the third Saturday of every month, and cost £8 per session.
Other classes will take place in London and the South East, including in Bordon, Guildford, Reading and Alton, with details to be posted on the Facebook page.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4147066/Personal-trainer-launches-UK-s-nude-ercise-class.html#ixzz4aSPQLyh2
Ocala StarBanner 2-14-2017
DEAR ABBY
Less is more than enough when mom walks in the nude
DEAR ABBY: I am 26 years old, and my mother still walks around naked in front of me with no warning. I’ve told her several times that it makes me uncomfortable, but she seems not to take me seriously. In her culture (she’s not from the U.S.), walking around naked is no problem. But I’m tired of seeing her breasts unexpectedly.
I’m all about positive body image, but it’s strange to me to see a 62-year-old woman’s breasts. Am I the one who has an issue? I’m open to any advice or recommendations. — ‘NUDIE’S’ DAUGHTER IN HOUSTON
DEAR DAUGHTER: It appears you are, indeed, the one who has the issue. If you’re seeing your mother walk around in a state of undress, I’m guessing that, although you are an adult, you are still living under her roof. In her house, she has the privilege of making the rules, not you. If she is comfortable walking around au naturel, you will either have to accept it or move out. The choice is yours.
Senior U.S. Correspondent, IDG News Service | Feb 10, 2017 12:17 PM PT
Ford plans to spend US$1 billion over the next five years on the development of an artificial intelligence system for driverless cars.
Ford will investment the money in Argo AI, a start-up founded by former leaders from Google and Uber's self-driving car research units, and they will work toward the goal of a system that's ready for deployment in 2021.
The research will be focused on a virtual driver system capable of operating at what's called "SAE level 4." It's one of five levels defined for self-driving cars and specifically describes an autonomous car that's capable of completely controlling the vehicle in almost any condition. After it has been engaged, drivers do not need to pay attention to the driving.
It's a step more advanced that many of today's demonstration systems, which still require driver control in many situations, and one step down from full automation.
Ford has already said that it's hoping to have a level-4 commercial vehicle ready for sale in 2021.
Argo AI is based in Pittsburgh and was recently founded by Bryan Salesky, who headed hardware development at Waymo, Google's self-driving car unit, and Peter Rander, who was an engineer at Uber's autonomous car research project.
Like other auto makers, Ford has already begun researching autonomous driving technology, but Friday's announcement, which also makes Ford majority shareholder in Argo AI, goes beyond the company's own cars.
Ford said the technology could be licensed to other companies looking at autonomous technology. That's a departure from much of the driverless car research to date, which has been focused on the company's own vehicles.
Argo AI will have about 200 employees working on the project once it gets up and going.
So 2016 has just ended, and I think many of you would join me in saying, good riddance!!
But I thought it’d be fun to look back at nudism in the past year — specifically how nudism and nudity appeared in movies and TV. Did Disney really put nudism into one of its big movies? Did the naked TV show trend produce the worst naked reality show ever made? Read on to find out!
In the hit Disney film Zootopia, all the animals wear clothing because they’re supposed to be like humans. That is, all except for the animals who go naked at the local “naturalist” club. This is established in one funny scene when the two main characters visit in search of a missing mammal.
Zootopia “naturalist club” pool. (Walt Disney Co)
The club, which is called “The Mystic Spring Oasis,” is like nudist club meets hippie commune. The nudists can be seen playing volleyball on land and in the pool, reveling in a mud bath (naked pigs) and practicing naked yoga. They show absolutely no shame when they bend over or spread their legs for a yoga pose (of course you don’t actually see any genitals or anuses), and that’s part of the humor.
Zootopia naturalist club volleyball
Naked yoga in Zootopia (Walt Disney Co)
Their host says, “Yeah some mammals say the naturalist life is weird. But you know what I say is weird? Clothes on animals!”
My main question after seeing this was, Did the writers / producers accidentally use the wrong word – naturalist? Confusing it with “naturist” like so many do? Or was it intentional? Maybe it was supposed to connect to the actual meaning of “naturalist” (one who studies plants and animals)? Or maybe they liked that it had the full word “natural” in it? We may never know.
On the (now cancelled) Showtime series Masters of Sex, episode 6 of season 4 had a subplot involving a fictional nudist club. Masters’ ex-wife Libby accompanies her new lawyer boyfriend Bram to visit the club, of which the owners are his clients.
It should be noted this series takes place in the 60’s. The club is called Shangri-Lawn. (Perhaps they took inspiration from the real-life nudist club Shangri-La Ranch in AZ?) When they enter the club, we get some full-frontal male nudity for once! Yes! The club is buzzing with activity, and we see many nudists walking around and playing Frisbee and badminton.
Before the episode premiered, I learned about it from the SCNA newsletter. Turns out they were originally going to film it at the home of SCNA president Rolf and his wife. Their home was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, Jr and would be altered to look like a 60’s “nudist colony.” The producers wanted real nudists in the scenes, so members of SCNA were going to play the background extras.
But apparently they decided to hire extras from a casting company instead and film at a different location in the Santa Clarita Valley. Oh, well! To their credit, the hired extras were of different ages and body types, so at least they represented a somewhat real group of nudists.
Libby and Bram sit down with the nudist club owners to discuss the lawsuit in Masters of Sex Season 4, ep 6 (Showtime)
In the episode, Bram is there to discuss a neighbor’s lawsuit that says the club isn’t allowed to sell food and alcohol based on zoning laws.
The lawsuit seems to be a “crusade” against them, from people who find their lifestyle obscene. It’s a plausible storyline as nudists are all too familiar with real-life anti-nudity crusaders, as well as the difficulties of getting around laws that prohibit nudity with alcohol sales. Back then as well as now.
During their discussion, the nudist club owners bring up freedom of speech as their defense. But Libby is the smart one who’s like, “What are you ‘saying’ without clothes?” Some nudists have tried to legalize nudity or turn over anti-nudity legislation based on 1st amendment rights in the past, and it has failed. (It’s also a much harder case to argue.) Since it’d be impossible for them to get a liquor license, Libby proposes a much easier workaround – they can “sell” everything by donation and use vouchers instead of money.
Does this German film have the best nude scene of the year?
Vulture seems to think so. I haven’t seen the film in question, Toni Erdmann, which just came out in the US on Christmas day. I have low expectations for when nudity is used for humor (or anything really) in film, but after reading that article’s description of it, I want to see this movie. It sounds fresh and entertaining, and it’s received great reviews.
Watch A Short Documentary Film on Nudist Hikers in the Alps
Travelling Light is a delightful short film by Conxi Fornieles about a group of people who enjoy hiking naked in the Austrian Alps every year in July. It started premiering at film festivals in 2015, and about a month ago, Conxi posted it online to her Vimeo page for all to view! It runs about 18 minutes.
Unfortunately VH1’s Dating Naked continued its descent into the dregs of reality TV. It’s never been as good as it was in its first season. I would now describe it as like The Real World but with more (censored) nudity and dating.
Naked Attraction
I didn’t think a naked dating show could get worse. But then along came UK Channel 4’s series – Naked Attraction.
Naked Attraction TV Show Channel 4
I recently suffered through most of an episode so you don’t have to. Before I even watched it, I was rather horrified by the premise… One contestant chooses from six different naked people, or six naked bodies rather. The naked bodies are gradually revealed – starting with their lower halves (from their genitals to their feet).
Naked Attraction show contestants (Channel 4)
I feel like the show is totally obsessed with genitalia. The camera repeatedly zooms in for crotch shot close-ups, and if the contestant doesn’t comment on the penis or vulva in front of them, the host will push them to give their opinion. It’s super awkward and quite weird.
Naked Attraction host Anna Richardson moves in for a penis close-up with main dating contestant (Channel 4)
Of course they do comment on other parts of the body as well (such as legs, feet, chest hair). The show tries to justify these superficial judgments with scientific tidbits on why one gender might find a certain trait to be attractive, such as tattoos or long hair. When a female contestant commented on testicle size, the host introduced one of these science bits by saying, “Turns out you really can judge a man by his balls.” What followed was a brief explanation about how testosterone connects to testicle size and mating and why women would prefer a “bigger daddy.”
Naked Attraction was immediately and widely met with disapproval. Many people were describing it as icky, repulsive, exploitative, objectifying, creepy, appalling and a “final harbinger of the apocalypse.” Maybe it’s not the apocalypse, but it is the rest of that. It’s really bad, you guys. Really!
Some have said the one good thing about it is the body diversity. The contestants are average people of different shapes and sizes, and being real people, their genitals are all unique in appearance. Unlike weird America with our anti nudity hang-ups, in the UK, they don’t censor anything. However all of this, in my opinion, is definitely not enough to redeem the show. There are much, much better ways to introduce people to body diversity.
AND YET, the viewership said otherwise as it’s being renewed for a 2nd season! The apocalypse will be filled with awkward genital close-ups once again.
Conan went to a nude beach in Berlin
Conan did another naked bit on his show (a previous naked segment involved a Korean nude spa) and this time he visited a nude beach in Berlin, Germany. He didn’t get naked himself, but had actor Flula Borg on as his German host. I almost didn’t watch it as I expected it to be just juvenile humor and maybe some casual body-shaming. But… I’m actually glad I did! There is some juvenile humor of course, but also a few funny moments.
How about this one – “Have you not seen a man’s anus before? (I’ve seen it, yes) There’s another one!”
And on that note, I shall end this review and wish you all a happy 2017! I hope we all get more great movies and better TV nudity.
(Swimming Naked And My Mermaid Memories is a guest blog)
Back in the 80’s it was really not too crazy for a pre-teen to be allowed to swim alone in a backyard pool. I think it’s changed a lot since then, with media relaying information on pool accidents to everyone’s home. But for me, swimming by myself was some of the very best times I had.
On exceptionally bright sunny days, I loved to look at the floor of the pool when I moved my hair back and forth and it seemed to move in slow motion. I loved the idea of being by myself because my friends would think it highly uncool to play pretend right before entering our teen years. Alone however, I could easily pretend our pool was an expansive ocean and I – a mermaid.
Mermaid statue by Jitr Buabus via wikimedia commons
It’s easy to remember the first time I decided to slip out of my swimsuit and swim naked as I was sure that’s what mermaids did. I made sure to keep my body under the water so that anyone who may be looking over from neighboring houses wouldn’t see that I was naked.
I remember thinking it felt warmer without my swimsuit on. The sun was really bright that day and I could feel the it on my back through the water. I went underwater to see my shadow on the floor of the pool and was amazed at the shape of my body. I thought in my suit, with the usual childlike thoughts of “I’m so fat“, that I now (in my birthday suit) looked much leaner.
Swimming naked was one of my favorite things to do. It was so freeing and made me feel so close to nature. I thought for sure that if my Mom ever caught me she would think I was crazy!
At night was the best, as I had no fears of anyone seeing me. It was then that my mermaid persona would do jumps from the water like a dolphin. The mermaid in me could swim for hours in that backyard pool, enjoying the warm air on my skin and the cool water against my body.
Admittedly, I didn’t like my body too much before that summer. It had started to change so dramatically and I would usually hide it under layers of large t-shirts and zip up sweatshirts.
That summer, however, I started to feel much more comfortable with my body. I started to appreciate the changes, as if the mermaid in me believed they were scales and fins growing so I could swim faster.
I never let go of that mermaid and today, when the sun goes down, the mermaid, though much older, still swims naked in the pool.
This guest blog about Swimming Naked was published by Young Naturists and Nudists America
(This Naked Spring Break Post Was Submitted by a Guest blogger)
My Naked Spring Break – My fist experience being nude in public took place during a spring break Florida adventure with friends in South Beach, Miami. My girlfriends and I had driven down from our college in Savannah, Georgia to party and have some fun in the sun. After a few cocktails at a local bar and checking into our hotel, we went shopping for swimsuits. The drinks must have gone to my head because I picked out the skimpiest little thong bikini that they had in the store. My friends chose more modest suits but I was feeling more daring than usual.
Back at our room, I had to shave so I could wear the suit without embarrassment (it was the first time I had ever shaved myself completely). On the beach I felt great about my body, but I could feel a lot of eyes staring at me and began to feel self conscious about the way I looked. To be perfectly honest, I’ve always had some body image issues… I felt ashamed of the size of my butt and I noticed that many of them men were staring at it as I walked by.
My Naked Spring Break
I decided I would head into the water to avoid the prying eyes. I swam down the beach for a long time and suddenly noticed that I had completely lost my friends! I decided to get out of the water and headed back to the shore. As I was walking back, I looked around and noticed that all the people were naked. I realized that I had stumbled upon a part of the beach that was naked friendly.
I was a little nervous at first, especially since I had shaved off all my pubic hair. But I decided I would take the plunge and get naked! I stripped out of that little thong and let the sun hit my bare skin (all of it) for the first time in my adult life. It felt so good and warm against the parts of my body that are normally covered up by clothes.
I found it funny that on this part of the beach, no one seemed to notice me. I felt so comfortable and confident walking along the beach with my naked body in full view. Feeling my ample buttocks swaying in the wind was kind of fun too. Soon I reached the end of the nude beach section. I put my thong bikini back on and jogged back to my friends who were further up the beach.
They asked where I had been. I thought about telling my friends about my naked experience but then I thought it better to keep it a secret – a little something just for me to take away from our, or I guess I should say my, nude spring break trip.
This post – naked spring break in florida and a first time social nude experience was published by Young Naturists and Nudists America YNA
Jewish Nudists – Jewish religion and nudism have both been around for centuries. But what is the Jewish religion’s view on nudism and being a Jewish nudist?
First, it should be noted that there are different forms of Judaism, all of which share some basic beliefs. These forms are mystic Judaism, traditional Judaism, Reform and Humanistic Judaism (to name but a few). One of the basic beliefs that all of these forms share is in the ancient festival rituals, as well as the belief regarding the nature of God and humankind and the relationship between them.
As well as sharing common beliefs, the different forms of Judaism have their separate beliefs as well. And so it is regarding naturism. The most basic belief is that nudity is only acceptable when absolutely necessary, such as when taking a shower, during certain religious rituals or during sexual intimacy.
Different Jewish cultures and traditions, as well as their interpretation of the Halakha, determines how much of one’s body must stay covered both in public and in private.
A Mikveh for Jewish Naked Women
Those who practice strict orthodox Judaism believe that the body should be covered and afford limited viewing by others, including one’s spouse. They follow the laws of Tznius, which means modesty. Women cover their bodies between elbows and knees, and married women cover their heads. Men must all cover upper arms, collarbones, legs and hair.
Some still follow the Code of Law in the Hulchan setting forth that when using the bathroom, one must expose as little of their body as possible, and that they change before and after bed under the covers. They also believe that although both husband and wife must be naked during sex, the act must be completed under the covers and in complete darkness.
Jewish Nudists
Seemingly contrary to the belief in covering one’s body, a ritual bath called “mikvaot” is practiced in some Jewish communities. All clothing, bandages and jewelry are removed before the person is submerged completely in water.
On the other hand, while not condoning naturism, more liberal Jews leave the decision up to each person.
However, there is a form of Judaism called Jewish Ascetic Nudism which embraces nude ascetic Jewish rituals. Those who practice this form of Judaism come from varied backgrounds and include those who are traditional to those who are liberal.
It is felt that Ascetic Nudism is a spiritual path that is rich and rewarding. It is believed that by removing clothing during observance of rituals that they are acknowledging their wholeness as a living being that has already been blessed by God and not needing anything else to survive on this earth.
Naked Jewish Nudist Man
Michael Satlow wrote an article in the “Journal of Biblical Literature” wherein he sets forth the reluctance of Jewish men to be naked.
He further discusses a Jewish law which states, “A woman who goes outside with even her head uncovered or garments ripped can be divorced… all the more so if she attends a bathhouse in which there are men.”
Although there are different forms of Judaism with varied beliefs regarding nudism, it is obvious that the majority still believe in modesty.
This article about Jewish Nudists was published by – Young Naturists And Nudists America YNA
(Post was updated on 5/9/2016)
The naked human form is beautiful. Your body is beautiful. Unfortunately, in most places, it is illegal to be completely nude outside of one’s own home. Such is not the case on an officially sanctioned Nude Beach.
Nude beaches, also known as Naturist, Nudist, Clothing Optional, Clothing Free and Free Beaches. They are public places where one can freely be in the nude without fear of legal repercussions. Many unofficial nude beaches are also tolerated by local residents and legal officials.
Nude beaches came into popularity and common public knowledge in the 1950’s when they started popping up along the French coast and other places in Europe such as Germany and Denmark. Since then, nude beaches, while still fairly rare, have shown up all over the world.
Usually isolated, signs are put up to “warn” others who may be uncomfortable with nudity — and the isolation also helps to protect nudists from unwanted voyeurs.
Nude beaches are similar in nature to a “regular” beach, except, of course, the patrons are completely au naturel – naked.
Many people, when considering going to a nude beach, question not only the legal aspects, but the moral aspects as well. It may surprise you to learn that many Christian—and denominations thereof—are perfectly fine with social nudity.
In America, the Christian nudist convocation believes in the beauty of “chaste” nudity. Nudity and sexuality are often linked, but they don’t necessarily have to be. In fact, most Christian naturists believe that it’s clothes that make a body sexual. To put it simply: if you see someone in the nude all the time, you begin not to notice it anymore. It becomes normal and you no longer feel “urges” toward that person.
However, if that person is normally clothed, due to the curiosity of the unknown and the “forbidden,” when they remove their clothing, it is more likely to become a sexualized experience. Most anti-nudity ordinance and views are politically based but the root of these laws is actually derived from misguided religious interpretations.
Visiting a Nude Beach
Those who choose to go to a nude beach not only enjoy the anonymity it provides (most nude beaches don’t require any sort of membership), but they also enjoy the acceptance they feel.
In a nudist environment, social barriers are shed and things such as race and social status no longer matter. Without clothes, everyone is forced to rid themselves of their pride, guilt, shame, insecurities, and ego. Culture and society are left behind and all that’s left is their true selves.
Pornographers, and even many mainstream photographers and filmmakers, give unrealistic expectations for people and their body image. At a nude beach, one can experience naked bodies in all shapes, sizes, ages, races, and genders.
Some have even used going to a nude beach as a form of psychotherapy; saying that it’s changed their lives and the way they see themselves and others. If you’re looking for a place where you can be one with nature, and be accepted physically, emotionally, and intellectually; then a nude beach may just be the place for you!
Nudist Beach – Before we actually go into the subject of the nude beach itself we would like to make it very clear what nudism is. Nudism is far different from porn or sex, as wine is from a cup of coffee and people must not confuse the rather seedy world of pornography or sex for titillation with the nudist philosophy.
Well, the very use of the word is a bit of a but for bar room jokes. BUT many people who are part of this movement really prefer the word naturist because that sums up what they are about much more succinctly.
We all entered the world naked, and this was the way that men and women walked around during a large chunk of our history. Of course the weather played a part in why people ever wore clothing, as it still does today.
But as our natural selves, sans clothing, we are all on the same level. The doctor and the mechanic are indistinguishable without uniforms or anything to indicate their profession.
This should not be mistaken for a topless / topfree beach where the genitals are covered up. A nudist beach is a place where complete freedom of our bodies is the norm and where clothing is an option that is rarely taken advantage of.
These types of beaches, for the most part, started in Europe but now can be found all over the world. Some are private whilst others are parts or allocated sections of “normal” textile beaches.
There are lots of reasons for visiting a nudist beach, not the least of which is the feeling of complete freedom, being one with nature and the joy of walking around in our natural form as we were intended to be.
Nudist Beach Warning Sign
A lot of nudist beaches have been such for many years and are not managed by any type of formal agreement. With that said, others have fought and won for their right to exist. The nudie friendly areas are usually “segregated” or are in more isolated parts of the coastline. Sometimes there are signs posted to stop people who don’t feel at ease with naturism to let them know about any possible encounters with naked people.
So what is so wrong with going nude on a beach? For most people who have not experienced it, there are certain fears and misconceptions. Mean think that by exposing their genitals and being among lots of nude people people may find it difficult not to get aroused (they are afraid of getting an erection in public)
Felicity with YNA flag at Gaash Nudist Beach
In reality this type of beach environment is no more sexually charged than a textile beach is, and the experience is far less intimidating than the thoughts that you might embarrass yourself.
For the most part, people on nudist beaches carry on with the same types of activities as a textile beach. Volleyball, water skiing and Frisbee; they just do it without the clothes.
The attractions of going to a nude beach are obvious, as skinny dipping or scuba diving in the nude makes for a totally different experience. If you can get over your initial reservations and give it a try, you may get hooked.
Nude Beaches – Have you ever been to nude beaches that have a section allocated especially for nudists / naturists? If so, then you probably already know that the clothing optional sections of the beach seems to always have so much more people than the textile or clothed sections. So What is so appealing about nude beaches?
Being at a nudist resort may be an uncomfortable experience for a first time nudie, especially if you’re insecure about your body. That said, the majority of visitors at nude beaches will mostly have “average bodies” that come in all shapes and sizes.
Having the perfect body is not the reason why many people frequent nude beaches – far from it. The reasons people enjoy are that it’s fun, it’s natural, it’s simple, and it makes people feel accepted. Believe it or not, social nudity is fun and comfortable for many. It brings out your inner child and helps you cut loose. Sometimes clothing may feel uncomfortable and unsanitary. Feeling the freedom of being naked is one of the reasons why many people enjoy being nude.
Nudity is all about relaxation, especially when you’re on vacation. When people go to a resort or take a week off, they don’t want to deal with stress. There’s nothing more relaxing than nude sunbathing at nude beaches. The best part is that at a nude beach most people are naked, and any insecurities fade away as you succumb to total relaxation.
Nude beaches can be a very natural experience. If you can just picture a gentle breeze, the warm sun, the spray from the ocean, and going into the warm water, then you’ll see how it can make you feel connected to nature. No matter how much clothing we wear, we are still human beings who were born without clothing.
Textile / Clothing-Optional Sign at Playa Sonrisa beach
Nudity in a group setting is appealing because everyone feels accepted and care-free just like nature intended us to be.
Everything You Need To Know Before Visiting Nude Beaches and other Nude Beach blogs and posts were published by Young Naturists and Young Nudists America YNA
(Guest Nudist Blog About Being A Teenager and Nudism)
My Teenage Nudist Story – I grew up in Scotland in the 1960s and moved to London when I was 16 in 1973. Shortly after arriving in London, I saw an advertisement in Time Out magazine asking for people to join a nudist club in Kent. I arrived at Eureka nudist resort near Long-field early one evening.
Having never been naked in a public place before, I was a little bit embarrassed at first and was frightened to take off my clothes for about the first 10 minutes. Then, being determined to take the plunge and get naked, I took off all my clothes suddenly and very quickly and was never embarrassed about it again after that. It had been something that I had always wanted to do since I went through puberty at the age of 11 or 12 and entered my teenage years.
When undressing at night, I would have this ecstatic feeling and would walk around naked in my room for about fifteen to twenty minutes each night looking at myself in the mirror. I also started to get sexually aroused around that time, although I didn’t really understand much about that at the time as, while it might seem hard to believe now, in the small town in Scotland where I grew up, at that time, many kids didn’t learn the facts of life until they were about 12 years old. No-one had explained to me what erections were although I probably had them most nights and would sit there, feeling sexually excited, listening to music like the early Pink Floyd in the dark, feeling as if I was floating in space.
I was generally considered to have grown up “too quickly”, but what my parents and other people at the time didn’t understand was that, probably due to my early puberty, I was in some sort of spiritual ecstasy much of the time, which came to me from a variety of sources such as listening to imaginative music, looking up at a starry sky at night, going for long walks in the country and becoming aroused by the changes in my own body.
It was also about this time that I saw pictures of a naked primitive tribe sitting around a fire in a magazine and I decided that, when I was older, or, as soon as I ever got the chance, I would travel somewhere where it was possible to be naked all the time. My mother saw me naked regularly at that time in the home and later, when I was a teenager around the age of 15, some girls at school had stripped all the clothes off me, while they were having a prank (which I enjoyed), but my visit to Eureka was the first time that I was naked in public and among total strangers. However, it didn’t take me long to get used to it. Fortunately, I was good-looking and had a good body and loved women looking at me naked and there wasn’t the emphasis in the media at that time like there is nowadays about sizes of genitals and of breasts etc.
Teenage Nudist At Eureka Nudist Club
There is also a lot of paranoia nowadays about pictures of naked teenagers. Personally, I loved having my photograph taken for Health & Efficiency magazine, which happened several times when I was at Eureka. However, I did find that there were several undesirable types hanging around Eureka amongst the older men, which is why I decided the next year, instead of going back to Eureka, to join Fiveacres Country Club in St. Albans, just north of London, which purported to be a more serious naturist club, and I also went to nude swimming sessions at Watford one night each week.
John Newman who was, at that time, was the secretary of Fiveacres, also took a photo of me naked with my arms round a young girl, who was also a member of the club, and told me that he might also send it to Health & Efficiency magazine. Unfortunately, I never saw the photograph, which I would have loved to have seen, and never discovered whether it was ever published.
Earlier that year, I had also stayed for a brief period in a hippie commune which was started up by Bill Dwyer, organizer of the ill-fated Windsor Free Festival, which took place later the same year at Windsor Great Park, and ended up with the police beating everyone out of the park with truncheons. For some reason, although that was all over the news at the time, it became quickly forgotten about. In Bill Dwyer’s commune, which was supposed to be practicing free love, we all slept naked in a room at the back and there were two very sexy-looking young teenage girls there, both aged 17, one of whom I managed to have a brief fling with.
In 1977, at the age of 20, I started travelling in Europe. I first went to Yugoslavia on holiday, mainly because I had heard that there were lots of naturist beaches there. As well as that, I found the people there to be very friendly and particularly found the young people to be very lively. I had a brief love affair with a girl in Zagreb, who was a music student, which still stands out in my memory as being one of the most beautiful moments of my life, although our relationship didn’t last very long, due to us living in different parts of Europe.
I must admit that I found the Croatian women to be very beautiful and many of them were interested in me at that time, being a foreigner. I later returned to (what was then) Yugoslavia many times during the 1980s and my favourite place was the island of Mljet on the Croatian coast, where many young Yugoslavs went at that time as a cheap place to go where they could skinny-dip. I also visited, among other places, the town of Ulcinj in Montenegro, where there was a very long stretch of unspoiled beach leading down to the Albanian border where it was possible to go nude.
I spent the next three years living and working in Holland, where the nudist movement was just starting up at that time and where there were some nudist beaches on the coast which were popular with the young people. In 1980, I moved to what was at that time West Berlin at the time of the squatting movement. I found that many young Germans at that time were heavily into nudism and accepted nudity naturally, although sometimes it seemed to me to be contrived.
In Denmark, which was the first country in Europe to make nudity legal on all public beaches and which I visited several times between 1976 and 1980, it was also very popular among the young people at that time. During the 1980’s and 90’s, I also visited nudist beaches in the Greek islands, Portugal and Fuerteventura, which is one of my favourite places and which I would strongly recommend to anyone who wants to get away from the crowd. Unfortunately, attitudes have changed since I was younger and I have found that the young British people today, instead of accepting nudity as being natural, tend to associate it with pornography, which they are watching all the time on their computers.
I think that this is a very bad trend, but what I would advise young people and teenagers today who want to go nude is to ignore everything in the media and just do it anyway. Don’t listen to all the nonsense about sizes of breasts and genitals and, if you’re unhappy with your body, remember that, if you go to a nudist club or beach, the chances are that there will be people of all sorts of shapes and sizes there and that it is unlikely that you will stand out. A teenage nudist is no different than any other teenager except for the fact that he or she might grow up to be a more accepting person. Getting young nudists involved is vital for the vitality of nudism and naturism in general and if more teenagers get involved then this movement will grow.
This Teenage Nudist Experience at Eureka Nudist Club Article was published by – Young Naturists and Young Nudists America YNA
It’s 2017, and we’re starting the year off right with a TV segment about nudism that just aired in France over the weekend! Watch it here: http://tracks.arte.tv/fr/naked-brunch
(NOTE: The French do not censure nudity -- full nudity is depicted. The program is in French but do not worry. They have provided an English translation near the end of this article. If you speak French you will enjoy listening to the program in their native language.)
In the fall of 2015, we were contacted about taking part in a short documentary about nudism for Tracks, a program that’s part of European TV Arte. It was described to us as a show that covers “the latest trends, new lifestyles and avant-garde movements from all over the world.” They explore music, art, cinema, communities, activism, new technology and more.
So last winter we set up to film with one of the journalists who works for this network / program. She interviewed Jordan and I (Felicity), and we arranged a little movie party at our apartment that she attended.
Screenshot from Tracks Arte
We use a projector at home instead of a TV screen, and of course the night of the party, it decided to break down for the first time! So we couldn’t do what we had planned (to watch a movie, specifically The Goonies.) So in the video, this is why you see someone on a ladder looking at the projector and then you hear our friend briefly explaining the technical issue at hand.
I found it funny how it came out in the segment, though, and the party went well anyway.
The 10 minute documentary also features the organizer of a NYC naked comedy show (The Naked Show) Alison Klemp and other participating comedians, plus artist Andy Golub and a few of his models. And there’s some history and commentary thrown in by the narrator.
It’s pretty simplistic in how it covers everything, but it is limited by its length. Overall we thought it was a good piece and was broadcasted on a well-regarded and widely viewed platform. It’s uncensored, too!
The video is all in French (or you can watch it in German), and most of the English is dubbed over. So we have an English translation below, thanks to our friend Stéphane Deschênes, owner of Bare Oaks Naturist Park who translated it for us! (And the text has some small edits made by me.)
As a side note, I’m not really sure why the subtitle is “Naked Brunch.” If someone else has figured that out, let me know.
[UP] = Unknown person
Off-Camera Reporter: Don’t hold it against me. I’m asking purely for journalistic reasons.
Alison Klemp: OK
Off-Camera Reporter: Do you think you could undress for this interview?
AK: Uhhh I guess I could…
Off-Camera Reporter: You can have me undress too.
AK: [laughs] Uh yeah sure that’s fine, that’s fine.
Narrator: To have some or not to have some is a question as old as the world. For the activist nudist clothing is hell on earth and getting dressed is cheating. Ask them to drop their pants and they will. Object of a debate stressed out like a string bikini on a beach in Nice, nudity on canvas makes the censors crazy and on the shores, the birkini is replacing topless. Cautious, the nudist activists express themselves in private places. But ultimately, those who want to get rid of ironing, want the right to be nude on the subway, at work and to sleep. [This may seem odd but the three words rhymes in French — métro, boulot, dodo — so it sounds cute.]
[UP]: People think that nudism is shocking. But that’s what we all are. We are all nude but we cover up.
[UP]: Religion has made nudity something bad. But it should not make you afraid. It is neither hurtful nor shameful. It’s just nudity.
[UP]: If you have shoes, you can put your things there. Or in your hair. You have to be creative.
[UP]: If I don’t need pockets, I get naked.
Narrator: For nudist activist, everything has gone wrong since Adam bit into the apple. By coincidence, the big apple is, with its 8 million inhabitants, the epicenter of this movement that wants to get rid of dry cleaners. This November evening, about 20 nude people have gathered in this overheated loft for a movie evening.
[UP]: The problem is that we are not managing to send the projector’s signal to the DVD player. So we can’t see The Goonies.
Narrator: Founded in 2010, the Young Naturists America association has more than 500 members that get together once per month. Unlike traditional naturists that rhyme nudity with nature, these activists fight to live nude in urban environments.
[UP – off camera]: Don’t put your breasts in the hummus.
Nick Gilronan: In 2013, I participated in the contest for the smallest penis in Brooklyn. And I won. The next day it was everywhere in the newspapers. I got a whole bunch of messages. One man said I was an inspiration for him. He was really worried about the size of his penis and he thanked me for what I did. He felt better about himself. I had a few messages like that. I’m very happy to know that I’m helping people.
Felicity: We believe that it goes against the naturist philosophy to discriminate against people based on gender or sexual orientation. Or anything makes them who they are. And there are clubs that discriminate that way.
Narrator: At 27 years old, Felicity Jones is the founder of the association. Born in the New Jersey countryside to naturist parents, she spent her childhood and weekends nude with her family but was not allowed to talk about it at school.
Narrator: Having moved to New York, she quits her job, 4 years ago, as a receptionist to devote her heart and soul to the nudist cause.
Felicity: People make jokes about cooking bacon nude because of the hot oil splashing onto the body.
Narrator: Among her fights, is the right to show herself topless in New York. An act that is allowed since 92 but which resulted in her arrest in 2011. Felicity also fights to be able to post female breasts on Facebook which prohibited breastfeeding images until recently.
Felicity: I’ve been completely naked in Times Square in New York City and people are like shocked and freaked out about that. But when you look up, there’s a billboard with this woman who is barely covered or wearing anything, and a camera zooms in on her butt cheeks. It’s totally sexualizing the image of this young woman but nobody blinks an eye at that. If you use nudity to sell something, if a woman’s body is used to sell, that’s allowed. It does not cause any problems. But when a woman decides to take off her clothes because she’s comfortable like that, everyone jumps on her. You’re a slut, it’s bad, it’s shameful. That’s how our warped culture deals with nudity.
Narrator: Adam and Eve can go and get dressed. Being nude is no longer a symbol of innocence but is now an ideological choice. At the end of the 19th century, the Germans of Freikörperkultur, the culture of the free body, make a return to nature and nude physical exercise as an antidote to the industrial revolution. But in the 1930’s, the movement is taken up by Nazi propaganda. Forbidden in the United States in the context of prohibition, presenting yourself nude comes out of the closet in the 1960’s thanks to hippies and becomes a symbol of protest. Since the arrival of photoshopped bodies, nudity has become common except when it is not retouched. For former Disney singer Miley Cyrus, it is an easy way to shock; she dreams of organizing a concert where the public will be nude.
Narrator: For Andy Golub, there’s no need to make a big deal of nudity. In these bags the New York artist does not carry dismembered bodies but his working tools – pillows to protect the rear end of his models.
Andy Golub: The only way for you to get closer is to turn your body in this direction and to bend your knees.
Narrator: Andy first paints canvases, furniture and then cars. In 2007 while he was exhibiting in a contemporary art gallery, a model next to him proposes that he paint her. It was a revelation. Since then, Andy is the Rembrandt of body painting.
AG: Believe it or not, I have no trouble finding models who not only accept to be painted nude but to do it in public. And that says a lot about the times, people are tired of being rushed everywhere. They don’t feel they can express who they are in their daily routine. And suddenly, they find this, which is a little extreme in itself, but it is a reflection of the extreme environment in which we live.
AG: Fantastic pose you guys, you can get up.
Narrator: Once per year, Andy and his models exhibits the work outside for Body Painting Day. Created in 2014 in New York, this event allows urban nudity in the context of an art project. Due of its success this year that brought 100 models and 70 artists together, Andy has decided to also organize it at Amsterdam, Brussels, and San Francisco.
Anthony Illiano: To walk around nude and to feel liberated without thinking ‘oh my god I am naked, I am naked’. But to live your body fully. It is something that helps people connect authentically with others. Because they don’t see you sexually but just as an individual.
Narrator: In New York, professional stand-up comics are participating this evening in the Naked Show, the only comedy show in Adam’s costume. Alison Klemp, the organizer, is the only one to have already performed completely nude. For the other 6 comics, it’s the big jump. No chance to change their mind.
Alison Klemp: On three, we are all nude.
AK: The first time I did it, I was terrified. The whole time leading up to it I was working out a lot, starving myself. I was under pressure to look really good. Plus I went up first on the show which was even more terrifying. But once on stage, it was just this really powerful surge of adrenaline. The same kind of feeling you get when you’re rock climbing or do other extreme sports.
Mike Lewis: What could go wrong? Nothing. I’m going to be fine. This is the most calm I’ve ever been before a show. It’s really weird.
Sarah Hartshorne: I’ve always told myself, if I was a guy, I would be so afraid to have an erection. And to lose it.
Ajai Raj: I have at least one joke about dicks. Who has dick tonight? Or possibly lots of dick.
[Alison Klemp and Mike Lewis speak on stage in English with French subtitles]
Ajai Raj: It reminds us that we are animals. In the end, we are just animals who tell each other jokes. That’s really what it comes down to.
Young Naturists & Nudists America
https://youngnaturistsamerica.com/urban-nudists-yna-france-tracks-arte-documentary/?utm_source=MadMimi&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Casting+Call+For+Women+Activists%2C+YNA+SoCal+Event%2C+New+Blogs+and+More&utm_campaign=20170128_m137260495_Casting+Call+For+Women+Activists%2C+YNA+SoCal+Event%2C+New+Blogs+and+More&utm_term=great+segment+about+YNA+and+urban+nudists+on+a+France+TV+show
Naked travel: seven nude experiences everyone should try once
17th August 2016 World
Online searches for “nudist holidays” have increased 52 per cent since January. Ben Brown reports on the burgeoning trend for naked travel.
For some, walking around the house in their birthday suit is about as adventurous as it gets. For others, being naked is a way of life. Far from being gratuitous, titillating or sexual, “naturism” celebrates the freedom of letting it all hang out, as nature intended. And naked travel is the next logical step.
On European beaches, it’s not uncommon to see the naked form in all its glory. Here in the UK, however, we’re somewhat more prudish (or perhaps it’s just the cold weather). But that may slowly be changing. From the “Free the Nipple” campaign to collective nudist art, body acceptance is growing in strength, leading many to dip their toes in the water of naturism.
Andrew Welch, British Naturism, the UK’s organisation for Naturists says: “We know that people are far more willing to try social nudity and so it’s great to have confirmation that more and more of us are letting go of any hang-ups and are feeling comfortable in the skin we’re in.
“For those visiting a naturist/nudist beach for the first time, the best advice is to relax, enjoy the sensation of the sun, breeze and sea on your whole body and realise that no one is worried about how you look.”
So let’s strip off, throw caution – and our clothes – to the wind, and find out what naturist activities are out there this summer for the naked traveller.
1. Book a naturist holiday
A recent survey by lastminute.com revealed that web searched for “nudist holidays” have increased 52 per cent since January. Meanwhile, 35 per cent of men would bare it all on a beach, along with 17 per cent of women.
Last year, only 8 per cent of British people have tried naked travel this figure has more than doubled now. Lastminute.com says that “getting an all-over tan is the most popular reason to bare all on the beach, with 42 per cent of the vote, while 21 per cent do it to ‘reconnect with nature’ and one in five (20 per cent) want to ‘step out of their comfort zone’”. Naked travelSummer holidays are the ultimate way to relax, so why not do it as sans bikini? Globetrender spoke to two leading UK naturist tour operators and both confirmed our hunch: business is booming.
“The problem we now face is availability,” Natural Holidays told us, “as some of our smaller destinations become fully booked up to a year in advance”.
As for the top destinations, Away with Dune said: “Our bestselling destinations are the Greek Islands (Zante, Corfu and Rhodes), Spain (mainland and Majorca) and the Caribbean.”
For Natural Holidays, it’s Fuerteventura: “Virtually the entire island’s beaches are naturist friendly so it makes a great destination for people who want to experience naturism in and around their apartment complex as well as when out and about exploring new beaches.”
According to both tour operators, the future all depends on new destinations opening up. Interest in naked holidays is growing rapidly, but more naturist resorts are needed to satisfy the demand.
2. Find a quiet naturist beach
For first timers to naked travel, a naturist beach is perhaps the best place to start. There are only a handful of naturist beaches in the UK, but Brighton Beach is the best known. It’s a 200-yard stretch of beach away from the main seafront, but it’s still one of the busiest naturist spots in the country.Nudist beach - naked travelIf you’re looking for somewhere a little quieter, try Cleat’s Shore on the Isle of Arran or the incredibly private St. Osyth beach in Essex.
3. Dine at the Bunyadi restaurant
The Bunyadi is London’s first and only “naked restaurant”. Embracing the au naturel ethos with every detail, the Bunyadi operates without electricity, serves only vegan organic food (on clay plates), and bans the use of mobile phones. Even the wait staff are in the buff, surrounded by intimate candle lighting and natural bamboo interiors.
Before you declare the concept ridiculous, the waiting list for the Bunyadi has already racked up 44,000 names, suggesting that Londoners can’t wait to bare all over dinner and polite conversation.
4. Bathe on London’s naked rooftop
Under the watchful eye of Big Ben, a rooftop space has opened up this summer dedicated to naturist sun worshippers. It’s all part of a promotion for NOW TV, and the rooftop boasts a sunbathing area, a bar, and trampolines (admittedly, bouncing around may be a step too far for some people).
5. Try naked yoga
Yoga has been practiced in the nude since its ancient inception; it even has a sanskrit name, nagna yoga or vivastra yoga. It’s yoga as the puranas intended.
The practice of yoga is one of the most centering, liberating activities; you wonder why we ever did it in clothes. Far from being gratuitous or sexual, naked yoga tends to promote body positivity, mental wellness and a return to nature.
Nowadays, you’ll find a naked yoga class in just about every major city, including London, with most offering female-only, male-only, and coed classes.
6. Join a topless book-club
In New York, a small group of bookworms get together to share their love of pulp fiction and celebrate that female toplessness is every bit as legal as the male variety in the city.
They are called the Outdoor Co-ed Topless Pulp Fiction Appreciation Society, and meet at clothing-optional rooftops or Central Park. There are also similar groups in Chicago, London, LA, and Melbourne.
7. Take a naturist cruise
2,000 people floating off the coast of Florida, all as naked as the day they were born. What’s not to love about this form of naked travel? There are now more than a few dedicated naturist cruise operators (check out cruisenude.com), and more and more traditional cruise companies are opening the gangway to bare bums and other bits.Naked travel sunbathing
While naked yoga and topless bookclubs are mostly regularly frequented by the younger generation, one reporter confirmed our suspicions about naturist cruises: they are dominated by the over 60s.
Embracing naturism no longer has the “hippie” connotation of old. Nor is it pervy. As the team at Natural Holidays puts it: “The two words that sum up naturist holidays are ‘freedom’ and ‘relaxation’. Freedom from clothes and being able to fully relax in an environment where no one is making judgements about your body or your clothing”.
Naked travel is still a niche and fledgling trend, but we expect to see more hotels, restaurants, and resorts offering “clothing optional” alternatives as intrigue steadily increases.
And if you’re still cautious, think of it like this: if everyone’s naked, no one’s naked.
Naked Wanderings
Because life is better without clothes
So what about nudism?
So what about nudism?
When we started considering ourselves naturists, we kinda wondered what the other terms actually meant.
In the beginning, we thought nudism was actually a negative synonym for naturism. Like when you’re in favour of it, you call it naturism, if you’re against you call it nudism. Just like that.
But then we noticed other terms: social nudity, nude recreation,… What about that?
We decided to do some research, which we would like to share with you.
To really understand where the different terms come from, we’ll have to go back in history.
Side note: We’re certainly not fans of dividing people in categories, but to understand the difference here we’ll have to… But no worries, in the end we’ll put it all together again.
Very early naturism
In the beginning of mankind, nudity was the most common form of living. People were born naked, lived their lives naked and died naked. There was no other way. The main reasons why people
started wearing (something you could call) clothes was for protection of their body and because they started moving in different (read: colder) directions. It was all about comfort. That’s why
you can still find tribes around the equator where people are more or less naked.
And then morality and ethics started to enter society.
Laws and guidelines got written and at a certain point someone has decided that it’s improper to be naked in front of other people. Since people were already dressed anyway, this was not really a big
deal.
Religion easily picked this up and started linking nudity with sexuality.
Men who exposed their privates to women were considered sexual perverts who should be avoided in all times, and women who showed too much skin were whores and sinners and were only doing that to
excite men.
Public nudity was still somewhat allowed but only among the same sex (look at Roman and Ottoman bath houses where women and men were strictly separated).
Modern naturism
Now let’s flash forward to the end of the 19th century.
The industrial revolution was kicking in, big cities and factories were built and people started to lose the connection to nature. And as it always happens with revolutions, not everyone was equally
happy about this. Some people wanted to get back to the roots and back to nature. And when in nature, they wanted to bring their body it it’s most natural form: butt naked.
So people started to spend time naked in their close environment, their garden, the forest at the end of the street or maybe even a skinny dip in the lake after sunset. Soon these people found
each other and searched for a place where they could practice their new habit together. They put some money together to buy a piece of land, built a huge fence around it and the first naturist camp
was born.
Nudism
Naturists were very strict about their way of living those days. It had everything to do with the connection to and the respect for nature. Clothing was not allowed, alcohol and tobacco neither and
eating meat was also out of the question. Naturism became a true a lifestyle based on harmony with nature and one another and the nakedness was only a small part of it.
Did you know that in “Zon en Leven”, the first and still very active naturist organization in the Netherlands, alcohol and tobacco were banned until the beginning of the 21st century?
In the early 50’s of the twentieth century a “counter revolution” started. There were others who also wanted to spend their time naked, but who didn’t really follow the whole naturist philosophy.
They didn’t feel such a strong connection to nature, they did smoke and drink and eat meat. But they also loved to be naked and spend time among equally minded. These people were called nudist.
Their main focus was nudity and nature got to the 2nd or 3rd place or no place at all.
Nude recreation
From the nudist it’s said that he or she wants to be naked as much as possible. They only wear clothes in places where nudity is not allowed or at least very uncommon. The moment they get home they
undress and remain like that until they have to walk out of the door again. Okay, this might be a very stereotype description but it’s just to show the difference.
For others however it’s not necessary to be naked all the time, they just enjoy it once in a while. Often not because of the fact of being naked, but for whole other reasons: They don’t like the sticky bathing suit while swimming, they like to have a even tan or they just like the relaxed and easy-going atmosphere of a naturist terrain. So these people visit the naturist site or sauna or camping for a Sunday afternoon and then go back home, live a “clothed” life and do it again after several weeks or months. And are totally fine with that.
Exhibitionism
Exhibitionism is often unfairly linked to naturism, that’s why I also put it here. I say unfairly, although it depends a bit on which on the definition. In the news, the exhibitionist is the
guy with the long rain coat who enjoys jumping in front of teen girls or old women to see the shock in their face when he exposes himself. This guy you won’t find in a naturist place, for the simple
reason that nobody will be shocked.
In a more broad definition, the exhibitionist is someone who enjoys being looked at. On the other side of the line is then the voyeur, who enjoys looking at others. I think both can be found at naturist places and as long as they don’t bother others with it I don’t see a real problem.
What about us?
So now we’ve made the separation, let’s put it all together again.
Are we doing nude recreation?
Yes. We like to go to naturist sites for other reasons than the naturist and the nudist. We like the comfort of swimming naked and we like the relaxed atmosphere of a naturist site. (Note that cell
phones, tablets and so on are not allowed on naturist sites because of the camera function. You have no idea how liberating that is!).
Are we nudists?
Yes. We also enjoy the simple fact of being naked. We love to walk around naked and we love to hang out among other naked people. It doesn’t have to be all the time, but it’s nice to have no clothes
on.
Are we naturists?
Yes. Although when we started with naturism (read here and here) it had nothing at all to do with nature or connection. But that somehow evolved. Naturist campings are either within nature or have a
lot of nature within them. So you easily start linking nature to your nakedness. And you get to learn natural sensations which you’re not used to but which feel very good: The feeling of lying naked
in the grass, the feeling of a gust of wind passing your body, the sun everywhere on your skin,…
Can you put yourself in one of above categories?
Or do you think, like us, that you’re a combination of several?
What are your reasons to go naked?
Novel by: Paul M Bowman. Ferndale: Amnity 2001.
Nakedness and The Bible – The book “Nakedness and the Bible” does not claim to be a defense of naturism; it just claims to be an explanation of what the Bible says on both sides of this issue. For some time, people have used the Bible in an attempt to say that naturism is outside God’s law and should not be practiced by Christians. Various people within the nudist movement have praised the book including im-ok-naked.com. Like them, I add my approval to this work.
The author, Paul M. Bowman, mentions the account of what is termed the fall of man, when Adam and Eve decided to willfully disobey God and sin. The one problem that I have with this book is that is doesn’t treat Adam and Eve as though they were real people.
Since the Bible and its relationship to nudity are being discussed here, we are going to assume that the Bible is a true document. The veracity of the Bible is a different topic completely, but he goes on to state how God deals with the Adam and Eve after they sinned.
He deals with how the nudity has been dealt with throughout the history of the church, yet the author writes that the anti-nudity message that the church has now been due to a result of the 400 years of an anti-sexual message.
When the Bible is examined for what it has to say about the body a clear message is sent about it being pro-nudity, if it must be termed that, because nakedness wasn’t an issue for them as it is for us today. They took baths in the river and ripped their clothing as a sign of grief; that was what they did. The conclusion that this author reaches is that whenever nakedness is shown as sinful, another sin is present (that explains Noah, Lot, David etc.).
In fact, the author even says that public nudity or nakedness is ok by God, due to the fact that God commanded Isaiah to go naked. (Isa 20:2) That completely destroys the shame argument. God only mandated clothing for the priests while in the act of worship. (Exo 28:40-3).
What one can learn by reading the book is that there are very few direct references to nakedness in the New Testament; Matthew 25 is one of them. Jesus is talking about having enough clothing to make that choice whether or not to wear clothing. In Romans 8, verses 38-9, nakedness is found among other states of existence and the context is dealing with things that can separate us from the love of God.
The most interesting portion of this book was where the author dealt with verses that Christians attempt to apply to nakedness like 1Thes 5:22, causing another to stumble and 1 Timothy 2:9.
One thing that amazed me was when the author mentioned how clothing has been associated with shame just as nudity has been commonly portrayed while giving numerous Bible verses to support his assertion. In the end, I find this book to be a fascinating read that allows naturists to be able to support their beliefs and rest in the fact that we can give an answer for the hope that we have.
Public Nudity Laws – The public nudity laws vary from place to place. In most states it is not considered obscene to be nude unless your intent is to cause arousal or an intent to alarm others. When in doubt it is best to check with the local statues or authorities.
Of course (but with a few “catches”) nudity is allowed on your own private property, other private businesses such as nudist resorts, some bathhouses, private clubs, and some beaches.
The general idea is that the human body in itself is not indecent. Good common sense prevails in regards to your surroundings and those around you. If you are on 96% of the beaches in California, it is quite acceptable to be topless or nude. There are a few exceptions to this depending on the city or municipality.
There is a large movement going on around the country by people who support rights for women who want to be as free as men when it comes to being topless. This movement has had great successes including a court challenge won in New York in support of topless freedom and equality.
In the U.S. it is acceptable to be topless in California, Hawaii, Maine, New York, Ohio, and Texas. These states have tried and true court cases supporting equal rights to be topless in public. There are also a number of cities within the U.S. where you wont be challenged by going topless in public as long as you are acting like everyone else and not acting out. These cities include Boulder, Eugene, Portland, Key West, New Orleans, Washington DC, and Columbus.
Public nudity is also acceptable in most places in the context of photography or art showings. People such as Spencer Tunick, a photographer who takes pictures of up to 18,000 nudes at a time for the sake of art do so in many cities and places around the country.
The key to this is not acting indecent or showing signs of arousal or inciting others to be aroused. One thing to remember is that simple toplessness or public nudity is generally not charged as indecent exposure even in places where a person is cited for public nudity.
We keep on getting this question, “why nudism?” For those of you who are wondering why a person – specifically, you – should become a nudist, this one is for you!
Actually, there are a lot of benefits to being a nudist and practicing nudism. Some might be obvious while others might not occur to some people. By the end of this list, you may just want to escape the confines of clothing and run as free as the rest of us!
Consider this a partial list and feel free to add your own thoughts and feelings about why nudism is positive and healthy lifestyle.
This post was published by Young Naturists and Nudists America – YAN
(Guest Body Positivity Blog)
Skinny dipping with friends was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. When I first thought about skinny dipping, the idea kind of scared me. This is mostly because people don’t tend to be completely nude around people they are not romantically intimate with?
In the movies, skinny dipping always looks like so much fun. You see a group of friends tear off their clothes and jump into a beautiful secluded lake or hot spring. A lot of the fun in skinny dipping is centered around the spontaneity of the experience.
Social media and the internet cant truly convey the feeling of freedom and joy of randomly deciding to swim nude with a group of friends. It is still something that just needs to be experienced.
This whole skinny dipping situation began when I was hanging out with friends. At one point, someone randomly mentioned wanting to go swimming. The idea sounded fun, but it was around 3 in the morning so the regular pools weren’t open. But we did know of a public pool nearby that would be easy for us to sneak in and out of.
The pool was tucked inside of a little community and was a good private setting for my first ever skinny-dipping experience.. There were only four of us which made this whole adventure a lot easier – there wouldn’t to be too many witnesses!
Once we snuck into the pool area, we all quickly got naked and jumped in. From that point on, it was no different from any other swimming experience I’ve had. Lots of fun, splashing around, laughing and horseplay ensued. We started getting worried that someone would may check in so we only stayed for about an hour.
For me, the whole experience brought a wealth of body positivity to my life. It was relieving to see other people in the nude since it made me realize that my body was not much different from theirs. While obviously our naked bodies did differ from each other, those differences did not make any of us feel ashamed or have any other negative feelings.
Initially I was concerned that being nude around my friends would create some kind of sexual tension between us. I think we tend to associate nudity with sex because we live in such a repressed society. But that was not something that resulted from this liberating experience. This experience taught me to not fear being nude around people I am comfortable with. Being nude with my friends whom I trust felt natural, noninvasive, accepting of me and my body and non judgmental.
Skinny dipping is definitely an experience that helped me grow. It is also something that I would gladly do again if the opportunity arose.
Lena Dunham Naked – If you don’t know her, Lena Dunham is the star and writer of an HBO television series called Girls. The show is only in its 2nd season, but went from zero to fame in about thirty seconds.
The premise of the show has been compared to Sex and the City, only this time the girls are 20-somethings and dealing with a much more tumultuous period of their lives as they try to transition into the “real world.” Yes, it looks like just another series about young, white, privileged women, but you should still give it attention. Why?
Because Lena Dunham has an average-looking body and isn’t afraid to expose it, affirming to girls everywhere that it’s okay to be average and also NOT be ashamed of your body!
And I don’t mean average in a negative way. Average as in normal. Typical. Expected. Outside of the tiny percentage of women who are tall, wafer thin, cellulite-free, big-breasted and have no curves (otherwise known as the scantily clad women who dominate the media, advertising, film, TV, etc).
Lena Dunham hasn’t been hiding her body as other “flawed” women do on TV. As her character Hannah, she’s been getting naked. The sex scenes provide plenty of opportunity for nudity, but in the latest episode we also see her wearing a see-through mesh top in public. (And Hannah is not the only one getting naked.
In a season one episode, “The Crackcident,” there’s some shocking nudity when Shoshanna, another of the girls, ends up on a sidewalk in Brooklyn with no pants. Her nudity is never discussed then, or later in the show. I guess the writers are saying, “hey nakedness is part of life.” Since we all have naked bodies, it is.)
But Lena Dunham’s nude scenes and naked body has elicited some strong and disturbing reactions from critics. A female critic writes about her in a NY Post review, “It’s not every day in the TV world of anorexic actresses with fake boobs that a woman with giant thighs, a sloppy backside and small breasts is compelled to show it all.” Um, and somebody hates her for it? Dunham is a threat to the normal order of things, just by being her real self.
Dunham’s response was: If Olivia Wilde had gone to a party in … little shorts, she might have been on a ‘weird dressed list’ or been told her outfit was cute. I don’t think a girl with tiny thighs would have received such no-pants attention. I think what it really was … ‘Why did you all make us look at your thighs?’ My response is, get used to it because I am going to live to be 100, and I am going to show my thighs every day till I die.”
Just by exposing her thighs, she’s challenging the same response to nudity that naturists deal with: “Ewww! I don’t wanna see that!” Naturism also opens people’s eyes to body diversity, ie reality. A salon.com article about Girls’ casual nudity even quoted Nicky Hoffman of The Naturist Society about how naturism empowers women.
It always seemed to me like a paradox that it’s not difficult to walk the streets among average Americans and realize that most people are not hiding the super skinny idealized body type under their clothes. And yet to be confronted with this fact is to cause shock, controversy, and disgust. Perhaps I simply underestimate the brainwashing done by the media and advertising industry.
But what’s great is the way Lena responds to these attacks on her body. She doesn’t give a crap! She’s not dieting, not covering up and not apologizing for the way she looks.
Her body has generated not just criticism, but also some really great discussion around important questions – why does nudity make people feel disgust? What’s wrong with showing a different body type on TV? Why is it a big deal? Why does it have to mean anything?
Here are two quotes from articles that attempt to address these questions. In the first, Helen Charman suggests that people’s negative reaction to nudity comes from the “intimacy” of seeing all the imperfections, but we need to start seeing bodies as something other than objects of beauty or sexual desire].
“…in this case the problem is more that the ‘perfect’ body is one stripped of the peculiar intimacy that, by rights, comes naturally with nudity. We are unfamiliar with seeing a ‘real’ body represented on screen, and the intimacy that it creates is startling, and challenging, and the challenge makes us uncomfortable, and discomfort leads us all too often to the kneejerk reaction of criticism and of disgust.
…The naked body is humanity at its most vulnerable and its most truthful, and it should be celebrated not only for its potential to be beautiful but also its potential to be funny, and awkward, and sad, and old, because this in turn is all that we are, and can be.”
“Naked as We Came: What Lena Dunham’s Nudity Says About Us” by Helen Charman, Huffington Post
And a 2nd quote from “The Audacity of Lena Dunham, and Her Admirable Commitment to Making Us Look At Her Naked” by Lesley on xoJane
“The aghast controversy evoked by Dunham’s nudity shows us just how much of this “real women” talk is lip service, and how very far we have to go before we can socially deal with the fact that different bodies exist. Truth is, we’d all probably be a lot less neurotic about our own bodies if we could get used to seeing and accepting the natural variety in other people’s — without shame, and giving no fucks.”
We need more of Lena Dunham naked on TV! I hope she will keep getting naked and keep challenging the status quo. (We also obviously need more people to try naturism, but we all know it’s easier to put a greater variety of naked girls on TV than to get the viewers themselves to try social nudity.)
This post titled – Lena Dunham Naked – is part of our Sex Positive And Body Image Blogs By Felicity Jones For – Young Naturists And Nudists America YNA
Benjamin Spock, Ann Landers, and Abigail van Buren, all popular authorities on child-rearing and other matters, have often warned of the dangers of exposing children to nudity. Though their theories on the matter are well-known, are they truly valid? Is there solid research to prove it? Studies of how nudity affects kids are actually sparse, though they have slightly increased in number in recent years.
The findings and their interpretations are often influenced by researchers’ own preconceptions, including findings that may better explain the effects of parents’ attitudes toward nudity on kids rather than the actual effect of children being exposed to nudity.
However since the late 1970’s, more objective and controlled research has taken place in an effort to identify the truth of how exposure to nudity affects child development. All of this research indicates not only a lack of negative effects, but a whole list of benefits to children.
One of the first truly objective studies was developed by Dr. Marilyn Story, a researcher who sought to examine the role of family social nudity classification on body self-concept development in preschool-aged children. Dr. Story interviewed 264 children aged three to five years as well as their parents. The children were classified in one of three categories: social naturists or simply put – nudist kids, at-home nudist, and non- nudist kids.
Each child was interviewed individually as they were asked about their body parts, namely whether they like each of the 16 body parts discussed. Within this study, a correlation was identified between gender and which body parts were most desirable.
The study also found that non- nudist kids most often identified their genitals as their least-liked body parts. Adversely, nudist kids ( which basically means – children from nudist homes ) identified their genitals as their most-liked body parts and identified no parts of their body that they liked the least. Within this study, naturism / nudism was found to be a more important variable than gender, race, and geographical area in terms of having a positive self-concept, body acceptance, and self-image.
Another important study was conducted by Ron and Juliette Goldman in 1981 to examine children’s perception of clothing and nakedness in regard to modesty in four different locations: North America, England, Australia, and Sweden. Within this study, children aged five to fifteen were studied, and research centered on children’s perceptions of the need for clothing in different circumstances as well as the reason given for the need for clothing.
Though the study was intended to determine which societies were most insistent on wearing clothes for the purpose of modesty, this study determined that children’s perceptions of nakedness was strongly tinged with guilt. As they aged they conformed more to their parents’ modesty training, thereby causing children’s guilt about nakedness to increase with age. Such guilt was found in children who did not understand, accept, or enjoy their body and its sex organs as natural and normal.
Robin Lewis and Louis Janda conducted a study in 1998 to examine the relationship between adult sexual adjustment and childhood exposure to nudity, sleeping in the parental bed, and parental attitudes toward sexuality. These components had mixed results in previous studies, which necessitated further research. Lewis and Janda used an extensive questionnaire to survey 210 undergraduate university students about their childhood experiences with nudity.
The results of the study were clear: there is a positive relationship between childhood exposure to nudity and adult sexual comfort. Further, the study found that children from birth to age five who were exposed to nudity felt less discomfort with affection and physical contact as they grew older. Children ages 6-11 who were exposed to nudity (i.e. nudist kids ) had greater self-esteem and knowledge about sex.
Margaret Mead is an anthropologist who has completed many studies on the effects of nudity on children and is one of the most well-known researchers on this topic. Dr. Mead studied cultures throughout the world and noted many negative effects that clothing had in the western culture’s clothing-dependent society.
These effects include a separation of “self” from the “body,” a lack of point of comparison for all body parts due to clothing covering them, a preoccupation with sex that is emphasized through clothing, and a lack of education about the human body related to lack of exposure to it. She further identified that the nudity or partial nudity common to more primitive cultures was not an indication of a lack of modesty, and the way nudity is handled within a culture is more important than the presence of nudity in determining whether it will have negative effects. One area that she emphasizes is that a child must see nudity among adults so that they know what their body will become; this is essential to the developing person.
One common theme throughout the research was the effect of the family’s and society’s attitude about nudity on children. The presence of a positive or negative attitude towards nudity was far more important than any other factor in nearly every situation when it came to how a child would react to nudity around them. These studies show that not only is nudity not harmful to children (sorry Dr. Spock), but that they can benefit in various ways from exposure to nudity in a body-positive, accepting environment.
Children can gain increased knowledge and understanding of the human body in all of its forms along with greater comfort with sexuality and physical contact as they grow older. They also learn to accept their own bodies and have greater self-esteem. Thus it is really up to us as parents, as educators, as individuals, as a society, to adopt a more open and accepting view of nudity for children to benefit.
On a continuing note:
Guest nudist Blog
Nudism is a way of life, a philosophy for some. It’s not about stripping off one’s clothes to be an exhibitionist. It is about personal freedom and acceptance of the human body in all its forms and beauty.
I grew up in a nude home that supported nudism and family nudity.
It was only natural that my husband and I also practice family nudism. When in private, we and our children refrain from wearing clothing in our house and secluded garden. We’ve chosen a home that is away from others, allowing us to express ourselves in our own way.
Family Nudism is one form of expression for us. Just as others choose certain clothing to wear, we, in our family, simply choose to wear none.
Our young kids, ages four and six, have complete acceptance of their bodies. They know the proper names for their anatomy and use them accordingly.
There is no fear or embarrassment about seeing a person naked. My husband and I often speak about how beautiful our children are. Nudity, in many ways, has brought us all closer together.
As a family, we respect the rights and wishes of others as well as most social norms. If company comes to call, such as other children from from our kids school, or when we go out in public, everyone is dressed. However, as soon as privacy is restored, we are all quick to shed any covering and poof – back to being the naked family again
.
There’s nothing like the sensation of the fresh air and warmth of the sun on the naked body. None of us are uncomfortable while nude in the least. There is nothing sexual about being a naturist and there is nothing sexual or obscene about simple family nudity as well.
We simply enjoy being nude and believe that there is nothing wrong with being in our natural state as we go about our daily lives.
From day one, both my husband and I grew up with in nudist families. We used to gather for special nudist functions so from a young age, we became accustomed to seeing each other’s naked bodies.
Denial of the human body will not be a problem in our family. There was no sense of taboo with regards to being nude, nor was there a feeling that something should have been hidden.
As we grew older, my husband and I grew closer and as time went on, we became a couple. As such, we were ready to explore each other in a other responsible ways too.
One day, they will grow up and find partners of their own. As our children mature, we wish to teach them the same values and hope they will learn to be responsible and caring adults.
We can only hope that they will find others who will accept their bodies and will live in complete acceptance of their natural state if that is what they wish.
Family Nudism and Growing Up As a Nudist Was Published by – Young Naturists and Nudists America YNA
Naked Video – I recently found this video of a UK commercial for skincare, and it would be a totally regular commercial except for the fact that the actors are all fully nude! I researched and verified that this is a real skincare company. This nude video breaks the boundaries of nudity in the media in showing full-frontal nude women and men. However it is a European company, so maybe it isn’t all that surprising. It would’ve been much better if the actors weren’t so airbrushed, good-looking and fit, but that is the norm for nude advertising.
The nudity here is clearly meant to grab attention and make the consumer think they will look like the actors by using their products, ie. thin, tall and tanned. However it is still breaking a big taboo in showing taboo parts! Now, I must wonder, how long do you think it will take the people here in the United States of America to be able to post an uncensored video with naked people like this? At least in prime time!
The above naturist blog was written and published as part of seriese of Sex Positive And Body Image Blogs By our very own naturist blogger – Felicity Jones for – Young Naturists And Nudists America YNA
All hail the robot cab overlords. An autonomous taxi program was already being tested, but now Delphi Automotive says it’ll dispatch a few self-driving vehicles to ferry people to hard-to-access Singaporean mass transit hubs. With a program already under way in Silicon Valley, the British vehicle electronics supplier is expected to roll out new American and European pilots this year. Initially, Singapore’s six robot jitneys will follow three preset routes — and have a human driver as a safety measure. If that works, by 2019 they’ll branch out on their own.
Charleston City Paper
There was a time in my life when being naked was normal. My first four years were spent almost entirely in the nude, joined at the hip by my twin sister — her name is Mary Scott, although I call her Sissy. She also calls me that. Sorry for the confusion. The two of us would strip to our birthday suits every time our mom tried to put us in matching outfits. We didn't mind the matching; it was the suffocating feeling of being clothed that we couldn't stand.
Growing up in rural Virginia, we played in the creek and the mud, ran through our yard chasing big dogs, sat on our porch eating popsicles, all while being naked. As we got older we wore more clothes, but we never lost sight of the freedom of being naked. We would skinny dip off of our friends' docks, taking turns stashing each others' clothes, collapsing in laughter in the frantic search for a cover-up under the revealing light of a full moon.
We got older and more self-conscious, struggling with body image issues, my sister especially, punishing herself for years with a restricted diet and obsessive workouts. It hurt me to see my sister struggle, and naturally, being her identical twin, I struggled to keep up, wanting our bodies to look the same forever. Our latter teenage and college years were riddled with various body issues. After a while, I didn't like being naked anymore.
So last month, when the opportunity to visit a family-friendly nudist park presented itself, I felt like I was being called back to my youth, to a time when I truly felt free. I begged my sister to join me on the two-hour trip to Cedar Creek Park, a nudist park located 45 minutes outside of Columbia. "It will be fun," I promised, before adding that she pretty much had to come, because the prospect of going alone was slightly unnerving. After bribing her with snacks and wine, my sister finally agreed to come with me, and we trekked up I-26 to reclaim our nakedness.
Upon arriving at Cedar Creek Park — visitors must enter through a code-protected private gate — we drive to the office, a trailer located just across from several RVs and tents. Jessica Shaw, the park's manager, greets us, signs us in, and gives us a tour of the property. Shaw is topless, wearing a multi-colored sarong around her waist. She moved to Cedar Creek Park over a decade ago to help her parents run the place, and what started as a part-time gig has turned into full-time living.
The grounds feature both indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs, a banquet area, an outdoor stage, and a camping area for visitors. To my surprise Cedar Creek also boasts a number of semi- and permanent residents, living in elaborately embellished RVs all over the 43 acres. Shaw drives us around in a golf cart — most residents and guests have their own — waving at passersby and pointing out various features of the park. She shows us where we will float down a small creek later in the afternoon. Then she allows us to go to the bathroom. And get naked.
"OK, OK, yep." I'm standing in a bathroom, a purple sarong tied around my waist. I'm topless save for a silver necklace of plastic stars. Sissy bursts out of her stall, belly button-length hair swinging around her bare chest, her blue sarong also tied at the waist. She smiles at me in the mirror, adjusting her American flag head scarf. "It's not that bad," she says.
I'm taking deep breaths. Shaw offered us tequila shots before our undressing, which may be the surest sign of hospitality I've ever encountered. The shot didn't seem to do much, though, and I'm still nervous. I'm about to walk out of the bathroom, half undressed.
I step into the sun, feeling all 100 degrees of a July day. Shaw is surprised that Sissy and I have already gotten, as she says, "halfway there." Cedar Creek is flexible with first-time visitors, allowing them to wear a sarong over their entire body if they so desire. You can ease into nudity here. We walk to the outdoor pool, smiling at everyone we see. I attempt to avert my eyes, forcing eye contact or no contact at all. Nonetheless some piercings catch my eye, a nether-regions tattoo makes its way into my line of vision. Deep breaths.
You can trace nudism back to man's creation — you know, Adam and Eve and their shoddy fig leaves, if you believe that sort of thing. Most ancient societies, from Greece to Egypt, have a rich history of nudism. In America, though, nudism didn't necessarily crop up with the foundling country's first settlement. The pilgrims believed that to be naked was to be depraved.
Things changed after the Revolutionary War, when nudity started to find a place in society. The practice of nudity was popular with 19th century artists and authors like Walt Whitman, Mark Twain, and Henry David Thoreau, who's quoted as saying, "We cannot adequately appreciate this aspect of nature if we approach it with any taint of human pretense. It will elude us if we allow artifacts like clothing to intervene between ourselves and this Other. To apprehend it, we cannot be naked enough. In Wildness is the preservation of the world."
Twentieth century Germany saw the rise of naturism, a form of nudism that also advocates for improving health and life. The history of nudity and the rise of Adolf Hitler (yes, those words were all just strung together) has its own story, and I recommend checking it out.
Currently there are places to be publicly nude in almost all 50 states, with California and Florida topping the list with the most spots. While nudity in America is far less common than nudity in Europe, U.S. nudism is, as far as I can tell, enjoying something of a boon.
"Y'all will love the creek!" a friendly woman from the pool shouts at us as we board a golf cart with Shaw. "It's nice and cold." At this point, Sissy and I are feeling pretty comfortable. Everyone has been friendly, and maybe I'm being naive here, but they all seem sincere as well. One man makes a point of telling us about his experience with nudism; he says that with his clothes on he had always been a wallflower, but after discovering nudism, he opened up, feeling like a whole new man. Roll your eyes if you want, I found it moving.
The creek float forces us to face our fears and fully unclothe. I tie my sarong around my neck and flop into my semi-inflated float, shouting "Oh Jesus!" as my bare ass hits the freezing cold water. My sister, gripping the last remains of her coffee-cup wine, flops in next to me, screaming. We get separated for a moment, my float moving downstream at a surprising speed
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"Sissy! Grab a branch!" says my sister, laughing and trying to catch up, and our new friends are pushing her float in my direction. I hold onto a low hanging branch and grab my sister's hand when she bumps into me. We're both grinning and I think we're having more fun than we've had in a really long time
.
On the creek we ask our surrounding tubers more about how they got into nudism. They're all open and forthcoming, and most tell us that they started stripping down later in life (the age demographic skews toward middle-aged and older). Almost everyone uses the phrase "And then I was hooked," to describe their passion for the lifestyle.
I nod along, as if we're having totally normal conversations. The thing is — we are. We just happen to be naked. I wonder, for a moment, if I'm getting hooked, if once I leave this place I'll have to return, shedding my clothes as I leap joyously into the air. The thought both frightens and excites me.
The creek float comes to an end and we pile out of the water. Sissy and I hold our floats tight against our now nude bodies. To be topless is one thing, but trust me, you don't feel fully vulnerable until every bit of your body is exposed to the elements.
We find ourselves back at the pool, where people are getting ready for a cookout. Sissy grabs my arm, "I think it's time to go." We've had fun, but we have a two-hour car ride back home. There is something reckless about drinking lukewarm pinot grigio on a creek at a nudist park, and I think we're both afraid that if we stay too long, we may never leave.
Before departing we went a few rounds on a slip and slide, which is way more fun when you're naked. I mean OK, it's kind of gross if you think about it for too long, so just don't think about it.
There I stood, naked, surrounded by naked half-strangers, clapping as each person raced towards the slide and then flew down it in all of their birthday-suit glory. Even now I can't quite believe that's a sentence that I'm writing, let alone an experience I'm recalling.
I watch my sister gear up, running sort of duck-footed, as she does, her long hair streaming behind her. She flies on the slide, so fast she looks like she may hurt herself. She jumps off, laughing so hard her face is squished into a smile reaching from her mouth to the corners of her eyes. And this is why we came here, to feel like this. We're four years old again, splashing in mud puddles, 14 years old and skinny dipping in the York River, 25 years old and slip and sliding at a nudist park.
I don't think nudist parks are for everyone. I want to take my friends to Cedar Creek, but then I hesitate, thinking that being nude with people you know is weirder than being nude with strangers. The more I've reflected on my time at the park, the more nuanced and complicated my feelings about it become. I loved it, and I would go back. But part of me wonders where I would go from there. It's simply not practical to be naked all of the time.
Ultimately, I think I loved the nudist park because I went with my sister. It was our thing. We're getting older and eventually we'll probably have to live in separate houses and, gulp, separate cities. But we'll still have this memory.
Years from now I'll call her, or grab her arm, or run into her room, and shout, "We'll always have Cedar Creek!" and she'll crack up, that big happy smile showing its face once again.
Cedar Creek is a wonderful place with wonderful management. Members and guests are what nudism is about: de-stressing, relaxing, and returning to innocence. Travelites nudist club in Columbia, now
in its 29th year, will often go en massed to the Creek to enjoy their hospitality. For those of you with a reluctant partner, email travelites@prodigy.net
and request a copy a copy of "So, your partner is interested in nudism..." (below)
We have never met, but I am taking the liberty to write you because I understand that your significant other has become interested in nudism or clothes-free recreation. You are wondering whether or
not to share in this. My husband and I are nudists, and like you, we both experienced all the concerns and uncertainties the first time we tried it. All the vague fears and worries I fretted about
proved groundless. I would like to help you experience and become comfortable with this lifestyle. I hope you will let me try.
Perhaps telling about my first experience with nude recreation will lead you to that end. I was vacationing at a resort in the Caribbean. The first two days were spent on the beach sitting in a soggy
swimsuit and being chafed by sand. I signed up for a day boat trip and picnic at a beach on an island away from the resort. As we were leaving, I discovered that the excursion was to an island with a
nude beach! I decided to go anyway, thinking no way was anybody getting me out of my suit. I stood firm, and in fact, was the last person to give in and shed my swimsuit - I was the last one to get
dressed to return to the resort. Why hadn't someone told me about this sooner? I was hooked, and that was over 30 years ago. The phrase, "nude when possible, clothed when practical," definitely
describes me. I do wear at least shoes when vacuuming the house though as I have a habit of running over my toes with the vacuum cleaner.
I admit that my first reaction was that this is something that was not an acceptable practice. I was unaware that there are national organizations and did not know anyone who could shed light on this
relaxing way of life. The literature available today, some of which your significant other might have asked you to look over, tells it like it is. Everyone will tell you that once you have made your
first visit, the feeling of apprehension will vanish. Until you experience a thing for yourself, words cannot tell you how you should feel or how you should act or react.
Believe in your mate. You have a good relationship, and I'm sure your significant other has never asked you to do anything that was wrong or really unpleasant. Occasionally, we don't want to do some
things at first, but since it means a great deal to him, it usually turns out fine. This too, means a great deal to him. When you decide to visit a club, give them a call and inform them that this
will be your first visit. Contrary to what most people believe, you generally will not be asked to leave your clothes at the gate. You will be given a tour of the premises, where the pool or hot tub,
or other facilities are located. If you are visiting a non-landed club, you will most likely visit with some of the members at a neutral location, i.e., coffee shop, after which you will be invited
to an event.
Some common fears of women with whom I have been in contact include being secretly worried that she wouldn't be as attractive to her spouse as she had been, compared with all the beautiful figures
she was sure must be there.
For the most part, there is a normal cross-section of the population. The solution for this particular lady was the security she felt in her relationship and that the relationship was based on more
than just physical attractiveness. Another fear is what sort of people will I meet. You will meet doctors, lawyers, clergymen and women, taxi drivers, accountants, secretaries, warehouse- men,
waiters, school teachers, moms, dads, grandparents, teenagers, infants. We are your neighbors, your friends.
It's a wonderful feeling to meet entirely new people and enjoy new interests and activities. There is a peculiar thing you have to experience to believe, but there is a friendliness about nudists
that you will generally not find in any other group. I have come to count our nudist friends among my closest. They seem to always be there for me, for us.
Why don't you try your hand at being a nudist in your own home. Try sleeping nude, if you don't already--once you get used to it, you won't want to sleep any other way.
That's the first easy step. Then, when you take your shower or bath, don't grab for a robe except for comfort. Do your nails or set your hair or just read the newspaper. I think you will enjoy it. If
you exercise, try it without clothes, it feels wonderful. Wear whatever you need to feel comfortable. Since it's convenient and healthful at times to dispense with clothes, nudists do. We're not
different from other people, just more comfortable.
I hope I've been able to help just a little. Offer a compromise to your mate. Give him an hour of your time, you will wish you had sooner.
Sincerely,
Cheri Donna
Copyright © August 1997 - 2001 by Travelites, Inc.
PO Box 90836, Columbia, SC 29290
All Rights Reserved
Sincerely,
More than 3,000 people have stripped naked and been painted blue to mark Hull's City of Culture next year.
Hull City Council said the art project, named Sea of Hull, was the largest of its kind ever to be staged in the UK.
The work by renowned photographer Spencer Tunick involved 3,200 participants from 20 countries posing in front of various landmarks.
Commissioned by the Ferens Art Gallery, the images will be exhibited during 2017's UK City of Culture events.
They posed at a number of locations across the city including Queen's Gardens, the Guildhall and the Scale Lane swing bridge, for a photo shoot that lasted about four hours.
One of the participants included 80-year-old Stephane Janssen, from Brussels, who has posed for Tunick on 20 previous occasions.
"It's just aesthetically fantastic. It's beautiful, we are little strokes of paint. Everybody is equal - no race nor sex difference - I mean, everybody is the same, naked...and that's what I love," he said.
"I've been naked since four o'clock this morning. But it was so much fun, so inclusive and just brilliant, like a festival atmosphere. We've all got closer together as people over the last few hours.
"It's just fantastic and just what the city needs."
Tunick said: "The Sea of Hull installation was one of the most fantastic projects I've ever done, and it was inspiring to be able to intertwine the city's maritime heritage against an urban backdrop throughout the whole piece."
Kirsten Simister, curator of art at Ferens Art Gallery, said she was "overwhelmed" by the number of people who took part in the project.
The New York-based artist has created more than 90 similar human installations worldwide, including at the Sydney Opera House, the Place des Arts in Montreal, Mexico City and Munich in Germany.
100 Sheroes Just Posed Nude At The Republican National Convention
Warning: This piece contains nudity and may be inappropriate for work environments.
On July 17, 2016, in the midst of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, 100 women joined forces and got naked.
The mass undressing was organized by photographer Spencer Tunick, who has been planning his large-scale nude photography project, titled “Everything She Says Means Everything,” for months.
In May, Tunick called out for volunteers to participate in his vision, to interrupt business as usual at the RNC with a flood of nude bodies. The only requirement: be a woman ― whether Democrat, Republican, or any other political platform. Tunick hoped the work would serve as an act of peaceful protest, combatting the hateful rhetoric Donald Trump and his followers have directed at women, through the simple power of collective creation.
The message resonated. Over 1,800 women signed up to participate. Each participant submitted a statement explaining their reason for getting involved. One wanted a way to remember her body during pregnancy, another hoped the experience would help her heal after she was sexually assaulted. Some wanted to accept and celebrate their aging bodies, others to leave a positive impact on their daughters.
Many hoped to stick it to the RNC. The women came together outside Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena the day before the convention was scheduled to start.
Cleveland-based participant Jennifer Dienes traditionally votes Republican, but was disgusted with the bigotry and hostility Trump ushered into the party’s ethos. She originally supported Rand Paul, but now is leaning Libertarian. “I don’t support the Republican party with Trump at the forefront,” she explained to The Huffington Post.
Dienes had never participated in a nude photo shoot before, or anything similar. “There were a few people trying to scare me out of it,” she said. “A lot of people were saying, ‘My mom is going to kill me!’ But it was presented in a classy, peaceful way. Sometimes you just have to stand up for what’s right. I’m proud of what I did.”
Ohio resident Deanna Bergdorf published a Facebook note processing the experience. She described her nerves while heading to the conference site, and her anger when addressing what’s at stake in the upcoming election. “I fought to hold in my tears as [Tunick] explained that we were gathered together to make a statement against the rhetoric of hatred that’s being spewed out from the Republican party; against the misogynistic, xenophobic, racist, anti-LGBTQ, ableist platform that has defined hating others as an acceptable American lifestyle.”
Bergdorf’s anxiety diminished as the crowd disrobed, and distinctions between bodies began to seem barely distinguishable and fully insignificant. “I was struck by the sameness of all the different bodies,” she expressed. “All kinds of shapes and sizes were present. We were old and young; we were mahogany and golden, pale and bronze and freckled. Some of us were sleek and lean and ‘unblemished’ by pregnancy and childbirth and years of breastfeeding. Others held decades’ worth of stories in their wrinkles and creases and folds.
“But, the most interesting effect of this collection of difference was (to me) its overwhelming sameness. I had to look closely to even notice who was fit and who was ‘fluffy’ because that kind of detail, or maybe categorization, became little more than background noise.”
In a statement, Tunick dubbed women’s bodies one of the most controversial subjects in the upcoming presidential race. With “Everything She Says And Means,” women joined together to show just how non-controversial a woman’s naked body is. The project rejects the sexualization, objectification and prohibition of the woman’s nude figure. (Public nudity is, by the way, illegal by way of indecent exposure in the state of Ohio.) Instead, Tunick’s images present the nude body as something natural, empowering, courageous and collaborative.
“Holding up the mirrors with the other undressed women, it was really special,” Dienes said. “Seeing all the light reflected on all the bodies and faces. Everyone was so happy. We were proud.”
In an era of uber-connectivity and endless apps, it's getting increasingly difficult to cut through the conveyor belt of dating BS in order to discover who a person really is. It's the great irony of our times: we can access one another instantly from across the globe; but carefully contrived bios and curated assemblages of profile pics mean we get little more than self-censored glimpses into a person's personality.
But maybe real connection is actually much simpler; requiring only that we bare our truest selves... literally.
With the growing number of nudist cruises and resorts -- even remarkably watched reality show Dating Naked (so popular it's now in its third season on VH1) -- you have to wonder: can baring it all bring us closer to finding true love?
"Folks often bring lots to the table when they start dating," says Shaun Galanos, sex educator, host of The Love Drive, and ambassador for Hedonism II, the granddaddy of nudist resorts. Insecurities, fear, and doubt are a few things that can inhibit connection when dating. "Dropping your drawers on a date can be a great way to drop your defenses, show your true self, and experience intimacy and vulnerability that you normally wouldn't access too quickly. Plus, getting a peek at the goods never hurt anyone!"
Parading around your blemishes, stretch marks, errant hairs, flab, and folds for the world to see feels understandably terrifying in a world where we still idealize a mighty narrow margin of appearances. But as a woman who's attended her fair share of naked resorts and events, I can attest to the fact that after a little time (and much acceptance from your fellow nudists), you leave your insecurities behind. You realize we all look different enough that it's impossible to say what we ought to look like -- and the same, in that we all have marks, scars, moles, thighs, and nipples. There's freedom in that. And it opens things up for honest communication, real conversation, and legitimate sexual attraction.
Dating naked allows for immediate sexual assessment, says Dr. Chris Donaghue, a clinical psychologist and sex therapist. "Many people delay sex, thereby not exploring what is a required level of compatibility and interest," he says. "After investing time and energy into talking and socializing, they finally have sex and realize they are not a sexual match. If there is no physical-sexual attraction, it's not sustainable."
Ignoring the sexual aspect of baring it all for a moment, nudism is a means for people to interact in a less pressured, more natural way. "Particularly for older people dating, body acceptance and personal freedom become more important to relationships," says Dan Whicker, executive director for the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR).
That perspective is echoed by Steve Vickers, who grew up and now works in the activities department at Cypress Cove Resort, a member resort of the AANR in Kissimmee, Florida. "Growing up as a nudist," he says, "what I have found… is [that] nudity helps break down barriers we unknowingly put up with our clothes.
"If I'm out and about in a nerd shirt with some sci-fi graphic and I come across a girl in a football jersey," he says, "it's unlikely we'll strike up a conversation with each other mainly because of what we are wearing. I might have missed out on a chance because the clothing made me pre-judge, when for all we know she might love a bunch of things that I do but because of that initial hurdle I didn't take a chance and say hi."
"Encounters in a nudist environment force you to focus on the person to find out who they really are and what they're all about," adds Whicker. "Dating in the clothes-free world helps you skip past those awkward, initial moments when you discover who your partner really is and not who they are trying to portray by using clothing as props."
Before you pack your things and move into a nudist colony permanently -- or shrug off all these insights since, let's face it, it's not like you can just meet your next date at the restaurant sans clothes -- consider the benefits of hitting a nudist resort or cruise for your next vacay.
Most of these locations offer amenities and activities to suit all comfort levels, and the crowd reflects that. So no worries if you're not up for naked skydiving just yet. You can ease in with naked pool parties, clothing-optional restaurants, and -- the best -- laying around on a beach sans suit.
If you want to test-drive the concept without committing to a multi-day stay, you can always book a flight and rezzy at this new nudist restaurant in London, which completely eliminates the age-old dating dilemma of "What do I wear?"
Charyn Pfeuffer is most comfortable when baring it all. Follow her clothing-optional escapades on Twitter: @charynpfeuffer.
Published: 11 Jul 2016 12:39 GMT+02:00
Until 2006, nudist sites were illegal in Italy. Ten years on, the country is about to host its first ever nudist dinner.
For all those who like the idea of eating naked, all the while surrounded by other nude diners, then book yourself a table at L’Italo Americano, a restaurant in Milan’s Cerro Maggiore area.
Billed as “a meeting for naturists” the first all-naked dinner will be hosted at the restaurant on Via San Clemente on Friday July 15th.
The event, which will take place every Friday, has caused quite a stir in the community, but the restaurant’s manager insists it has “nothing to do with sex, swingers or anything like that”.
In fact, he hopes the initiative will help reverse the restaurant’s fortunes.
"We have been trying to come up with ways of attracting more business and one way of doing that was to create something niche," the manager, called Romeo, told The Local.
An evening of naked dining and dancing will cost €50 for members of the Italian Naturist Association and €100 for non-members. Diners will also be free of electric lights, eating instead by candlelight, and mobile phones.
Anyone caught having sex will be thrown out.
Some 40 people had reserved a place for this Friday, Romeo said. The evening will be hosted as a private event, as per Italian law, meaning it will be closed-off to any curious, but fully-clothed, diners.
Romeo said that he took inspiration from The Bunyadi, London's first nudist restaurant which has reportedly attracted thousands of bookings since opening just a month ago.
But some regular customers are not so keen on the idea.
“A lady, a regular customer, told me she would never again set foot in the restaurant,” he told Milano Today.
“Incidentally, it was the same woman who suggested we liven up evenings with lap dances. The point here is that there is a lot of confusion between naturism and sex.”
Naturism has grown in popularity since nudist sites became legal in Italy, with more than 600,000 people frequenting the country's nudist sites, many of which are dotted along the country's long stretches of coastline.
From bare ankles to bare chests.
Summer is fast approaching, which means that, inevitably, we will all be barraged with bare limbs, exposed midriffs, and ample cleavage for the next four months. The Outdoor Co-Ed Topless Pulp Fiction Appreciation Society, a band of women who read completely topless in public, is already camped out in Central Park and accepting new members. To commemorate the coming of copious warm-weather nudity, let's take a look back on the complicated, and sometimes, hypocritical history of bare skin through the ages.
The following contains images that might be NSFW.
Leading up to the 15th century, going topless was not that rare for women. Leg show, on the other hand, was much more devious. Breasts, in this time period and up to the Renaissance, were mainly portrayed as a source for food for children, and sometimes were a sign of wealth and social status. Paintings of breastfeeding mothers and madonnas, inspired by classical Greek styles, were all the rage. Agnès Sorel, mistress of Charles VII of France, was known for her gowns which exposed one or both breasts.
Many indigenous people and Native American tribes do not consider toplessness to be sexualized. Women were free to go bare-breasted in public. In this photograph from 1870, two Wichita Native Americans are dressed for summer. Toplessness only became inappropriate in a large majority of regions — North America, Africa, Australia, Asia, and the Pacific Islands — with both the Muslim and Christian expansion and the influence of missionaries. In a survey of over 190 societies, researchers found very few cultures associate exposed breasts with indecency. For centuries across the globe, boobs were no big deal.
A woman's bathing suit in 1900 left little to be suntanned. The get-up included a long knitted dress, with tights, and sandals. In 1907, the above pictured Australian underwater ballerina, Annette Kellerman, was arrested for donning this racy swimsuit that exposed her legs, arms, and neck. At the time, her contemporaries were wearing swimsuits that had belts, cuffs, and collars. It wasn't until the 1930s that Kellerman's beach style became fully acceptable.
Men didn't miss out on some of the puritanical nudity standards, either. At the turn of the century, men were not allowed to bare their chests while swimming.
In 1910, the knee — once thought to be a risque joint — became acceptable enough to be shown in public. Skirts rose, and of course, bathing suit designers acted accordingly.
In the 1920s, "decency" measurements took place on beaches to ensure women were not exposing too much upper leg in their bathing suits (it's only 90 degrees in Florida!). The ruling was that suits not be six inches over the knee.
In 1934, four men in Coney Island were arrested and fined one dollar each for baring their chests. 1934 also saw the first male chest ever exposed in mainstream film. Clark Gable's torso caused a stir when it was revealed in It Happened One Night. Legend has it that the sale of undershirts suffered due to the sheer beauty of Gable's bare chest. We doubt this. Men finally won their right to go topless in the United States in 1937 in New York. The reason was mainly economical, because if parks departments had to provide swimsuits, which they sometimes did, it was cheaper to provide just the trunks.
Bikinis were born on July 5, 1956 when mechanical engineer Louis Réard noticed women rolling up their swimsuits on the beaches of San Tropez to tan. He decided to make a bikini out of merely four triangles of fabric, complete with a newspaper pattern. The only woman he could find to model it was a nude dancer from the Casino de Paris. When the bikini premiered, it was the navel heard round the world.
The first topless bikini was introduced in 1964 by NYC designer Rudi Geinrich, originally published in Go See magazine. Geinrich was an avant-garde swimwear designer who earned his fame with his unique '"monokini." Though French fashions of the era may have permitted the topless bikini, they were banned on U.S. beaches.
In 1986, the Rochester Topfree Seven made history by exposing their aerolas in a New York park and were promptly arrested. In 1992, the charges were appealed and dropped.
The Rochester Seven paved the way for the rest of bare chests in NY. It was then that toplessness became legal for women in New York state. It might have taken five centuries, but bare chests were no longer indecent, as long as they're not being used for advertising or commercial purposes.
In 2008, a Ukrainian feminist protest group, FEMEN, gained notoriety when it staged topless protests of sex tourism and other social injustices. "Bare breasts are our weapons," says FEMEN, noting that their protests get more media attention when tops come off. Protestors in Egypt and Iran have followed suit, taking to toplessness to speak out about issues that face women internationally.
Only 14 states in the United States have it on the books that female toplessness is explicitly illegal. These no-boobs-allowed states are: Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Mississippi, Michigan, Florida, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. Nope, not even Utah.
Source: http://www.nerve.com/love-sex/a-visual-history-of-bare-skin-laws-through-the-ages
Men’s freedom to go topless is often taken for granted and is perceived as a normal part of American society. Thus many people do not realize that bare-chested males running around in public is a relatively recent thing in American Society.
For decades, public display of male nipples was considered taboo, too sexual and and completely inappropriate. Part of the reasoning behind this was that women would not be able to contain their sexual impulses when confronted with the sight of a shirtless man. This archaic reasoning is exactly what women are facing today – just for women, the battle is so much more difficult (even though women’s breasts serve a vital part in child rearing).
However, for men, this all changed quickly during the first part of the 20th century.
The history of male toplessness can most closely be associated with the various laws about what clothing was appropriate for swimming.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, most men would not dare remove their jacket in the presence of a lady. Therefore, there was no need to legislate that men keep their shirts on at all times. That said people were surprisingly liberal when it came to swimwear, and it was common for men to swim nude or in their underwear.
One of the first examples of a law against men being shirtless does not appear until 1737. It was then that the city of Bath declared that men who wanted to swim in the town’s hot water springs had to wear “a Pair of Drawers and a Waistcoat on their bodies” if they were over the age of 10. Despite these laws, swimmers continued to go nude until the mid 1800’s when Victorian social values became increasingly and extremely rigid. Men were legally required to wear swimsuits that covered their chest and legs. In some places, men were forced to wear a short skirt over their swimsuit. This was in an effort to hide the slightest hint of inappropriate skin exposure or god forbid, a “penis bulge.”
Regulations by the American Association of Park Superintendents required that “nothing below the armpits could be shown on the chest.”
Public attitudes towards male toplessness started to change after World War I. During the wild times of the roaring 20’s, men started to wear two-piece swimsuits that consisted of tightly fitting bottoms and a small tank top. This replaced the baggy one-piece swimwear of the time.
Though men still could not go topless in public, male film stars of the 1920’s and 1930’s regularly appeared shirtless.
Hollywood icons like Rudolph Valentino and Clark Gable appeared in memorable film scenes that revealed their nipples. Countless tabloid magazines started publishing pictures of topless male actors at private beaches.
Just like in modern times, the public quickly started to copy their favorite movie stars. However, almost every public pool and major city had laws against men being barechested.
In 1934, the same year the Clark Gable took off his shirt in a film called It Happened One Night, four men were arrested at Coney Island for revealing their chests. They were charged with disorderly conduct and fined $1 each. This arrest kicked off a string of protests and subsequent arrests over male shirtlessness.
Another group of lifeguards removed one shoulder strap so that people could see one of their nipples
.
Around the country, more and more men were starting to arrange protests that typically involved them going to a beach while wearing only swimming trunks.
Ultimately, New York City was the first to give in to public pressure.
In 1936, they repealed their laws against male toplessness. After this act, other cities quickly followed NYC’s lead. When it became apparent that almost no one was offended by male breasts, it was easier for cities to repeal outdated laws instead of wasting law enforcement officers’ time on swimwear enforcement.
According to this article at Nerve, it was the finances of buying swimsuits that ultimately led to the laws being overturned. Sometimes parks departments had to purchase swimwear (to provide or rent out), and simple trunks were cheaper than full-body suits.
We actually found evidence of this in newspaper archives. In July of 1936 in Westchester County, it was announced in the NY Times that the county park commission would continue to prohibit topless bathing suits for men. This was after the State Park Commission had changed its rules to start allowing them.
The superintendent of the commission, Hermann Merkel, was quoted as saying, “I still believe that a few things had better be left to the imagination and that appearance of many un-beautiful ‘manly’ figures would be ameliorated by even the slight covering that a bathing suit top gives.”
Then in November of 1936, the Westchester Park Commission changed its tune about male “decency.” During their budget meeting, they were shown that trunks were cheaper than full suits. Thus they decided to overturn the ban and allow topless male swimwear like many other parts of the state.
By the 1940’s, almost no male swimsuits included shirts, and it was common for men to remove their shirts during sports or outdoors activities.
In closing, we would just like to point out that many of the arguments that were posed to justify not allowing men to be topfree in public, are the same arguments used against women’s topfree rights today. Perhaps, one day soon, both women and men will be able to free the nipple without anyone giving it a second thought. But for that to happen, we need more social change to happen. It’s not just a matter of more women going topfree, but of ending slut-shaming, rape culture, sexual objectification and other issues that predominantly affect women today. We need a society in which women are free to do what they want with their own bodies and not pay a price for it.
This articles about topless men and how men won their right to be topfree was published by Young Naturists and Nudists America.
References Used for Topless Men Articles:
http://www.gallimauphry.com/beefcake.htm
http://graceelliot-author.blogspot.com/2010/08/nude-or-prude-victorian-attitudes-to.html
https://hexskin.com/bathing-suits/
John Gilhooley
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And you drive. Out of Huntington Beach, out of OC, out to where stands the original In-N-Out and its company store, which sells In-N-Out-related T-shirts and hoodies, and maybe you smile to yourself because where you're headed, you're not gonna need any of that. Then again, maybe you don't smile because, you know, Baldwin Park.
And you drive. Out past Ontario Airport, out to Palm Springs' porch, out to Colton, which asks the question, "Is there ever any reason to go to Colton?" And you know the answer is "Yeah" when folks back where you're from call you dirty, when government officials ban you from public places because they say you're a danger to "public safety," though they're not very specific at all about which public and what safety, and when anyone asks them to get specific, they say, "Trust me." And the same people question your rights to be who you are around your own children, calling you, at best, irresponsible and, at worst, well . . . they never say it, but everyone knows what they're saying, you know, when the city attorney who facilitated kicking you out says you and your kind have "admitted they bring children to these 'closed environment' events."
Yeah, you know.
And you drive. Into Colton until housing gets thinner and street signs announcing mule crossings become more plentiful, and you drive until you see the sign for Olive Dell Ranch—"A Family Nudist Resort"—and you hang a left, drive to the security gate, talk to the guard, wait for the large iron gate to swing open and park among the dusty trailers, lovely scenery and palpable libertarian vibe personified bumper sticker-wise by "I believe in my constitutional right to bare arms . . . and chests and legs and . . ." And finally you're done driving, and after all that, when you've parked your car, you can finally, so far from home, do what you do every day inside of it and take off your clothes.
Because there are getting to be so few places where you can do that outdoors. The people who have come to Olive Dell on this Sunday come from all over Southern California—from San Diego to the San Fernando Valley—to a group called Naturists In the OC (NITOC). Though everyone attending today's event, the 5K Bare Burro Run, knows what it's like to see the stunned looks of judgment, to hear the coded tee-hees that say you're a freak for preferring to live this way. It was the folks of NITOC who made headlines earlier this year when they were banned from reserving and using Huntington Beach's city gym and indoor pool; the story was quickly picked up and run with by local TV and newspapers along with international news outlets and news websites such as Yahoo, VICE and Huffington Post.
Unfortunately, headlines were pretty much all that many of those news organizations were interested in regarding the story, the opportunity to write such titillating gems as "Gloves Come Off in 'Bare' Knuckles Battle Between Huntington Beach, Group of Naturists" (KCBS-TV Channel 2 news website) and "California Nudist Told to Cover Up" (Daily Mail) without digging very deeply into things. For example, while most mentioned that NITOC had been holding events at the gym multiple times per year for eight years, they also reported as fact what city attorney Michael Gates had said when explaining the ban, that there had been "incidents" on top of "complaints" from city employees who worked the events.
John Gilhooley
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There was virtually no mention of the fact that more than six months after the ban was put in place, Gates still has not said what the incidents or complaints were and which city employees complained. In fact, the only city employees who seemed to want to talk were folks who said they really enjoyed working the events, that the naturists were responsible and well-behaved and so much fun that at least one HB employee, after working an event, actually attended a subsequent one as a participant.
That something like this would happen in a city that not only celebrates, but also markets itself on beach culture—Surf City—a culture that celebrates the body, seems odd, especially when you consider that virtually every day—certainly every day in spring and summer—Orange County's most popular beach, crowned by a statue of a naked surfer, is home to flesh-and-blood ones who regularly use PCH as a changing room, their own naked bodies hidden, sometimes barely and sometimes not at all, by hoisted towels, where women and girls in bikinis somehow present themselves more provocatively than their naked counterparts at Olive Dell.
What is disturbing is that HB's war against these naturists has been carried out with a kind of Star Chamber efficiency unburdened by actual facts, names, times or events. The accused, NITOC, has never been told what they are actually accused of or who is making the accusations. The reason for the ban has been given at some times as personal preference of employees, at others because of the Kafka-esque unnamed "incidents," and therefore the naturists are to be excluded in the interest of the Orwellian catch-all that is "public safety"—the language of coups and dystopian teen lit.
What the hell is going on here?
Gates was asked as much on the city's Facebook page. He couldn't actually say what was going on, he said; there were issues of public safety and possible litigation and a lot of stuff that didn't involve facts. But one thing was important, he said: "You have to trust me."
* * * * *
Allen Baylis in a suit . . .
John Gilhooley
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When it comes to the NITOC events at the Huntington Beach pool, the public was apparently unaware of the precarious nature of its safety and well-being. That was clear as one speaker after another supporting NITOC came to the microphone at a Jan. 19 City Council meeting to protest the group's exclusion from the pool back in October. The speakers not only spoke about the benefits of the naturists lifestyle—the absence of body shaming, healthy body image, the fact that it just feels right (you know what they're talking about)—but also how they had been using the pool for eight years and had never heard a single complaint. They had covered any windows around the pool with paper to make it impossible to look in from outside. They had set up a table at the entrance, checked people in to make sure that no one just wandered in.
Rather than complain about the events, city lifeguards thought of them as a pleasant and easy-paying gig. Indeed, in a 2008 Orange County Register story about how the NITOC had to use the pool because there were so few places they could be naked outside the confines of their homes, then-20-year-old lifeguard Paul Armstrong said the events were so void of problems that he had in fact become bored and decided to join in as a naturist. He got in trouble for that, so the next time one of the events came around, he decided to go as a participant, saying, "Everyone's just cool." Whether it was the food the naturists always remembered to bring for the staff or that they cleaned up after themselves and made sure they were out of the pool at or before the designated deadline, apparently a lot of people felt that way.
No one spoke up against them at that January meeting, least of all the council members themselves, who seemed somewhat stunned that this was being discussed at all. The council had no part in banning NITOC; that had come about through the actions of the triumvirate of Gates, city manager Fred Wilson and community-services director Janeen Laudenback, who sent NITOC a letter telling them they would no longer be allowed in the pool because of the city's public nudity ordinance of 2007.
Allen Baylis knew all about that ordinance. In 2007, the founder and president of NITOC defended Mike Ferreira, a man who "liked to stand around naked and smoke cigarettes and drink beer" at his home at the corner of Second Street and Walnut Avenue. Complaints came, and Ferreira was charged with public indecency. The charges were eventually lessened, but it caused the city to write its own public nudity ordinance. With that, Baylis and other members of NITOC thought it best—and safest—to rent the local gym and pool and take the public out of the equation.
. . . and in his birthday suit
John Gilhooley
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"When you rent the facility, and you stop people at the door and say, 'You're not getting in unless you're a member of our organization or a guest of a member,' that's private," Baylis says.
Though the ponytail down his back may play into some sort of hippie expectation by outsiders, Baylis describes himself as a Goldwater Republican who believes his right to swing his fist ends at the tip of another person's nose, the kind of man who put himself through law school while working as an airplane mechanic, the kind of lawyer with a healthy distrust of the government whose email signature is a quote from Lavrenti Beria, Stalin's secret police chief: "Show me the man, and I'll find you the crime."
But things with the city had proceeded well, and NITOC was scheduling multiple events each year, usually in the fall and winter. When the Register reporter asked how the swims were being allowed when there was a ban on public nudity, city spokesperson Laurie Payne pretty much echoed Baylis' own words, saying, "It is not illegal to be nude in a private setting."
Nevertheless, Gates has said that pressure was building during the time NITOC was using the pool. "The change [in policy] was not sudden—I know some of the naturists think it was," he says. "This had been evolving over eight years."
However, Jennifer McGrath, Huntington Beach city attorney from 2002 to 2014, says that there was no such evolution when she held office. "To my knowledge, I didn't hear about any incidents," says McGrath, now the city attorney of Merced. "For instance, in my 12 years [as city attorney], I missed only five City Council meetings. During all those meetings, I never had anyone in the neighborhood or anyone in that building come to the podium and complain about that use."
Gates has said that the change in policy may have come as a shock because his office enforces all laws and doesn't play "favorites." But Baylis can't recall ever meeting McGrath, let alone being a favorite, since there never was any reasons to talk about their use of the pool. McGrath says the reason for that is simple: No laws were being broken.
"This is a situation where a group was renting exclusive use of a public facility, so there's no laws being broken," McGrath says. "The law says you can't be nude on the beach, can't be nude in a visible place from the public right of way. Nothing like that was going on."
Though he says he is simply fulfilling his elected duty to enforce the law, Gates is also quick to acknowledge that his action and the letter did not originate with him. "None of this was driven by me," he says. "It's been a concern of the community services department for years."
Those with NITOC knew as much. They say that they've been told by those inside Huntington Beach city government—"We have a lot of friends around, you never know who's a nudist," Baylis says—that it was Laudenback who pushed for the ban. One could say that Laudenback, whose department oversees staffing of the gym and pool, was simply looking out for her staff, who, she and Gates would claim, complained about having to work the naturist events.
But according to numerous people who worked the event as lifeguards, it was never a problem to get people to work it. Sean Makam worked the event several times. "They were a polite and very friendly group of people from all walks of life," he says. "Teachers, city officials, university students, just a nice group of people. It was just like any other party. People mostly talked. It was very easy to work. Maybe you have to throw a beach ball back in the pool every now and then—that was about it."
Their friends inside city government told members of NITOC that Laudenback simply had never liked the event and was looking for someone sympathetic to help her end it, and she found that person in Gates. We, of course, wanted to ask Laudenback about that, so we called her and said we, you know, wanted to ask her about that. She said she'd have to call Gates first and ask what she was allowed to say and what she wasn't. We don't know what he told her because she never called us back.
We're gonna assume she would echo the sentiments of Gates and say this was a question of getting employees to work the event, even though, Makam says, it only required three people to work such an event—"one administrator, two lifeguards"—and that there was never any problem doing that.
Former HB lifeguard Keri Boyd emphasized on the city's Facebook page that no one was ever forced to work the event. "They don't schedule you to work these events," she wrote. "It's a private event, so it is posted in the office as an extra shift to pick up to earn more mula $$$ . . . It never bothered me when I was working. I never felt like it was a distraction from my job to have people swimming naked. 'Oh, no, not a boob!' 'Oh, no, not a penis!' 'Oh, no, not a hairy muff!' We've all seen genitalia before. Just a bunch of nudists doin' their nudist thang and livin' their life!"
* * * * *
John Gilhooley
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Now, let's be clear about something. When you hear that someone has a problem with nudists, there's a tendency to say they have a problem with the human body. That's not true, of course. No one gets freaked out or bans someone from a public pool for showing too much clavicle or displaying a brazen amount of scapula. As Boyd's post says, this is about penises and vaginas. That's it. And it's not just the appearance of them, but what they suggest: sex. Somehow, some people can't get their mind around the fact that a penis and a vagina can just exist; they assume, if exposed, they will be used.
Never mind the fact that the atmosphere at Olive Dell, while not asexual, does seem to be a good deal more wholesome and fun than one finds on the beach in Huntington. People smile and meet one another's gaze. They seem happy, and they say it's a direct effect of being naked, that one is literally more comfortable in their own skin, and that exposing one's body actually inhibits body shaming, discourages anyone trying to put on airs. As the group motto says, "Body acceptance is the idea. Nude recreation is the way."
And yet, group members are well aware they will constantly have to explain they are not swingers or molesters. People seem to conveniently forget that the overwhelming number of sexual predators not only come fully dressed, but also usually in some pretty officious duds, i.e., clergy, coaches and teachers. But it's the mention or suggestion of penises and vaginas that get people worked up and delivered to a dark place where things such as conservative values of personal freedom and responsibility go to die.
And then there's just stupid things. On the same Facebook thread in which Boyd had urged people to get past their junior-high attitudes, her post was joined by those who were concerned that naked people in a pool were less hygienic than those wearing swimsuits, as if a $20 pair of trunks from Target were some kind of magical block between body and water. Then there were those who, upon learning of the event, said they were concerned that it took place just blocks from a public school; never mind that the events took place in the evening and on the weekend, when no kids are supposed to be at the school. Logic and calendars aside, the concern was that the naturists, their boldness and base urges activated Gremlins-style by water hitting their genitals—you know, like what happens to everyone who takes a shower or bath—would run uncontrollably next door to do their heinous acts.
As silly as it sounds, it's something Gates has played upon, intimating on that same Facebook thread that something truly diabolical was going on, writing that "the naturists have admitted (even at the last City Council meeting) they bring their children to these 'closed environment' events . . ."
John Gilhooley
|
Now, we're gonna give Mr. Gates the benefit of the doubt and assume he's not stupid [Editor's note: No, actually, Gates is a pendejo; Steve's just too nice to say that]. Therefore, that comment can only be seen as a cynical attempt to get folks who don't just want to "trust him" to somehow come to his side by first attempting to make it seem that the children are in some kind of danger by being at these events. If he truly believed that it would be not only his right, but also his duty as city attorney to end the events while they were happening and see that anyone committing a crime was prosecuted.
None of that happened.
Next, when he says that naturists "admitted" bringing their children to the event, it intimates they are acknowledging some wrongdoing. A naturist "admitting" they raise their children in a naturist lifestyle is akin to someone "admitting" they homeschool their child or someone "admitting" they raise their son or daughter a Christian.
It's this kind of intimation that makes naturists angriest. They tend to take things in stride when dealing with other slights and discrimination, but they find the use of their children against them as gross, as would anyone vaguely or otherwise accused of pimping out their kids.
When asked if he felt the children were in danger, Gates said, "Well, I certainly won't jump to any conclusions. I don't want to make any inferences."
He then went about making some inferences. "I think people need to understand what's going on there," he says. "The naturists have come to City Council meetings and made their own statements about what they do there, and my point is saying that and similar things about this situation is that what the naturists say goes on at these events speaks for itself. They're admitting that. The public and reporters who are trying to understand need to understand the scope of it."
The scope of it today is that the naturists are out. Their options include suing the city to get back in the pool, though they just might settle for getting a straight answer from someone, anyone at the city.
"They said it was against the law, but it's not," Baylis says. "The city attorney told me as much when I met with him. Then they told us it was because they were unable to get volunteers, but that just wasn't true. So then they said it was 'incidents' and 'complaints,' but they've yet to present us with so much as one of those. They won't tell us what this is really all about. We have an idea, but we really need to hear from them. We really would like to talk about it and work with them on this."
Gates, for his part, says the city is interested in working with NITOC also. Pretty much in the way they've handled things the past six months. Asked if he could foresee a compromise that would get the NITOC back in the pool, Gates says certainly.
"They're welcomed to come any time," he says. "As long as they're clothed.
from George Salisbury
Musical Video featuring nude participants filmed in Portland, Oregon in September 2009, with an all-volunteer local cast.
Miley Cyrus and the Flaming Lips want to get naked with you.
On Tuesday, Cyrus' Instagram best friend and frequent collaborator, Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne, announced that the singer is planning a special nude event to promote her fifth album, "Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz."
According to Coyne, the concert would also double as a music video for Cyrus' song "The Milky Milky Milk," in which the former Disney star sings: "The milky, milky milk / Your lips get me so wet / While I'm singing all the verses from the Tibetan Book of the dead."
Cyrus has yet to confirm the concert, but she will be touring with the Flaming Lips this fall. So if you've ever wanted to go to a concert featuring an experimental young pop star and an aging '80s band while being completely naked and surrounded by strangers, we're betting this is your lucky day. Plus, John Mayer will probably be there.
She’s done it again! Miley Cyrus winded down her Milky Milky Milk tour the way only Miley Cyrus can — smoking and totally topless. The singer’s concert in Vancouver seemed to be her wildest yet based on these racy pics.
Oh, Miley Cyrus, what are we going to do with you?! Although the venue of her Vancouver concert didn’t allow smoking, the ban didn’t stop her from lighting up on stage — and she did it while wearing nothing but underwear and nipple pasties.
Okay, so racy looks are nothing new from Miley at this point, but it was a pretty bold move to smoke so openly like that where she wasn’t supposed to be! She lit up the joint while wearing a pink pink wig, pasties that just barely covered her nipples, and a pair of pink, high-waisted undies. Not much in the form of coverage, that’s for sure!
The 23-year-old has been shocking us with her tour looks for the last several weeks, and while she changes things up a little bit from show to show, one thing’s stayed the same: There’s a lot of crazy get-ups that reveal a whole lot of skin. In one look, she even wears a silver, bondage-style body suit with absolutely nothing underneath. Yup, that means her entire breasts are on full display! And we can’t forget about that prosthetic penis, right?!
Miley will wrap her tour in Los Angeles on Dec. 19, and then her schedule looks pretty free as 2016 begins! She’s made it clear that she’s constantly working on new music, so perhaps we’ll get another new album and full tour in the New Year?!
Naturist Christians? - Wondering what we are all about or maybe even how someone could be a Christian and a naturist? Here is some information that will help answer your questions.
Naturist Photos - When seeking to educate and promote our values, we have found that sometimes seeing examples means more than anything else. Here we present photos of people living their lives naturally, without clothes, without shame, and as God created it.
http://www.naturist-christians.org/
EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA
The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.
Question: Does the New York Statute pertaining to public nudity prohibit women from being topless?
Answer: No, State of New York case law has established that women may be topless in public.
Question: Does the case law apply to Fire Island National Seashore as well?
Answer: Yes, the case law applies to the assimilation of the New York statute pertaining to public nudity. This means that women may be topless at the Seashore and still be in compliance with
the law.
BAY TO BREAKERS - MAY 15, 2016 - SAN FRANCISCO
Excerptfrom http://www.baretobreakers.com/Main3.html
So, is demonstrating in the nude safe? The answer is that you can always be cited or arrested by an overzealous officer. But as stated, the only arrests
that have been made, were over two decades ago, and they were recognized as being illegal by a court and the charges were dismissed. Furthermore, the public sooo overwhelmingly enjoys the nude
demonstrators of this athletic event, and looks forward to them every year, that the authorities in good spirit with the public's sentiment... tolerates them. Consequently, a strong legal
precedent has been established over the years to support the expressive Free Speech nude demonstrators. The race promoters, now sometimes, even include the BARE-2-B'ers in their official
promotional materials. Sometimes in error. Participating in the nekkid demonstration has been totally safe provided the participants follow our important guidelines given below
("23. RULES").
Our Free Speech demonstrations are a symbol and an exercise of "serious artistic expression" of our artful nude figures interacting and artfully performing freely and acceptably within a major urban environment. Our demonstrations are also of significant political interest and value as our performances have clearly demonstrated the public's overwhelming support and acceptance of our nude expression for over a decade; thereby debunking any outdated notion that the public presentation of the mere nude body infringes upon any moral sense of today's societal standard. BARE-2-B'ers have substantiated that the public is ready to accept nude people for who they are.
Our demonstrations are of yet further political importance and merit as the authorities have come to recognize that our nude demonstrations are safe and that they do not create any harm or any undesired secondary effects; and that our short annual demonstrations fall within the expressive conduct perimeters of the First Amendment as strongly supported by legal research.
By Shannon Sims
Because nudity is as old as time. And so are the attempts to control it.
It’s still swimsuit season, there’s still time to lace up those sneakers and get moving. Which is exactly what some folks are doing as they seek out classic jogging sensations: the steady bounce, the adrenaline build, the burning quads, the wind against their … genitals?
These days, a certain group of people are running around, only they’re doing it buck naked, sporting just sneakers for flair. Here in the industrial town of Porto Alegre, Brazil, the trend has been happening so often that it’s being called febre de pelados, or naked fever. Over the past several months, around the city’s streets and parks, folks have spotted — and often snapped with cellphone cameras — naked joggers. Some call it silly, others outrageous, but the police call it something between criminal and insane.
The Porto Alegre joggers aren’t alone. Across the globe, from Colorado and Ohio to the U.K. and New Zealand, people are heading out for naked sprints. Some recently cycled nude in cities around the world to raise awareness for different causes, while others have poured buckets of red wine over their bare bosoms to protest bloodshed in Ukraine. Of course, public nudity isn’t particularly new. But watch the global headlines and you might notice that naked running seems to be having a prolonged revival, sometimes for familiar reasons: out of political protest, to support feminism or animal rights, or simply for the sheer enjoyment of jogging cru. In Brazil and some other countries, people appear to be doing it on a lark. Which makes the whole trend seem even more “ridiculous,” to 34-year-old Porto Alegre professor Rafael Pereira, “because this is one of the coldest places in Brazil.”
In a time of X-rated selfies and sexting, nude jogging can seem almost quaint, even pure.
Not surprisingly, the naked jogging trend has sparked another trend: the banning of naked jogging, or public nudity in general. In 2012, San Francisco passed a public nudity ban, shutting down the thrills of those like nude protester George Davis, who griped to the San Francisco Chronicle that his hometown would soon lose its reputation as “the kinkiest city.” Just last week, Topeka, Kansas, followed (anti-birthday) suit, and Sacramento is considering doing the same. Go to New York, and you’ll find a city entrenched in a battle over the desnudas of Times Square, who cover their breasts only with paint and pose for pictures in exchange for tips. Recently, a controversy kicked up in Cambodia over tourists posing for photos near Angkor Wat with brilliantly white smiles and a lot of brilliantly white skin. Barcelona, the place where the party doesn’t start until dawn, went even further and banned “partial nudity” — such as wearing a bikini around town. As it turns out, at least in the realm of the European Court of Human Rights, public nudity is not a basic human right.
It’s been a long, uphill jog for nudity lovers over the years. Throughout history, so-called nonsexual social nudity has been linked to cultural touchstones, from naked competitors in the Olympics of ancient Greece to the development of the sport of surfing in 1800s Polynesia. Around the turn of the 20th century, the first naturist club was founded in India, and the first naturist resort founded in Germany. But 1974 may have been the high-water mark for public nudity, with a rash of streaking events across American college campuses. The fad even slipped onto the stage at the Oscars that year. Topless movements sparked across the U.S. in the ’90s, but today — to the chagrin of frequently topless comedian Chelsea Handler and others — toplessness is still not legal in about a third of the states.
And yet we might be seeing a revival of the time-honored practice of public buck-nakedness. In 2010, Felicity Jones co-founded the Young Naturists America to promote the cause to millennials via events like topless Meetups, naked hikes and that perennial favorite, skinny-dipping. Its second-annual NYC Bodypainting Day attracted 70 artists and 100 models this year, twice as many as last year, but it could have been even bigger: “We’re trying to not grow it too quickly,” says 27-year-old Jones. The American Association for Nude Recreation says the naked rec market — think nude beaches, resorts, cruises — is already worth almost half a billion dollars. Even the TV networks are taking a crack at showing crack: Seemingly endless nude reality shows have crept up on us, from Discovery Channel’s Naked and Afraid to VH1’s Dating Naked. Turns out that while all the participants strip down, executives line their pockets.
Though it may sound surprising given the bronzed-butt-and-thong situation, toplessness is still illegal on the beaches of Brazil. That, of course, has led to repeated protests, which often look like small groups of bare-breasted women encircled by the erect zoom lenses of hordes of “photographers.” Repeating an argument often made elsewhere, Ana Paula Nogueira, leader of the 1,000-strong Topless in Rio movement, says it’s just not fair that men can go to restaurants and even church without shirts, but women can’t go topless on the beach. “Brazil is a bit schizophrenic,” Nogueira says: Underlying the country’s hypersexualized image, there’s a deep strain of sexual conservatism. Those topless protests? Maybe they’re a spectacle now, but she insists they’re really about gender equality, and meant to normalize public nudity in the long run.
Golfing: La Jenny, France
Yoga: Bold and Naked Yoga, New York
Olympics: Pilwarren Maslin Beach, Australia
Night running: Kenya
Camping: Taylor Camp, Kauai, Hawaii
Volleyball: White Thorn Lodge, Pennsylvania
Sledding: Magdeburg, Germany
Rugby: Dunedin, New Zealand
Streaking: any ole U.S. college
Indeed, when it comes to public nudity, our cyberlicious modern world turns up one constant around the globe: the share factor. For every topless protest, there are a thousand InstaPics; for every nude trot, a grainy cellphone vid. Ask folks like Nogueira and the media attention is part of the deal. But in a time of X-rated selfies and indiscriminate sexting, naked jogging on your own can seem almost quaint, even pure.
So why should you slip on your birthday suit alfresco? “When you shed your clothes, you shed your stress,” proclaims Carolyn Hawkins, spokeswoman for the AANR. In her view, meeting someone at a nudist resort takes on an equalizing dimension. “You find out who they are from inside, from the heart,” she says. Similar logic drives the latest (nude) trend in yoga. Practitioners liken their naked asanas to a philosophical stance, driven by deep moral beliefs about authenticity, transparency and the like. Such lofty claims aside, being naked among other naked people in quasi public settings can be just, well, fun. “A lot of people just enjoy it,” says Jones, of the Young Naturists.
But the impact of seeing a bouncing jogger in the nude has been taken quite seriously in some places. In Colorado a few years ago, a priest was found guilty of “indecent exposure” for dashing nude around a high school track. And down in Porto Alegre, the reaction to bare-skinned runners has been to send at least one of them to a mental hospital for being “imbalanced.” Mixed martial artist Betina Baino was one of those who recently strolled naked there on a rainy afternoon; she told Globo TV she did so for “personal reasons,” but her former trainer said he was worried she might have a psychological problem. Neither Baino nor her ex-trainer could be reached for comment, but Antonio Barbaresco, a spokesman for the city of Porto Alegre, says no one seems to know why more nude joggers have been out and about. “It’s something spontaneous that no one understands,” he says.
There is some hope for public-nudity advocates. Munich recently created six “Urban Naked Zones” for sunbathing in the buff, while Barcelona dropped its “partial nudity” (aka bikini) ban in April. Meanwhile, in New Zealand, an appeals court overturned a ruling against a naked runner for “offensive behavior.” “If it was offensive,” the man told the local paper, “then God wouldn’t have given us genitals.”
Ozy Author
Based in Brazil, Shannon is OZY’s Latin American correspondent and legal voice. In her many lives, she’s taught elementary school in Harlem, managed a hotel in Italy and researched forests in Brazil. A University of Texas law grad raised in Louisiana, she prefers cowboy boots over heels, and hot sauce over everything.
"We have worked very hard to design a space where everything patrons interact with is bare and naked," said founder Seb Lyall in a press release.
No impurities, no chemicals, no artificial colors, no electricity, no gas, no phone and ... no clothes?
That's the premise of a pop-up restaurant, called The Bunyadi, that's scheduled to open in central London in June.
"We believe people should get the chance to enjoy and experience a night out without any impurities ... and even no clothes if they wish to," said restaurant founder Seb Lyall in a press release.
And, apparently, many people do so wish.
By Wednesday evening, the operators said the waiting list had topped 8,000 people and was still growing.
Created by the company Lollipop, which last year opened a specialty cocktail bar, ABQ, serving drinks inspired by the AMC drama Breaking Bad, Bunyadi will serve "wood-flame grilled meals served on handmade clay crockery and edible cutlery, in a space void of the industrialized-world's modern trappings," the press release said.
Patrons at The Bunyadi will dine by candlelight at natural wooden tables. Oh, and they'll be naked.
The new venue can hold 42 customers and can be divided into two sections — "pure" and "clothed." Changing rooms and lockers will be provided for diners who opt to enjoy their meal au naturel.
"We have worked very hard to design a space where everything patrons interact with is bare and naked," the press release says. "The use of natural bamboo partitions and candlelight has enabled to us to make the restaurant discreet, whilst adhering to the ethos behind it."
The restaurant will be open for three months and will cost about £55-65 ($79-$93) per person including food and drink, according to the International Business Times.
By Paul Rapoport, Co-ordinator of the Topfree Equal Rights Association
Topfreedom And Top-Free Equality– So what’s this topfree equality for women thing? What’s its connection to naturism?
Many naturists aren’t down for it, clearly. It’s an out-there public issue rather than a private campground one. Then there’s “It ain’t nude, so it ain’t naturist.”
But women’s topfreedom is in thick with naturism. It too aims to free the body from priggish prudery. It too wants to demolish the unholy notion that skin = sin. It too attacks the rampant body phobia so beloved of politicians.
Topfree Equality
Still, we shouldn’t stand for people screaming “Nude!” at topfree women. Of course, the media love to pin that word on them. What do you expect, when they use “nude” for nearly anything less than a winter coat, including the asinine label “nude evening gown”?
The Topfree Equal Rights Association (TERA) was formed in 1997. Yep, we’re going on 15. Our founding aim was to help women hassled for being topfree. Ideally, we’d like to help them before they get into trouble, to avoid it!
Over the years we’ve managed to meet every major North American topfree activist (note – topfree not topless). All five of ’em.
Topfreedom and Topfree Equality
Just kidding. There are more, like the Rochester 7, from 1986. But the women who’ve taken a long-term stand against patriarchal control of breasts are still few and literally far between. Progress is slow.
In recent years, another organization, GoTopless, has organized protests in August in favor of topfreedom. Good for them. Those happenings get the media salivating, and we need all that yakking. But GoTopless doesn’t understand legal situations. It also comes with certain baggage that the media don’t take seriously.
Our main colleague in topfreedom is the Naturist Action Committee, whose Executive Director, not an attorney, can write a legal brief better than many attorneys.
The co-ordinator of TERA is a male. Oops, another credibility problem, although we don’t encounter it much any more. We give out information, help in legal matters, and encourage women: not to be topfree (’cause that’s their decision) but to take steps to allow that choice if they want it, including supporting other women who do.
In the early days, we heard lots of gripes against women’s topfree equality that naturists may easily imagine. Here are a few, with comebacks we’ve never used (’cause we’re polite and all):
They’re glands, ma’am, just modified sweat glands. How sexy is that?
See that cow prancing over there? It’s gonna force me to eat it.
Psst, I’ll tell you a secret. Women have brains. Let them use them.
Yes, what about forcing your ignorant bigotry on children?
See no. 6 below, you sexist pig. (Note to self: dump the ’60s talk.)
See no. 5 above, you sexist pig. (Note to self: you failed.)
Got that right. That means they mustn’t vote, go to school, get a job, or have money. Keep ’em barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen!
Despite all that crap, we’ve noticed the topfree movement being taken much more seriously even in the last five years. More women (and men) see what it’s about and what it’s not. Some of that is due
to GoTopless. It’s due more fundamentally to
the many women who want control over their own breasts.
We know that breastfeeding is still a problem in this country, because every time a woman feeds her child that way in public, some nut case is likely to hiss “Obscene!” But kids love breast milk. Everyone needs to see them feeding that way, because it’s normal, natural, and necessary. Pictures of breastfeeding aren’t porn. (Someone tell Facebook.) If women’s topfreeedom were possible, we’d have no issue with public breastfeeding.
So yes, what about the children! Topfree equality is for them too, so that they grow up healthy and free of breast obsession and women’s suppression.
Here’s to all those women who get it and want to do something about it!
Topfreedom and Top-Free Equality Issues as well as Nudists and Naturists Top Free Blogs by – Young Nudists and Naturists America YNA
( By Anon )
Naked Boys Running Into Lake
I am the body,
the body is me,
created by the Divine.
My spirit and body are woven together
making it all one, inseparable.
Out in the wilderness I commune,
stripped from raiment I bathe in nature’s embrace.
The trees are the pillars of the temple,
the sky of blue the ceiling, the clouds tapestries,
the sun the lantern.
Run naked with me,
innocent like little children,
we say goodbye to the working world, goodbye to false pretenses
as we embrace reality without a façade,
if only for a little while.
We’ll swim like dolphins in the water,
all the while enjoying its gentle massage.
We’ll dance all day under the sun
into the night
when the cool glow of the pale moonlight shine its magic upon us.
The wind will sing to the tune of a gentle breeze,
a melody so sweet and soothing,
and we’ll sing with it.
Let’s all laugh together
and run through the trees and into the fields,
cherishing bonds of friendship
as we wash our feet in the running water of brooks and streams.
Brothers and sisters we all are.
In God’s image we are created,
male and female, naked and unashamed.
Of all body shapes, of all sizes,
of every age, from the child to the teen to the young adult to the old and wrinkled,
each one a work of beauty
lovingly created by heavenly hands.
Naked we are all innocent again
Back by popular demand, Miss Barely Hidden, our very own teenage naturist writer! After reading all your comments on her teenage body image post, our naturist teen has decided to answer the top question posted by people who commented. They wanted to know how a young teenage girl feels about trying naturism for the first time.
Trying Naturism for the first time: I started naturism at the age of 12. It was really my dad that first had an interest in naturism. He started by going to naked beaches. After a few trips he really wanted to share the experience with me and the rest of my family.
Unfortunately, that naked beach wasn’t exactly the best place to bring kids. There would be no way to prevent anyone from taking pictures or videos of us, and our parents wanted to protect our privacy. So the next logical step was to look for a more private naturist club.
We found one that was fairly close by and decided to go on a Saturday. When we pulled up to the main house of the club, we still hadn’t really seen anyone. Someone met us there, as they had known we were coming. To begin with, they took us on a short tour of the premises. Every once in a while we passed someone naked along the path. The first time I was a little uncomfortable, but after a couple times I decided it didn’t really bother me.
Admittedly, it was mostly older people, so I didn’t really see anyone my age which definitely added to my ease.
At the end of the tour we arrived at the pool. There, we got settled in and then it was time to get naked. It was almost like jumping into cold water. You didn’t want to at first because you knew it would be uncomfortable, but once you did it was easy and even fun. I just took off my clothes as quickly as possible. Once in the pool the self-consciousness definitely faded. The next couple times I went naked in front of other naturists, I was still self-conscious. I was somewhat conscious of my changing body, which was just beginning to really start puberty.
Teenage Naturist Miss Barely Hidden Tells Her Story of Trying Naturism for the First TIme
Actually the timing was probably perfect, I was still so early in puberty that I wasn’t too conscious of myself and it allowed me to be more open and accepting of the changes that did occur to me later on. It also helped that the first few times that we went to the club, it wasn’t very crowded and everyone simply minded their own business. A few people came over to talk, but for the most part they left us to our own devices.
I didn’t feel like anyone was staring at me, or that anyone had bad intentions. It was a very relaxed atmosphere and that really helped me. I’m sure that if there had been more kids, even people in general, I would have been far more self-conscious and reluctant to get undressed. Overall, I was lucky enough to have a very relaxing, welcoming, and low-stress introduction into naturism. I’m glad now for it, as naturism has really helped me to become a more confident and happy teenager.
This blog by our teenage naturist, “Miss Barely” about her experiences when trying naturism for the first time was published By – Young Naturists and Young nudists America YNA
(Guest blog)
Teenage naturists are a new experience for me. As a semi-active naturist, it’s a subject matter I read about, and hear constant misinformation about in the mass media, and have been hearing the same misinformation and paranoia for over twenty years. It feels as though no one learns from history and treats family naturism as though it had only started yesterday.
But we know better, as full time nudists.
Or do we?
Do we really take the time to talk to our children about being raised nudist? Or do we just take for granted our lifestyle choice and just leave them to make their own decisions? How much do we really know about what they have gone through?
As a former member of the Hawaii Skinny dippers, we had no teenage members. I created a tradition that the first teen member to sign up for membership through their parents, or turned 13 as a child member, would get a free comic book on their birthday. To this day, I have never personally awarded any free comic books.
Family Naturism
So I took it upon myself to talk to college students in the nudist world about how they grew up and how they felt about being raised nudist. I was prepared to hear everything warts and all. At the risk of sounding negative, I assure my readers any negative statement is meant to point out genuine concerns in the world of family naturism
.
My first interviewee was a girl named Angie, aged 19, one of two college girls working at the Olive Dell Naturist Resort in Southern California. Restaurant guidelines state that all employees must be fully clothed, and it must work well since their diner has an A rating by the Board of Health.
Upon my three visits, I never saw Angie or her friend participate in any activities in the nude. Her friend did on my fourth visit, but I reiterate, it was my fourth visit. Angie isn’t opposed to it, she told me. She’s more than willing to drop trough if the situation calls for it. However, neither she nor any of her closest friends at the club call themselves nudists. She feels the label simply isn’t necessary.
Angie had been raised at Olive Dell since infancy and was a very active nudist as a child. She would visit other clubs where there would be about 50 other nudist kids her age during the big events, holidays, gatherings, but some time when she hit puberty, the number of children her age dwindled to five or less.
During this “awkward” phase, she felt pressured to go nude, so she and her friends rebelled, participating fully clothed during nudist events. You don’t see this trend reflected in nudist videos or magazines much, but from my experience it was all too common.
The resort guidelines mandate that one must be fully nude in the swimming pool, Jacuzzi and the deck around it. The patio just above the pool, the teens felt, can be considered a gray area. Though it’s highly recommended that everyone go nude, it was often difficult to enforce. So the outside patio and the adjacent clubhouse becomes the hangout spot for the teenagers.
“My boyfriend was very much against nudism when I met him,” she says with a laugh. “His family was very apprehensive. They told him that we were a tribe that danced around a campfire in the mountains and practiced cannibalism. When I told my dad, he greeted my boyfriend with a knife and fork.”
Angie’s current boyfriend often hangs out with her and it’s very common to see the four of them (Angie, her best friend and their two boyfriends) walking about fully clothed or in towels around the pool. What struck me most was that, despite the propaganda of the Naturist Society and the AANR, Angie wasn’t aware of any “movements” to promote nudism among young folks.
“When I go to these resorts,” she says. “All I see are older adults.” So it’s too easy for young people to assume that in order to stay in business, nudism had to be marketed for an older demographic, no matter what philosophy they preached. But unlike other young nudists, Angie and her friend are actively involved in the nudist business. Working full time in the café gives her a steady paycheck and much insight to how the club runs. It wouldn’t surprise me if she started running the resort in ten years.
Curiously, she didn’t seem to be aware of websites that promote nudism strictly to teens, since most sites can’t post photos of teenagers unless they want to attract COGs (Creepy Old Guys). Being used to meeting teens dragged along by their nudist parents, she seemed surprised when I told her I’d wanted to be a nudist since I was 13. She didn’t think it would be legal for me to have pursued it back then.
Olive Dell Ranch
Unlike other resorts, Olive Dell has the largest amount of young adults I’d ever seen, so the feelings of loneliness and isolation doesn’t seem to affect the young people there as it did in my teenage years. The youth program is very strong and very active, though I had noticed they’re not mentioned in CFI newscasts (Clothes Free International).
When I brought up all the paranoia surrounding the AANR youth camps in Virginia and other states, Angie and I both had to laugh. There were too many real issues that young naturists have to deal with before tackling imaginary issues which have already been solved by the camp’s rules and regulations.
But the one real issue still remains. Though I do not fault Angie or her friends for remaining clothed until they get some alone time, I do have to wonder if the environment encourages her to “drop trou” as she says.
If there was a constant influx of college students, not just the post college workforce crowd of Vita Nuda West, would Angie be a more active naturist?
I would assume so, but it’s only a guess. From my observation, the young people go nude when they are with their own community. There is still a sense of intimacy associated with nudism. And it would be nice to have us middle aged nudists to show them that you can be nude without being intimate. It’s simply a whole lot of fun.
Family Naturism and Growing Up Nudist as wel as other Blogs and posts about Social Nudity by Young Naturists and Young Nudists America YNA
The 7th annual Bare Burro 5K Nude Run will take place on April 10, 2016 at Olive Dell Nudist Ranch in Colton, California. From the event press release: “The Bare Burro run was started in 2010 and is now established as the premier nude running event in Southern California. More than 200 runners competed in 2015, running a challenging 5K course though the hills and hiking trails of the rustic Olive Dell Ranch, where the wild burros usually visible from the course inspired the punning name of the race.”
Below is a guest blog about what it’s like to run in the Bare Burro. Whether you’re an experienced nudie runner or new to naturism, this should be a fun spring event for those in SoCal! There is a discounted registration fee until April 1 and participation is limited to 300 people, so learn more and register now at www.olivedellranch.com.
Guest Blog by: Carlo Panno
It’s always easy to spot the newbies.
It’s too chilly for nudity when the gates open for the Bare Burro 5K Run, the annual spring-kickoff nude 5K race at Olive Dell Nudist Ranch in Southern California, so everyone — from veteran nudists to first-time newbies — is braced against the early morning coolness in sweatsuits and running pants. People mill around, nervously making small talk with the friends they came with, pointedly making eye contact and furtively looking around to see if anybody has broken the clothing barrier.
By about 9, the sun has broken through the morning fog, the chill in the air has dissipated, and the clothes begin to disappear. Not that people strip down in public: They slip away, go to their cars, ditch their clothes, and come back nude expect for running shoes. Now outnumbered, the clothed holdouts feel conspicuous and do the same, returning with a towel self-consciously draped over their shoulders or casually held just so at waist level. Before long, the acceptance sinks in: I’m naked, and so is everybody else, and it’s okay. I’m gonna use this towel to sit on.
The Bare Burro 5K takes place on a challenging course up and down the hills of Olive Dell Nudist Ranch on the gravel fire roads, dirt paths — and the occasional paved roadway — of the rustic nudist resort. The challenge of the run is compounded by the fact that nudity is required for the runners, placing them in a social-nudity situation they may have never encountered before. Runners’ numbers are painted on their arms, leading to odd numerical tan lines later.
A system is in place at the poolside clubhouse to check in the participants: Line up here, get your name checked off the list, get your number painted over there, the map of the route is on the wall, any questions? Put your clothes in your car, we have a car key check on the patio by the pool. Volunteers answer questions (“This is the exit, enter the building around the corner.”) and caution people not to photograph strangers in their pre-race selfies.
At about 10:00, the volunteers head to their stations along the course. The route loops back on itself and crosses itself, so water stations correspond with tricky turns so volunteers can yell “Follow the red arrow!” between passing out cups of water. A first aid volunteer is ready with a cell phone to go to any runner’s aid. The communal pump-topped gallon bottle of sunscreen (provided by race sponsor Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen) is a focal point for the runners on the patio, who trade advice (“Take it easy up the hill to the water tower”) and encourage each other.
Sponsored sunscreen station at Bare Burro 5K Nude Run at Olive Dell Nudist Ranch
At 10:15, the runners head to the starting line, led by the head timer, compressed airhorn in hand. The narrow roadway fills with naked runners, stretching, running in place, mentally recalibrating how much personal space is required when nobody is wearing any clothing. The earlier awkwardness is replaced with a defiant camaraderie: We’re naked and we’re gonna run a 5K! You got a problem with that?
The starter gives a quick pep talk: This course is tough, with uphill sections. Watch your footing on the gravel. Keep your eye out for people who have stumbled. If you need help ask at a water station, we have cell phones and can get first aid to you. Stay hydrated. Follow the red arrows on the first half, then the blue arrows. Have a good race.
The serious runners casually drift to the front of the pack. The fun-runners stay put, this is a casual thing for them, let the competitors take the edge, good for them. Let them find the red arrows first.
As the time counts down to 10:30, the chatter stops. The air becomes quiet, expectant. The runners are ready. We’re going to Do This. The head timer has mounted a small stepladder, giving him added visibility to the pack. With eyes locked on his wristwatch, he raises the airhorn high and…
SQUAWWWWWK! They’re off.
Runners on the trail during the Bare Burro 5K Nude Run
The intense quiet of 250 runners all holding their breath is replaced by the organic quiet of the placid country lane with six race volunteers preparing the finish line. Orange traffic cones and bright pink tape are arranged to define three finishing lanes. The first runners cross the finish line in 20 minutes, running hard and fast, having saved their energy for a sprint to the finish, raising their arms in victory. The serious runners (“What’s my time?”) are joined by the casual runners at the 40-minute mark: sweaty, dragging, exhausted, but exhilarated at finishing. A volunteer gets stationed at the last turn to encourage the runners: “The race ends at the orange cones!” Bottles of water are handed out to the runners as their friends congratulate them with high fives and smiles.
Bare Burro nude run finish line
After the race, runners and their friends collect at the pool, telling their stories about the run, their numbers fading after reapplication of sunscreen, waiting for the announcement of the winners. The ice long since broken, naked strangers chat while waiting in line at the refreshment station and snack bar, trading race times and vowing to do better next time.
The winners are announced at a casual ceremony, with Olive Dell owner Becki announcing the first, second and third place winners for the entire race and individual winners in the age brackets. After thanking everybody for coming and inviting them to enjoy the pool, hot tub, sun deck and the rest of the Olive Dell facilities for the rest of the day, she announces the date for next year’s run.
And the countdown begins again.
——-
About the Author: Carlo Panno has been an active naturist since his college days with au Naturèl, one of the first college-sanctioned naturist groups, centered at Cal State Northridge. He spent five years on the research staff of “Jeopardy!” and is now a freelance writer for news and information websites.
Young Naturists & Nudists America
Benjamin Spock, Ann Landers, and Abigail van Buren, all popular authorities on child-rearing and other matters, have often warned of the dangers of exposing children to nudity. Though their theories on the matter are well-known, are they truly valid? Is there solid research to prove it? Studies of how nudity affects kids are actually sparse, though they have slightly increased in number in recent years.
The findings and their interpretations are often influenced by researchers’ own preconceptions, including findings that may better explain the effects of parents’ attitudes toward nudity on kids rather than the actual effect of children being exposed to nudity.
However since the late 1970’s, more objective and controlled research has taken place in an effort to identify the truth of how exposure to nudity affects child development. All of this research indicates not only a lack of negative effects, but a whole list of benefits to children.
Nudist Kids and Finding Out If Nudism is Good For Children
One of the first truly objective studies was developed by Dr. Marilyn Story, a researcher who sought to examine the role of family social nudity classification on body self-concept development in preschool-aged children. Dr. Story interviewed 264 children aged three to five years as well as their parents. The children were classified in one of three categories: social naturists or simply put – nudist kids, at-home nudist, and non- nudist kids.
Each child was interviewed individually as they were asked about their body parts, namely whether they like each of the 16 body parts discussed. Within this study, a correlation was identified between gender and which body parts were most desirable.
The study also found that non- nudist kids most often identified their genitals as their least-liked body parts. Adversely, nudist kids ( which basically means – children from nudist homes ) identified their genitals as their most-liked body parts and identified no parts of their body that they liked the least. Within this study, naturism / nudism was found to be a more important variable than gender, race, and geographical area in terms of having a positive self-concept, body acceptance, and self-image.
my body
Another important study was conducted by Ron and Juliette Goldman in 1981 to examine children’s perception of clothing and nakedness in regard to modesty in four different locations: North America, England, Australia, and Sweden. Within this study, children aged five to fifteen were studied, and research centered on children’s perceptions of the need for clothing in different circumstances as well as the reason given for the need for clothing.
Though the study was intended to determine which societies were most insistent on wearing clothes for the purpose of modesty, this study determined that children’s perceptions of nakedness was strongly tinged with guilt. As they aged they conformed more to their parents’ modesty training, thereby causing children’s guilt about nakedness to increase with age. Such guilt was found in children who did not understand, accept, or enjoy their body and its sex organs as natural and normal.
Robin Lewis and Louis Janda conducted a study in 1998 to examine the relationship between adult sexual adjustment and childhood exposure to nudity, sleeping in the parental bed, and parental attitudes toward sexuality. These components had mixed results in previous studies, which necessitated further research. Lewis and Janda used an extensive questionnaire to survey 210 undergraduate university students about their childhood experiences with nudity.
The results of the study were clear: there is a positive relationship between childhood exposure to nudity and adult sexual comfort. Further, the study found that children from birth to age five who were exposed to nudity felt less discomfort with affection and physical contact as they grew older. Children ages 6-11 who were exposed to nudity (i.e. nudist kids ) had greater self-esteem and knowledge about sex.
Margaret Mead is an anthropologist who has completed many studies on the effects of nudity on children and is one of the most well-known researchers on this topic. Dr. Mead studied cultures throughout the world and noted many negative effects that clothing had in the western culture’s clothing-dependent society.
These effects include a separation of “self” from the “body,” a lack of point of comparison for all body parts due to clothing covering them, a preoccupation with sex that is emphasized through clothing, and a lack of education about the human body related to lack of exposure to it. She further identified that the nudity or partial nudity common to more primitive cultures was not an indication of a lack of modesty, and the way nudity is handled within a culture is more important than the presence of nudity in determining whether it will have negative effects. One area that she emphasizes is that a child must see nudity among adults so that they know what their body will become; this is essential to the developing person.
One common theme throughout the research was the effect of the family’s and society’s attitude about nudity on children. The presence of a positive or negative attitude towards nudity was far more important than any other factor in nearly every situation when it came to how a child would react to nudity around them. These studies show that not only is nudity not harmful to children (sorry Dr. Spock), but that they can benefit in various ways from exposure to nudity in a body-positive, accepting environment.
Children can gain increased knowledge and understanding of the human body in all of its forms along with greater comfort with sexuality and physical contact as they grow older. They also learn to accept their own bodies and have greater self-esteem. Thus it is really up to us as parents, as educators, as individuals, as a society, to adopt a more open and accepting view of nudity for children to benefit.
On a continuing note:
Guest nudist Blog
Nudism is a way of life, a philosophy for some. It’s not about stripping off one’s clothes to be an exhibitionist. It is about personal freedom and acceptance of the human body in all its forms and beauty.
I grew up in a nude home that supported nudism and family nudity.
It was only natural that my husband and I also practice family nudism. When in private, we and our children refrain from wearing clothing in our house and secluded garden. We’ve chosen a home that is away from others, allowing us to express ourselves in our own way.
Family Nudism is one form of expression for us. Just as others choose certain clothing to wear, we, in our family, simply choose to wear none.
Family nudism, nudity in the family and raising nudist kids
Our young kids, ages four and six, have complete acceptance of their bodies. They know the proper names for their anatomy and use them accordingly.
There is no fear or embarrassment about seeing a person naked. My husband and I often speak about how beautiful our children are. Nudity, in many ways, has brought us all closer together.
As a family, we respect the rights and wishes of others as well as most social norms. If company comes to call, such as other children from from our kids school, or when we go out in public, everyone is dressed. However, as soon as privacy is restored, we are all quick to shed any covering and poof – back to being the naked family again.
There’s nothing like the sensation of the fresh air and warmth of the sun on the naked body. None of us are uncomfortable while nude in the least. There is nothing sexual about being a naturist and there is nothing sexual or obscene about simple family nudity as well.
We simply enjoy being nude and believe that there is nothing wrong with being in our natural state as we go about our daily lives.
From day one, both my husband and I grew up with in nudist families. We used to gather for special nudist functions so from a young age, we became accustomed to seeing each other’s naked bodies.
Denial of the human body will not be a problem in our family. There was no sense of taboo with regards to being nude, nor was there a feeling that something should have been hidden.
As we grew older, my husband and I grew closer and as time went on, we became a couple. As such, we were ready to explore each other in a other responsible ways too.
One day, they will grow up and find partners of their own. As our children mature, we wish to teach them the same values and hope they will learn to be responsible and caring adults.
We can only hope that they will find others who will accept their bodies and will live in complete acceptance of their natural state if that is what they wish.
Family Nudism and Growing Up As a Nudist Was Published by – Young Naturists and Nudists America YNA
Nudism and Sexuality seems to be a hot topic these days. We at Young Naturists America get a ton of of emails and questions every single day about this very topic.
This week we got one such email, from a young person, who wanted to know how do we separate nudism and sexuality?
His email read as follows:
“How does one separate sexuality from nudity? Don’t get me wrong; I’m not attacking nudists, I want to be one. I guess my question is: When does it become too sexualized? I think that’s what gets textile people’s textiles in a bunch. Where is the context?”
Rather than give a straight answer to those questions, Jordan Blum decided to break them down a bit in a conversation with Paul Rapoport, the former, longtime editor of Going Natural.
They’re basic and important. Although most naturists may know the main answer to their own satisfaction, I’d like to start with a bit of context, as the questioner asks. Let’s consider the sex issue from a cultural perspective, and the problems it poses for naturists.
American culture, fed if not led by its media—movies and pop music as well as communications and advertising—has turned sex into big business and a big obsession. To use that obsession for commercial and political ends on a large scale, sex needs to be oversimplified and narrow.
Going Natural Magazine
Because public expressions of “explicit” sexuality are generally banned, in traditional mass-market visual representation a few square (or round!) inches of body parts easily become the oversimplified, narrow focus for that ban. You know, “You can’t show that!”
In basic mass media, only coy versions of nudity: a censored, false nudity, with “no showing this or that” always operating, and an overwhelming emphasis on young women of a certain type. All that should really annoy naturists.
Maybe, but it comes from a different place, the manipulation of the obsession with sex. That’s aimed at the main decision makers: middle-aged, middle-class, heterosexual men.
Naturism’s real nudity of a variety of real people doing anything but hanging around in passive poses would wreck the game by making the manipulation much more difficult.
We could try logic! To most people, if there’s an image of sex, it must involve nudity. Therefore, if there’s an image of nudity, it must involve sex. Is that logical?
I’d put this to non-naturists, then: If there’s an image of a man, it must be a human. Therefore, if there’s an image of a human, it must be a man.
That illogicality is the same as the one involving nudity. Unfortunately, logic is an enemy of forces of mass manipulation.
Because it’s complicated, and on a simple level I don’t think it’s true. If it were, there would be no quotas on single men at private naturist locations, no gay naturists as separate groups, etc. The issue may well be: life is sexual.
The simplest way to separate nudity from sexuality is to keep to the practice of nonsexualized nudity. The -ed is important, making nonsexualized mean not overtly sexual. In other words, naturist activities have no additional sexual component beyond what bodies usually have when clothed.
But even that’s a tough sale. To non-naturists, eating, swimming, or playing volleyball without clothes is either ridiculous or sexually provocative. They’ve bought into the wrong two-way automatic association between nudity and sexual expression
.
Nudism and Sexuality – What Is Too Sexual For Nudists?
Politically in the USA, especially during its more repressive phases, naturists have had to disavow any connection with sex. To fight the impression that they are sexual deviants or threats, they try to act less sexual than everyone else
.
Part of that is a reasonable defense, especially for women in the presence of men: when clothes come off, more boundaries are on. Interpersonal boundaries are strengthened. But it may certainly be overdone.
How may it be overdone?
In the 1940s, naturists in most places could not hold hands or, in some, touch each other even on a shoulder. That seems odd now. These days, there are other naturist taboos. There must always be some. Different naturists may have different views on them.
Such as?
Some say that genital jewelry is a sexualized display, or that putting sunscreen on the usually forbidden body bits in the presence of others is too much. Some say that men shouldn’t be allowed erections, or that women shouldn’t sit with their legs apart.
Some naturist locations avoid lingerie or other attire considered sexy, or body painting, or body contests. Some frown on naked hugs or dances.
Welcome to the USA, where on a large political scale, perception is nine-tenths of truth.
Those seem notable concerns especially for young people. But if things don’t go to extremes, there’s room for various kinds of naturism: outdoor, party, sports, religious, etc.; and let’s not forget children of very different ages. As for acting the same with or without clothing, that’s the basic idea, which young children understand better than anyone!
Fair enough. They might find out what’s okay or not in the naturist environment they plan to be in and act accordingly. Or the converse: find out if there’s a place or group that does things they want and avoids things they don’t.
It doesn’t hurt to ask in a general way, or to read up a little about the issues, and those seeking assurances should be welcomed.
That’s too hard for me to answer. But one thing seems clear: because naturism is still small stuff in the larger picture, it gains most from major events that aren’t set up as naturist or by naturists. Examples: the World Naked Bike Ride and large-scale or well-publicized performances by artists like Spencer Tunick and Sarah Small.
Favorable legal decisions help, of course. Ironically they include cases in the sexual realm, such as repealing anti-sodomy laws (Texas) or allowing swinger parties (Québec), because of the larger world’s confusion of sexual expression with nudity. Also beneficial is acceptance or acquittal of women for being topfree, which involves an equality issue even if courts haven’t much recognized that.
It’s all about body acceptance, which shows up in many ways.
All the good news about naturist campgrounds, resorts, beaches, organizations, and activities are slowly showing the American public that naturism is not a sexualized practice and moreover has longstanding, important ties to many positive ideas and movements in health, psychology, the natural environment, and art. Continuing to emphasize those positive connections should diminish the need for naturism to demonstrate what it is not and free it to become what it aspires to.
Perhaps naturist concerns about sexuality in their practice will decrease. Wouldn’t it be nice if they disappeared?
This discussion about nudism and sexuality was published by – Young Naturists And Nudists America YNA
(Guest Nudist Blog By Anon)
Streaking in High School – I have never been very much of a daredevil. But there has always been something so seductively enticing about the experience of streaking down the street.
I had heard stories of others doing it as a dare, or even when they were intoxicated. Naturally I wanted to try my hand at it.
The only things that have been standing in my way were the lack of appropriate opportunities (cop-out I know), and the confidence to actually do it. That all changed one night during high school.
I was at a party with my girlfriends when someone mentioned that no one had gotten naked yet. Most of us simply brushed off the comment and continued to hold our conversations
.
However, as the night progressed, and people became more relaxed, the idea suddenly didn’t seem so bad.
A few people joked about the idea of heading to the store and disrobing in the middle of the aisle, but that idea was way too risky.
Instead, a handful of us decided that we were going to streak down the middle of the street.
After about the first five minutes, the initial excitement that was in my mind was replaced with anxiety. I had never been really all that comfortable with my body image, so the idea of actually showing all of it to anyone and everyone was mind-boggling.
I began to think of ways in which I could back out without looking like a coward. But I could find none! The only option I felt I had, if I did not want to look like a chicken, was to go through with it and suffer the inevitable consequences later.
Streaking Stories: A Naked Streaking Streaker Guru Running Fast and Hard At Work
One by one, people began getting naked. They Were dropping their clothes on the porch and took their turns running up and down the block. As my turn got closer and closer, I began to feel more and more anxious.
But as I stood there, in my t-shirt and panties, I began to realize just how fast the experience really was. In addition, it seemed as though most people were feeling the same sense of nervousness as I was.
And then it was my turn. Once I was at the head of the line, I decided to pump myself up so much that I could actually go through with it.
However, instead of undressing in front of everyone, I walked far enough away from them to where I could take them off alone.
And just like that, I was naked in public! But once I was naked and began running down that street, I was amazed – it felt so exhilarating!
At the time, I was only really proud of myself for actually going through with it. But looking back, I see how significant that experience was because it was the first time I just felt free.
I totally understand the appeal of nudism and why so many people chose to embrace a nudist lifestyle – it was of the most freeing experiences of my life!
This guest blog titled – Streaking In High School, was published by- Young Nudists and Naturists America YNA
One would think that naturism and fashion generally don’t mix but…
Of all the production company and TV network pitches we’ve gotten over the years (and there have been a ton of them), the invitation to be part of a fashion reality TV show was most unexpected and unusual.
Last June, Project Runway All Stars contacted us to be part of a special naturist episode. As previously described (and if you didn’t see it), the basic premise was that their group of designers would be challenged with making winter wear for naturists.
As with any TV casting call we get, we approached this opportunity with a fair amount of caution. We wanted to be sure it wasn’t going to be just another bad gimmick with lots of cheap jokes made at our expense.
At first we did not think this would be a project for YNA, but after speaking at length with the executive producer about the episode and casting, we were on board. The producer reassured us that it would be positive and respectful and a big reason for our agreement to do it was that Alyssa Milano hosts the show.
For those who may not be aware, Alyssa Milano is a known advocate for positive body image as well as public breastfeeding. Since she herself is a fellow activist, we agreed to put our trust in her and the executive producer’s hands.
Naturists standing next to Alyssa Milano (wearing a vintage Pierre Cardin dress) on the runway in PR All Stars, season 5 ep 5. Image: Lifetime
You can read the complete article at:
http://youngnaturistsamerica.com/naturist-episode-review-project-runway-all-stars-season-5/
The Most Promising Cancer Therapy in Decades Is About to Get Better
Tumors contain the seeds of their own destruction. We just need to work out how to activate them.
The rise of immunotherapy has been one of the most startling and promising developments in cancer research for some time. After decades of false starts and dead ends, scientists have finally found effective ways of marshaling the immune system to destroy cancers. Some use drugs called “checkpoint inhibitors” to lift the natural brakes that restrain immune cells, allowing them to go to town on tumors. Others are extracting, engineering, and re-injecting the immune cells themselves. The results have been staggering. Advanced cancers have gone into complete remission. People who were given months to live are still here years later.
But immunotherapy isn’t a panacea. For the moment, it only works for some types of cancer. Even then, only about 20 percent of patients respond. When these treatments work, they work really well—but they don’t always work. Why? To answer that, Sergio Quezada at University College London and Charles Swanton at the Crick Institute realized that they needed to answer a simple question: How does the immune system see tumors, and what are they actually seeing?
As tumors expand, they accrue mutations in their genes that fuel their growth, and that distinguish them from normal, healthy cells. These mutations also change molecules called neoantigens that are displayed on the surface of the tumor cells. To our immune system, neoantigens are red flags that say “There’s something weird, foreign, other about these cells.” It responds by producing targeted weapons—T-cells that specifically recognize the neoantigens and attack whatever carries them.
Quezada and Swanton’s team, including Nicholas McGranahan, Andrew Furness, and Rachel Rosenthal, found that lung tumors carry anywhere from 80 to 700 neoantigens. They also found, after studying 150 lung cancer cases, that people with more of these red flags tend to live longer. That makes intuitive sense: More neoantigens means more potential targets for the immune system, which means a better chance of controlling a tumor.
But not all neoantigens are alike.
As cancers develop, they also evolve and diversify. Cells on one side of a tumor can end up with very different mutations (and neoantigens) from those just centimeters away. This concept, known as ‘heterogeneity,’ partly explains why the war against cancer has been so entrenched. Consider the much-vaunted “targeted therapies”—drugs that go after mutations specific to a patient’s cancer. If those mutations are found only in some parts of a tumor, the treatment will leave a reservoir of cells that can grow anew, or even evolve resistance to the drug. That’s why many people get great results with targeted therapies, but then rebound within a few months.
Heterogeneity matters to the immune system, too. Some mutations develop early on in a tumor’s life and are found in all of its cells. Let’s call them trunk mutations. Others are latecomers and found in just a fraction of the tumor cells. Those are the branches.
Quezada and Swanton’s teams found that patients had better survival rates if their tumors have lots of trunk neonatigens, but not branch ones. They also responded better to pembrolizumab, one of those checkpoint inhibitors that works by unleashing the immune system (and the drug Jimmy Carter recently took). The team studied 34 patients and found that almost everyone whose tumors had a wide trunk and sparse branches responded well to the drug. By contrast, the poorest responders almost all had thin trunks and luxuriant branches. They found the same pattern among 64 melanoma patients treated with two different drugs.
In Quezada’s vision, when his team meets a new cancer patient, they would identify trunk mutations that are found throughout their tumor, make T-cells that recognize those mutations, and inject those cells into the patient. Robert Gatenby from the Moffitt Cancer Center compares this approach to biological control, where farmers control pests using predators and parasites. “Cancer cells are analogous to pests, and predators are often a far more effective strategy for controlling pests than application of toxic pesticides.”
Indeed, predators already prowl the body. Quezada and Swanton’s team focused on two people with very different kinds of lung tumors—one with lots of trunk neoantigens and another with lots of branches. But in both cases, they found T-cells that recognize the trunk mutations. “This is the first evidence that there are seeds of a tumor’s own destruction nestling in the tumor itself,” says Swanton.
And yet, these trunk-targeting T-cells are clearly not living up to their full potential, because the two patients aren’t healthy. “That’s no surprise. If these cells are potent, the tumors will evolve ways of turning them off,” says Quezada. “We need to work out how to activate these T-cells.”
The team have already found potential ways of doing that. These T-cells harbor high levels of molecular restraints like PD-1 and LAG-3, and could potentially be unshackled by checkpoint blockade drugs that go after these targets. Maybe the future lies in finding these trunk-targeting T-cells, growing them outside a patient’s body, and injecting them back in along with drugs that let them go to town.
“We’re not naïve,” says Swanton. “We know there is a long way to go. This is the first step in an exciting journey.”
In Woody Allen’s movie, Annie Hall, Diane Keaton is breaking up with Woody and wants to know why he isn’t angry. “I don’t get angry,” Allen replies, “I grow a tumor instead.”
We tend to think of our bodies and minds as separate systems and believe they function independently. Yet can you remember the last time you went on a first date with someone you were really trying to impress or had an interview for a job? In either case, no doubt you wanted to appear calm and collected but at the same time you were feeling self-conscious and nervous. Can you recall how your body felt? Self-consciousness will tighten your buttock muscles (so you are literally sitting on your tension), you will sweat more than usual, may feel slightly nauseous, and you will probably fluff your words, just when you want to appear suave and confident.
So can we really separate the mind and body?
“A basic emotion such as fear can be described as an abstract feeling or as a tangible molecule of the hormone adrenaline,” writes Deepak Chopra in Ageless Body, Timeless Mind. “Without the feeling there is no hormone; without the hormone there is no feeling . . . The revolution we call mind-body medicine was based on this simple discovery: wherever thought goes, a chemical goes with it.”
Not just fear but all our thoughts and feelings get translated into chemicals that fire off throughout the body, affecting the chemical composition and behavior of our cells. Hence a sad feeling influences our tear ducts so they produce tears when we feel sadness, while a scary feeling gives us goose bumps or makes our hair stand on end.
Is there actually any real difference between one part of our being and another or is the only difference the means of expression? H2O exists as water, steam, rain, sea, cloud or ice, yet is still H2O.
“The skin is not separate from the emotions, or the emotions separate from the back, or the back separate from the kidneys, or the kidneys separate from will and ambition, or will and ambition separate from the spleen, or the spleen separate from sexual confidence,” writes Dianne Connelly in Traditional Acupuncture: The Law of the Five Elements.
When we can’t or don’t express emotions or psychological states then that energy gets expressed through the physical body. The emotions most often repressed are rage, as it can be the most inappropriate or difficult to articulate, and grief. The two are often connected through a loss of control.
For instance, when Deb was eight years old she was sent to boarding school, an experience she was not too thrilled about. “A few weeks after I got there I had tonsillitis. In those days having your tonsils out meant staying in hospital for a week followed by another week at home eating nothing but mashed potatoes and ice cream—good comfort foods! What those two weeks really did was reconnect me with security and a sense of belonging. I can see that the nature of the illness—inflamed and sore throat—indicated that I was having a very hard time swallowing my reality. Boarding school was not where I wanted to be! Yet I had no choice. The time at home was the healing I needed to accept what was happening.”
To apply this to yourself, try looking back over times of illness and see if the sickness followed a time of crisis, stress, or emotional difficulty. If it did, then see if there are any issues, such as anger or grief, that need to be known and released. Take some time to be quiet and reflective, acknowledge what is happening at the time and gently heal.
February is Women’s History Month. How can that be relevant to our modern lives, you might ask? A page out of ancient Celtic history can actually give us some helpful insights into how we can promote equality today.
The Celtic culture was at its height over two thousand years ago in Europe, and their views on women’s roles in society were different than they often are today.
Women were leaders
As of August 2015, the United Nations reported that women represent 22 percent of all international government members. There are many reasons behind this inequality, but female leadership is clearly an area that still needs to be cultivated in modern day.
It’s unknown exactly how many women participated in ancient Celtic leadership, but it’s well-documented that women as well as men became rulers.
A famous example is Boudicca, a woman who became leader of the Iceni, a Celtic tribe in Britain, after her husband Prasugatus died. As a step towards peace, Prasugatus had agreed to give the Romans a large portion of his holdings after his death.
The Romans had no respect for a female ruler. When they came to collect their inheritance, they purposefully carried out horrific acts against the Iceni. They were looted, Boudicca was flogged in public and her daughters were raped repeatedly.
Boudicca responded by uniting local Celtic tribes and leading a revolt against the Romans. They leveled the Roman administrative center of Londinium (today’s London) and sacked two other Roman towns before being defeated.
Boudicca was able to unite people and act against injustice. She remains an excellent example of female leadership today.
Women were warriors
How often have you heard someone comment that a woman is “too aggressive” or “a real ball buster”? In contrast, how often have you heard a man be accused of the same things?
This stereotype of how different genders are expected to behave can affect everyone. Women may not openly express themselves in fear of seeming inappropriate. But this also robs men of honest communication with women.
The actress Jennifer Lawrence discussed this in a post she wrote about inequality on Lenny Letter. She said:
“Could there still be a lingering habit of trying to express our [women’s] opinions in a certain way that doesn’t ‘offend’ or ‘scare’ men?…All I hear and see all day are men speaking their opinions, and I give mine in the same exact manner, and you would have thought I had said something offensive.”
In ancient Celtic times, women didn’t have to tone down their strength to fit in. They were trained alongside men to use weapons and fight battles. And like Boudicca, many female warriors led armies into war.
Celtic women were part of the final battle against a Roman attack on the island of Mona (now Anglesey in Wales). The warrior women were reported to have also used psychological tactics during battle, such as screeching, dancing wildly and pulling at their faces. This frightened the Romans enough to hold them off temporarily.
The Roman soldier and historian Ammianus Marcellinus was reported as saying: “A whole troop of foreigners would not be able to withstand a single Celt if he called his wife to his assistance!”
This may be an exaggeration, but it certainly shows the potential of a woman who is truly able to express her inner power.
Women were intellectual
Women are still greatly underrepresented in areas like scientific research in many countries today. In 2013, the global percentage of women employed in research and development was 33 percent.
Similar to politics, there are many social and economic reasons for this inequality. In some cultures, intelligence in women is simply not valued or downright discouraged. Lingering beliefs like these need to be challenged in our world.
In ancient Celtic society, druids were respected as an intellectual elite. And both men and women could become druids. They were trained for over twenty years, including memorization of literature, poetry, history, Celtic law and astronomy.
The druids mediated for their people, performed sacrifices, interpreted omens and presided over religious ceremonies. They were advisors to Celtic kings and queens and held great influence in politics.
There is no reason why women today can’t hold similar positions in equal proportion to men.
Women were sexually open
Needless to say, sexual inequalities remain a serious issue for woman around the world today. The sexual freedoms accepted for men are not always the same for women.
Ancient Celtic society was polygamous, where men could have many wives. But it was also polyandrous, meaning women could also have many husbands. In fact, Caesar reported that some women shared husbands among each other.
When accused of loose morals by the Roman Empress Julia Augusta, the wife of the Celtic prince Argentocoxus apparently replied: “We fulfill the necessity of nature much better than Roman women do, for we have intercourse openly with the best, whereas you are abused secretly by the worst!”
Celtic marriage was viewed as more of a partnership between husband and wife. It was a social arrangement that was not tied to religion. Women were allowed to choose their husbands and also divorce freely. Divorced women remained respected members of society and were able to remarry.
Ancient Celtic society wasn’t perfect, but their views towards women have relevant meaning today. Can you imagine a world where all women have equal opportunity to participate as leaders and freely express our strength, intelligence and sexuality? That’s a world worth working towards.
Teachers and school administrators could be prosecuted and sent to jail for presenting sex education material perceived as harmful to minors, under a new bill being introduced by some Republicans in Kansas.
The sponsor of Senate Bill 56, Senator Mary Pilcher-Cook, stated: “State laws should protect parents’ rights to safeguard our children against harmful materials, especially in schools.” Obviously we can all agree with that, but are these sex ed materials really harmful?
Her bill has already passed the Senate, and has now moved to the Kansas House. It originates from a 2014 controversy regarding a classroom poster in the Shawnee Mission school district that listed oral sex, among other acts, under the headine: “How do people express their sexual feelings?”
Pilcher-Cook said children could have been harmed by viewing the poster “because it affects their brains.”
As of now, if the sexual content is part of an official lesson plant, teachers are protected from misdemeanor charges associated with giving children sexual information. If the bill passes, teachers could be charged and sentenced up to six months in jail, along with a fine.
Knowledge Is Power
As a teacher, I can say it is very harmful for children and teenagers to get incorrect sex ed information. We owe it to our young people to provide them with all the necessary information about themselves and their bodies. Trying to pretend that sex and sexual activities don’t exist encourages them to experiment without knowing what they are doing, and that can have disastrous consequences.Opponents of this bill explain that teachers could be vulnerable to prosecution simply for presenting certain works of art and literature, which might be deemed “harmful.” Representative John Carmichael posed an interesting question when he asked whether a teacher could be prosecuted for showing an image of Michelangelo’s sculpture David, since it depicts male genitalia. He questioned whether teaching Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” might also be considered a criminal offense.
In response, Pilcher-Cook pointed to a section of the bill that says harmful material is defined as material “a reasonable person would find … lacks serious literary, scientific, educational, artistic or political value.” Hmm, that seems a bit subjective.
As Carmichael continued to press the issue, Pilcher-Cook was forced to admit that it would be up to individual prosecutors and juries to make that determination. Well, we know where that could lead.
Is Sexual Education The Responsibility Of Teachers Or Parents?
Some Kansas Republicans are obviously in strong denial about the reality of the sexual activity of pre-teens and teens, but beyond their ignorance lies the question of where young people should get their sexual education. Psychologist Sharon Maxwell believes strongly that parents should be the primary adults teaching their kids about character, including sexual values.
“We have to give our children a structure with which to view the world,” she says. “Our overriding theme as parents should be to teach our children that becoming a full human being means having the ability to control and direct our desires, and that includes sexuality.”
Parents and schools both have a part to play, according to Maxwell. Since the sex ed offered in many schools today deals mostly with reproductive biology, Maxwell believes that parents need to supplement this by talking to their teens about morality and sexual ethics.
Schools And Parents Working Together
Kids can get some pretty wacky ideas about sex if they just listen to their peers, so it’s good for them to learn from other adults, including their parents. On the other hand, some children may take advice from their school more easily than from their mom and dad. Conversely, some parents may feel more comfortable having someone else raise these issues with their children.
In reality, both parents and schools should address sexual health topics. As long as kids get the right information, it doesn’t matter where it comes from.
What does matter is if elected officials punish teachers for telling the truth to their students, which is what seems to be afoot in Kansas.
Image credit: averain via Flickr
Wearing no swimsuit at home in Florida (January 19 2016) DEAR ABBY: My girlfriend has no issue with nudity. She worked herself through her master’s degree in finance as an exotic dancer. She has a phenomenal figure, eats healthy and works out often. Last year we bought a home in a small residential community, complete with a pool. We installed a fence and spent a lot of money on landscaping to give us privacy from our neighbors. We live in Florida and spend a lot of time in our pool, especially on weekends. My girlfriend doesn’t like to wear a swimsuit, and I have no issues with it. At a neighborhood event recently, one of our neighbors politely asked her if she wouldn’t mind covering up when in the pool. She said her kids, and her hubby, can see into our yard from their upper floor. My girlfriend apologized for their inconvenience, but told them she wouldn’t be changing her habits in her home. I see both sides of this. I agree she shouldn’t feel compelled to wear a suit to swim in our own pool (or lounge by it). But I can also see the neighbor’s side. The preteen boys and husband can get an eyeful just about every weekend, and I don’t think a few tan lines are worth a feud with the neighbors. Any suggestions for my dilemma? — SWIMSUIT ETIQUETTE DEAR S.E.: I, too, can see both sides of this. However, you and your girlfriend have done as much as you can to protect her privacy. You can’t be responsible for your neighbor’s husband’s and children’s voyeurism. I don’t think your girlfriend should feel compelled to change her lifestyle because they act like Peeping Toms. I do think it would be healthier for all concerned if your neighbor had a talk with her “boys” regarding their family’s standards when it comes to naturism and respecting the privacy of others. JEANNE PHILLIPS
Feds are ready to fuel
rise of driverless cars
By Ashley Halsey III
The Washington Post
WASHINGTON
- The Obama administration said Thursday that it will work with automakers and state governments on a national policy to speed up the arrival of driverless cars on U.S. highways.
Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx promised a series of initiatives that will help untangle the myriad legal and technical issues that could gum up the process. “We are bullish on
automated vehicles,” Foxx said. “Today’s actions and those we will pursue in the coming months will provide the foundation and the path forward for manufacturers, state officials and consumers to use
new technologies and achieve their full safety potential.”
The plan laid out by Foxx in a speech at the Detroit Auto Show foresees an active federal role in promoting high-tech innovations in an evolution toward self-driving cars that will take several
decades to complete. Foxx said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will work with automakers and state governments to develop prototype laws and regulations for state
lawmakers to consider. Automakers seeking to road test their driverless cars now must deal with a patchwork of state regulations.
Foxx said NHTSA also would work with automakers during the next six months to refine the performance characteristics and testing methods for autonomous cars. He said the department would
consider seeking any new authority necessary to get driverless cars on the road “in large numbers when demonstrated to provide an equivalent or higher level of safety than is now available.”
The federal push comes on the heels of data from driverless-car developers that suggests that their vehicles perform admirably under ideal
conditions but run into more problems on unfamiliar routes or when the weather gets rough.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles required seven companies to disclose how frequently drivers had to take control away from the computer running the vehicle.
One of the developers, Google, said that in driving 424,000 miles, its drivers had to take the wheel of the test vehicles 341 times to prevent a collision or when software failed. Five other
companies said that they recorded 2,400 driver takeovers while logging 36,000 miles.
But as the federal government continues to fuel momentum for driverless cars, developing the technology is the least of the challenges.
The software of autonomous vehicles needs plenty of tweaking and refinement to be city-street ready, but the basic ability of the cars to get around on their own has been proven by test
vehicles all over the nation.
The true significance of the Chevy Bolt: An old-school company with immense manufacturing capacity has gotten to the 200-mile, $30K electric vehicle first.
http://www.wired.com/2016/01/gm-electric-car-chevy-bolt-mary-barra/
TIME INC. NETWORK: Health Aging
How to Live to 100: Researchers Find New Genetic Clues
Alice Park @aliceparkny
Dec. 17, 2015
In a new analysis, researchers explore whether people live longer because they avoid disease or because they possess some anti-aging secret
If you live to be 100, you’re in a special group, one that longevity scientists are eagerly studying for clues to battling aging. But are these centenarians long-lived because they don’t get the diseases that fell the rest of us—heart problems, diabetes, dementia, arthritis and more—or because they are protected somehow against the effects of aging? Based on the data so far, most experts have concluded that centenarians get to where they are because they have some anti-aging secret that shields them against the effects of aging. That’s because studies found that centenarians had just as many genes that contribute to disease as those with more average life spans.
But in a paper published in PLOS Genetics, researchers led by Stuart Kim, professor of developmental biology and genetics at Stanford University, questions that dogma. He found that on the contrary, centenarians may have fewer of the genes that contribute to major chronic diseases. That doesn’t mean that people who live to their 100s also don’t possess some protective anti-aging genes as well, but Kim’s study shows that they don’t experience as much disease as people who are shorter-lived.
Kim’s team came to that conclusion after conducting a novel type of genetic analysis. Most attempts to look for genes related to aging compare the genomes of centenarians and people with average life spans and pick out the regions where the maps differ. Those are potential targets for aging, but, as Kim notes, they could also be red herrings. “Because you search through hundreds of thousands, and now millions of variants, there is a lot of noise. So it makes it difficult to see the signal amidst all the noise.”
To purify the signal, Kim layered another piece of information on this comparison. He made the assumption that disease genes can reduce the chances of someone reaching their 100s, and focused just on known disease-causing genes in his analysis. “With that, we can make better guesses about what is really bad for becoming a centenarian,” he says.
The filtered analysis pumped out five major regions of interest for longevity. Four are familiar; they involve the gene connected to Alzheimer’s, an area involved with heart disease, the genes responsible for the A-B-O blood type and the immune system’s HLA region that needs to be matched for organ transplants to avoid rejection. These four have known connections to longevity. The Alzheimer’s gene, ApoE, for example, is linked to shorter life span, while the heart disease variants are involved in directing a cell’s life span and the O blood type is known to be connected to better health outcomes and survival.
The fifth region was one that had never been linked to longevity before, and Kim admits that not much is known about how it might contribute to longer life, except that mutations in the gene region can contribute to neurological diseases such as ALS and that in fruit flies, other mutations help the insects to live longer.
“It seems intuitively obvious, that avoiding disease is part of the strategy of becoming a centenarian,” says Kim. “But there is a really, really strong dogma in the field that there was no depletion of disease genes in centenarians, and that all of their survival benefit was coming from protection from anti-aging genes. I think they were wrong.”
Those previous studies that pointed to this anti-aging effect over the effect of fewer disease-causing genes were generally smaller, and might not have isolated the signal from the noise.
Kim’s team shows that the way centenarians reach their second century may involve more than just being blessed with anti-aging genes. “We found that, at least in part, they live longer because they don’t get sick,” he says. He also readily admits that they may also benefit from some anti-aging factor that researchers haven’t uncovered—yet.
If you regularly sleep sans pajamas, you’re in the minority. The vast majority of us sleep swaddled in some sort of clothing, be it shorts, a tee shirt, or a full-on onesie. According to a national sleep survey from 2012, only 8 percent admit to sleeping naked. But did you know that sleeping naked is actually great for you? Here are 6 ways nixing your pajamas will improve your health and happiness.
Reduce insomnia. As you sleep, your body naturally dips in temperature. It’s beneficial for the body to cool down, and it encourages deeper, more restful sleep. If your body is overheated, wrapped in thick socks and pants, you may not be able to release excess heat, which could rob you of a solid night’s sleep. Studies have shown that insomnia and body temperature are closely related, so take off those clothes if you’re tossing and turning.
Improve metabolism. Reduce excess belly fat by balancing cortisol levels, your stress hormone. Cortisol levels drop between 10pm and 2am, so if you’re not getting enough sleep, you may have excess amounts of stress hormones in the body upon waking that could encourage excess belly fat. Sleeping in the nude/in cooler temperatures has also been shown to lower blood sugar levels with the potential of preventing type II diabetes. Sleeping in a cooler environment encourages the body to transform regular fat into metabolism-boosting brown fat, which is responsible for temperature regulation and improved insulin sensitivity. Participants in the study saw their health improve under these conditions in a matter of weeks — so get out of those ‘jammies already!
Age more slowly. When you sleep well, your body produces melatonin and growth hormone, both of which act as anti-aging agents in the body. Since sleeping in a cool (ahem, nude) environment encourages better, deeper sleep, it isn’t a far stretch to consider that sleeping pajama-less can stave off premature aging. It also encourages healthier skin, since there are now seams or waistbands pushing in and encouraging dryness or wrinkles.Improve relationships. Skin on skin contact with your significant other increases the amount of oxytocin your body produces. Oxytocin is a powerful hormone that increases bonding and feelings of attachment. Plus, you’re more likely to get frisky if there are no clothes standing in your way, which is also great for relationships!
Your sex organs will be happier. Exposing vaginas, naturally damp and warm places, to unobstructed air flow every night can help to reduce the growth of yeast and unwelcome bacteria. On the other hand, testes are meant to be cooler than the rest of the body. Testicles that are kept cooler by sleeping in the nude are apt to produce healthier sperm.
Improve self-esteem. We have a tendency to hide our bodies from ourselves. But, the more you acknowledge and inhabit your beautiful body, the more likely you will be to accept it for what it truly is. In this way, sleeping in the nude can actually improve your self-esteem over time. Embrace yourself, and slide your bare skin in between those crisp sheets. It will feel so good!
Sleeping naked allows you to be undeniably you. Let your body cool down, improve your health and embrace your physique. Give naked sleeping a try tonight!
Why We Love Kids -- They
are so innocent.
Shared via the internet:
I was driving with my three young children one warm summer evening when a woman in the
convertible ahead of us stood up and waved. She was stark naked! As I was reeling from the shock, I heard my 5-year-old shout from the back seat, "Mom, that lady isn't wearing a seat
belt!"
A little boy got lost at the YMCA and found himself in the women's locker room. When he was
spotted, the room burst into shrieks, with ladies grabbing towels and running for cover. The little boy watched in amazement and then asked, "What's the matter, haven't you ever seen a little boy
before?"
A little boy opened the big family Bible. He was fascinated as he fingered through the old
pages. Suddenly, something fell out of the Bible He picked up the object and looked at it. What he saw was an old leaf that had been pressed in between the pages.
"Mama, look what I found," the boy called out.
"What have you got there, dear?"
With astonishment in the young boy's voice, he answered, "I think it's Adam 's
underwear!"
Any active lady out there has faced the age-old conundrum of what to wear underneath our gear while we’re sweating, lunging, lifting, running and bending at the gym. We’ve likely experimented with different kinds of undies and come to our own conclusions about what works for us and what does not. Yet, even if we’ve found something comfortable, there may be some associated health risks with our choice.
Personally, I have found that thongs are most comfortable for me when working out. I do CrossFit workouts, which include weightlifting and various cardio components, so my body stretches, jumps and shifts in all kinds of directions in any given day. To keep bunching and panty lines at bay, having the snug fit of thongs is, surprisingly, most comfortable. But, I may have to rethink my technique due to thongs’ bad rep.
Here is some information for any active lady trying to figure out which type of panty, if any, is best for exercising (please note that, despite my use of “lady” and other female-gendered words, I recognize that people of all gender identities may have the same downstairs equipment as ciswomen and, therefore, the same health concerns):
ThongsRegardless of the comfort level and freedom from panty line worry, thongs may put you at risk for more frequent infections. David Bank, M.D., of the Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic and Laser Surgery, told Shape that the snugness of thongs is deceiving, as the fabric can slide back and forth, leading to urinary or vaginal bacterial infections. Due to the location of thongs’ material, its wicking properties may do more harm than good.