The Hidden Battle Against Naturism: Discrimination by Payment Processors
The Hidden Battle Against Naturism: Discrimination by Payment Processors
As a proud member of the naturist community, I believe in promoting body positivity, respect for nature, and the simple joy of living without unnecessary barriers. Yet, despite the inclusive and non-sexual values of naturism, our movement faces challenges that go unnoticed by many: discrimination by merchant and payment processing companies.
Many payment processors unfairly classify nudist and naturist websites under the same category as adult content or pornography. This outdated and prejudiced policy results in these companies refusing to process payments for memberships or services on naturist platforms. By equating naturism with adult industries, they disregard the principles of our community and undermine our efforts to grow and thrive.
What does this mean for naturism?
It becomes harder for naturist websites and organisations to grow, as we are forced to rely on manual membership processes instead of automated systems.
Potential members may be deterred by cumbersome payment options, slowing the expansion of our community.
The underlying message is clear: naturism, despite being a legitimate, wholesome lifestyle, is being unfairly marginalised.
This isn't just about payment systems; its about a deeper bias that stifles the growth and acceptance of naturism. By limiting our ability to operate like any other community, these policies hinder our mission to normalise and celebrate the naturist lifestyle.
What can we do?
1. Raise Awareness: Share this message within your circles. The more people who know about this issue, the stronger our collective voice.
2. Support Naturist Platforms: If you're part of a naturist organisation or site, support them by manually processing memberships or contributing in other ways.
3. Advocate for Change: Reach out to payment processors and demand fair treatment for naturist organisations. Our values deserve to be recognised for what they arenot mislabelled and dismissed.
4. Collaborate on Solutions: Explore alternative, inclusive payment systems that align with our communitys values.
Naturism is about freedom, respect, and harmony with nature. Its time we demand the same respect from the systems that power our world. Lets stand together to challenge this unfair treatment and ensure that our community continues to grow and thrive.
At its best, naturism is about freedom, respect, and harmony with nature. At its worst, it discriminates against families with children and single males. And what does it use against unsanctioned naturists? Payment systems.
I've been told to bring bring legal affidavits to bring my minor children to naturist resorts, disregarding my legal parental rights. At others, I've been denied payment through the resort itself, citing their pay wall, with no option to pay cash. We don't need banks or outsiders to kill naturism, we're doing it just fine against ourselves.
That is not what is driving that. It is when attached people who aren't open with their spouses have a charge show up on their credit card and then report it as fraudulent. That's what triggers their system as saying it isn't a legitimate charge.
That is not what is driving that.
In my case I called a resort about visiting with a friend using another website (hipcamp) that accepted my payment. I was told I had to register on their resort website and got an error message. They said they couldn't accept my registration (even if I copied all the info requested) and I'd have to get a refund from hipcamp which I did. The resort shut down a few months later.
Thank you all for your responses. You've raised some critical points that underline the challenges we face as a community. StoneAndy, you're right that internal barriers like discrimination against single males and families with children need addressing. Inclusivity is at the heart of naturism, and these issues only hinder our collective growth.
MtnFun00, the concern about chargebacks is valid, and while it impacts payment processors' trust, we need to advocate for better differentiation between naturist platforms and adult industries. Transparency and education within our community can help.
StoneAndy, your personal experience is a clear example of why flexible and accessible payment systems are essential. Without them, we risk alienating members and losing vital institutions.
The bottom line is that whether the challenges come from within or outside our community, they all hold us back. Together, we can push for change by raising awareness, supporting inclusive platforms, and exploring innovative solutions. Let's ensure naturism thrives as a lifestyle of respect, freedom, and harmony with nature.
Let's ensure naturism thrives as a lifestyle of respect, freedom, and harmony with nature.
Your words are beautiful Vince and partly what drew me to naturism in the first place. For that reason I feel betrayed by the naturist community for not only disregarding me, but by sons - the next generation to pass the torch.
I spent years working (primarily as a volunteer but professionally as well) as a church and scout youth leader. I became deeply saddened by the sex scandals of both institutions and gladly participated in live trainings to keep children and the vulnerable in our society stay safe. I was surprised to learn that abuse is not only carried out by the creepy usual suspects, but by the most respectable, heterosexual men and women who don't fit any particular evil profile. There are two responses: either suspect everyone and live in fear, or create a safe environment for all which doesn't allow elbow room for sexual abuse. In this regard, I believe naturist/nudist organizations can define itself, complete with video trainings on what an enviornment of respect, freedom, and harmony with nature entails and what it doesn't. That means, for example, that criminal background checks for everyone is justified, and both behaviors of discrimination and inappropriate staring are condemned.
I see two trends in society killing naturism/nudism. One is to blame others and to claim greivance rather than accepting responsiblity and accountability. The second is focusing on sexuality: eg. creating the extremes of "nonsexual" nudism (as if taking off our clothes removes our sexuality) and "anything goes" nudism. As a father, I've learned that pointing fingers and saying NO NO NO doesn't work. Rather, I need to live as a role model of respect, freedom, and harmony myself, promoting a lifestyle that says YES YES YES. Once again, I've seen the enemy and the enemy as always is primarily within. That's the best place to change.
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