Nudist Rights
There are some nudists that Ive read about who seem to demand the right to go naked at all times, no matter where or when or what the circumstances. They view any opposition to public nudity as a violation of their very civil liberties. As a nudist I personally find this difficult to justify because it conveniently ignores the human rights of those who don't wish to see the naked bodies of others in public. I think nudists have the right to lobby for nudist rights but a key tenant of nudism is learning to have not only self-respect but respect for others and their beliefs.
It is simply the reality of things that many people consider nudity, even their own nakedness - wicked, shameful, offensive or disgusting. Of course I personally dont share these feelings and beliefs but it doesnt mean I cant understand them. There are those with deeply-rooted religious, cultural and moral beliefs that are not going to be swayed by any amount of reason or logic. Such people are genuinely upset by public displays of nudity and so I think I should respect their right not to see me naked. Sure I have a right to be nude, but there is a time and place for everything and so common sense comes into play.
I think all parents have the right to protect their children in their own way. If this includes protecting them from experiencing the nudity of strangers I dont feel it is my place or right to compel them to decide otherwise. Being required and expected to wear clothing in situations where it is considered the social norm is not I think a denial of my human rights. Neither my well-being nor my freedom depend upon it, nor do I suffer any loss because of it. Having to remain dressed on a warm sunny day may cause me some minor annoyance, but no more than that. It is not really some form of state repression.
I really dont relish the idea of being gawked at by non-nudist passersby or being thought of as some goofy guy who likes to be bare-assed naked in every imaginable place and circumstance. This kind of thing simply wouldnt in my opinion advance the nudist cause one iota. It would serve only to reinforce the opinions held by some that nudists are at best eccentric exhibitionists or at worst perverts who should be locked up. I think it is fair to be persistent and insistent about opening up new venues where I can celebrate my own positive body awareness and enjoy the freedom of spending time nude outdoors and while socializing with other like minded people. Yet learning to respect others doesnt just mean learning to respect other nudists but learning to respect all human beings. I think we can enjoy social nudity and still peacefully co-exist with our textile neighbors even if we feel we are a good deal more enlightened when it comes to positive body image and general comfortableness with our own skin.
Very well put. It would be best if others thought the same and had respect for the rights of the textile people. I know that some are hard headed will only think.the worst. Nudism is right for some but it is not for everyone.
Well said, and I agree completely that nudism isn't right for everyone and we do have to respect that.
Very well put. It would be best if others thought the same and had respect for the rights of the textile people. I know that some are hard headed will only think.the worst. Nudism is right for some but it is not for everyone.
Think about this, though: A "textile" can always turn his or her head away. They have the choice of whether to look or not. I've seen "textiles" at the nude beach, and they run the gamut from apparently being embarrassed by everyone's nudity, to being openly excited and voyeuristic about it. Since they have the choice of whether to look or not, I deserve the choice of whether to go nude or not. I'd be fine if each specific venue (store, restaurant, etc) had the choice of banning nudity or allowing it. This way I could voice my opinion with my spending habits. As of now, that option is right off the table.
As a firearms enthusiast, I tend to relate things to that hobby as well as this one. There are many people that want to make the ownership of a gun illegal, when it's not the gun that is bad, it's the behavior some people use guns fo rthat's bad. We've already made the behavior illegal - how would making the tools illegal help?
I take the same attitude toward nudity. People use the excuse that open nudity will cause a rise in all kinds of sex-related crimes, and lewd behavior, and because of this, nudity has to remain against the law. In my opinion, the behavior is already against the law. Making nudity legal wouldn't make that behavior amy more or less illegal, nor would it cause any change in the behavior of criminals. They're already going to break the law. They're not going to break it any more, or any more often, because you gave the law-abiding people the right to be clothes-free.
Salty,
We know how you feel and have a few suggestions to resolve this problem. The first, and most important thing, is to open the lines of communication. Introduce yourselves to your new neighbors. Get to know them. Let them know what good neighbors you are. Be open and honest with them. It's not the first thing you need to discuss with them, but tell them it's possible that they may see you sunbathing nude from time to time, but you hope they wouldn't be offended or embarrassed by it. If they have any problems, offer to work out mutually acceptable solutions, such as trees, bushes or shrubs. They may find that seeing you at that distance is no big thing. They may also have to give up that tree house that they promised the kids. Let them know that you are always available to discuss any issue. Make sure no personal problems become a law enforcement problems. Let them know if you occasionally have guests over. The one thing that you don't want to ever do is to give up your nude life style.
You should check your local laws to make sure you're on solid ground. But remember a legal solution should always be the last thing to pursue, by either side.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
Desert Rat
Salty,
First of all you have my sympathy on the situation you shared. I can imagine how nice and convenient it is to be able to spend time nude outdoors within the confines and privacy of your own property and deck. Having been able to do so up until now when you are faced with the prospect of new neighbors building a two story home behind your property I can imagine makes this a most disappointing development.
I am not an attorney but have some experience with application of statutes. After reading the North Carolina State Statute on Indecent Exposure, my opinion would be that if your neighbors observed you naked in your back yard from an upper floor window and took offense, they could make a complainant resulting in law enforcement intervention. The applicable statute reads as follows;
Section 14-190.9, North Carolina Statutes. Indecent exposure.
(a) Unless the conduct is punishable under subsection (a1) of this section, any person who shall willfully expose the private parts of his or her person in any public place and in the presence of any other person or persons, except for those places designated for a public purpose where the same sex exposure is incidental to a permitted activity, or aids or abets in any such act, or who procures another to perform such act; or any person, who as owner, manager, lessee, director, promoter or agent, or in any other capacity knowingly hires, leases or permits the land, building, or premises of which he is owner, lessee or tenant, or over which he has control, to be used for purposes of any such act, shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.
Unfortunately, the North Carolina Statute does not include the mitigating factor of lewd conduct as many states now do, and makes nudity an offense in and of itself. Common sense would say as your wife did, they dont have to look but unfortunately this only applies if you were inside your home nude in most jurisdictions. Being outside, even in the privacy of your own backyard for the purpose of statutes governing nudity generally does not afford you the same expectation of privacy that you enjoy when inside the confines of your home.
It appears, as others have already suggested the best course of action would be to introduce yourself to your new neighbors, explain the problem and ask for their forbearance. If they prove to be unreasonable and refuse then the only other course of action I think would be to erect some type of privacy barrier of sufficient height to prevent them from being able to see into your back yard. There are privacy screens manufactured for this purpose but of course that will require some expense, work and inconvenience on your part to obtain and install it. Good luck.
There are some nudists that Ive read about who seem to demand the right to go naked at all times, no matter where or when or what the circumstances. They view any opposition to public nudity as a violation of their very civil liberties. As a nudist I personally find this difficult to justify because it conveniently ignores the human rights of those who don't wish to see the naked bodies of others in public. I think nudists have the right to lobby for nudist rights but a key tenant of nudism is learning to have not only self-respect but respect for others and their beliefs.It is simply the reality of things that many people consider nudity, even their own nakedness - wicked, shameful, offensive or disgusting. Of course I personally dont share these feelings and beliefs but it doesnt mean I cant understand them. There are those with deeply-rooted religious, cultural and moral beliefs that are not going to be swayed by any amount of reason or logic. Such people are genuinely upset by public displays of nudity and so I think I should respect their right not to see me naked. Sure I have a right to be nude, but there is a time and place for everything and so common sense comes into play. I think all parents have the right to protect their children in their own way. If this includes protecting them from experiencing the nudity of strangers I dont feel it is my place or right to compel them to decide otherwise. Being required and expected to wear clothing in situations where it is considered the social norm is not I think a denial of my human rights. Neither my well-being nor my freedom depend upon it, nor do I suffer any loss because of it. Having to remain dressed on a warm sunny day may cause me some minor annoyance, but no more than that. It is not really some form of state repression.I really dont relish the idea of being gawked at by non-nudist passersby or being thought of as some goofy guy who likes to be bare-assed naked in every imaginable place and circumstance. This kind of thing simply wouldnt in my opinion advance the nudist cause one iota. It would serve only to reinforce the opinions held by some that nudists are at best eccentric exhibitionists or at worst perverts who should be locked up. I think it is fair to be persistent and insistent about opening up new venues where I can celebrate my own positive body awareness and enjoy the freedom of spending time nude outdoors and while socializing with other like minded people. Yet learning to respect others doesnt just mean learning to respect other nudists but learning to respect all human beings. I think we can enjoy social nudity and still peacefully co-exist with our textile neighbors even if we feel we are a good deal more enlightened when it comes to positive body image and general comfortableness with our own skin.
Gee I wish I'd said that. Wait a minute, I have many times over the years. I've never expresed it quite so well, though. This post should be required reading for anyone that wants to be considered a nudist. Thanks for a great post.
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