A time for activism
Nudists have been treated like second- or even third-class citizens for far too long and it is high time to assert our rights. Here in the USA society recognized a long time ago that it was unacceptable for one group to determine what was appropriate for another. To restrict black people to the back of the bus was fundamentally wrong. During the days of the American civil rights movement some of those people suffering the effects of discrimination asserted their rights in order to achieve the freedoms to which they were entitled. There were also many activists from outside the black community who helped bring racial discrimination to an end. Today the idea of having separate drinking fountains or restrooms for a certain group of people is repugnant.
Years after the civil rights activists won their historic victories the homosexual community began to assert itself. Using an in-your-face style of activism they changed society's perception and acceptance of their lifestyle. The activists among them came out of the closet, so to speak to publicize and advance their cause.
As a result this sort of activism laws were enacted which which made discrimination of various sorts illegal. It is generally illegal to discriminate against someone because of his or her nationality, religion, age, sex, skin color, sexual orientation, or numerous other factors, but everyone is still free to discriminate, however they wish, against people who are nude. In fact, in many places the government will arrest you for not being clothed. In those places where public nudity is not specifically outlawed the charge will be disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, or something similar. Why should the state concern itself with what people wear? We lack sufficient political power to prevent our lifestyle from being prohibited by law. (I guess being fined for public indecency is much better than being burned at the stake, the punishment for some who once tried to live a different lifestyle.)
We need to get better organized and become more activist if we expect that our lifestyle will ever be accepted by society. We need to stop trying to be invisible by hiding our identities and our activities. We need to act like we really believe that there is nothing about our lifestyle to be embarrassed about or ashamed of. Who we are and the way we live are worthy of respect.
For nudists the back of the bus looks quite attractive because we're not even allowed on the bus. What do we have to do to assert ourselves and gain the rights to which we are entitled? Our strategy so far seems to be to behave ourselves and wait to be noticed by the rest of society, but since we try to stay so far under the radar society is barely aware of our existence. We are generally perceived as a small group of kooks who like to run around naked. We need to change that. If we don't stand up for our right to enjoy our lifestyle we will forever be confined to the ghetto that is composed of our clubs and a few clothing-optional beaches.
Among all minority groups there is a segment that proclaims, "We've got it better than we did 20 years ago, don't rock the boat, it'll only get worse." History rarely supports this. The groups that have gained significant ground have been fairly "in your face". Yes it is usually a two steps forward, one step back process, but those who have stayed the course have, by and large, been successful. It is impossible to be an activist for anything without offending a certain amount of people. You can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.
I am not sure what has to be changed with activism. Some years ago i complained and another nudist - he said join the organizations so many are already working and making successes happen.
So what is the problem? We can for the most socialize nude in the privacy of our own property, find private places on beaches, go to clubs and nude designated venues. If we are asking to drive though A and W or Tim Hortons or sit at a downtown mall nude - I think not ! Sanitation and manners of the average carefree person ? The nudity laws are just fine the way they are. Public information programs - yes and very important - that is where we hope out club money goes to compensate the good folks expenses to do this work.
Obviously the task ahead is difficult, but the obstacles we face are very similar to those confronted by the civil rights and gay rights movements. Many of us seem to think that our struggle will be more difficult because we are such a tiny minority. Well, the fact is we are not a tiny minority, and furthermore we are more widely accepted by the general population than you might expect. Take a look at he the following poll numbers and see if you don't agree. (And consider that the percentage of black people in the US population in 1960, in the early days of the civil rights movement, was only 10.5%, in 1970 it was 11.1%)
The 2009 Zogby Poll of 889 California adults commissioned by the Naturist Education Foundation found that:
79% agree that people should be able to enjoy nude sunbathing on a beach or other location that is designated for that purpose.
70% agree that areas should be set aside for people who enjoy clothing-optional recreation such as nude sunbathing and swimming.
68% agree that people have the right to be nude in their homes or on their property, even if they may occasionally be visible to others.
62% agree that the California Department of Parks and Recreation should exercise the legal authority it has to designate clothing-optional areas in state parks.
60% disagree that they are personally offended by the non-sexual nudity of others.
49% admit to personally, going "skinny-dipping" or nude sunbathing with others.
The 2006 Roper Poll of 1,009 US adults commissioned by the Naturist Education Foundation found that:
74% believe that people who enjoy nude sunbathing should be able to do so without interference from local officials as long as they do so at a beach that is accepted for that purpose.
54% think special and secluded areas should be set aside for people who enjoy nude sunbathing.
25% have personally, gone "skinny dipping" or nude sunbathing in a mixed group of men and women at a beach, a pool, or somewhere else.
24% believe people should be able to be nude in their backyard without interference, even if they may be visible to others.
We need to stop hoping for better times and start working to improve our lot. Expecting others to solve our problems is a guarantee that our problems will be with us forever.
I suspect that there are some among us who are satisfied with the status quo, but I'm not. Why should any of us live in fear that a neighbor or stranger passing by in the street might report us to the authorities because we were observed to be nude in our houses or on our properties? Why should we accept that we might be arrested for skinny-dipping in some remote mountain lake or free-hiking somewhere in the back country. We ought to be able to do these things anywhere we choose. There is no compelling state interest in what people choose to wear. I'm really tired of this CRAP, aren't you?
I seem to recall seeing a movie a long time ago that included a scene where a variety of people were yelling I'm mad as Hell, and I'm not gonna take it anymore. I think we need some of that spirit.
Establishing nudist friendly areas can be compared in many way to building a freeway. Most people have no problem with them, they just don't want them near by. It's called NIMBY. Not in my back yard.
In the north half of Saskachewan we get a max or 20 people out to a Prairie Suns event. A major event like hosting a conference maybe 30. That is 20 and maybe 30 interested and participating nudists for appx 500,000 population. From noting on my travels and acquaintances, and even observing the number of clubs in north America that ratio looks pretty much the same throughout. One club in south Sk get a few more with a higher population. Most little church organizations get a better attendance.
If we want to talk activism we better be ready for alot of cold nights in the county slammers :-)
For the most we are along way from being ready to support extra nude recreation accommodations if there were any more provided.
The issues, arguments, and such are not new.May I suggest this history as a starting point ?
Great article. We've come a long way, the options to travel and enjoy recreation nude have never been better. Moreopportunitieswill develop as our rights arerecognizedand advanced one court decision at a time. There are thankfully still bold pioneer characters among us who respectfully assert their right to the use of public spaces for healthy recreation,and we can best support them byhavingmembership in the many regional and national associations.
Obviously the task ahead is difficult, but the obstacles we face are very similar to those confronted by the civil rights and gay rights movements.
Sorry, but that does not compute. I'll avoid gay "rights" because we've been through that in several contentious threads. Civil rights is NOT a reasonable comparison to nudist rights, unless the following can be verified:
* Nudism is an an immutable biological fact that can be discerned by the mere sight of the nudist, clothed or nude.
* Nudists are discriminated against because of that fact.
* Nudists are being forced to live in slavery or as second-class citizens.
* Nudists are being hung, shot, burned or beaten to death solely because they are nudists.
* Nudists have been targeted for extermination because of their very existence.
Comparison of nudism to the civil rights struggle (and the women's equality movement) is unsupportable. Our clothes-free way of life is a personal choice, ergo there is no innate physical or biological characteristic to which we may point as a justification for our position. While we have the right to live in any way that we choose if it does not impose upon the rights of others, we do NOT have the right to require or force society as a whole to accept it.
Fact time: clothing has been the norm since civilization began. We are therefore going face to face with thousands of years of cultural and religious tradition. Nudists altering its course is on a par with a mosquito on the nose of a 747 flapping its wings madly to divert its flight.
My POV for years has been simple: when you have a goal, step one is to avoid pissing off the people who can help you to achieve it. People are, as the polls indicated, generally amenable to social nudism. However, they don't want naked people strolling along Main Street.
Nudism has gotten as far as it has because of the maxim, "nude when appropriate". There are places where being nude is acceptable. Nudist activism should be focused on securing more of those places, not on shoving nudity down the public's throat. The kid who politely asks mom or dad for a cookie is more likely to be successful than the brat who throws a world-class tantrum demanding the cookie.
Do I support nudist activism? Absolutely! Do I support confrontational and offensive activism? Hell, no.
Lastly...I seem to recall seeing a movie a long time ago that included a scene where a variety of people were yelling I'm mad as Hell, and I'm not gonna take it anymore. I think we need some of that spirit.
The film was "Network", and Howard Beale was its exploited "hero".
Contrary to what you are insinuating, there are many civil rights issues not involving African-Americans.
Or who like to be nude in the privacy of their home. In Kentucky if you are seen nude in a place where someone might be offended, it's illegal, even in your own backyard.
Obviously a hot topic all over in US and Canada.
A complaint may result in an investigation - most likely the officer will ask a couple questions, assess the situation, determine if sexual intent was involved, advise on privacy issues and go away. In all this one or two officers were called off other pressing duties to address because the complaint "may" involve sexual offensive actions and an arrest would need to be made. No wonder they get heavy handed and lay a charge. I am not sure as a tax payer (and a big one) I want our officers running to every residential nude report and I don't want every perverted exhibitionist running loose because they assume liberty in some change of law. Legalizing nudity would only exasperate these conditions as they are now.
Facilities for nude recreation are legal. Anyone can go nude in nude clubs, communities and nude designated events. Properly run nudist organizations screen membership by requiring police record checks or at least a proper application done surrendering identification information.
As I have said before, these facilities only come about with their need for them. Most nude clubs in North America are struggling to hang on and get permanent facilities. We need the supporting members and we get our freedom. A few folks supposedly home nudists tapping away on keyboards asking for the laws to change won't cut it.
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