charliep@polaris.UUCP (Charlie Perkins) (02/20/86)
Several recent posters to this group have indicated that, while they personally enjoy being naked at appropriate times, they do not wish to become involved in any nudist or naturist organizations. The reason I have usually seen is that they do not want to partake in "structured" nudist activities. For instance, someone mentioned (I think) that it would not be fun to have to be naked on Thursdays just because that was when the local group meetings happened to be. This is a gigantic misperception about the role of such organizations. But before I launch into my opinions about what the roles of the naturist groups are, let me point out as emphatically as I can that our naked activities are already currently very structured. In fact, they are repressed severely. For many people, the only "appropriate" times to be naked are those involved with bodily hygiene (baths and visits to the doctor's office). For some slightly more enlightened people, it is OK to be naked when in bed. I understand that there are a lot of people who do not enjoy being naked during sexual intercourse. Another group includes hot-tubs and saunas as appropriate places to be naked. Then we find that some relatively "way-out" types think that it's really OK to be naked alone in their living quarters. I think that exhausts the environments that our culture has endorsed as at all appropriate. I must point out, though, that even some of the above are illegal. There have been many cases where people were arrested for being naked in their homes. What about those (like me) that want to be naked nearly ALL the time (when weather permits)? Just what IS wrong with showing up nude at work? Nothing at all, except that employers are (for all practical purposes) empowered (by pure dint of societal assumptions) to discriminate against us. Likewise, I cannot realistically expect to enjoy a ballet or Broadway theatrical production unless I wear some clothes while I am in the audience. Before my wishes can be realized, there must be an enormous change in the society in which I live. If I ever attempt to go outside the approved structure imposed upon my nakedness, I am likely to be arrested or otherwise damaged. The laws do not protect my "rights" at all. I do not think that I would be hurting anyone at all by running around naked in Manhattan, yet I would be branded a criminal if I did so. Having said that, it is probably already clear that I belong to naturist groups for reasons wholly unrelated to their group meetings. Here are some that I can state clearly: 1. I want to be informed of laws and legal actions that affect my opportunities to be naked. That includes openings/closings of nude beaches, for instance. 2. I want to support those involved in changing the laws for the better. 3. I like to hear about the attitudes of other naturists in different parts of the world. 4. I like to hear about the experiences of other naturists, and their evaluation of places where it is currently OK to be naked. 5. I want to help change my society's perception of nudity, and I think that these organizations are beginning to do that. 6. Numerical strength is significant, and I want to be counted among those who clearly believe that it is OK to be naked. And, I personally DO want to join in "structured" activities (opportunities) involving being naked. For instance, if a local Naturist group rents an amusement park for a day, you can bet I'll be there naked in the roller coasters. So, unless you are satisfied with our current legal restrictions on nudity, I heartily recommend that you DO join a nudist or naturist organization. Send in some of your hard-earned dollars and support those who believe in the essential goodness of the human body. Moreover, if you decide to join the Naturists, or ASA, don't be ashamed of it fercrissakes! Many of my friends know of my affiliations and I am not aware that their opinion of me has suffered because of it. -- Charlie Perkins, IBM T.J. Watson Research philabs!polaris!charliep, perk%YKTVMX.BITNET@berkeley, perk.yktvmx.ibm@csnet-relay
pete@valid.UUCP (Pete Zakel) (03/06/86)
I have a question concerning naturist groups:
Are singles allowed?
I currently don't have a "significant other" and don't think I will have one
soon and I would like to participate in nudist activities (I am currently a
"closet" nudist) but I've always been hesitent because I am afraid I will
be looked at askance because I would be showing up by myself. I am a 31
year old male. Are my fears reasonable? And if not, how should I proceed?
I don't have much experience with being nude in a group except for a couple
of hot tub parties I have been to.
--
-Pete Zakel (..!{hplabs,amd,pyramid,ihnp4}!pesnta!valid!pete)hollombe@ttidcc.UUCP (The Polymath) (03/10/86)
In article <169@valid.UUCP> pete@valid.UUCP (Pete Zakel) writes: >I have a question concerning naturist groups: > > Are singles allowed? > >I currently don't have a "significant other" and don't think I will have one >soon and I would like to participate in nudist activities (I am currently a >"closet" nudist) but I've always been hesitent because I am afraid I will >be looked at askance because I would be showing up by myself. I am a 31 >year old male. Are my fears reasonable? And if not, how should I proceed? Singles are certainly welcome in this end of the world (and doubles and triples and ... (-:{ ). Parents Without Partners groups frequently turn up at out local resort (Elysium Field), as do many other singles on their own. >I don't have much experience with being nude in a group except for a couple >of hot tub parties I have been to. Come on down! (-: Elysium has a huge hot tub. -_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_ The Polymath (aka: Jerry Hollombe) Citicorp(+)TTI 3100 Ocean Park Blvd. Geniuses are people so lazy they Santa Monica, CA 90405 do everything right the first time. (213) 450-9111, ext. 2483 {philabs,randvax,trwrb,vortex}!ttidca!ttidcc!hollombe