Spring is here, and so is News of the Nude—right on schedule, as always.

This month: a San Francisco judge dismisses charges against a nudist who was choked by a park ranger at a Grateful Dead memorial. A South Carolina man faces the sex offender registry for sunbathing in his own backyard. And one of the best naturist beaches in Spain is losing its identity—not through a ban, but through a business decision. All that and more below.

This is our fortieth edition, published on the last Friday of every month without exception since Planet Nude launched in 2023. News of the Nude is where most of our international news reporting lives—if you want just this and nothing else in your inbox, you can manage your subscription preferences at www.planetnude.co/account.

Forty issues in, and the world still has plenty to say about nudity. Here’s what it said this month. 🚀

News of the Nude, Vol. 40 🪐

Nature festival mixed up with nudist event

• BBC News | April 21, 2026

Naturists spend a lot of time explaining that they are not naturalists. So there’s something genuinely satisfying about a story where the confusion runs the other direction. Organizers of the Cumbria Nature Festival—a wildlife and conservation event scheduled for May in Workington, England—issued a public clarification after at least one prospective attendee apparently booked expecting something rather different. The post went modestly viral, gained the festival some unexpected followers, and ended with no refunds actually issued as far as I can tell. Committee member Sam Griffin told the BBC it was “a common misunderstanding” and that the response had been largely good-natured. It’s a light story, but it points to something real: the language around nudism remains genuinely slippery in the public mind, and the gap between perception and reality hasn’t closed as much as we might think. 🚀

World Naked Bike Ride confirmed for London this summer despite growing intolerance towards event

• Evening Standard | April 2026

The Evening Standard’s headline does the work here: the ride is happening “despite growing intolerance,” not simply because it’s June and it always does. Reporter Megan Howe documents a familiar squeeze—routes rerouted around Victoria Park after Tower Hamlets warned of violence risk, Hyde Park still off-limits, Saturday abandoned for Sunday. An active petition to ban the event frames nudity as a child safeguarding issue. Organizers call it a moral panic. The paper doesn’t adjudicate, but covering the ride’s return as an act of persistence rather than a calendar item says something on its own. The WNBR has run in London every year since 2004 except during the pandemic. That’s apparently no longer enough to make it routine. 🚀

Dropped trou, dropped case: Judge tosses charges against nudist choked at Bob Weir event

• SF Standard | April 8, 2026

The charges against Martin Moulton—the San Francisco nudist arrested at a January memorial for Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir at Civic Center Plaza—have been officially dismissed. Planet Nude reported on the arrest in News of the Nude in January. Body camera footage showed park ranger Antoine Fisher choking Moulton after Moulton told him not to touch him. Moulton was in the process of leaving voluntarily when the confrontation escalated. He spat in the direction of officers who continued to follow him, was tackled, and spent the evening in county jail. Judge Kay Tsenin granted the dismissal following a motion by the San Francisco public defender’s office. Deputy Public Defender Mark Goldstein said the rangers “needlessly escalated and inflamed this situation.” Moulton expressed regret about the spitting, calling it an “insulting gesture,” while maintaining that the nudists present had been “well within our rights and constitutional liberties.”

The legal outcome is clear. The broader questions the incident raises—about tactics, optics, and what effective nudist advocacy looks like in practice—a little less so. 🚀

Los Gatos nude resort no longer up for sale as owner assesses future

• Mercury News | April 21, 2026

Lupin Lodge, the historic naturist resort in the Santa Cruz Mountains above Los Gatos, has been pulled from the market after more than two years without a buyer. Listed first at $32.8 million and later reduced to $29.2 million, the property attracted serious interest but nothing closed. Owner Lori Kay Stout told the Mercury News simply: “Nothing stuck.” For naturists, the failed sale is a reprieve. When the listing first appeared in late 2023, the development language pointed toward a textile future. That Lupin is still standing, still operating, and still scheduling events—including the Naturist Society’s Western Gathering this August—is worth something. Founded in 1934 on the grounds of a Prohibition-era winery, it’s the oldest continuously operated nudist resort west of the Mississippi. It has survived a world war, recessions, wildfires, and a pandemic. A real estate downturn may just be next on the list. 🚀

Read our report

Greenville County man arrested for nude sunbathing in backyard raises legal questions

• WYFF4 | April 1, 2026

John Sullivan was arrested on March 13 and charged with indecent exposure after sunbathing nude in his own backyard in Fountain Inn, South Carolina. The arresting deputy’s report states he could clearly see Sullivan naked through the fence. Sullivan’s yard has an eight-foot solid fence on one side and a chain-link-and-slat fence on the other—a $12,000 upgrade he hadn’t gotten around to.

South Carolina’s indecent exposure statute carries up to three years and potential placement on the sex offender registry. Attorney Beattie Ashmore explained the legal line to WYFF4: being nude on your own property is generally permissible, but visibility to the general public can change the analysis, particularly depending on whether the viewer had to make any effort to see you.

It’s interesting how conditional “private” space actually is for nudists in many areas of the U.S. In South Carolina, the right to be nude at home apparently doesn’t come with much insulation from a neighbor’s sightline.

Sullivan’s case goes to court in May. 🚀

The COM has selected a candidate to build a naturist hotel at Orient Bay

• Soualiga Post | April 20, 2026

For naturists of a certain vintage, Orient Bay is a place that exists partly in memory. Club Orient—the clothing-optional resort that anchored the southern end of the beach on the French side of Saint Martin—was one of the best-known naturist destinations in the Caribbean, a full-service resort on the sand that had been operating since the 1980s. Hurricane Irma destroyed it in September 2017. What followed was nearly a decade of permits, rebuilding plans, regulatory fights, and pandemic delays, with the site sitting largely in ruins while the beach itself quietly continued to draw nudists anyway.

This month, Saint Martin’s governing body selected a developer to build something new there. SAS Griselle—whose partners are described as former owners of Club Orient and the Orient Beach Club—prevailed over a competing bid on the strength of a larger investment commitment and a faster timeline. The lease runs 60 years. Nothing is built yet and the opening is 36 months out at best. But for a destination that’s been in limbo since Irma, the selection of a developer with actual roots in what the place used to be appears to be meaningful.

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‘Clothing required’ clarification reignites Denny Blaine Park nudity fight yet again

• KOMO News | April 22, 2026

Friends of Denny Blaine filed a motion on April 20 asking King County Superior Court to confirm that toplessness is lawful throughout the park — including in zones where court-ordered signage reads “clothing required.” A hearing is set for May 1.

The filing responds to a documented pattern: private security guards hired by neighboring homeowners have been using the abatement plan—put in place last August to address public sex acts and indecent exposure—to confront and photograph topless parkgoers. Seattle police and park rangers have both confirmed that toplessness is not illegal anywhere in the park. FoDB is asking for updated signage that specifies bottoms covering genitals are required, specific enough to close the gap the guards have been exploiting. Washington’s Equal Rights Amendment, the motion argues, makes gender-selective enforcement unconstitutional regardless.

Planet Nude has been covering the fight over Denny Blaine since 2023. 🚀

Read our report

Readers defend ‘unofficial’ nudist beach after petition calls for Coolum Bay ban

• Sunshine Coast Daily / The Chronicle | April 5, 2026

A petition to ban nudists from Third Bay at Coolum Beach on Australia’s Sunshine Coast drew more pushback than signatures. The petition, titled “Ban nudism from Third Bay Coolum Beach” and citing concerns about “creepy old guys”, had gained only a handful of names when it started making the rounds, but it sparked a strong reader response that broke heavily in favor of leaving the beach alone.

Unfortunately the post is now paywalled, but the comments were worth reading. Defenders pointed out that Third Bay has operated as an unofficial nude beach for decades, that Queensland has no legal nude beaches at all despite toplessness being perfectly legal, and that the solution to not wanting to see nudity is simply going to one of the region’s many other beaches. Critics pushed back on the “creepy old guys” framing as a conflation of nudism with predatory behavior—a familiar and frustrating stereotype. 🚀

Naturists no longer welcome at popular Costa Tropical beach bars

• Sur in English | April 14, 2026

Cantarriján is one of the most celebrated naturist beaches in Spain—a protected cove on the Costa Tropical near Almuñécar, inside a natural park, consistently listed among the best in Andalucía and well known to European naturists as a destination worth the trip. It has operated as a mixed naturist-textile beach for decades, with the clothing-optional section at the southern end and chiringuitos that served everyone without much fuss.

That arrangement is ending. This spring the two beach bars told the local naturist association that naked customers were no longer welcome. The reasons are economic rather than ideological, which makes it harder to fight—no law is being broken, no ordinance to challenge. Cantarriján has no formal legal status as a naturist beach. Its identity is entirely customary, which turns out to be a thinner foundation than it looks. Still, for the naturists that occupy the beach, the stakes are real. As the local association’s president José Gamero put it to Sur in English: “Little by little the naturist character of the beach could be lost.” 🚀

Researchers unmask trade in nude images on Telegram

• SF Weekly | April 2026

Research group AI Forensics tracked more than 80,000 files shared across 16 Telegram channels between December 2025 and February 2026, finding nearly 25,000 active users exchanging intimate images of women, mostly without consent, often for money, and in some cases involving minors. Researchers also documented coordinated harassment, doxxing, and calls for sexual violence against the women depicted. It’s a serious report about serious harm, and it has nothing to do with naturism.

It does, however, have everything to do with how nudity gets talked about in policy and platform conversations—and those conversations have a way of affecting everyone. We wrote about this recently. Worth reading the report. 🚀

Read our take:

Wisconsin governor vetoes age-verification bill

• Free Speech Coalition | April 3, 2026

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers vetoed AB 105, calling it “an intrusion into the privacy of Wisconsin residents” and citing interference with access to constitutionally protected content. He pushed legislators toward device-based solutions instead. The Free Speech Coalition, which fought the bill alongside the ACLU, EFF, Woodhull Freedom Foundation, and Fight for the Future, called it a win.

It is one, for now. These bills have been passing across the country with enough momentum that a single veto doesn’t change the trajectory—it just slows it in one state. For naturist publishers, educators, and anyone running a clothing-optional community online, the practical concern has always been the same: broad definitions of adult content don’t make room for nonsexual nudity, and the data-collection requirements these laws impose create their own chilling effect regardless of what the content actually is. Wisconsin gets a reprieve. The fight continues elsewhere. 🚀

Even a nudist colony got a Maine moose permit. Guides want to change that.

• Bangor Daily News | April 1, 2026

Maine’s coveted moose hunting permits—allocated through a lottery system that distributes a small block of “lodge tags” to qualifying businesses—were apparently claimed in a prior year by an unlikely applicant: an unnamed nudist club in southern Maine. The club applied alongside restaurants, hotels, and hunting outfitters, and received a tag through a process that has drifted well beyond its original intent of supporting struggling sporting camps. The article doesn’t name the club, which makes independent confirmation impossible.

A legislative reform bill has since passed the Maine legislature to tighten eligibility and close exactly these kinds of loopholes. The club goes unidentified throughout all coverage of the story, which jokes that eligible members would still be required to wear an orange safety vest.

No comment from the club. No controversy. Just nudists, quietly participating in the civic life of their state, the same as everyone else. Which is, of course, the whole point. 🚀

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Later on, April

That’s a wrap on Vol. 40. Somewhere in southern Maine, a nudist club is sitting on a moose permit. We’ll all be okay. See you on the last Friday of May. 🪐

It’s the end of March, which means we’re heading into the final stretch of our member raffle—a great month of new signups and strong support for the work we’re doing here.

We’ll be drawing 19 winners live on our Discord on Friday, April 3rd at 12 PM Pacific, including a grand prize Planet Nude Field Kit plus a range of Sticker Club memberships, merch, and sticker packs.

You can still enter: get three raffle entries by either becoming a subscriber, joining the Sticker Club, supporting us on Discord, or buying a raffle ticket.

The stream will be available to paid subscribers and Discord supporters on the Planet Nude Discord. Winners will be contacted shortly afterward. If you’ve been thinking about entering, this is your last call. The raffle closes March 31st.

Official Raffle Rules

Okay, with that pledge drivey stuff out of the way, let’s turn to the business at hand. It’s Spring! Things are warming up. This month we’ve got a World Naked Bike Ride shut down in Cape Town, a court in Brazil stepping in to protect naturists at Galheta, and growing petitions in Germany and South Africa. There’s also a massive nude sculpture still stirring debate in San Francisco, a new Arizona bill raising questions for naturist media, and a TV episode that drops into a real nudist community. Plenty here worth digging into! Onward! 🚀

News of the Nude, Vol. 39 🪐

Controversial nude woman sculpture gets extended run at San Francisco’s Embarcadero Plaza

• March 4, 2026 | San Francisco Chronicle

Kicking things off with a slightly lighter piece of news, San Francisco has voted to extend the run of “R-Evolution,” a 45-foot nude female sculpture installed at Justin Herman Plaza, keeping it on display through October. Originally created for Burning Man and funded privately, the piece has been one of the most visible—and debated—public artworks in the city over the past year. Supporters see it as a striking, body-positive celebration of the human form, while critics have focused less on nudity itself and more on process, questioning how a large-scale nude figure entered a prominent civic space without meaningful public input. In a city like San Francisco, nudity in art is generally pretty well tolerated if not expected. The friction here isn’t really about the body so much as it is about who gets to place that art in public, and under what authority. 🚀

Arizona bill raises concerns for naturist media

• March 20, 2026 | Planet Nude

Arizona’s HB2133 targets revenge porn and AI-generated sexual imagery but introduces recordkeeping and verification rules that could spill into lawful nude publishing. Because it hinges on “harmful to minors” definitions rather than nudity itself, naturist content isn’t directly banned—but the compliance burden is enough to make archives and publishers cautious, and has led nude recreation advocates to react. 🚀

Read the full story

How a Local Outcast Found His Nudist Haven in ‘Neighbors’ — And What Happened Next

• March 20, 2026 | The Hollywood Reporter

HBO’s Neighbors follows a San Diego man named Danny Smiechowski who is ridiculed by his neighbors for exercising in minimal clothing as he visits a Florida nudist community that treats him far differently than his own neighborhood. The contrast is straightforward: suburban discomfort versus a structured environment where nudity is normalized through shared expectations, with the show ultimately portraying the nudist community as welcoming to outsiders precisely because they are outsiders themselves. I had the chance to consult on this episode and help connect the production with San Diego-area nudists—including Claudia Kellersch, who played a key role and appears in the final house party scene—though I wasn’t privy to the story itself during production. The episode isn’t exactly promotional of nudism, but it does depict a functioning community with a kind of kooky openness that feels true to life. I was pleased to spot my name in the special thanks. 🚀

Court blocks arrests over naturism at Brazil’s Praia da Galheta

• March 16, 2026 | Planet Nude

A Santa Catarina court has barred police from arresting or citing individuals at Praia da Galheta solely for nonsexual nudity, drawing a clearer legal distinction between naturism and obscenity. The ruling follows years of uncertainty after the beach’s reclassification as a protected area stripped away its earlier semi-official status. While the decision stops short of formally legalizing naturism, it removes one of the primary enforcement tools authorities had used against beachgoers. In practice, Galheta remains unofficial—but it is no longer casually criminalized. 🚀

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The free body under pressure as public authority, moralism, and financial interests threaten naturism in Brazil [translated]

• Feb 19, 2026 | Faculdade de Educação (UNICAMP)

This academic piece isn’t exactly news, and it’s a few weeks old now, but I’m including it because it adds valuable context to the situation in Brazil. Focusing on the attempted rollback of naturism at Praia do Pinho, the article argues that the real drivers aren’t safety or administration, but a familiar mix of moral pressure and land-value politics. It’s written in Portuguese and I had to run it through translation to fully follow it, but it helps fill in the broader picture behind the beach fights at Pinho and Galheta that we’ve been covering on Planet Nude.

What emerges is a contradiction that will feel familiar: hyper-sexualized, commercialized bodies are widely accepted, while non-sexual nudity that doesn’t sell anything is treated as a problem. The piece also points to the ongoing legal limbo, where collective habeas corpus protections have been used to keep naturists on the sand—something that now applies to both beaches, though it did not yet extend to Galheta when this was written. Taken together, it offers a clearer sense of where these conflicts are coming from, and where they may be headed. 🚀

Cape Town’s World Naked Bike Ride is canceled after 18 years

• March 21, 2026 | Planet Nude

After nearly two decades of uneasy coexistence with city authorities, Cape Town’s World Naked Bike Ride did not roll this year. Organizers say permitting broke down after officials imposed a condition that participants be fully clothed—effectively ending a protest built around public nudity. The ride had long operated in a legal gray area, approved through negotiation rather than clear policy, but that tolerance appears to have narrowed sharply in 2026.

Authorities are now leaning more explicitly on sexual offences law language about public exposure in shared spaces, reframing what had been treated as protest and expression into a question of compliance. 🚀

Read more

South Africa may finally decide the fate of Sandy Bay

• March 23, 2026 | Planet Nude

Just days after the bike ride cancellation, Cape Town’s long-used clothing-optional beach at Sandy Bay has come under formal review, with South African National Parks (SANParks) emphasizing that the site has “never been officially designated” for naturism. That long-standing ambiguity—decades of tolerated use without legal recognition—is now being forced into the open.

At the center of the story is a fast-growing petition calling for Sandy Bay to be formally recognized and regulated as a naturist beach. Within days, it gathered more than 1,000 verified signatures, with supporters arguing that the lack of official status has created predictable problems—harassment, voyeurism, and inconsistent enforcement—and that clear rules and designation would improve both safety and accountability.

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Taken alongside the bike ride cancellation, the moment feels less like two isolated incidents and more like a broader inflection point. Informal tolerance—whether on the road or on the sand—is giving way to formal decisions about what is and isn’t allowed. The petition is an attempt to shape that outcome before it’s decided without them. 🚀

The fight to save Hooksiel’s FKK campground

• March 21, 2026 | Planet Nude

A growing petition effort is now at the center of the fight to preserve the naturist section of the Hooksiel campsite on Germany’s North Sea coast, after operators announced plans to eliminate it by 2027. Launched by a regional naturist association, the petition quickly gathered hundreds of signatures and has since drawn support from national and international groups, including the Deutscher Verband für Freikörperkultur (DFK) and the International Naturist Federation (INF-FNI), both of which are now actively pushing for a reversal or compromise.

What makes this more than a local dispute is how clearly the pattern is visible: the site isn’t being shut down, it’s being repurposed—replacing a dedicated naturist space with general tourism aimed at broader appeal. Hooksiel is one of the few remaining places on Germany’s North Sea coast where a nude beach and campground function as a continuous environment, and supporters see its loss as part of a wider erosion happening across Europe. 🚀

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A time traveler’s guide to the nude

• Mar. 26, 2026 | Love Histories (Substack)

This delightful post by on the Substack Love Histories was a brisk, cheeky walk through Western art history traces how the “nude” has almost always come with an alibi—Greek ideals of male perfection, medieval warnings about sin, Renaissance mythological cover stories, and eventually Courbet discarding the pretense altogether. The piece is about the history of art and changing aesthetics, but also about who gets to look, and under what justification, with the female body increasingly positioned as something to be seen rather than self-possessed. By the time realism arrives, the polite fiction separating the “art nude” from “just naked” begins to crack. I learned a lot and it was well written enough to be an enjoyable read as well. 🚀

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That does it for this month’s News of the Nude. Now that it’s Spring, we’re feeling reborn, and looking forward to spending more time outdoors un our birthday suits. See you next month. 🪐

Welcome to the latest News of the Nude! As the news cycles seem to accelerate and the daily grind of life leaves you with little time to parse the stories and find the ones that apply to body freedom and nude expression, this little monthly compendium of nude-focused news is designed to help you do just that. And we haven’t yet missed a month for 38 months straight! 🤯

If you enjoy this monthly dose of nude news, you might think about joining our discord server and checking out the #news-of-the-nude channel, where we and the community share relevant nudie-newsy items in real time as they crop up throughout the month—and then chat about the stories right there. How cool is that?

This month brought with it a small but highly relevant slate of stories touching on nude rights in Vermont, the loss and potential loss of cherished nudist spaces, nudity and health, and the lineage of female nude expression in art. Plenty to dig into. Have fun! 🚀

News of the Nude, Vol. 38 🪐

Vermont lawmaker introduces bill to criminalize public nudity

• February 10, 2026 | Planet Nude

Vermont’s long-standing reputation for permissive public nudity may soon end. House Bill H.683, introduced January 14, 2026, would make it a criminal offense to expose the pubic area, genitals, or buttocks in public view statewide, with penalties of up to six months in jail or a $500 fine.

Sponsored by Representatives Gregory Burtt, Michael Tagliavia, and Kenneth Wells, the bill would amend Title 13 of Vermont law and extend to private property visible from public spaces. Limited exceptions would remain for designated clothing-optional areas and permitted events, leaving municipalities authority to carve out specific exemptions.

Vermont has historically been an outlier, allowing nonsexual public nudity so long as a person does not disrobe in public view. That permissive framework began narrowing in 2025 when Burlington enacted a citywide ordinance banning most public nudity while preserving protest and event exemptions. H.683 would replace Vermont’s patchwork of local rules with a uniform statewide criminal standard.

As of early February, the bill awaits action in the House Judiciary Committee. Planet Nude is continuing its original reporting on the proposal and tracking opportunities for public testimony as the session unfolds. 🚀

Read our report:

Nudist Camp for Sale: The Rise and Fall of the Florida Naturist Park

• February 25, 2026 | The New York Times

Once a 220-acre anything-goes nudist enclave, Florida Naturist Park is now a fragmented 58-acre property struggling to find a buyer, as reported by the New York Times this week. Founded in 1959 by Thomas Ward Gulvin—a segregationist whose deeds barred Black ownership for decades—the park mixed libertine nudism with scandal, lawsuits, and internal turmoil. During its 1960s heyday, bodybuilder and photographer Dick Falcon helped shape the Sunshine Beach Club into a visual icon of American nudism. His staged images of fit, sunlit bodies lifting weights, playing sports, and lounging lakeside appeared in numerous nudist magazines of the era, helping cement the park’s reputation nationwide. A 1963 film, Naked Complex, was even shot there.

Today, the aging property sits zoned for nudism, surrounded by suburban sprawl, but its future is uncertain. The Times article above presents it as both relic and reckoning—a reminder of nudism’s postwar peak, its contradictions, and the difficulty of sustaining rural naturist communities in modern America. 🚀

Nudists’ fury as resort bosses cut off power after they refused to put clothes back on

• February 7, 2026 | Irish Star

Olive Dell Ranch in Riverside, California, is once again making international headlines—this time in Ireland—amid an escalating dispute between residents and the property’s owners. According to the Irish Star, electricity was allegedly cut off after residents refused to comply with a recently imposed “textile” policy requiring clothing in shared spaces at the long-standing nudist resort. Residents, many of whom are seniors, say the power shutoff has affected medical devices and basic utilities. Their attorney argues the policy change amounts to civil rights violations, while health officials have reportedly intervened and ordered power restored. The group is now seeking significant damages, alleging negligence, elder abuse, and breach of contract.

Olive Dell has appeared with striking regularity in international news coverage in recent years, most recently around the ongoing tensions between management and residents. 🚀

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Archaeologists in race against time to save shipwreck uncovered by storms on edge of nudist beach

• February 20, 2026 | The Independent

• Also reported February 9, 2026 | BBC News

Winter storms have exposed part of a 17th-century shipwreck at Studland Bay in Dorset—on the edge of one of Britain’s most popular naturist beaches. Maritime archaeologists from Bournemouth University raced to excavate the timbers before tides and waves could destroy them. The remains are believed to be part of the Swash Channel Wreck, likely the Fame of Hoorn, a Dutch merchant vessel that sank in 1631. The site is protected under the Protection of Wrecks Act, and dendrochronology testing will determine whether the newly uncovered 20-foot hull section matches previously recovered fragments now displayed at Poole Museum. While this story isn’t really about naturism, that didn’t stop many of the outlets reporting it to use the naturist angle in their headlines. As a result it was all over my Google alerts for a few days. I still found it to be an interesting and worthy story! 🚀

‘Not for ogling’: forget Titian, Botticelli and the male fantasists – only women can paint great female nudes

• February 12, 2026 | The Guardian

In this piece for The Guardian, Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett argues that the history of the female nude in Western art has been dominated by male fantasy—and that women artists have long been reclaiming their own bodies from that tradition. Writing alongside the release of her novel Female, Nude, Cosslett traces a lineage of nude artworks and self-portraits by women including Paula Modersohn-Becker, Suzanne Valadon, Frida Kahlo, Emma Amos, and others.

As it is framed in this Guardian article, rather than presenting the nude as an object for consumption, these artists frame it as lived experience—aging, motherhood, race, disability, desire. The essay positions female self-portraiture as both aesthetic and political: when women depict their own naked bodies, authorship and subject merge. 🚀

I Hiked a Snowy Mountain Naked – Here’s What It Did to My Body Image

• February 13, 2026 | Men’s Health (UK)

In this thoughtful first-person feature, Men’s Health writer Jamie Carson documents hiking Blencathra in the Lake District nude to explore research linking social nudity with improved body image and wellbeing. Drawing on studies by social psychologist Dr. Keon West, the article explains how communal nudity can reduce social physique anxiety and increase body appreciation. Carson reflects candidly on his own history with body transformation culture and the lingering pressure to maintain an ideal physique. The experience, he writes, shifted his perspective — from seeing his body as something to perfect to seeing it as something that carries him through life. For a mainstream fitness publication, it’s a rare, measured, and surprisingly research-driven look at naturism and mental health. Kudos to Men’s Health for going there. 🚀

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February out.

That does it for this month’s News of the Nude. Thanks for marinating in the sauce with us. See you next month. 🪐

Welcome to this month’s News of the Nude.

If you are a human being living on planet Earth this month, you might feel a little unmoored. The news cycle has been relentless—each day seemingly trying to outdo the last in chaos and violence and horror. I am so desensitized at this point. It’s the kind of month that makes you wonder how real journalists covering world events manage to keep focused on their jobs, especially when Black journalists are being arrested by federal authorities in America for doing so. That’s not hyperbole, that’s a real thing that happened today. It’s disturbing, and it sits heavily with me. I hope it does with you too.

Lucky for me, I just report on nude beach controversies and media coverage of naked people. It’s a niche beat, sure—but for me, it’s a worthy and endlessly interesting one because it intersects with much bigger themes like expression, autonomy, censorship, art, identity. Even in a media environment so saturated in crisis as this, nudity tells us something about who we are and what we fear. Plus, it shows up in the media constantly, which helps us to reflect where we’re at in the world. Or at least that’s my hope for these news roundups.

But during news months like the one we’ve all just endured, the stories that highlight nudity and nude expression—which are already niche during slow news cycles—get pushed aside as media outlets turn to emergent fascism, acts of war, terrorism, genocide, and egg prices.

So it was kind of a slow month for News of the Nude. So it goes.

Still, some stuff happened. And I’m still here to compile and share it. 🚀

News of the Nude, Vol. 37 🪐

Friends of Denny Blaine granted legal standing in nude beach lawsuit

• January 27, 2026 | Capitol Hill Seattle

Friends of Denny Blaine (FoDB), the queer-led advocacy group defending Seattle’s only nude beach, has been officially granted intervenor status in the ongoing lawsuit over the park. Now recognized as a formal party to the case, FoDB will be able to directly represent the interests of LGBTQ+ beachgoers and nude users in court. The group, which recently incorporated as a nonprofit and secured pro bono representation from Perkins Coie, argued that the city’s legal defense hasn’t adequately represented the voices of those most affected by the outcome. The new status gives FoDB power to advocate more assertively and even appeal rulings as needed.

This represents a major milestone in the legal battle over Denny Blaine Park, where clothing-optional use has faced increasing pressure from affluent neighbors culminating with this lawsuit last year. The recent development assures that the group representing the beach’s users will have a seat at the table. Planet Nude has followed the case closely since early 2023 and will continue to cover developments. 🚀

More reading:

Nudist activist arrested at Bob Weir memorial in San Francisco

• January 23, 2026 | SF Standard

Martin Moulton, a longtime figure in San Francisco’s public nudity scene and organizer of the city’s World Naked Bike Ride events, was arrested during the January 20 memorial for Grateful Dead cofounder Bob Weir at Civic Center Plaza. Moulton appeared nude alongside several companions, believing the Deadhead gathering would be a receptive venue for body-freedom expression.

Park rangers and police, however, intervened—ultimately arresting Moulton after a confrontation in which he allegedly spat toward officers following a scuffle. Moulton, a former mayoral candidate in Washington D.C. and an outspoken First Amendment advocate, has long pushed the boundaries of legal nudity in public spaces. Though controversial even within nudist circles, he remains a prominent and visible figure in the movement.

While city law prohibits public nudity outside permitted events, Moulton contends his appearance fell within protected expression. Witnesses reported that fellow mourners were largely unbothered by the nudity. His next court date is set for February 17.

Planet Nude continues to monitor incidents like this as part of its broader coverage of public nudity, free expression, and law enforcement tensions. 🚀

More reading:

Whispering Pines nudist resort seeks expansion as demand grows

• January 5, 2026 | Port City Daily

• January 5, 2026 | Woodall’s Campground Magazine

This story kept popping up in our feed this month: Whispering Pines Nudist Resort in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, has filed plans to expand its RV offerings from 57 to 69 sites. If approved by the Brunswick County Board of Adjustment, the resort will add a new access road and equip the sites with full utility hookups and off-street parking.

Founded in 1976 and tucked away in a wooded setting, Whispering Pines has grown steadily under owner John Frick, who took over in 2008. The club is affiliated with AANR and even played a role in the 2008 Guinness World Record skinny dip event. The proposed expansion marks the club’s second in recent years and, if approved, is expected to be completed by summer. 🚀

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The nudists baring it all to address misconceptions about naked beach culture

December 31, 2025 | ABC News (Australia)

In a heartfelt feature closing out 2025, ABC News profiled the passionate defenders of Australia’s nude beaches and the cultural headwinds they face. The article centers on Shazz Weaver, president of the Australian Naturist Federation, and longtime naturist Errol Masterson, who helped formally establish Armands Beach as a legal nude site in the 1990s.

Weaver speaks candidly about the joy, acceptance, and self-love she’s found through naturism—contrasting it with the mainstream’s lingering misconceptions. Meanwhile, Masterson reflects on a time when beaches like Armands were lively intergenerational communities, now quieter as younger generations turn away from nudism. Despite landmark events like Tasmania’s massive nude solstice swims, closures have piled up: Tyragarah Beach shut down in June 2024, and Pebble Beach in Tasmania lost its newly gained nude status after a council reversal. Weaver says safety and respect are top priorities, with the ANF distributing thousands of whistles to discourage harassment.

This rare mainstream piece foregrounds the values of naturism—body acceptance, equality, and freedom—while making clear how fragile the legal infrastructure is. As Weaver puts it: “We are just people who are happy to be without our clothes on. That’s it.” 🚀

“You take your clothes off and you suddenly start talking to each other”

• December 27, 2025 | Manchester Evening News

It seems every month, a new British outlet runs a heartening first-person account of someone discovering body acceptance through naturism, and you just have to love it. In this recent piece for YorkshireLive (syndicated by Manchester Evening News), Brian Thomson, 54, reflects on how joining the White Rose Naturist Club transformed his social life and helped dissolve class-based assumptions. Without sensationalizing, the article affirms what many naturists already know: shared nudity fosters connection and dissolves pretense. And for many who find community in it, it can ease loneliness.

With over 100 members and a woodland retreat that hosts community projects and themed events, White Rose sounds like a model of social naturism done right. And the article is the kind of coverage I wish were more common in the U.S. 🚀

The Bangles classic that was recorded entirely in the nude: “Vulnerable yet freeing”

• January 3, 2026 | Far Out Magazine

Finally, The Bangles’ Susanna Hoffs revealed that her vocal take on the band’s 1989 hit “Eternal Flame” was recorded entirely in the nude. The reason? A prank by producer Davitt Sigerson, who jokingly claimed that Olivia Newton-John always sang her best that way. Hoffs tried it—and found the experience so “vulnerable yet freeing” that she recorded much of the Everything album unclothed. 🚀

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That’s it for this month.

I don’t have anything more to say. Okay, I have plenty, but it would not be advisable as I’m liable to start swearing.

Thank you all for being here and for supporting Planet Nude. 🪐

Welcome to this month’s News of the Nude.

Kind of a slow news month this month to be honest, which I’ll happily take. When so much of the news is bad all the time, slow is nice. Rest is nicer, but I’ll take what I can get. It’s Christmas, and I have a six year old at home. I have at least twelve more years of hard time before I am allowed to rest.

This month, Brazil was unexpectedly at the center of the news. It figured prominently in both our original reporting on Planet Nude and in this edition of News of the Nude. When it comes to body freedom on public land and the cultural treatment of nudity, Brazil is proving to be a frontline—where progress, backlash, and public opinion all seem to be clashing in real time.

Before we get to the stories this month, I’d like to, like I sometimes do, feature some recent comments we got from our paid subscribers. These comments really fill our tanks.

We appreciate all our readers of course, but without the paid subscribers, we wouldn’t be here. And these comments affirm to us that we’re doing something right. If you enjoy our newsletter, I would encourage you to consider supporting it with a paid subscription. If you value nudism/naturism as a movement, if you get value out of our journalistic reporting or enjoy our original comics, essays, stories and podcasts, think about supporting it like you would any other magazine or subscription service you enjoy. Your support helps keep us here doing this work. And if you do sign up now, leave us a comment when you do about why you value this community newsletter.

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Already a supporter?

If you value our work and already support it with a paid subscription, consider giving a gift subscription this holiday season. Show someone else the value of it and you might just make them a supporter as well. At least, that’s the idea, if we’re doing our job right.

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Christmas is a time for giving, and I do try to take that to heart. I can’t thank you enough for everything you give me by showing up here and being a part of this growing community. Thank you. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all.

And without further ado, let’s get into it. 🚀

News of the Nude, Vol. 36 🪐

Naturist beach bans nudism in Balneário Camboriú

• CNN Brasil | December 18, 2025

Brazil’s oldest official naturist beach has lost its legal protection. On December 18, the Balneário Camboriú City Council passed a new master plan revoking Praia do Pinho’s naturist status, citing complaints of public sex, drug use, and the beach’s alleged drift from its original purpose. A mayoral decree the following day extended the nudism ban to the city’s entire coastline.

Praia do Pinho was officially recognized in 1988 and long served as a symbol of Brazilian naturism. As Planet Nude reported, the move has drawn national backlash from the Federação Brasileira de Naturismo, which condemned the decision as a cultural loss based on harmful conflations. The change comes as other beaches in Santa Catarina—like Praia da Galheta—move in the opposite direction, underscoring a tense and contradictory moment for nude beaches in coastal Brazil. 🚀

Related:

Naked man arrested after naturism ban at Praia do Pinho

• Guararema News | December 23, 2025

Just days after the decree was passed banning naturism at Praia do Pinho, police in Balneário Camboriú arrested a man who remained nude on private but publicly visible land near the beach. Officers said the man refused multiple orders to get dressed and was charged with indecent exposure, disobedience, and resisting authority. The arrest is the first under the city’s controversial new policy, which revoked Praia do Pinho’s longstanding naturist status. Officials say the beach had become a site of growing complaints and no longer aligned with its intended purpose. The city aims to remake it into a more universally accessible destination—and is even exploring Blue Flag certification. 🚀

Related:

Florianópolis: Project progress reignites debate about naturism at Galheta Beach

• Agora Floripa | November 30, 2025

Just down the coast 90 minutes from Praia do Pinho, another major naturist site may be one step closer to legal restoration. Praia da Galheta—long considered a spiritual home for naturism in southern Brazil—has moved into the next phase of legislative debate after a new bill regulating nude recreation cleared Florianópolis’ Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ). The proposal, introduced by councilmembers Dinho and Carla Ayres, would reauthorize nudity on Galheta’s sand and in the sea, but not on trails or surrounding areas. It aims to end nearly a decade of legal uncertainty following a 2016 policy change that stripped the beach’s nude designation under new environmental classifications.

One of Brazil’s most iconic nude beaches, Galheta was formally legalized for naturism in 1997 but continued as a social nude beach even after its permit was rescinded. While conservative critics cite security concerns and scattered police reports as justification to block the bill, supporters argue that clear regulation is the best way to prevent misconduct and protect the beach’s longstanding naturist culture. The bill now proceeds through additional committees before reaching a full council vote. Planet Nude also previously covered the significance of this moment in depth, including interviews with local nudists and activists. 🚀

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Naturist punched off his bike on charity ride says he was mistaken for a ‘pervert’ - and vows to continue cycling nude

• Daily Mail | November 30, 2025

• Metro | November 30, 2025

• Mirror | November 30, 2025

Several UK outlets revisited the now‑familiar case of Robert Brown, a 59‑year‑old naturist who was violently punched off his e‑bike during a World Naked Bike Ride event in Colchester last summer. Brown was taking part in a legal, police‑coordinated charity ride when a motorcyclist attacked him, later claiming he had “mistaken” the naked cyclist for a pervert. The assailant, Lee Turnage, received a suspended sentence despite also assaulting two responding police officers. Brown was left with lasting leg injuries, a destroyed bike, and a reliance on a walking stick, but has said he has no intention of giving up nude cycling.

This story follows up one one that was prominently explored in last month’s News of the Nude, largely rehashing most of the same facts but with a familiar tabloid tinge to it, treating lawful social nudity as the provocative element rather than the unprovoked violence itself. Brown’s insistence that public nudity is not a sexual act, and that events like the World Naked Bike Ride are about protest and visibility, often reads as a defensive footnote instead of the central truth. The result is a story that keeps circling the spectacle while missing the simpler point: the only crime here was the assault. 🚀

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Is our attitude towards nudity changing?

• RNZ | December 18, 2025

A feature from RNZ explores whether public attitudes toward nudity in New Zealand are shifting, using anecdotal and cultural touchpoints to assess the country’s complicated relationship with social nudity. Interviewees include Lisa McMillan, founder of Naked World—a group that organizes partially and fully nude events like the festival Naked in the Trees—and Alice de Wet, president of the New Zealand Naturist Federation. Both describe a culture that still leans conservative compared to Europe, but where public nudity is increasingly met with indifference rather than outrage.

New Zealand law allows for nudity in public spaces, provided it’s not deemed offensive by contextual standards. Yet naturist club membership remains low among younger people, and social nudity remains disproportionately male in many informal settings. The article contrasts naturist values—nonsexual community nudity—with the sex-positive leanings of events like McMillan’s, complicating what a “nude normal” might look like. Despite rising attendance at festivals and strong search interest in nude beaches, both de Wet and McMillan note that cultural change is slow and hard to measure, though pockets of comfort—and curiosity—are growing. 🚀

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British Naturism Makes Waves at the BSME Awards

• British Naturism | November 27, 2025

British Naturism celebrated a milestone this month with BN Magazine receiving two nominations at the prestigious 2025 British Society of Magazine Editors (BSME) Awards. Editor Andrew Welch was shortlisted for Editor of the Year in the Independent category, and President Mark Bass’s “EveryBody” cover featuring Saoirse earned a nod for Cover of the Year. Although BN Magazine didn’t take home the awards, the nominations marked a breakthrough moment for naturist media. Sharing the spotlight with legacy titles like National Geographic, New Scientist, Glamour, and The Sunday Times Magazine, British Naturism’s presence was met with surprise and admiration at the ceremony—highlighting how far naturism has come toward mainstream recognition. The BN team emphasized that the true value of this recognition lies not in trophies, but in the new conversations it sparks about body confidence, mental wellbeing, and the life-changing benefits of social nudity. As BN put it, “We’re only just getting started.” 🚀

I thought there was something wrong with my body – until I shared a shower with 50 strangers

• The Guardian | November 11, 2025

In this reflective personal essay, a Guardian staff writer recalls the transformative moment of shedding shame in a communal shower at Oregon Country Fair. Set in the forest among circus performers and artists, the piece drifts through memory and sensory detail to paint a scene of body acceptance sparked by unexpected vulnerability—and the quiet power of shared nudity. The story echoes a familiar refrain found across media lately: deeply felt first-person accounts in which nudity becomes a pathway to healing. Over the past five News of the Nude issues alone, we’ve featured several variations on this theme—from sauna revelations in Ireland to rural retreats in Spain. These essays may serve as a counterpoint to the more clichéd tabloid fare, but they carry their own formula: intimate, epiphanic, and earnest, always with nudity as catalyst. 🚀

And the Award for Most Cynical Look Goes to … the Naked Suit

• The New York Times | December 2, 2025

In a sharply observed critic’s notebook, New York Times fashion writer Jacob Gallagher examines the media frenzy sparked by fashion influencer Elias Medini (a.k.a. Lyas), who appeared at the London Fashion Awards wearing a Jean Paul Gaultier bodysuit printed with a hyper-realistic naked male body. At first glance, the outfit looked like full-frontal nudity; in reality, it was a carefully manufactured illusion—provocative enough to dominate headlines without exposing Medini himself. Gallagher situates the moment within a familiar red-carpet economy where shock outperforms taste and nudity functions as a shortcut to attention. He also highlights the asymmetry at play: women’s actual bodies remain the primary site of “naked dressing,” while men tend to engage nudity through prosthetics, prints, or irony. The result is a spectacle that feels knowingly hollow—less about body freedom than about algorithmic visibility—yet still effective. In an attention economy that rewards reaction over substance, even simulated nudity continues to do its job. 🚀

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It comes in a custom-designed envelope—beautiful, strange, sometimes funny. Inside? Nude-themed stickers, original art, comics, zines, artist collaborations, and surprise goodies you didn’t know you needed. No two months are the same.

Mail used to mean something. Now it’s mostly bills and tracking numbers. The Planet Nude Sticker Club brings back the feeling of getting something personal, unexpected, and made just for you. Membership is limited, but spots are now open. If you’re ready to make your mailbox a little more exciting again, this is your invitation. Join now, while you can. 🐌

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Another one bites the dust.

Another year in the bank. Another News of the Nude. Hard to believe I’ve put together 36 of these over the last three years. Wowza.

I’ve ended each of these with a video or song—usually something from pop culture that I enjoy. Sometimes it complements the subject matter; more often, it’s just a little joy I want to share. This one falls squarely into that latter camp. I’ve always loved National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, especially its tuba-forward rendition of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer from the scene where the family is grocery shopping. It’s such a goofy, infectious version of a Christmas classic, but you never hear that joyful instrumental version of it, not ever. That changed for me this year when I found this cover by the Alex Meixner Band, which perfectly captures the spirit of the original. It’s exuberant, tight, and fun as hell to watch. Naturally, this led me down a YouTube rabbit hole of Alex Meixner tearing it up on accordion—and let me tell you, the man is a beast. And the accordion is not an easy instrument, let me tell you. Yes, I’m a dad. Why do you ask?

Happy holidays, friends. However you celebrate them, if you do, and peace and joy to you if you don’t. 🪐

Welcome to this month’s News of the Nude.

It’s Black Friday, the high holiday of consumer excess. But this year, more people are rethinking about where their money goes and what it supports, and what kind of culture we’re building when we shop.

Since moving to back to my small home town last year, I’d been getting my daily coffee from the local Starbucks. The staff was always friendly, I’d always run into folks I know, and it genuinely felt like part of my community. There are only like two or three coffee shops in this town to begin with. But this month, after the latest Starbucks workers strike, I decided to change things up and I started frequenting one of the few independently owned cafés in town. The shift has been small, but the difference is has been very positive, and the new place feels even more rooted in the neighborhood, and I feel more pride supporting it.

I’ve concluded that this is the kind of shift I needed, and I think many of us need right now—supporting small business, independent artists and creative communities wherever we can, especially in the face of ongoing strikes and boycotts, hyper-corporatization and transcendent oligarchy. I guess what I’m trying to say is that shit is cray right now, and I believe we seriously need to get local. And that spirit is exactly what’s behind a new book we just released in the Planet Nude Etsy gift shop.

Diary of the Astro-Nudes Presents: The Strips! Vol. 1 is a limited-run zine-style book created by artist Ahmed Raafat and hand-assembled right here in our studio. Originally produced as a special drop for members of the Planet Nude Sticker Club, we made a few extras—and now they’re available to everyone, until they’re gone. It’s a strange and delightful 20-page collection of Ahmed’s retro sci-fi nudist comic, following two interdimensional explorers who land, nude and confused, on a 1950s version of Earth. A great little holiday gift, for you or someone else you love this holiday season. I’ll package and ship it myself, with a little note of love and thanks.

You can grab it here while it lasts: Diary of the Astro-Nudes Vol. 1 on Etsy

Buy it now

This month’s News of the Nude taps into a broader cultural current—a unique moment of friction between body freedom and public discomfort—and explores the ways nudity shows up in our culture, particularly in protest, art, and politics. As always, we’re here to track and make sense of the stories of nudity around the world and what they mean.

So without further ado, let’s get into it. 🚀

News of the Nude, Vol. 35 🪐

Call to ban naked bike rides after nude cyclist attacked by vigilante binman

• Headline from Metro | November 21, 2025

• More from Daily Mail | November 21, 2025

During a World Naked Bike Ride event in Colchester, UK, last summer, a nude cyclist named Robert Brown was violently attacked by a man on a motorcycle who “mistook” the ride for public indecency. The attacker, Lee Turnage, a local sanitation worker, punched Brown off his bike and later assaulted two responding police officers. He has since received a suspended 14-month sentence. Brown sustained serious leg injuries and says he continues to suffer from pain and reduced mobility.

In the wake of the incident, there has been a wave of criticism from campaigners like Emma-Jane Taylor, who is quoted in both of the linked stories above, referring to naked bike riders as “perverts.” Taylor, a child safety advocate who launched a petition to ban London’s WNBR, claims the events blur legal boundaries and endanger public safety, particularly children—though the connection to how children are harmed is never actually made, especially since the incident in question involved no children at all. The argument also appears to miss the part where it was the clothed vigilante who committed the crime—not the nudist.

Supporters of the ride rightly defend it as a peaceful, legal protest against car culture and for body positivity. WNBR organizers have stressed that the rides are coordinated with police, include safety marshals, and are not aimed at children. They reject claims of indecency and argue that events like these humanize the naked body in a non-sexual context.

Out of journalistic curiosity (definitely not something we’d recommend *wink*), one of our editors (me) signed the petition—only to leave the following public comment and then delete the original signature. To my delight, the signature was successfully deleted, but the comment stayed up:

I signed this petition only to comment that I do NOT support it. This is a textbook case of moral panic—fear-driven, not fact-based. It offers no evidence that children are harmed by nonsexual nudity and falsely equates peaceful protest with perversion. It smears free expression under the guise of “safeguarding.” Shameful, misleading, and dangerous. I’ll be removing my signature now.

If you’re inspired to do the same (which again, we totally wouldn’t suggest you do), just sign, leave your comment, then find the confirmation email from Change.org in your inbox and click the link that says “Didn’t sign this petition? Remove your signature.”

Here’s the petition. There’s nothing wrong with a little good trouble.

This debate is now playing out in the media, but if the petition gains traction, it could soon play out in Parliament too. 🚲

A naturist’s bid to move his High Court case south has failed

• Headline from Runcorn & Widnes World • November 24, 2025

• BBC News • November 19, 2025

• Law Gazette • November 18, 2025

Cheshire naturist Neil Cox has lost a bid to have his upcoming High Court challenge heard in London rather than Manchester. Making headlines in recent weeks, his legal team argued that judges in the North might harbor “unconscious bias” against naturism, arguing it constituted as a minority identity that often triggers public scrutiny. Mrs Justice Hill disagreed, writing that there was “no proper basis” for the concern and transferring the case to Manchester’s Civil Justice Centre—one of the UK’s largest courts, where Administrative Court judges regularly rotate.

Cox is challenging a conviction under Section 5 of the Public Order Act after a nude incident in Macclesfield in August 2023 led to charges of behavior “likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.” The facts of the case remain unreported, but CPS guidance states that simple public nudity—absent sexual intent or demonstrable harm—should “rarely” lead to prosecution. His judicial review aims to test whether that guidance was properly followed. In the UK, public nudity without lewd intent is not a criminal offense.

Notably, Cox has become a familiar name in UK media for his highly visible public nudism. From nude hill-running to long-distance naked bike rides, and a controversial pub visit in Somerset in 2023, Cox has used public nudity to challenge cultural discomfort and promote body acceptance. When he has been reported on in the press, he frequently frames naturism as mentally grounding and socially liberating, and has claimed to have made more than 500 nude visits to businesses without incident.

This case is now heading to Manchester and could feasibly set a new legal benchmark for naturists in the UK, depending on the outcome. 🚀

Where did all the naturists go? Inside one of the UK’s last remaining nudist communities

• Huck | November 19, 2025

Spielplatz, the UK’s longest-running naturist resort, was founded in 1929 as a nude homestead in Bricket Wood by Charles and Dorothy “Dotty” Macaskie. Nearly a century later, it remains a rare refuge for body freedom, with 53 permanent residents living simply (and nakedly) there. Grant Kelly, the founders’ grandson, now manages the community and works to protect its ethos from misperceptions. The above detailed and delightfully illustrated writeup from Huck profiles Kelly as well as residents like Tom Dryer-Beers, 69, and his wife Victoria, 52, who represent a view of naturism as a path to authenticity and liberation from clothing, conformity, and beauty standards. The article laments dwindling membership over the years, pointing to younger generations deterred by social media pressures and the rising costs of travel. 🚀

The End of Naked Locker Rooms

• The Atlantic | November 13, 2025

In this expansive essay, writer Jacob Beckert explores the gradual vanishing of casual nudity from American life, charting how locker rooms, once bastions of everyday nakedness, have been redesigned for privacy and modesty. Rooted in concerns over gender inclusivity, consent, and surveillance, it’s not uncommon for today’s universal locker rooms to ban public undressing entirely.

The basic arguments and conclusions of this wonderful piece won’t be much of a surprise to most naturists. Beckert traces the rise and fall of collective nudity through public bathhouses, nude swimming, and school gym classes, noting how once-routine exposure gave people a more grounded view of their own and others’ bodies. As these spaces disappear, many Americans now see more naked bodies in porn than in real life—distorted images that replace diverse realities with curated ideals.

The piece doesn’t argue for a return to old norms but invites a reimagining of nudity as unremarkable and human—a call we can certainly get behind. The article also compellingly considers how architecture and culture shape our relationships with our bodies and each other, and provokes us to think about how our world could be redesigned to accommodate better the real and unvarnished truths about our shared humanity. 🚀

Fans believe Homer Simpsons’ nipples point to Fortnite policy change

• IGN | November 22, 2025

Fortnite players are abuzz this month over a surprising anatomical update to the game: Homer Simpson’s nipples. A forthcoming in-game skin of Homer, shown shirtless in underpants, marks the first time nipples have appeared on a character in Fortnite—breaking a long-standing, albeit unofficial, “nipple ban” enforced by Epic Games. Until now, Fortnite has featured numerous shirtless characters, from Travis Scott to John Cena, but all rendered—as IGN reports—nipple-free. IGN has repeatedly reached out to Epic for clarification, but the company has never officially addressed the policy.

Fans speculate that Homer’s iconic look, or brand requirements from The Simpsons’ team, may have pushed the change. Others wonder if it signals a broader shift in Fortnite’s approach to body realism. I guess time will tell whether it’s a one-time fluke or if it sticks. 🚀

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Danes are Europe’s keenest nudists in principle and practice, survey suggests

• The Guardian | November 6, 2025

A new YouGov survey across six European countries finds that Danes are both the most accepting of public nudity and the most likely to have done it. While Germans remain champions of designated naturist spaces—upholding their storied Freikörperkultur tradition—Danes stand out for embracing casual nudity in daily life: gardens, wild beaches, and skinny dipping in lakes and rivers.

Nearly 50% of Danes said they had been nude in public at least once as an adult, compared to 45% of Germans and just 22–31% in France, Britain, and Italy. A striking 87% of Danes said being naked in your own garden is perfectly fine. And while most countries frown on nude hiking or nudity outside designated areas, 35% of Danes said it’s okay to be naked on a non-nudist beach.

The survey also showed gender and generational gaps: men were more open than women in every country, and in Denmark, younger adults were more open to naturism—while in Germany, it was older generations who remained most supportive. The findings suggest a shift from formal nudist traditions to more relaxed, everyday forms of social nudity in some parts of Europe.

I, for one, am not entirely surprised by the results of this survey. After all, my own nudist lineage hails from Denmark. My 2x Great Grandfather, Rudolph Johnson, a prominent American nudist in the 1940s and 50s, was born in Bornholm, Denmark, in 1886. 🚀

Garry Starr to attempt nudity world record

• British Comedy Guide | November 19, 2025

Australian performer Damien Warren-Smith, known for his absurdist alter ego Garry Starr, has applied to Guinness World Records for “longest cumulative time of full-frontal nudity in a West End stage show.” His show Garry Starr: Classic Penguins—in which he performs mostly nude save for a pair of swimmers’ flippers—will transfer to London’s Garrick Theatre in February 2026. The one-man comedy, which humorously attempts to perform every Penguin Classic novel ever written, has become known for its bold theatrical nudity, which Warren-Smith says is both vulnerable and disarming. “People often tell me they forget very quickly about the nudity until something happens where it’s poignant, and then they very quickly remember again.”

The Guinness application adds a layer of spectacle to Starr’s mission to “save literature” by exposing audiences—both figuratively and literally—to the classics. 🚀

Naked in the dark, wrapped in steam: Inside Slovakia’s most theatrical spa

• The Slovak Spectator | November 21, 2025

At the Aphrodite Spa in Rajecké Teplice, Slovakia, guests soak in natural hot springs, unwind in Roman-style pools, and sit nude in dark, steam-filled saunas as jungle sounds echo around them. The spa leans into fantasy, but it’s also serious about healing—offering medical treatments like cryotherapy and electrotherapy downstairs. After 5 p.m., the naturist area goes clothing-optional, blending theatrical vibes with old-school European spa culture. 🚀

Nude saunas in Ireland: ‘I realise I will soon be naked among these strangers’

• The Irish Times | November 23, 2025

In this personal reflective essay, Irish Times writer Rosanna Cooney attends a clothing-optional sauna night hosted in part by the Irish Naturist Association. The piece captures the emotional unease and gradual surrender that often accompany a first-time social nudity experience—especially from a woman’s perspective in a mixed-gender setting. Alongside reflections on Irish attitudes and sauna customs in Nordic cultures, Cooney traces the long history of Ireland’s indigenous sweathouse traditions, now resurfacing through a modern wave of sauna operators offering textile-free sessions. The result is an unusually sensitive and historically aware portrait of how nudity can foster both vulnerability and connection. 🚀

Sponsor message:

Once a month, something wonderful shows up in your mailbox.

It comes in a custom-designed envelope—beautiful, strange, sometimes funny. Inside? Nude-themed stickers, original art, comics, zines, artist collaborations, and surprise goodies you didn’t know you needed. No two months are the same.

Mail used to mean something. Now it’s mostly bills and tracking numbers. The Planet Nude Sticker Club brings back the feeling of getting something personal, unexpected, and made just for you. Membership is limited, but spots are now open. If you’re ready to make your mailbox a little more exciting again, this is your invitation. Join now, while you can. 🐌

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That’s November.

With Thanksgiving now behind us, the year’s final stretch is officially here. To close out this month, here’s a gem from the great Shel Silverstein—eccentric children’s author, songwriter, and cartoonist who wrote A Boy Named Sue for Johnny Cash. A casual nudist and frequent dabbler in nudist culture, Silverstein here performs They Won’t Let You Show It at the Beach with Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show as his backing band. I have no idea what year this was, but I sure get a kick out of it.

See you all next time. 🪐

Greeetings, boys and ghouls...! Your old pal the Stripkeeper here, creeping back up from beyond the grave to bring you a spine-tingling new edition of News of the BOO’d! Welcome, kiddies!

Tonight’s twisted tales will leave you dying to take your clothes off—or maybe wishing you’d left them on! We’ve got a Florida fright where six naked beachgoers learned that crossing a line in the sand can get you arrested in broad daylight! Up north, lawmakers in Vermont put the chill on free expression, banning bare bottoms faster than you can say “trick or treat.” In the U.K., a charity skinny dip turned into a sea of cameras! Skinny dippers there were in for a frightening exposure! But fear not, my unclothed creepers—all is not lost! Across the globe, artists, actors, and brave naturists are still rising from the grave to bare their truths… and their asses!

So grab a towel (to sit on, silly!), light a jack-o’lantern, and join me for this skin-tingling Halloween roundup. After all, everyone ends up naked eventually… in Hell! Bwaahahahahaa! 🚀

News of the Nude, Vol. 341 🎃

Nudists arrested after accidentally stripping off on wrong Florida beach

• Daily Mail – October 30, 2025

The Daily Mail reported Thursday on the arrest of six nudists in St. Lucie County, Florida, who were charged with indecent exposure after disrobing at Little Mud Creek Beach — a location about a mile north of the county’s officially designated clothing-optional zone, Blind Creek Beach. Authorities said the group ignored posted boundaries while Blind Creek’s main access remains closed for renovation.

Planet Nude’s coverage of the beach arrests detailed weeks of warnings from Treasure Coast Naturists urging visitors to remain within the designated area. While Planet Nude contextualized the arrests within Florida’s broader nude-recreation advocacy efforts, the Daily Mail framed the story with a tabloid edge, leaning on mugshots and public reactions that mock or moralize the incident.

Blind Creek’s closure has created confusion and tension among naturists and local residents, but advocates stress that the arrests underscore the importance of compliance and communication. As I wrote for Planet Nude, naturists in Florida are working to expand legal nude spaces—progress that could easily be jeopardized by sensational media coverage and enforcement crackdowns. 🚀

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That public beach is no longer for everyone

• The Washington Post – October 22, 2025

In her Washington Post op-ed, Iulia Lupse exposes a growing crisis of public shoreline access, using Boca Grande, Florida, as a case study. New parking restrictions there effectively shut out everyday visitors, a tactic mirrored across the country as local ordinances and private interests quietly fence off what were once public commons. The right to the beach still exists on paper, but for many, the beach itself is slipping out of reach.

While this piece is not about naturist beaches, this piece hits especially hard for naturists in Florida. Legal nude beaches like Playalinda and Blind Creek already face mounting threats—from SpaceX’s proposed rocket launch closures at Canaveral to tightening local ordinances and enforcement crackdowns. Officials often suggest nudists “just move” to another beach, but as Lupse’s reporting shows, there may soon be nowhere left to move to. The crisis isn’t just about nudist beaches—it’s about the slow privatization of the coast itself, leaving fewer places for anyone, clothed or nude, to belong. 🚀

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Mixed reaction to new nudity ordinance in Vermont’s largest city

• WAMC – October 8, 2025

Just weeks after Burlington officially banned public nudity, WAMC revisited the story to gauge how residents feel about the change. The new ordinance—approved in late September after months of debate—makes it illegal to expose one’s genitals or anus in public spaces, carrying fines of up to $500. Lawmakers say the measure addresses a small but disruptive number of incidents, while many locals see it as an unnecessary solution to a rare problem in a city once known for its tolerance and eccentricity.

Planet Nude previously reported on Burlington’s path to this ban, noting how the city’s vote marked a cultural shift in one of the few U.S. states where nonsexual public nudity is still legal. Reactions gathered by WAMC underline that shift: residents express everything from amusement to disappointment, wondering why lawmakers prioritized a moral panic over more pressing issues.🚀

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Are inflatable costumes and naked bike rides helping or hurting ICE protests?

• The Week / Yahoo News – October 16, 2025

• Willamette Week – October 13, 2025

• LGBTQ Nation – October 14, 2025

• We Will Free Us – October 14, 2025

What began as an “emergency” edition of Portland’s World Naked Bike Ride in protest of the National Guard deployment at the city’s ICE facility quickly became a cultural flashpoint this month. Hundreds of cyclists—some nude, others in inflatable animal costumes—rode through the rain to confront militarized federal presence with humor and vulnerability. Federal agents later escalated the situation with pepper balls and arrests, while national figures like House Speaker Mike Johnson decried the protest as “threatening.”

The vivid images of nude riders and inflatable frogs facing off with federal officers dominated headlines and social media, fueling debate about the meaning and limits of protest. For some, it was a joyful and creative act of resistance; for others, a distraction from the seriousness of the cause. Either way, Portland once again reminded the nation that protest can take many forms—and sometimes, the most powerful statements come without clothes. 🚀

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‘A very brave thing to do’: all-nude play about boomers v gen Z to premiere at Sydney’s Griffin Theatre

• The Guardian – September 25, 2024

• Art News Portal – October 23, 2025

Ang Collins’ Naturism, now playing at Sydney’s Wharf 2 Theatre, is reportedly a smart, irreverent reflection on aging, climate anxiety, and the stubborn hope that keeps us human. Directed by Declan Greene for Griffin Theatre Company, the play strands a group of off-grid baby-boomer naturists with a visiting Gen Z eco-warrior, forcing both sides to reckon with what “living naturally” really means in a world on fire.

Critics have praised Naturism as “impeccably written” (Arts Review) and “a very brave thing to do” (The Guardian), while early audiences describe it as disarmingly funny and surprisingly tender. One Planet Nude reader writing as RG, who reached out after seeing the production opening weekend, called the production “accessible and often absurd, sometimes juvenile, but quite funny,” adding that “the nudity was well done — the actors seemed entirely at ease, and the focus soon shifted to themes of generational difference and the environment.” RG also noted the show’s nuanced portrayal of naturism, with dialogue that “nicely depicted nudity as a way of life, rather than a weird fetish,” though he felt its depiction of off-grid isolation missed the chance to show “the much more common experience of being a naturist living in a mostly textile world.”

Still, Naturism seems to land as both satire and celebration—a theatrical experiment that dares to strip away pretense, literally and figuratively, to get the audience thinking differently about what it means to be comfortable in one’s own skin. 🚀

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The photographer who fought the Supreme Court to take naked photos

• iNews – October 21, 2025

Profile of Spencer Tunick, renowned for staging large-scale nude installations, from early arrests in New York and a free-expression court fight to today’s meticulously permitted shoots. The piece spotlights his latest work in Granada, where hundreds of volunteers painted green formed a “human forest” among olive trees, and revisits earlier mass poses like 2016’s blue-washed “Sea of Hull.”

For the naturist community, Tunick’s projects show how public nudity can function as participatory art and civic ritual—de-sexualized, consent-driven, and often life-affirming for volunteers. His long run of negotiated permissions, anti-censorship actions, and celebration of diverse bodies keeps widening the cultural space where social nudity is seen as normal, joyful, and expressive rather than illicit. 🚀

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Paris Museum Puts Édouard Manet on Mock Trial for Painting a Scandalous Scene of a Nude Woman

• Smithsonian Magazine – October 8, 2025

More than 160 years after its debut shocked Paris, Édouard Manet’s Le Déjeuner sur l’Herbe was tried for obscenity again—this time as theater. The Musée d’Orsay staged a mock trial in which students, lawyers, and a real judge debated the painting’s alleged indecency before ultimately ruling that Manet was “guilty” of public outrage but should “keep painting.”

The performance, organized with the feminist group Fondation des Femmes, reimagined the uproar surrounding Manet’s 1863 picnic scene, where a nude woman dines casually with clothed men. The student playing Manet’s model, Victorine Meurent, defended “the right to nudity and women’s emancipation,” while others invoked Émile Zola and Gustave Courbet to argue for artistic freedom.

By reviving the moral controversy through a contemporary feminist lens, the Orsay’s “trial” showed how debates over nudity, censorship, and women’s agency in art remain as alive today as they were in Manet’s time. 🚀

Former Nudist Resort Transforms into Family-Friendly Getaway in Palm Springs

• NBC Palm Springs – October 6, 2025

NBC Palm Springs reports on the rebranding of Desert Sun Resort—a storied Palm Springs nudist retreat with more than 80 years of history—into Casa Palma, a “family-friendly” hotel. The new owners, Ryan and Rochelle Jaleh, said they “saw the vision” for a more “inclusive” use of the space, calling nudism “no longer the highest and best use” for the property.

Relevant coverage begins at the 35sec point.

The article presents the transformation as a feel-good success story, but it glosses over the cultural loss for Palm Springs’ naturist community. It also reinforces the false notion that nudism and family-friendliness are somehow incompatible. For generations, nudist spaces have emphasized community, respect, and body acceptance—values that are inherently family-friendly, even if the resorts themselves vary in audience.

Rather than celebrating an evolution, this reads as another instance of a unique, body-positive space being erased in favor of a polished, high-end development that serves a narrower idea of comfort and belonging. 🚀

‘Naked Jesus’ shares real name and details life with family operating nudist colony

• The Express – October 12, 2025

• Also covered by OutKick – October 13, 2025

Tim Kraemer — known affectionately (and a bit sensationally) as “Naked Jesus”—has opened the gates of Indian Hills Nudist Park in Slidell, Louisiana, to cameras for a new YouTube documentary, HUMAN: Can Getting Naked Make You Happier? The project, produced by journalist Ben Zand, offers a rare inside look at one of America’s oldest family-run nudist communities, managed by Kraemer alongside his parents and sister.

Both The Express and OutKick emphasize Kraemer’s insistence that nudism and sexuality are distinct—that public sexual behavior is strictly prohibited and that newcomers often discover a sense of normalcy and acceptance in social nudity. Yet while OutKick frames the family-run park as “heartwarming” proof that nudity can be wholesome, The Express leans into sensational details about “sexual vibes” and “wild nights,” undercutting the very point Kraemer is trying to make. 🚀

At this West Virginia nudist resort, everyone has skin in the game

• The Washington Post – July 20, 2025

The Post’s feature on Avalon Resort trades gawking for granular detail, following longtime members through a 30th-anniversary weekend to show how a 250-acre, clothing-optional community actually functions. We meet retirees, veterans, government workers, and condo owners who describe nudity as equalizing and ordinary—pool days, pickleball, the library, even a tongue-in-cheek “Nudsino.” Clear norms (no photos, no public sex, “you can look, but you can’t stare”) frame the culture, while AANR’s and historian Brian Hoffman situate Avalon in a century of American naturism—its growth, peak, and boomer-heavy demographics today. The piece occasionally leans into colorful characters and puns, but it ultimately lands on the substance: a self-governed, rules-forward community where social nudity is about comfort, camaraderie, and continuity more than spectacle. 🚀

Annual skinny dip had become ‘sea of cameras’

• BBC News – September 26, 2025

After 13 years of growth, the beloved North East Skinny Dip at Druridge Bay is tightening its rules on photography. Organizer Jax Higginson, who started the event to celebrate the autumn equinox and raise money for mental health charity Mind, said the annual sunrise plunge had shifted from a “sea of bodies” to a “sea of cameras.” Complaints from participants prompted new boundaries: photos will now only be allowed in one designated section of the beach, between posts one and three, allowing others to swim freely without risk of exposure online.

Higginson emphasized the change as a matter of consent and safety, not censorship. “The most important thing for me was to create a safe environment, so that everybody could surrender to their own experience,” she said. Since its founding, the event has raised more than £160,000 and inspired thousands to greet the equinox in the nude for charity, community, and healing. 🚀

What I learnt from living naked in a medieval Spanish village for a month

• Fashion Journal – October 9, 2025

Writer Constance McDonald recounts a month spent fully nude in an off-grid naturist community in rural Spain — a crumbling medieval village powered by wind, defined by eccentric residents, and united by an ethos of simplicity. Among her neighbors: a conspiracy theorist who blames chemtrails for homosexuality and a self-proclaimed Christ figure who drinks urine with mandarin juice. Between surreal conversations and hand-built furniture, McDonald discovers that life without clothes is less about exhibition and more about stripping away social performance.

Her essay blends humor and introspection, turning discomfort into revelation. She argues that naturism, at its core, is “an experiment in intentional living”—a quiet rebellion against materialism, control, and shame. The nudity, she writes, becomes incidental; what remains is honesty, connection, and a newfound ease in one’s own skin. 🚀

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It’s been nice spooking with you.

Well, my daring dis-dressers, that’s all for tonight’s episode of News of the Nude—a little flesh and a little fright. Remember: the real horror isn’t in the nude... it’s in the prude! 🪐

Thanks to for sharing this month’s clip with me!

I’m a day late on this—life’s been moving fast—but I’m glad to finally bring you this month’s roundup of news stories shaping how nudity and the weird, wonderful people who embrace it are represented in the media.

A quick reminder: our September member drive is nearly over. If you’ve been thinking about becoming a paid subscriber, now’s the time. Your support helps keep this work going. Subscribe here.

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Don’t miss it if you want in on the fun. (Have you joined and gotten your first mail drop yet? Leave a comment!)

As always, this month’s News of the Nude is first and foremost a media digest. We review stories in the news and the ways nudity, nudism, and nude expression are framed in the press. Just to be clear: the headlines below are pulled directly from the original publications—we don’t rewrite or soften them. That’s intentional. It helps illustrate how the media chooses to frame these stories. This month, a wave of dramatic headlines like “Nudists declare war” or “Nudists revolt” show up in the mix. More often than not, this kind of language reflects the media’s taste for clickbait over the (usually less sensational) reality behind these stories.

Still, it’s worth asking: when nudists are portrayed as rebellious, disruptive, or controversial, how does that sit with you? On one hand, it can be refreshing to see naturists framed as engaged and outspoken. On the other, it risks pushing nudism further toward the fringe. What’s your take?

I think you’ll find this month’s batch of stories to be a curious collection—and I’ve added a short reflection at the end with a few takeaways I see emerging. Once you’ve read it through, let me know what you think in the comments. 🚀

News of the Nude, Vol. 33 🪐

Nudists declare war on SpaceX

• Headline from Futurism • August 30, 2025 | Space.com • September 5, 2025 | Vice • September 15, 2025

What began as a routine infrastructure proposal has escalated into a cultural flashpoint: nudists vs. SpaceX. At stake is Playalinda Beach—a remote, clothing-optional gem within Florida’s Canaveral National Seashore. If SpaceX’s Starship launch plan is approved, Playalinda could face closures up to 60 days a year.

The FAA is currently reviewing a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) allowing 44 annual launches from Kennedy Space Center’s LC-39A. Naturists argue the safety closures would displace users, strain nearby beaches, and endanger one of the last accessible nudist coastlines in the U.S.

AANR Executive Director Erich Schuttauf and others have raised these concerns in FAA hearings and the press. “Absolutely, people need to weigh in,” Schuttauf told Planet Nude. “The volume of comments will matter.”

Coverage of the conflict has been mixed. Futurism dubbed it “Nudists Declare War on SpaceX.” Vice dismissed the opposition as “retirees” on Zoom. Space.com, by contrast, offered a thorough breakdown of environmental risks, beach access, and military alternatives to the proposed site.

Beyond the clickbait headlines lies a real threat to naturist spaces—places that don’t appear by accident, but through decades of advocacy and work. Like the sea turtles who also rely on these shores, nudists can’t simply relocate. Closures like these erode the rare public spaces where body freedom is accepted.

The FAA is accepting comments on the proposal through September 22 (Docket ID: FAA-2024-1395). Win or lose, nudists’ resistance is important. It shows that we won’t go down without a fight. 🚀

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Nudists revolt by suing new property owners for civil rights violations

• Headline from The Guardian • September 4, 2025 | Los Angeles Times • September 5, 2025 | KTLA • September 3, 2025

A deeply personal and painful fight is unfolding quite publicly this month at Olive Dell Ranch, Southern California’s longest-standing nudist resort, where more than 50 residents are suing current ownership over what they allege is harassment, constructive eviction, and the forced abandonment of their clothing-optional way of life. The lawsuit accuses owners of civil rights violations, elder abuse, and a calculated attempt to drive out low-income residents—many of them seniors, veterans, or disabled—by stripping the resort of its amenities, enforcing new clothing rules, and allowing the property to fall into dangerous disrepair. The story has been covered by KTLA, The Guardian, CBS Los Angeles, and more—with stories highlighting the deteriorating conditions and the human cost of what residents call a betrayal of Olive Dell’s founding mission.

As someone who’s visited Olive Dell many times over the years, watching this struggle unfold has been heartbreaking—not only because we have seemingly lost one of Southern California’s few clothing-optional spaces, but because it’s affecting real people I know and care about. I’ve followed the events there closely over the years and every time I’ve written about it for Planet Nude (including the most recent story), I have wrestled with the impact: Would the coverage help or hurt? Ultimately, I’ve determined that Planet Nude exists to advocate not just for the idea of nudism, but for actual nudists. Like many other nudists active in southern California, Olive Dell is my community, and I stand with those fighting to preserve what it was—and what it could still become. 🚀

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Nudist walk cancelled over safety concerns

• BBC News • September 4, 2025

A planned nude walk organized by the West Midlands Naturist Association was cancelled after online backlash and safety concerns. The walk, set to begin at Queens Park in Birmingham, drew criticism and unfounded accusations of indecent exposure, prompting organizer Leah Crowley to pull the event following “ignorant” and “sometimes threatening” abuse online. Crowley defended the intent, emphasizing that naturism is about self-connection and that nudity should not be seen as inherently offensive. 🚀

Removal of Oakland mural depicting Ohlone people paused for community feedback

• CBS News • September 2, 2025 | SFGATE • September 5, 2025

A beloved 20-year-old mural in Oakland depicting the colonization of Ohlone people is under threat of removal after a single complaint objected to its nudity.

Titled The Capture of the Solid, the Escape of the Soul, and painted by Rocky Rische-Baird, the mural features stark scenes of historical trauma, including smallpox-infested blankets given by Spanish missionaries—portrayed through haunting surrealism and partial nudity.

Critics of its removal argue that the complaint reflects more discomfort with historical truth than with exposed bodies. Local residents have rallied in support, citing the mural’s educational and emotional power. While the property managers initially planned to paint it over, they’ve now paused those plans indefinitely after widespread community pushback. 🚀

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What do Americans think of public nudity?

• YouGov • August 29, 2025

A new YouGov survey explores American attitudes toward public nudity, revealing a mix of discomfort and curiosity. While only 10% say they love being naked, more than half of Americans report having been nude or topless in public at least once, most commonly while swimming or in a sauna. Still, nudists and naturists face a perception gap: only 18% hold a positive view, compared to 27% with negative feelings. Most support nudity at private resorts or nude beaches, but far fewer approve of it in public parks or cities. The results also highlight a generational divide, with younger adults more self-conscious but more open to toplessness and nudity in nature.

Planet Nude recently published a piece on this survey and its implications. We also just released our 2025 Member Survey results, which, unlike the YouGov Survey looking at the larger population, takes a closer look at the nudist community that makes up our readership, and the demographics, values, and attitudes of that group. Both of our recent articles are linked below. 🚀

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Man visits ‘naturist’ beach and is stunned by one thing

• Cornwall Live • Sept. 25, 2025 | Daily Star • Sept. 25, 2025 | Yahoo News UK • Sept. 25, 2025 | Plymouth Herald • Sept. 26, 2025 | Mirror • Sept. 25, 2025

A Reddit post about a man stumbling upon a UK naturist beach—and finding it underwhelming—sparked a flurry of British tabloid coverage this week. The anonymous poster shared a photo of a sign warning that “you may encounter naturists enjoying this area naked today,” only to quip that he had not. “Alas, I didn’t,” he wrote. “But really, I’m quite glad I didn’t.”

From there, media outlets spun a story around the, uhh, humorous(??) thread, highlighting user comments on the legality of public nudity in the UK, American prudishness, and the cultural shame around aging bodies. While ultimately little more than a social media anecdote, the coverage did perhaps inadvertently amplify public understanding of the UK’s stance on non-sexual nudity—namely, that it’s legal unless intended to cause distress. 🚀

Are Private Pictures Safe In Cloud Storage? Woman Sues Tech Giant After Nude Images, Sex Videos Leaked

• Headline from The Daily Jagran • Sept. 4, 2025 | Yahoo News UK • Sept. 7, 2025

A German woman known as “Laura” has filed a landmark lawsuit against Google after intimate nude photos and sex videos—stolen from her private Google Cloud account—were repeatedly published on pornographic websites and indexed by Google’s image search. Over 18 months, digital rights nonprofit HateAid helped report more than 2,000 URLs, but the images kept resurfacing, including AI-generated deepfakes. The lawsuit, filed in Ireland, where Google’s European headquarters are based, argues for stricter enforcement of the EU’s “right to be forgotten” law. 🚀

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Vienna’s most naked secret lives in the open on the Danube

• Monocle • August 31, 2025

This beautifully written essay by Vienna-based journalist Alexei Korolyov reflects on the Freikörperkultur (FKK) tradition, which is still thriving on Danube Island, a 21-km stretch of urban riverside where nude sunbathers mingle freely each summer. Korolyov traces the political and cultural roots of FKK—from 19th-century Lebensreform ideals to its varied adoption under Nazi, East German, and modern Austrian contexts—before joining a group of contemporary naturists himself. Rather than idealize the scene, Korolyov offers a grounded, intimate portrait of today’s FKK community: relaxed, diverse, and quietly radical in its ordinariness. For nudists, the piece affirms how nudity can foster authentic social connection in an alienating world. 🚀

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So… what does all this say about where we are?

If you zoom out across these stories it paints a strange, contradictory picture of where nudism is in 2025. On the one hand, we’re visible. The stories are getting told. Naturists are organizing, speaking up at government hearings, and filing civil rights lawsuits. That kind of advocacy is real, and powerful.

On the other hand, it’s clear we’re still treated as fringe—clickbait at best, or a nuisance to be legislated away. Nudist stories in the press still lean heavily on spectacle, misunderstanding, or mockery. The same goes for artistic nudity and body freedom: misread, under attack, or outright censored.

But I’m not pessimistic. I’m energized. Because what I see here is a global community—imperfect, under pressure—but refusing to disappear. Naturists are showing up. We’re holding our ground. And even when we’re sensationalized or misunderstood, we’re part of a bigger conversation about who gets to be seen, what counts as “normal,” and what kind of world we want to build. I don’t think the outlook for nudism is grim. I think it’s alive.

And maybe the question isn’t how do we make nudism more accepted—maybe it’s how do we keep building spaces where it already is? 🪐

(Note: This isn’t a real Brubeck performance — it’s a 2020 mash-up by musician Laurence Mason, syncing his Golden Brown cover to vintage Brubeck footage. But I liked it so I’m sharing it here.) - Evan

Disclosure: This post used generative AI to support the writing and editing process.

There are some happy stories in here too. Enjoy. 🚀

News of the Nude, Vol. 32 🪐

Some people risk $25,000 fine to reach Nova Scotia's nude beach

• The Chronicle Herald • August 8, 2025

Following Nova Scotia’s emergency ban on accessing wooded areas due to wildfire risks, confusion has arisen over whether trails leading to Crystal Crescent’s third beach—a beloved unofficial nude beach near Halifax—are included. The beach is typically accessed by a 15-minute hike through forested coastal trails, now technically off-limits, with violators facing fines up to $25,000. Some visitors, uncertain about the ban’s scope, have reportedly continued making the hike. “We think going to the beach through the woods is fine,” said two young men interviewed en route. Others cited a lack of physical barriers or signage as reason to proceed. Meanwhile, the Bluenose Naturists issued a public statement urging caution and affirming their support for the fire safety measures. 🚀

Man Wins $12,500 After Google Street View Camera Photographs Him Naked

• VICE • August 1, 2025

An Argentinian police officer was awarded $12,500 after a Google Street View car captured him sunbathing nude in his own backyard—a 2017 image that went viral, exposing his address and identity to the public. Initially dismissed by a lower court, the case was overturned on appeal, with the judges calling it a “blatant” invasion of privacy and holding Google accountable for failing to blur the image, as per its own policies. The case raises important questions about consent, context, and digital voyeurism—especially in a world where simple nudity can be algorithmically captured, distributed, and weaponized. 🚀

The Battle of Denny Blaine: Nudists vs prudists on Seattle’s lakefront

• Monocle • August 27, 2025

Monocle’s Gregory Scruggs offers a sharp, occasionally cheeky summary of Seattle’s ongoing conflict over Denny Blaine Park—a modest lakeside space with an outsized role in local nudist culture. Scruggs recaps the now-infamous 2023 donation that sparked a public backlash: a playground proposal quietly funded by a billionaire mall developer who also happened to live next door. The story traces the spiraling tension from neighborhood complaints and mayoral texts to lawsuits, a court ruling declaring nudity a “public nuisance,” and the recent erection of a green-meshed chain-link fence. Scruggs notes the fence’s “Reaganesque” symbolic weight, hinting that the culture war around nudity is far from resolved.

Monocle’s piece is a fun read that breezily highlights the contradictions between bureaucracy and bare bodies, but at 600 words, it amounts to merely summary of a much larger saga, one that we have been covering for years on Planet Nude, including extensive original reporting, interviews, and legal context. Still, the piece offers a useful flyover for international readers who may be discovering this uniquely Seattle story for the first time. 🚀

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Iconic mermaid statue to be torn down as critics slam it for being a 'man's hot dream of what a woman should look like'

• GB News • August 6, 2025

Copenhagen’s 13-foot “Big Mermaid” statue is being removed after years of public debate over its exaggerated features, particularly its large breasts and curvaceous form. Critics, including journalists and art reviewers, have labeled the statue “pornographic” and claimed it reflects a male fantasy rather than a body-positive representation of women. One commentator argued that such depictions discourage real women from embracing their own bodies. The artist defended the statue’s form as proportional and popular with tourists.

In aggregate with similar controversies—like the backlash to a mermaid statue in Monopoli, Italy—this latest episode suggests an ongoing cultural discomfort with certain expressions of nudity in public art. This situation raises complicated questions about when nudity is embraced, when it’s condemned, and whose bodies are deemed acceptable in public view. 🚀

UK beach voted one of world’s best (and unofficial nudist spot) closed on safety grounds

• Metro • August 16, 2025

The National Trust has temporarily closed access to Pedn Vounder Beach in Cornwall citing dangerous levels of coastal erosion. The internationally acclaimed cove and unofficial nudist haven is known for its clear turquoise waters and history as a naturist-friendly destination, but is now unreachable by foot after the cliffside path from Porthcurno was deemed increasingly unstable. Locals have expressed frustration at the sudden closure, arguing the path has long posed a challenge but hadn’t visibly worsened. Still, the Trust emphasized the decision was made in consultation with emergency services to prevent serious injury. 🚀

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Nudist says tents that have popped up on nudist beach are 'spoiling' the area

• Headline from The Argus • August 4, 2025

• Also on Yahoo News• August 4, 2025

A cluster of large tents pitched directly on Brighton’s official nudist beach near Black Rock has sparked complaints from regular visitors. One longtime beachgoer described the scene as “tent city,” arguing that the encampment is “spoiling the nature of the beach” and disrupting its usual atmosphere. Brighton & Hove City Council confirmed it had visited the site and is working with Sussex Police to address the situation. While authorities emphasize their commitment to providing welfare support for those in need, the city maintains a firm no-camping policy on public beaches and has reportedly issued notices to those occupying the area. 🚀

Steam Doesn't Think This Image Is ‘Suitable for All Ages’

• July 31, 2025 | 404 Media

When indie developer Paolo Pedercini tried to submit his satirical game Future? No Thanks! to Steam, the process was delayed because a low-res screenshot of a fully clothed woman was flagged as “suggestive.” The image itself is ordinary; what’s absurd is treating it as sexual. Yet storefronts like Steam and Itch, under pressure from financial gatekeepers, increasingly censor anything that could be construed as “adult”—no matter how far-fetched the claim.

Much of this pressure comes from financial gatekeepers like Visa and Mastercard, influenced by groups such as Collective Shout, whose campaigns against the “pornification of culture” have swept up queer content, political art, and even satire. Pedercini warns that such opaque censorship endangers games as cultural expression, echoing battles he’s faced before.

At Planet Nude, we explored this very trend in our recent piece, The price of being naked online, showing how financial censorship now decides what nude expression is allowed. Pedercini’s flagged screenshot may look harmless, but it’s part of the same cultural erasure that deems bodies, queerness, and satire too “risky” for commercial platforms. 🚀

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As influencers spread ‘toxic’ claims, what is the truth about sunscreen?

• The Guardian • August 6, 2025

With sunscreen skepticism on the rise (fueled in part by the spreading MAHA movement, as well as a rash of online influencers and viral misinformation) this article from The Guardian explores what the science actually says. Despite alarmist claims about “toxic ingredients,” experts confirm that sunscreen remains a crucial tool in preventing UV damage and skin cancer. Organic UV filters like oxybenzone have raised questions due to their presence in blood and potential endocrine effects, but studies show typical usage stays well below harmful thresholds. Inorganic filters like zinc oxide are generally seen as safer, though they pose some environmental risks.

While many (but not all, notably) nudists value sun exposure for its liberating and health-affirming qualities, responsible protection matters. Shade, clothing, and sunscreen can all be part of a balanced approach. This piece reinforces the nudist ethos of body awareness and personal responsibility, while cautioning against the social media-driven fearmongering that often distorts public understanding of skin health. 🚀

One Woman’s Wholesome Mission to Get Naked Outside

• Outside • June 13, 2022

In the humorous and vulnerable personal essay from Outside (linked above), writer Gloria Liu shares her journey from modest bystander to aspiring outdoor nudist. Inspired by her boyfriend’s vivid childhood memory of running naked on the beach, Liu reflects on her own lack of nude experiences growing up, and the awkwardness of her first attempt to disrobe at a hot spring, where none of her friends followed suit. Now in her late thirties and increasingly ready to push past embarrassment, Liu proposes a “naked training plan” to gradually embrace naturism in the outdoors. Her goal? To become one of “those people” she’s always admired: the confident, body-free adventurers who ski, hike, and bathe in the nude. 🚀

The 10 best nude beaches in the US, ranked by travelers

• USA Today • August 6, 2025

USA Today published a widely circulated travel feature this month ranking the ten best nude beaches in the United States. Compiled using online metrics like TripAdvisor reviews and Instagram hashtags, the list includes well-known naturist spots such as Haulover Beach in Miami, Black’s Beach in San Diego, and Blind Creek in Fort Pierce, along with several lesser-known locations like Ship Island in Mississippi and Secret Cove at Lake Tahoe.

These kinds of lists get published all the time, and I don’t tend to spotlight them in News of the Nude, but this article’s prominence in USA Today made it remarkable in my view.

Have you been to any of the beaches named? Which ones? 🚀

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That was August.

That’s all for this month’s News of the Nude. August ends.

September is our semiannual September Member Drive (the other is in March). We have some fun stuff planned to encourage people to support our work with a paid membership. I know those reminders can get old, especially if you’re already a supporter, but paid memberships are what keep this work going. My goal is to make participation both enjoyable and valuable. Are you with me? 🪐

Disclosure: This post used generative AI to support the writing and editing process.

Welcome to another News of the Nude, you fine so’s and so’s. Holy cow, this month has been a whirlwind! Summer is in full effect. I’ve been caught up in all kinds of events and activities—from Skinny Dip Day to nudist conventions, presentations, and demonstrations. In July alone, I’ve been in no fewer than seven different U.S. states (if you count airport layovers). I feel like I blinked and the whole month passed me by, and August promises to be just as packed.

Anyway, all that to say: I’m a little late getting this month’s media review out. I usually aim for the last Friday of each month—but with July ending on a Thursday, that was last week, and I missed it. Still, this marks the 31st straight month of publishing News of the Nude, and I wasn’t about to drop the ball now. So here it is: a little late, but no less worthy, and still squeaking in under the line. Thanks for your patience. 🚀

News of the Nude, Vol. 31 🪐

World Naked Bike Ride: A Protest Against ‘Indecent Exposure’ To Car Culture

• Forbes • July 20, 2025

Forbes journalist Cecilia Rodriguez offers a rare mainstream look at the global scope and cultural impact of the World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR), now celebrating its 20th year. With events in more than 80 cities across 20 countries, the WNBR combines joyful body freedom with serious protest against fossil fuel dependency and car-centric infrastructure.

This article does a good job of contextualizing the event’s evolution from early activist roots to its current scale, while also noting the ongoing controversies it invites, including arrests, legal challenges, and political backlash—especially in the U.S. and France. And the controversy continues every year, as we have reported extensively here on Planet Nude. 🚀

Hundreds of naked people headed to Somerset for Europe’s biggest nude festival

• Somerset County Gazette • July 7, 2025

• Cornwall Live • July 7, 2025

Nudefest 2025 returned to Somerset, England, from July 7–13, drawing hundreds of naturists from around the world to Thorney Lakes for Europe’s largest nude festival. Hosted by British Naturism, the event featured a full week of naked activities (from clay pigeon shooting and line dancing to comedy nights) all in a completely clothes-free environment. Launched in 2007 in Cornwall, Nudefest has grown steadily into British Naturism’s flagship event. Most of the media coverage of the event this year leaned into cheeky headlines, but largely reflected the festival’s increasing mainstream appeal and body-positive spirit. 🚀

Grin and ‘Bare’ it: At this nudist resort, everyone has skin in the game

• The Washington Post • July 20, 2025

In this richly reported feature, The Washington Post visits Avalon Resort in Paw Paw, West Virginia, during its 30th anniversary, capturing the vibrant, clothing-optional community through interviews with retirees, ex-military members, and longtime naturists. The piece provides a humanizing look at nudism’s appeal, while weaving in historical context from AANR president (and Planet Nude contributor) , and scholar Brian Hoffman.

While mostly respectful, the article (like many before it) leans on pun-heavy framing (“Grin and ‘Bare’ it,” “bottomless underwear”), hinting at how even sympathetic coverage can’t resist treating nudity as novelty. Still, it gives nudists space to speak for themselves, and offers readers a rare mainstream glimpse into a lifestyle often reduced to punchlines. 🚀

Premier Universities Paving the Path for Powerful Public Nudity

• Arapahoe Campus News • June 25th 2025

In his spirited student column, Isaac Winchester explores how elite universities like Brown and Yale have become unlikely champions of public nudity through cheeky campus traditions like the Naked Donut Run and biannual nude candy handouts. While these events may sound provocative, participants frame them as playful, body-positive gestures that emphasize desexualized nudity and communal comfort.

Interestingly, the article aligns these college customs within a broader legal and cultural shift: an increasing number of states have struck down topless bans and clarified that public nudity isn’t inherently criminal unless intended to offend. By linking student-led nudity events with national trends toward body neutrality, Winchester positions campuses as microcosms of a slowly shifting social contract where nudity isn’t always taboo, and sometimes is even celebrated in wholesome ways. 🚀

North America’s second-oldest nudist resort is turning 90

• Yahoo News • July 2, 2025

• KDVR/Fox31 Denver • July 2, 2025

Earlier this month, Mountain Air Ranch—Colorado’s long-standing family nudist resort nestled in the foothills near Littleton—celebrated its 90th anniversary with a weekend of live music, catered meals, pool parties, family games, and a drone show. The event welcomed members and first-time visitors alike to honor nearly a century of social nudism on the same piece of land.

As Planet Nude detailed in a comprehensive feature this month, MAR’s origins trace back to 1934, when Denver nudists led by John and Alice Garrison began organizing meetups. After a 1935 police raid, the group purchased remote land near Mica Mine Gulch and founded what would become Mountain Air Ranch. Through police crackdowns, zoning battles, and wildfires, the club has endured (and grown) into one of the most resilient naturist institutions in North America. 🚀

Read more:

Why Britons still aren’t ready for ‘social nudity’

• The Telegraph • July 19, 2025

In this deeply personal and at times conflicted essay, The Telegraph’s Emma O’Kelly explores the cultural tensions around social nudity in Britain through her own evolving relationship with saunas, wild swimming, and a recent visit to a British Naturism-organized nude swim. While she celebrates the quiet rise of body-positive spaces—especially those led by women—her experience at the BN event ends in discomfort after witnessing inappropriate behavior, leading to a larger critique of how naturist organizations handle safeguarding and inclusivity.

The piece is rich with nuance but framed by a recurring unease: the author’s distrust of mixed-gender nudity, suspicion toward established naturist culture, and lingering associations between nudity and vulnerability. While O’Kelly acknowledges growing mainstream acceptance through saunas and skinny dips, she draws a hard line between these expressions and traditional naturism, portraying the latter as outdated, male-dominated, and tone-deaf to the needs of newcomers. It’s a revealing reflection on Britain’s evolving nudity norms—but also a cautionary reminder of how a single bad experience, poorly handled, can undermine decades of cultural progress. 🚀

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Is a pending nudity ban at Seattle’s Denny Blaine Park ‘queerphobic’?

• KUOW • July 16, 2025

Seattle’s LGBTQ+ community is voicing concern after a King County Superior Court judge ordered the city to curtail nudity at Denny Blaine Park within two weeks, siding with a neighborhood group that alleged the space has become a site for drug use and sex acts. Longtime parkgoers, including Derek Dizon and Erik Rios, dispute those claims, describing the atmosphere as calm and respectful. They say the rhetoric driving the lawsuit is “queerphobic,” conflating public nudity with inappropriate behavior and targeting a historically queer-friendly space.

As we have reported extensively here on Planet Nude, the park, cherished for its relaxed and body-positive vibe, now faces a future of heightened scrutiny and potential surveillance. While the neighborhood group insists the suit is about public safety and not aimed at the LGBTQ+ community, many worry that the ruling will erode one of the few remaining accessible places in the city where queer and trans people can feel at ease in their bodies. 🚀

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Naturists Federation reacts to controversial nude Lotto ad

• NZ Herald • July 14, 2025

A lighthearted Lotto commercial featuring a man skiing naked down a mountain has become New Zealand’s most complained-about ad of 2025, drawing dozens of complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). But the New Zealand Naturist Federation isn’t buying the outrage. Federation president Alice de Wet told the Herald that while naturists don’t typically ski in the nude, the ad struck her as harmless and humorous: “Even naturists wouldn’t be offended.”

The ASA agreed, ruling the nudity was brief, non-sexualized, and relevant to the ad’s storyline. The controversy touches on a recurring tension in media representation—where even non-gratuitous nudity triggers disproportionate reactions, especially when aired to general audiences. De Wet took the opportunity to remind the public that naturism is family-friendly and not inherently shocking: “It’s very natural. It should not be seen as anything unnatural or odd.” 🚀

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Gay nudist beach has heritage listing application rejected

• PinkNews • June 30, 2025

• The Star Observer • June 30, 2025

An effort to formally recognize Kings Beach—a longtime nudist haven and sanctuary for LGBTQ+ communities near Byron Bay, New South Wales—has been rejected by the NSW Heritage Council. Local couple Rohan Anderson and Jonathan Lee submitted the application to honor the beach’s cultural significance, especially during the AIDS crisis when it served as a rare safe space for gay men. Despite this deep historical connection, the council dismissed the proposal without explanation, stating only that the site “did not meet the threshold.”

As reported in News of the Nude back in May, this decision follows a broader clash between LGBTQ+ beachgoers and state officials, including a short-lived enforcement of a “non-optional clothing” policy by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Though public backlash forced the policy to be reversed, the heritage rejection now marks another setback for those seeking official recognition of queer and nudist histories in public space. As Anderson told The Star Observer, “They just don’t want us there.” 🚀

Austin police seek men who assaulted a trans woman and her friends, and broke Good Samaritan's jaw

• The Advocate • July 30, 2025

A brutal attack at Barton Springs Free Area—a popular clothing-optional beach in Austin—is under investigation as a possible hate crime after a trans woman and her friends were assaulted by a group of men. According to eyewitness accounts and a viral Reddit post, the assailants began with transphobic remarks and quickly escalated to physical violence, shoving the women and poking at their bodies. A bystander who intervened was severely beaten, suffering a concussion and a broken jaw. The beach, known for its relaxed and body-positive atmosphere, became the backdrop for what many are calling a targeted and hateful act. The victims say the attack reflects broader dangers faced by trans and queer individuals in public spaces. A GoFundMe for the injured Good Samaritan has already raised more than double its goal, while Austin police are urging anyone with information to contact investigators. 🚀

Naturists go barefooted for Umhlanga Lagoon clean up

• Northglen News (Durban, South Africa) • June 28, 2025

In Durban, South Africa, members of the KwaZulu-Natal Naturist Association (KZNNA) joined forces with local environmental groups for a public beach clean-up at Umhlanga Lagoon, a scenic shoreline north of the city known for its ecological diversity and quiet use by naturists, joggers, and nature lovers alike. Though the event (dubbed the “Barefoot” Beach Clean-up Day) was not a nudist gathering, it reflected the naturist ethos of environmental stewardship and respect for nature, and certainly generated some positive PR for KZNNA. 🚀

WATCH: Moment mortar shell is detonated at notorious nudist beach

• Yahoo News UK • July 26, 2025

• Eastern Daily Press • July 26, 2025

• East Anglian Daily Times • July 24, 2025

A video released by Gorleston Coastguard shows the controlled detonation of a WWII-era mortar shell at Corton Beach, just north of Lowestoft, a seaside town on the coast of eastern England. The shell was discovered in a residential garage and transported to the beach by the British Army’s bomb disposal team for safe detonation.

Though the incident had nothing to do with nudism, multiple outlets highlighted the beach’s reputation as a nudist spot in their headlines. The inclusion serves as yet another example of how media coverage often uses nudist spaces as clickbait, even when the story is about something entirely unrelated. 🚀

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That was this month.

That’s all for this month’s News of the Nude. As always, thanks for dropping in—on the stories and the ever-evolving condition of the naked condition. See you next time. 🪐

Disclosure: This post used generative AI to support the writing and editing process.

This month in our monthly media review series we look at stories from all around the world, with a real focus on the ways in which they are framed by the press. There are examples of stories that are told open-mindedly and objectively, and many more that are sensationalized and extracted and distorted in service of the almighty eyeball. The ways the media frames the stories that people hear about nudity—and nudists and naturists as well—tint the lenses of the cultural zeitgeist. By studying the media, maybe we can influence it.

You’ll also find several pieces about summer events and gatherings—bike rides, marches, festivals—all of which tend to attract cameras and headlines. How these moments are covered matters too, especially as more people experience social nudity for the first time.

So let’s dive in. Thanks, as always, for reading. 🚀

News of the Nude, Vol. 30 🪐

Nudists March In Mexico City To Celebrate Body Positivity

• The Onion • June 4, 2025

We’re delighted to report that The Onion, our favorite long-running satirical newspaper, has trained its deadpan lens on Día al Desnudo, Mexico’s growing national day of body freedom. In true Onion fashion, the article doesn’t go far beyond a one-liner headline and some characteristically absurd reader reactions (“The only ones I wanna see nude in a parade are Garfield and Snoopy”), but the fact that this now-annual event has entered the parody zeitgeist is something to celebrate. A naturist event making headlines and punchlines? That’s cultural relevance.

As Planet Nude reported earlier this month, the 2025 Día al Desnudo marches in Guadalajara and Mexico City drew over 1,500 participants, more than doubling previous years. With yoga, art, and community-building at its heart, and with clear codes of consent and conduct, this march continues to reshape public perception of nudity in Mexican society. 🚀

Read more:

Nude bike parade in Brussels exposes benefits and dangers of cycling

• Belga News Agency • June 21, 2025

A group of over 100 cyclists took to the streets of Brussels this month wearing nothing but sunscreen for the 20th edition of Cyclonudista, a nude protest ride that calls for improved cycling infrastructure, celebrates environmentalism, and promotes body freedom. Organizer Jérôme Jolibois emphasized that while some improvements have been made, the city’s bike lanes still avoid the most dangerous areas—and he’s calling on officials to do more. Jérôme, who I spoke with in 2022 for Naked Age podcast, is an original founder of the ride and has organized it for two decades.

As with World Naked Bike Rides around the globe, the nudity here is both symbolic and strategic: a statement about the vulnerability of cyclists, and a broader invitation to shed shame around the human body. “Being naked doesn’t hurt anyone,” Jolibois is quoted, “unlike car pollution.” 🚀

More to explore:

The new nudity: A 21st-century guide to taking off your clothes

• CNN • June 19, 2025

In a refreshing article from a mainstream media publication, journalist Maureen O’Hare explores the growing appeal of social nudity through a visit to British Naturism: Sunfolk, a rejuvenated naturist haven outside London that was privately owned for nearly 90 years and was given to British Naturism after years of falling into disrepair. BN has since invested in the renovation and revival of the property, officially reopening it this month. The piece above serves as both cultural commentary and first-person reportage, offering a respectful and human look at a tradition often misrepresented in mainstream media.

O’Hare spoke with several naturist friends in this article—a couple of whom are occasional Planet Nude contributors—and I’m proud to disclose she also reached out to me directly for some historical and cultural background by phone. While her final piece exclusively quotes Sunfolk attendees, many of whom are leaders in the British naturist movement, I was glad to support what became a truly stellar piece of journalism. Notably, O’Hare didn’t just observe from the sidelines—she immersed herself in the experience, taking part in social nudism firsthand, apparently for her first time. That willingness to engage is part of what gives this piece its integrity.

This isn’t her first standout article on the subject of nudism. In 2024, she authored a widely praised guide to nude beach etiquette for CNN, interviewing another Planet Nude contributor, . Her work stands in stark contrast to the tired sensationalism so often seen in publications like the Daily Mail, which routinely reduce naturist events to cheeky headlines and innuendo. This is what real journalism looks like. 🚀

Court Dismisses Charges Against Nude Anti-Corruption Demonstrators

• ChimpReports • June 12, 2025

This is the latest of a developing story we’ve followed closely in News of the Nude and on Planet Nude. On June 12, the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kampala officially dismissed nuisance charges against three women arrested last September for staging a semi-nude anti-corruption protest near Uganda’s Parliament. The protest—led by Norah Kobusingye, Kemitoma Kyenzibo, and Aloikin Praise Opoloje—sparked both outrage and admiration, with police accusing them of causing “annoyance” by marching with slogans painted on their bodies. The court tossed the case after prosecutors failed to present any evidence.

As readers may recall, Opoloje was recently profiled on Planet Nude after receiving the European Union’s Human Rights Defender of the Year award for her bold role in that very demonstration. The court’s dismissal is a small but significant vindication—not just of the women’s right to protest, but of nudity as a legitimate tool of resistance. 🚀

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Trans woman swims topless in protest at being forced to swim with men

• PinkNews • June 17, 2025

Anne Isabella Coombes, a 67-year-old trans woman, protested Swim England’s trans-exclusionary policies by swimming topless in an 'open' category race, highlighting the contradictions and stigma embedded in the sport’s gender regulations. Despite previously competing in female events, new rules introduced by the governing body barred her from the women’s category and required her to compete against men—while still mandating she wear a women’s swimsuit.

Coombes chose to swim in men’s trunks without a top to call attention to the policy’s absurdity, saying it effectively outs trans athletes while offering no fair or respectful alternative. Her act joins a broader wave of topless trans protests in the UK, including a recent demonstration outside Scottish Parliament aimed at challenging legal definitions that exclude trans women from recognition as women—an event we reported on in last month’s News of the Nude.

For naturists and body-freedom advocates, Coombes’ protest ought to resonate. Her gesture exposes the arbitrary, often dehumanizing rules imposed on bodies—especially womens’ bodies and trans bodies—and makes a compelling case for bodily autonomy in both sport and society. 🚀

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Elderly couple at Redlands nudist resort were killed over a hot dog, detective testifies

• Original story in Redlands Daily Facts • June 19, 2025

• The Blaze, Metro, The Sun, 97.3 The Dawg, Daily Star, MSN • June 21, 2025

Last week, the Olive Dell Ranch murder case returned to national headlines after a San Bernardino detective testified that the accused killer allegedly told another inmate he was provoked by being offered a hot dog. That single, bizarre detail was enough to relaunch a tabloid feeding frenzy, with outlets like The Sun, The Blaze, and Metro reducing the tragedy to punchlines about nudity, wieners, and “nudist colonies.” The headlines were quick, viral, and deeply disrespectful—not only to the murdered couple, Stephanie and Daniel Menard, but to the entire community at Olive Dell.

We’ve already written extensively about this story on Planet Nude, including a full editorial on June 25: What the hot dog headlines don’t tell you. That piece reflects on how the press has distorted this tragedy since day one, leaning on voyeurism and stereotypes instead of compassion or truth. The latest round of coverage only continues that trend—repackaging grief for cheap laughs, and turning a devastating act of violence into another excuse to mock naturists. If you’re interested in the real story behind the headlines, we encourage you to read the full editorial. 🚀

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Politician Proposes FKK-Swinger Trip with Preparatory Course

• The Munich Eye • June 25, 2025

In what might generously be described as an unconventional tourism initiative, Mannheim city council member Julien Ferrat has sparked international headlines with his plan for an eight-day “FKK swinger vacation” in Cap d’Agde, France. Billed as a political education trip exploring niche tourism, the proposal includes preparatory workshops in Mannheim and a program mixing naturist leisure with discussion and, controversially, elements of Tantra-inspired activity.

While Ferrat insists the initiative is meant to explore the intersection of tourism, sexuality, and economic development, media coverage has—unsurprisingly—latched onto the sensational. The Daily Mail, for instance, ran a predictably lurid headline: “German politician invites the entire country to ‘educational’ nudist swinger holiday and ‘training camp with outdoor sex’”. That piece reads like satire, complete with double entendres and eyebrow-raising quotes that blur the line between nudism and group sex. It’s another example of the tabloid press capitalizing on public misunderstanding of naturism for easy clicks.

Thankfully, not everyone took the bait. Naturist writer Bernd, in a thoughtful response titled Nudism Misrepresented by Media: A Response, points out the critical failure in how journalists conflated naturism with pornography and swinging. Bernd notes that several German naturist groups—including the DFK—formally requested corrections from newspapers that initially misrepresented the story. To their credit, some publications have since clarified their reporting and agreed to visit local naturist clubs to better understand the values of the movement.

That’s a hopeful sign, but unfortunately the damage is done. The international media’s coverage of this story only deepens the public’s confusion about what naturism is and isn’t. As Bernd rightly notes, it’s essential that we draw clear distinctions between clothing-free recreation rooted in respect and body freedom—and activities that belong more squarely in the realm of adult entertainment. 🚀

Bernd’s Substack

Nudism Misrepresented by Media: A Response

In the middle of May, an article was published in several German newspapers about a ‘political education trip to Cap d'Agde’ organised by a local politician. According to the organiser of this trip, the participants were offered an ‘unforgettable naturist swingers holiday with an interesting political programme…

Read more

10 months ago · 13 likes · Bernd

They'll be saddle sore in the morning! Naked cyclists take to London's streets to protest against car culture (but police asked them to stay clothed if they got near King Charles)

• Daily Mail • June 14, 2025

Thousands of cyclists stripped off for London’s 21st annual World Naked Bike Ride on June 14, merging at Westminster Bridge after launching from eight starting points across the city. The event—part of a global protest movement—highlights the dangers of car-centric planning, dependence on fossil fuels, and the need for safer streets, all while championing body positivity with its “bare as you dare” ethos. Sunny skies, painted bodies, and high spirits made this year’s ride especially festive, culminating in an after-party in Clapham Junction.

But while the event was peaceful and purpose-driven, the Daily Mail once again covered it with a headline that reads like a Benny Hill punchline: “They’ll be saddle sore in the morning!”

Is it clear yet from the other stories in this edition of News of the Nude that I’m not a fan of the Daily Mail? As usual, the paper’s tone veers more toward gawking tabloid than responsible journalism, mixing titillation and trivialization while barely acknowledging the event’s actual message. 🚀

STRIPPED AWAY: We’re fighting to reclaim our seaside town from nudists openly having sex on beach… we’re fed-up of it being no-go zone

• The Sun • June 7, 2025

Residents in Corton, a village on the Suffolk coast, are calling for action against public sexual behavior they claim is taking place on a local beach. While nudity itself is legal in the UK, community leaders and property owners say a rise in exhibitionism and lewd acts—rather than simple naturism—is making the area feel unsafe for families and holidaymakers. A local MP joined a symbolic walk to “reclaim” the beach, while council officials clarified that nudists are not to blame for the reported misconduct.

Still, the Sun’s predictable conflation of nudity with indecency only fuels confusion. And the inclusion of voyeuristic, long-lens beach photos alongside the article does little to elevate the conversation—if anything, it reinforces the very objectification and discomfort the piece claims to criticize. 🚀

There's a hidden nudist 'festival within a festival' at Glastonbury

• Indy100 · June 21, 2025

Tucked into the far southern end of Glastonbury Festival near the Tipi Field lies the Lost Horizon Nomadic Spa—a clothing-optional sanctuary that many festival-goers are only just discovering. Billed as a “festival within a festival,” Lost Horizon offers nude yoga, body painting, trampolining, hula hooping, live music, wood-fired saunas, and a sun-dappled space to unwind. Organizers emphasize body autonomy and consent, inviting guests to “dress up or dress down” as they feel comfortable. The space functions as both a wellness retreat and grassroots performance venue, offering a calm counterbalance to the high-energy chaos elsewhere on the grounds. 🚀

Dear James: I Love Going Naked on the Beach

• The Atlantic • June 10, 2025

In this unusually affirming entry of The Atlantic’s “Dear James” advice column, a reader shares their quiet joy at discovering naturist beaches—alongside an unexpected resurgence of Catholic guilt. James Parker responds with lyrical empathy, offering a spiritual reframing of nudity as a return to Eden rather than a fall from grace. Drawing from Pentecost, poetry, and even Jim Morrison, Parker suggests that shedding clothes in the right context can be a way of honoring the body as divine gift.

It’s rare to see a mainstream publication approach the emotional and spiritual layers of social nudity with such generosity. Parker doesn’t just reassure the letter-writer—he gently challenges the cultural forces that taught them to feel shame in the first place. The result is one of the most unorthodox yet sincerely Catholic defenses of naturism to appear in national media. Kudos! 🚀

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June is over.

That’s it for this edition. Thanks for reading.

If there’s one thing these stories remind us, it’s that nudity still makes headlines—but not always for the reasons it should. Let’s keep it honest, curious, and maybe just a little funky. 🪐

Disclosure: This post used generative AI to support the writing and editing process.

Look, you don’t really want to be reading this right now—and honestly, I don’t blame you. The sun is out, the weather’s warming (for those of us up north), and nature is out there practically shouting your name. You’ve spent all week glued to screens, and now here I come, waving around a newsletter? Bold move.

But we both know that body freedom doesn’t pause when the weather’s nice. If anything, it gets louder. The conversations, the conflicts, the wins, the losses—they keep coming. So when you do find a moment (maybe this weekend, toes in the dirt, skin in the wind), I hope you’ll read what we’ve gathered below. There’s a lot happening.

But hey, no rush. Nature’s calling. Go soak it in—then circle back when you’re ready. Or, if you have a few moments to spare now, read on. I’ll try to keep it briefer than briefs. I’ll try to keep it nude. 🚀

News of the Nude, Vol. 29 🪐

Florence’s life models threaten nude strike over poor working conditions

• The Times · April 29, 2025

• The Art Newspaper · April 29, 2025

Life models at Florence’s famed Accademia di Belle Arti are threatening a nude protest—and possibly legal action—over what they say are exploitative conditions. With many working under temporary contracts and outdated pay, some say they endure grueling eight-hour sessions with minimal breaks, no sick leave, and no formal job protections.

Recent government labor reforms were meant to improve conditions, but the academy’s interpretation excludes veteran models who weren’t hired through current formal processes. For these workers, the fight isn’t just about contracts—it’s about respect for the physical and artistic labor that underpins centuries of Italian art. Their threatened protest calls attention to a troubling paradox: in the very place that venerates the nude as subject, the people who model it remain overlooked. 🚀

Nudists Trespassed from Frenchman Coulee Recreation Area as Grant PUD Enforces Nudism Ban

• Source ONE News, May 2, 2025

Long considered a quiet spot for nude sunbathing along the Columbia River in Washington state, the area known to nudists as “Vantage Beach” is now the subject of strict enforcement. Grant PUD has officially banned nudism at the Frenchman Coulee Recreation Area, installing “no nudity” signage, surveillance cameras, and even a security guard. The crackdown follows reports of indecent exposure and public complaints about inappropriate behavior. On May 2, a man was permanently trespassed after refusing to leave the site while nude. Although never formally designated as a nude beach, the area had become a known gathering spot for nudist groups from Seattle and Ephrata. PUD officials are now contacting websites that list the site as clothing-optional, signaling an end to its informal naturist use. Active enforcement began in March and is expected to continue indefinitely. 🚀

Minnesota Supreme Court: Female breasts are not lewd or inherently sexual and can be exposed in public

• Star Tribune, May 5, 2025

In a landmark ruling, the Minnesota Supreme Court overturned the conviction of Eloisa Plancarte, deciding that simply exposing female breasts in public does not constitute indecent exposure under state law unless accompanied by sexual behavior. The court emphasized that “lewdness” must involve conduct of a sexual nature and clarified that female breasts are not “private parts” in this context. A concurring opinion by Justice Hennesy argued that interpreting breasts as inherently sexual reinforces harmful gender stereotypes. The ruling marks a major shift toward legal parity in topless rights, aligning Minnesota with a growing number of states reevaluating laws that stigmatize female nudity. 🚀

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A nudist resort sits in a rural corner of the Upstate. Its naked 5K offers you a glimpse inside.

• Post and Courier, May 14, 2025

• Newser, May 16, 2025

• UPI, May 16, 2025

The Carolina Foothills Resort in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, is drawing national headlines for its annual clothing-optional 5K—the Buck Creek Streak—which is on track to be its biggest yet. With more than 160 runners already registered, the June 14 race is not only a record-setter, but a surprising media magnet.

What’s most notable is the sheer volume of positive press this single event has generated. The three stories above are just a small slice of the coverage; for reasons not entirely clear, this year’s Streak has captured the attention of outlets across the country. Other nudist resorts might take note: something about CFR’s messaging, presentation, or perhaps just the charm of a well-timed event, is resonating far beyond naturist circles.

The resort’s board members say many attendees are first-timers drawn by the novelty of the race—and many of them stick around. As member Tom Crowder put it, “You can go anywhere and do a 5K, but you can’t go anywhere and run a 5K naked.” 🚀

Topless trans protest outside Holyrood a ‘public act of grief, resistance and solidarity’

• PinkNews, May 17, 2025

In a powerful act of civil disobedience, a group of trans women protested topless outside the Scottish Parliament on May 17, denouncing a recent UK Supreme Court ruling that redefined the legal term “sex” to mean only biological sex. The decision has major implications for trans rights across the UK, including access to single-sex spaces and participation in public life.

With tape across their mouths, red-painted arms, and white roses in hand, the women embodied both mourning and defiance. The protest criticized not only the court ruling, but the Scottish government’s rapid compliance with new policies that restrict access to gendered facilities based on biology. The demonstrators called on Scottish ministers to resist what they described as “a descent into fascism” and to stand with trans citizens in seeking justice at home and in the European Court of Human Rights. 🚀

This idyllic NSW beach has been a gay haven for decades. Is the freedom it provides now under threat?

• The Guardian, May 3, 2025

At Kings Beach in New South Wales, Australia, tensions are rising as park rangers crack down on nudity at a site quietly cherished by LGBTQ+ beachgoers for generations. Though never officially designated clothing-optional, the beach has historically served as a discreet nude sanctuary—especially during the AIDS crisis. Recent patrols by NSW Parks and Wildlife, joined by an ACON representative, have signaled a shift in tone, leaving regulars feeling unwelcome. Advocates are now calling for formal recognition of the beach’s cultural importance, arguing that access to body freedom and queer safety is being eroded. Efforts are underway to have Kings Beach protected as a significant LGBTQ+ space under local conservation plans. Campaigners stress that nudity is just one part of what makes the beach meaningful: it’s about belonging, history, and the freedom to exist without judgment. 🚀

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Ugandan Activist Aloikin Praise Opoloje Named 2025 EU Human Rights Defender of the Year

• Mwazo TV, May 15, 2025

• ChimpReports, May 15, 2025

Ugandan law student Aloikin Praise Opoloje has been honored with the 2025 EU Human Rights Defenders Award in recognition of her fearless role in the 2024 anti-corruption protests, which we first shared on News of the Nude back in September 2024. A fourth-year student at Makerere University, Opoloje captured national and international attention after leading a symbolic nude protest outside Parliament last September, demanding accountability from corrupt officials.

The protest, which led to her arrest and brief detention, was part of a broader youth-led movement sparked by widespread frustration over systemic injustice and government impunity. Her bold activism—particularly as a woman challenging entrenched power structures—has since become emblematic of a new generation of Ugandan human rights advocates.

While the EU award celebrates her bravery, it also underscores the risks many frontline activists face. Opoloje's recognition places her among past recipients like Agather Atuhaire and Dr. Jimmy Spire, and adds further global visibility to Uganda’s growing youth resistance. 🚀

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What’s Really Behind the Sheer Dress Ban at the Cannes Film Festival?

• Harper’s Bazaar, May 12, 2025

This year’s Cannes Film Festival is cracking down on the “naked dress” trend with a new red carpet dress code that bans nudity “for decency reasons.” The move comes amid a broader backlash to sheer gowns that have dominated recent events, including Bella Hadid’s Saint Laurent looks and Bianca Censori’s see-through Grammys stunt. Cannes officials also cited logistical issues with large gowns and accessories that disrupt seating and crowd flow. But some see the policy as an attempt to reassert old-school glamour and gatekeep against influencers, models, and the evolving norms of fashion. While France remains famously tolerant of nudity in media and on beaches, the red carpet, it seems, is another matter. The rule echoes earlier Cannes controversies over footwear, when actresses were criticized for wearing flats. Whether this dress code holds—or sparks another round of protest—remains to be seen as the festival gets underway. 🚀

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El Portús naturist campsite prepares to reopen without the nudists

• Murcia Today, May 8, 2025

El Portús, once a prominent naturist destination on Spain’s southern coast, is being rebranded for mainstream tourism—without the nudists who made it what it was. As new owners push ahead with summer reopening plans, a handful of longtime residents remain in quiet defiance, resisting eviction amid legal battles, surveillance, and deteriorating living conditions. Access to the nearby Cala Morena beach has also become a flashpoint, with activists accusing the developers of cutting off public entry in violation of Spain’s Coastal Law. Officials have now begun expropriation proceedings to restore access. The company claims compliance with regulations and says only a small minority of residents are misrepresenting the situation. But the tension at El Portús tells a larger story: what happens when legacy naturist spaces collide with commercial redevelopment and coastal privatization. 🚀

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Cheshire naturist campsite gets green light for extension

• Northwich Guardian, May 14, 2025

Springfield Manchester Sun and Air Society, a long-established naturist club in Lower Peover, England, has received planning approval for a small extension to its pavilion building. The project, approved by Cheshire West and Chester Council, will add toilet facilities, including a wheelchair-accessible restroom with a ramp. The 17-acre club, which has operated since 1948, includes fields for camping and caravanning, a pool, and a social pavilion with a sauna, kitchen, and games areas. Officials deemed the expansion modest and in keeping with the rural setting, noting no impact on local amenities or safety. With no objections submitted, the decision clears the way for improved accessibility at this friendly, family-welcoming naturist site. 🚀

Yep, Getting Naked in Nature Is Still Trending. Here’s How to Do It (and Not Get Arrested)

• Sunset, May 5, 2025

This recent piece in Sunset by Krista Simmons highlights the growing popularity of naturist camping, noting a 742% spike in searches for nudist sites on Pitchup.com. The piece frames non-sexualized nudity in nature as a pathway to body positivity and self-acceptance—and a way to pack lighter, too. Featured spots include Wild Horse Mountain View Campsite in Colorado, Lupin Lodge in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Orvis Hot Springs in Ridgeway, and the famed clothing-optional hot springs at Esalen Institute. Though not deeply reported, the article is notable for its affirming tone and relaxed treatment of social nudity, adding to the growing visibility of naturism in mainstream travel media. 🚀

‘The only place nudity was tolerated’: stripping off on Soviet beaches – in pictures

• The Guardian, May 26, 2025

A wonderful photo essay from The Guardian highlights the evocative, sun-drenched portraits of Soviet photographer Nikolay Bakharev, whose work offers a rare and quietly radical glimpse into everyday nudity in 1980s USSR. Captured on lakeside beaches like Cheryomushki—where nudity was unofficially tolerated—his photographs reveal moments of warmth, connection, and vulnerability in a society that otherwise criminalized such openness.

Far from provocative, these images are tender and beautifully composed: parents with their children, young couples caught in bashful embraces, and groups of friends baring not just their bodies but their joy. The collection, now available through publisher Stanley/Barker, is a striking testament to the power of photography as both quiet resistance and human celebration. 🚀

That’s it for May.

See, hopefully that wasn’t too bad. We had a good time. Lots of crazy stories this month. More to come next month, surely. Until then, you’re free. Enjoy it. 🪐

Disclosure: This post used generative AI to support the writing and editing process.

This is a good one. Yep, some really interesting stories in this little compendium. One particular theme that stands out is the persistent double standard between male and female nipples. Somehow this lightning-rod topic seems to present itself in many facets of culture, and across cultures. There is also much to be inspired by in this collection of stories, including cases of powerful and inspiring nude expression and nudity forming connections. It’s good!

So I won’t hold you up any further. Read on. 🚀

News of the Nude, Vol. 28 🪐

Spanish swimming pools in Catalonia told not to ban topless bathing

• BBC News, June 27, 2023

Following years of complaints, the Catalan government has formally reminded municipalities across the region that banning topless sunbathing in public swimming pools is unlawful. The practice has been protected under Catalonia’s 2020 equality law, but inconsistent enforcement has led to some women being turned away for baring their chests—something that is perfectly legal under a 2020 Catalan law.

In a letter sent to town halls, the government’s department of equality and feminism clarified that preventing toplessness constitutes gender discrimination, alongside other forms of bias such as religion or dress. Local authorities are now obliged to permit not only topless bathing, but also breastfeeding and full-body swimwear like the burkini.

The move follows activism by the feminist group Mugrons Lliures (“Free Nipples”), which argued that topless bans enforced a double standard. While framed as a “reminder,” the government made clear that noncompliance could result in fines up to €500,000—asserting toplessness as a matter of legal and bodily autonomy. 🚀

Bay Area oceanfront ranch with clothing-optional beach bought for preservation

• MSN (via San Francisco Chronicle), April 22, 2025

The Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) has announced plans to purchase San Gregorio Ranch, a 195-acre coastal property south of Half Moon Bay that includes a little-publicized but long-celebrated clothing-optional beach. Known to regulars since the 1960s, San Gregorio nude beach has held a central place in California’s naturist and LGBTQ+ history, drawing beachgoers of all orientations to its secluded shoreline and iconic driftwood shelters. POST’s $10 million acquisition will preserve the site’s ecology, protect it from development, and maintain public access—ensuring this historic stretch of coast remains open to sunbathers, fishermen, and naturists alike. The land may eventually be folded into the California Coastal Trail or transferred to state stewardship. For now, POST says it will keep operations largely unchanged. We can only hope that they keep an eye toward expanding access and securing the site’s legacy as a rare haven for nude recreation on the Pacific. 🚀

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Residents sue Seattle over management of nude beach

• The Seattle Times, April 23, 2025

Seattle’s Denny Blaine Park, a historic refuge for nudists and the LGBTQ+ community, is once again under threat. Last week, neighborhood residents filed a lawsuit against the city, accusing officials of failing to stop public misconduct such as drug use and lewd acts. While residents claim the suit isn’t about sexuality or nudity, advocates like Friends of Denny Blaine (FODB) see it differently—viewing the case as a direct attack on the park’s clothing-optional tradition. FODB argues that community-led solutions are more effective than heavy policing and warns that overregulation would erase one of Seattle’s few affirming nude spaces. As tensions escalate, Denny Blaine’s future is shaping up to be a critical test of whether body freedom and queer visibility can survive neighborhood pressure.

Planet Nude covered this story last week, digging into the broader fight over nudity, community space, and who gets to define it. 🚀

Read it:

Massive statue of giant naked woman officially unveiled at SF Embarcadero

• KRON4, April 9, 2025

A towering 45-foot nude sculpture titled R-Evolution now stands along San Francisco’s Embarcadero, relocated from its originally intended home in Union Square due to engineering concerns. Created by artist Marco Cochrane and first exhibited at Burning Man in 2015, the steel mesh figure is designed to symbolize feminine strength and empowerment.

Despite its size—nearly 13 tons including its base—the installation was embraced with celebration at its new waterfront home, complete with live music and art festivities. For those advocating body freedom and rethinking public nudity, the statue is more than art: it's a monumental reminder that the naked body, when de-sexualized and placed in a context of strength and visibility, can shift cultural perceptions from taboo to transcendence. San Francisco makes an appropriate home for such a statement. 🚀

Two Fife beaches [incorrectly] appear on list of UK’s top 60 nudist destinations

• The Courier, March 28, 2025

A recent Daily Mail roundup of top UK nudist destinations included two beaches in Fife—Kinshaldy at Tentsmuir and Lower Largo—surprising some locals and prompting regional coverage by The Courier. While both sites have seen occasional nude use, neither is officially designated as naturist, and local figures cast doubt on their current popularity. Some recall historic use of nearby Dumbarnie Links, while Forestry and Land Scotland clarified that nude use at Kinshaldy has long been limited to discreet visitors in quieter areas.

Public nudity in Scotland is not illegal per se, but its legality depends on context and conduct. Forestry officials reiterated that nudists should be respectful of other visitors, especially on busy days. While the article stops short of controversy, its focus on community surprise underscores the lingering tension between informal nude use and local perceptions—even when behavior remains within the bounds of the law. 🚀

Why I Hang Out Naked with Strangers

• YouTube, March 20, 2024

In his excellent TEDxStLouis talk, writer and sex educator delivers a sharp, funny, and deeply thoughtful case for social nudity as a path to body acceptance and human connection. Drawing from years of experience organizing clothing-optional events and workshops in St. Louis, Wraith dismantles the idea that nudity must be inherently sexual or shameful. Instead, he frames it as a tool for building trust and dissolving the barriers we put between ourselves and others. I wasn’t previously familiar with Wraith’s work, but after watching this, I’m an instant fan. It’s a must-watch for anyone who believes body freedom is about connection and vulnerability, not spectacle. 🚀

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Free the nipple: Why are people still so afraid of women’s breasts?

• The Independent, April 17, 2025

In this sharply written piece, Olivia Petter investigates the lingering social taboos around visible female nipples—on red carpets, in fashion, and on social media. Drawing on new YouGov data and celebrity flashpoints like Charli XCX’s Brit Awards gown and Florence Pugh’s infamous Valentino look, Petter paints a conflicted cultural picture: women face far more backlash than men for embracing sheer clothing, and often from other women.

The article astutely argues that the nipple remains a persistent lightning rod for discomfort, censorship, and projection—despite over a decade of #FreeTheNipple activism. Petter’s closing thought is worth repeating: wearing something sheer can be both gutsy and joyful—an act of reclamation, not provocation. 🚀

A queer artist’s nude protest of Trump went viral. It turned their life upside-down

• The Baltimore Banner, April 25, 2025

Tavish Forsyth, a queer artist and educator, made headlines after posting a nude protest video rejecting President Trump's appointment as Kennedy Center chairman and condemning the erosion of LGBTQ+ and DEI programs. In the viral 35-minute YouTube video, Forsyth stripped down to emphasize vulnerability and resistance, quoting RuPaul: “We’re all born naked and the rest is drag.”

The fallout was swift: Forsyth lost their positions at both the Kennedy Center and Johns Hopkins University, and faced harassment after media figures attacked them. YouTube briefly removed the video before later reinstating it. Despite financial and personal consequences—including relocating for safety—Forsyth remains defiant, framing their protest as a broader human rights stand, not just a queer issue.

Their story fits squarely into a growing dossier of nude activism as a form of political resistance in the current political era, where the body itself becomes a declaration of dignity and refusal. 🚀

Olivia Munn discusses going topless in new show following her double mastectomy

• Daily Mail, April 3, 2025

In a vulnerable and powerful interview, actress Olivia Munn reflected on her topless role in Your Friends and Neighbors, revealing that her relationship with her body has grown stronger since undergoing a double mastectomy. Munn, who was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer in 2024, said she feels “less insecure” now, attributing her confidence to the resilience her body has shown.

Munn’s openness around her scars—including a decision to display them in a recent SKIMS campaign—marks a shift in how post-surgical bodies are represented in media. By stepping into nude scenes with agency and clarity, she reframes nudity not as titillation, but as a deeply human act of survival and self-acceptance. It’s a reminder that body freedom is not always about the absence of clothes—it’s about presence, choice, and the power of being seen. 🚀

Transgender woman’s topless dance at Songkran festival sparks backlash

• The Thaiger, April 15, 2025

During the final day of Thailand’s Songkran festival on April 15, 2025, a transgender woman dancing topless in Nakhon Ratchasima ignited a national debate over cultural norms and public decency. The incident, captured in a widely circulated video, shows the woman surrounded by male revelers, some of whom touched her and rested their heads on her chest. Critics argue that such behavior tarnishes Thailand’s cultural image, while others question the selective enforcement of decency standards, noting that male toplessness is commonplace during the festival. Authorities are reportedly considering legal action under public obscenity laws.

Officials responded with a broader crackdown: in Phuket, police arrested 37 individuals—mostly transgender women—citing concerns over tourism and public decency. Details remain vague, but the message was clear.

While Songkran has long encouraged joyful chaos, this year’s moral panic reveals the narrow margins within which public nudity is tolerated. The reaction wasn’t just about exposure—it was about whose bodies get to be seen, and under what conditions. In a festival that once celebrated liberation through water, the policing of bodies felt like a sharp undertow. 🚀

Yacht full of nudists risk jail after stripping off near onlookers at Sydney Harbour

• Daily Star, March 29, 2025

I weighed wether or not to include this story in this edition, as it has been covered so sensationally as to have effectively made a mountain out of a molehill sized story, but it was all over my google alerts for several days being covered in all sorts of Australian and international media for some reason, that it “bared” commenting on. A group of nude partiers aboard a yacht in Sydney Harbour reportedly drew a mix of cheers, complaints, and phone footage, with the Daily Star and other outlets suggesting they could face jail time under New South Wales laws on public exposure. The article linked above leans into spectacle, emphasizing stunned reactions and salacious details, while downplaying the context: the group was on a private vessel during what appeared to be an organized nude cruise.

Unfortunately, the tone implies guilt by association, using nudity itself as the punchline. The framing reinforces the tired narrative that public nudity—even in a controlled, celebratory setting—is cause for alarm, rather than a legitimate expression of body freedom. 🚀

Zoro Garden: From nudists to butterflies

• KPBS, April 1, 2025

In a gentle walk through San Diego history, KPBS revisits the origins of Balboa Park’s Zoro Garden, once home to a staged “nudist colony” during the 1935-36 Pacific International Exposition. Today a butterfly garden, the space’s past is remembered more as spectacle than philosophy. The original "colony" was composed of actors, clothed just enough to satisfy public decency laws, and promoted by sideshow impresario Nate Eagle—earning high profits from curious spectators who could pay to gawk or peek for free.

The article centers on local explorer Jessica Johnson of Hidden San Diego, who shares the garden's layered history while encouraging readers to seek hidden stories around them. A 2017 recreation of the nudist tableau is briefly mentioned, but there’s little interrogation of the ethics behind the original display or its implications for public understanding of naturism. Ultimately, the piece frames the past more as quirky curiosity than social history—a missed opportunity, perhaps, to explore how staged nudity shaped cultural perceptions of the unclothed body. But that’s not exactly what the article set out to do. 🚀

That’s it for April.

Every month we come back here to review the media and their framing of nudity and nude expression in the world. Each month we learn a little bit more. But that’s it for this month. That’s all she wrote. It’s all over now.

We’ll see you next month. 🪐

Disclosure: This post used generative AI to support the writing and editing process.

Welcome to an all-new News of the Nude. March was a relatively slow month for naturist news, but there were still plenty of stories giving us much to think about. From questions of public perception and policy to acts of resistance and community-building, this month’s stories—like last month’s—reflect the many ways body freedom continues to intersect with culture, politics, and everyday life all around the world.

Before we get into it, I would be remiss if I did not use this opportunity to remind readers that this is the last chance to take advantage of our March member drive is quickly dwindling down. We’re offering 50% off annual memberships through the end of the month—just a few days left. If you’ve been meaning to support our work, now’s a great time.

Get 50% off for 1 year

Okay, now that that’s out of the way, let’s get into it. 🚀

News of the Nude, Vol. 27 🪐

Bare all or be gone: Why swimsuits could soon be banned from German nudist beaches

• Euronews, March 3, 2025

Germany’s city of Rostock has implemented a rare and significant policy: swimwear is now officially banned on its designated nude beaches. The move, covered earlier this by Planet Nude as well, was prompted by complaints from naturists who felt their privacy was increasingly disrupted by clothed visitors in FKK (Freikörperkultur) zones. Now, beachgoers in these sections must be fully nude or leave.

The regulation applies specifically to 37 officially designated nude sections along the Baltic coastline and seeks to preserve the cultural integrity of Germany’s storied naturist tradition, particularly in former East Germany where social nudity was widely normalized. Rostock has divided its beaches into three zones—nude-only, textile-only, and mixed—to ensure clarity and comfort for all.

While enforcement will be handled through verbal requests and not fines, the decision sets a rare legal precedent for naturist spaces, one that’s virtually unmatched even in famously nudist-friendly countries like France or Spain. As we noted on Planet Nude, the policy formalizes a long-observed etiquette, turning tradition into law in an effort to protect dedicated nude spaces from encroachment and voyeurism. Whether other regions follow suit remains to be seen, but for now, Rostock stands out as a city willing to defend body freedom—by banning the bikini. 🚀

Read our report:

Women and non-binary people bare all in London against states stripping them of bodily rights

• The Canary, March 7, 2025

In a striking pre-dawn protest on Millennium Bridge, a group of women and non-binary people participated in a nude photoshoot to demand bodily autonomy and reject state control over their bodies. Led by photographer Luana Martignon, the unsanctioned action was timed ahead of International Women’s Day and served as both an artistic statement and a defiant act of civil disobedience. Facing the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral, participants stripped down in silent resistance to abortion restrictions, medical gaslighting, and gender-based violence. For naturists and advocates of body freedom, the message is deeply resonant: the body is not a battleground for power, but a vessel of personal sovereignty—and protests like this remind us that nudity can be a form of truth-telling, even when the world insists on silence. ✊

A new naturist club in Scotland

• British Naturism, March 18, 2025

A new naturist retreat is taking root in central Scotland. The Central Sun Club, founded by a group of local naturists, has secured a 14-acre woodland site called Lochanwood between Glasgow and Edinburgh, aiming to provide a sustainable, member-led space for clothes-free recreation. The club embraces values of equality, environmental stewardship, and inclusivity, and plans to open to visitors this spring with rustic amenities, woodland trails, and camping grounds. As they prepare the site, the club is welcoming volunteers and donors to help realize their vision of a back-to-basics, nature-connected nudist haven in the heart of Scotland. 🚀

World's only nudist golf course hailed as players love playing a round 'naked and bare foot' with strangers

• Daily Mail, March 12, 2025

La Jenny, a naturist resort on France’s Atlantic coast, is home to what is widely reported to be the only dedicated nudist golf course in the world. The six-hole course is reserved for guests of the adjacent holiday park, where nudity is not just accepted but required when weather permits. For many visitors, playing a round barefoot and clothes-free is described as both novel and surprisingly relaxing—though, as some note, not necessarily helpful to their handicap.

The course operates within the boundaries of La Jenny’s broader naturist philosophy, which includes nude access to beaches, pools, shops, and restaurants. While the idea of naked golf may invite eyebrow raises, the setting is regulated, private, and grounded in traditional naturist values.

While I’ve never had the opportunity to visit, I’m happy to hear that La Jenny maintains a family-friendly identity—so golf is the only type of swinging you’re likely to find at this resort. 🚀

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Corton villagers voice concerns over lewd behaviour at beach

• East Anglian Daily Times, March 19, 2025

• The Mirror, March 7, 2025

A long-simmering conflict at Corton Beach in Suffolk has erupted into national attention, as naturists and locals clash over the future of the once-designated nudist site. Reporting from The Mirror and East Anglian Daily Times captures both sides of the growing tension. Villagers, citing distressing accounts of public indecency, gathered earlier this month for a packed community meeting. Residents shared concerns about safety and family access, urging increased police patrols, CCTV, and signage.

Naturists, however, have pushed back against the implication that lawful nudity is to blame. Regular visitors like Adam Ford, known as “the Naked Friend,” and Charlotte McLean, who has visited the beach since childhood, argue that the recent controversy—including a now-removed sign warning against nudity and “lewd behavior”—unfairly conflates naturism with criminal conduct. British Naturism has echoed that concern, emphasizing the legal right to be nude in public and the importance of separating social nudity from misconduct.

Corton Beach has not held official naturist designation since 2009, but it continues to attract a naturist crowd—an enduring presence that some locals now say invites misuse by bad actors. The outcome could very well shape how public naturist spaces in the UK navigate public perception, safety, and legality in the years ahead. 🚀

Naturists calling for nudist geeks to get out their joysticks for retro gaming event

• Daily Star, March 22, 2025

British Naturism is inviting gamers to drop their drawers and pick up their controllers at a “Naked Retro Gaming” weekend this spring. Hosted at Sunfolk Naturist Club in St Albans and hosted by friends and sometimes-contributors to Planet Nude, Simon and Helen Berriman, the event promises nostalgic fun with classic consoles from the ’70s to 2000s, all in a five-acre woodland setting where clothes are optional—but community is essential. With overnight camping and glamping available for just £30, the event aims to create a body-positive, welcoming space for both longtime naturists and newcomers. 🚀

Jessica: Is the naked body inherently indecent? Or should we get a grip on primal urges?

• Wired868, March 13, 2025

In a searing personal essay, Trinidadian writer and activist Jessica Joseph explores the persistent belief that the naked body is inherently indecent. Drawing from experiences in conservative religious spaces and more body-liberated cultures, Joseph argues that shame around nudity is often projected—not innate. She contrasts the obsessive policing of bodies in her upbringing as a Jehovah’s Witness with more relaxed and respectful attitudes toward nudity in places like Brighton or Brazil, where social context—not skin—is what determines decency. Joseph’s piece is both memoir and manifesto, challenging readers to question whether modesty truly protects anyone, or if it simply reinforces harmful taboos that have long served to control women, nonbinary people, and expressions of bodily autonomy. 🚀

Not so demure any more: The rise of 'free the nipple' fashion

• BBC News, March 8, 2025

A new wave of sheer fashion is making headlines across red carpets and runways, reviving the spirit of the early 2010s “free the nipple” movement. Celebrities like Charli XCX, Paris Jackson, and Bianca Censori are embracing see-through outfits as a statement of body confidence, artistic freedom, and social commentary. Designers such as Dior are incorporating transparent materials into gender-fluid collections, while stylists defend the trend as a form of reclaiming bodily autonomy. The backlash, however, is equally fierce—raising questions about double standards, modesty, and whether these displays challenge norms or reinforce them. For naturists, it’s a familiar paradox: the body is everywhere, and yet still taboo. 🚀

That’s it for March.

If this month had a mood, it was friction—between nudity and decency, legality and discomfort, public bodies and private fears. Naturism keeps getting caught in the crosshairs of cultural anxiety, even as more people quietly embrace it.

Still, among all the complaints, protests, and headline panic, there’s something reassuring: the beach signs may come down, the newspapers may howl, but people keep showing up—undressed, unbothered, and undeterred.

See you next month. 🪐

Disclosure: This post used generative AI to support the writing and editing process.

Welcome to an all-new News of the Nude. Feburary is a short month, but it was by no means a quiet one. Holy crap, was there a lot of news this month—though I haven’t taken the time to go back and confirm, this might be our most packed-full edition of our monthly media review yet. It’s certainly a contender.

With all of the stories we see this month, there’s a transcendent takeaway: naturism and nude expression are in a state of flux. This month’s stories highlight both the progress and the pushback, the celebrations and the struggles. Around the world, we see people fighting for body freedom—petitioning for new nude beaches, defending artistic expression, and standing up to censorship. At the same time, profoundly ingrained discomfort with nudity continues to surface, whether through misguided media narratives, restrictive policies, or public protests against age-old traditions.

What’s clear is that body freedom isn’t fading quietly into the background. It remains a subject of debate, activism, and community. While the future isn’t certain, one thing is: people aren’t giving up on the right to be seen as they are. 🚀

News of the Nude, Vol. 26 🪐

‘Big Nude Boat’ cruise set sail from Miami this week

• Headline from OutKick, February 4, 2025

• More from Yahoo News UK, February 11, 2025

The Big Nude Boat officially completed its 2025 voyage this month, carrying 2,300 passengers on an 11-night clothing-optional Caribbean adventure. Hosted by Bare Necessities, the world’s largest nudist travel company, this annual tradition departs from Miami aboard the Norwegian Pearl, with stops in Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas), St. Lucia, and St. Maarten. The cruise provides a judgment-free environment for naturists, whether they are seasoned or first-time nude cruisers.

Bookings for the 2026 sailing are already open, with the next voyage departing February 9, 2026, and visiting Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Jamaica, and Great Stirrup Cay. Prices start at $2,000 per person. 🚀

‘People spontaneously strip off and join us’: nude cyclists send message you don’t need to be buff

• The Guardian, February 28, 2025

This weekend, Melbourne will host their 20th annual World Naked Bike Ride, bringing hundreds of cyclists together to promote rider safety, body acceptance, and environmental awareness. The event, which has grown from a small grassroots gathering into the largest naked bike ride in the Southern Hemisphere, is part of a global movement spanning over 70 cities.

The World Naked Bike Ride began in the early 2000s and has since expanded worldwide, with upcoming rides in Byron Bay, London, and Portland. As cycling safety and climate activism remain pressing concerns, Melbourne’s riders continue using their most attention-grabbing asset—their bare bodies—to push for change. 🚀

Learn more about the history of WNBR:

Off with their threads: swimwear banned at German nudist beaches

• The Times, February 21, 2025

The city of Rostock in Germany has introduced a strict new rule banning swimwear at its 37 designated nudist beaches along the Baltic coastline. While clothing had previously been tolerated in these areas, growing complaints from both nudists and non-nudists led officials to clarify that only full nudity is permitted. Those who refuse to strip down won’t be fined but will be asked to leave by city patrols.

The decision is controversial, with some arguing it’s outdated and difficult to enforce. Meanwhile, Germany’s historic Freikörperkultur is facing a decline, as the German Association for Free Body Culture (DFK) has seen membership drop from 65,000 to 30,000 in 25 years.

As Germany tightens the rules on traditional nudist spaces, the question remains: will enforcing full nudity help preserve naturist culture, or push it further into decline? 🚀

Council tries to ban nudists from being nudists on semi-nudist beach

• Headline from Metro, February 24, 2025

• More from Daily Mail, February 23, 2025

A battle over naturism has erupted at Corton Beach in Suffolk, England, after the local parish council put up a sign warning against nudity and threatening police action. The sign declares that “Corton Beach is not a naturist beach” and warns that “lewd behavior will not be tolerated and may be recorded by CCTV and reported to the police.” It also claims that “causing an offence to others is a criminal offence.”

Naturists have pushed back, arguing that the sign is misleading and falsely implies that simple nudity is illegal. A representative from British Naturism attended a parish council meeting—accompanied by a police officer—to clarify that naturism is lawful and that the council has no authority to enforce such a ban. The sign also conflates naturism with indecency, which naturist advocates say only fuels harmful misconceptions.

Corton Beach has been used for naturism since the 1970s, though its official designation was revoked in 2009 due to coastal erosion reducing available beach space. However, East Suffolk Council clarified in 2010 that nude sunbathing was still legal at Corton. Now, East Suffolk Council has confirmed that Corton Parish Council had no authority to install the sign and has requested its removal. 🚀

Georgia’s nudists plead for help saving Serendipity Park as longtime family-friendly resort goes up for sale

• Headline from Daily Mail, February 22, 2025

• More from Axios, February 18, 2025

Serendipity Park, a 42-acre family-friendly nudist resort in Cleveland, Georgia, is up for sale for $1.8 million, sparking concern among its devoted community. Planet Nude first reported the listing back in July 2024 (read here), yet major outlets have only just picked up the story.

Serendipity is widely cherished, with longtime visitors calling it “the perfect first-time nudist experience” and praising its accepting, body-positive atmosphere. With the sale underway, Georgia’s nudists can only hope their retreat will remain a true naturist haven. 🚀

More reading:

Naturist village condemned by Bordeaux court for having too many people

• Connexion France, February 26, 2025

Euronat, France’s largest naturist village, has been found in violation of local regulations by a Bordeaux court after three residents and the nearby village of Grayan-et-l’Hôpital raised concerns about overcrowding. The complainants argued that Euronat has exceeded its legal capacity of 5,000 people—set by prefectural decrees dating back to 1973—by as much as threefold, leading to congestion in shared spaces and disrupting the village’s original atmosphere.

The court ruled against Euronat on January 30, prohibiting further bungalow or campsite expansion unless offset by the removal of existing accommodations. Additionally, the village was ordered to compensate the three residents with €30,000 each for “loss of enjoyment” and additional economic damages ranging from €19,000 to €53,000.

Euronat’s director, Jean-Michel Lorefice, expressed shock at the decision, arguing that the village has complied with all administrative regulations. He plans to appeal to France’s highest court, the Cour de Cassation, and lamented the residents' legal challenge, calling it an act of hostility. 🚀

Could Los Cabos become Mexico’s next big nude beach?

• Mexico News Daily, February 18, 2025

Nudist activist Héctor Martínez, a longtime advocate for body freedom and organizer of Día al Desnudo, has formally submitted a proposal to establish Los Cabos as Mexico’s second official nude beach. The proposal, now under review by the municipal government, argues that a designated clothing-optional beach would boost international tourism, positioning Los Cabos alongside world-famous nude beach destinations in Spain, France, and the U.S.

Municipal tourism head Ana Gabriela Navarro acknowledged the proposal, stating that while her department is open to ideas that promote inclusive tourism, a multidisciplinary review is necessary. If approved, Los Cabos would join Playa Zipolite—Mexico’s only officially recognized nude beach—on the country’s naturist map.

Planet Nude has featured Héctor Martínez before, both for his efforts to normalize social nudity in Mexico and in a New Nudist Podcast interview. We wholeheartedly support his push for a second official nude beach in Mexico and hope Los Cabos seizes this opportunity to embrace body freedom and inclusivity on its shores. 🚀

More reading:

NaturismRE, ANF, and GNA stand united for naturist rights in Australia – a call for global support

• PRLog, February 12, 2025

A coalition of Australian naturist advocacy groups—NaturismRE, the Australian Naturist Federation (ANF), and Get Naked Australia (GNA)—has joined forces to support the 2025 Australia Public Decency & Nudity Bill, an initiative aimed at securing legal protections for social nudity and body freedom. Recognizing the potential global impact of this legislation, the coalition has reached out to the International Naturist Federation (INF-FNI) and other international bodies to rally broader support.

As part of the effort, a petition has been launched to garner public backing for the bill. Supporters worldwide are encouraged to sign and share it to help push for legislative protections. The petition can be found here:
🔗 Draft Bill: Australian Public Decency and Nudity Clarification Bill 2025

NaturismRE is calling for clubs, activists, and individuals to support the effort, emphasizing that victories for naturism in one country can pave the way for broader legal recognition and acceptance elsewhere. 🚀

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Shocking moment naked Iranian woman jumps on police car and sits on windscreen 'in protest of Islamic Republic's treatment of women'

• Daily Mail, February 4, 2025

In a bold act of defiance, a naked Iranian woman was filmed climbing onto a police car in Mashhad, Iran, in what many believe to be a protest against the country’s oppressive clothing laws. The footage shows her sitting on the windshield, raising her arms, and refusing to move as officers attempt to remove her—one reportedly reaching for a weapon while another, armed with a rifle, tries to reason with her. Passersby honked their horns in apparent support.

This protest comes amid Iran’s intensifying crackdown on women’s rights, including a proposed law that would allow authorities to immediately arrest any woman deemed “naked, semi-naked, or improperly dressed” in public. Since the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for wearing her hijab “incorrectly” and later died in police custody, acts of public defiance—such as women burning their headscarves or appearing unveiled—have become symbols of resistance against Iran’s authoritarian rule.

This latest protest echoes a similar act of defiance last November, when Iranian student Ahoo Daryaei stripped to her underwear in protest after reportedly being assaulted by Iran’s morality police at Azad University in Tehran. We covered Ahoo’s arrest in that month’s News of the Nude. 🚀

Topless feminists protest against the hard-right AfD party as polls open in high-stakes German elections

• Daily Mail, February 23, 2025

As Germans headed to the polls in a pivotal election this month, a topless FEMEN activist staged a striking demonstration outside the German embassy in Kyiv, using her bare body as a megaphone against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. While body freedom itself was not the subject of the protest, the choice to go topless was strategic—leveraging nudity’s inherent ability to grab attention in a media landscape saturated with political noise.

FEMEN has long employed topless protest as a form of radical visual activism, where the nudity itself isn’t the message, but rather a tool to amplify it. The shock value forces onlookers—and the press—to engage with the protester’s underlying cause. In this case, the activist’s body became a literal billboard, covered in anti-AfD and anti-Putin slogans, using spectacle to critique the growing far-right influence in Germany. 🚀

Himanta vows to protect nude Jain monks’ procession amid protest

• Deccan Herald, January 31, 2025

In Jorhat, Assam, a religious procession led by two nude Jain monks has sparked protests from local groups, prompting Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to vow protection for the monks and their right to religious expression. The procession, a long-standing practice within Jainism emphasizing ahimsa (non-violence) and spiritual renunciation, drew sharp criticism from groups like Bir Lachit Sena, who claimed public nudity—even in religious contexts—was unacceptable in Assamese society.

Protesters marched to the district commissioner’s office, demanding intervention, leading to the arrest (and later release) of eight individuals, including local Bar Association President Hemen Bora. In response, Sarma reaffirmed Assam’s commitment to religious tolerance, stating that any attempt to obstruct the Jain community’s sacred traditions would be dealt with decisively. 🚀

Models hit out at ‘stigma over nudity’ in life drawing class safeguarding row

• The Independent, February 17, 2025

A decades-old life drawing class in Hampstead has been forced to relocate after the Hampstead Community Centre deemed its nude models a “safeguarding concern” due to its time slot overlapping with children’s sessions. The decision has sparked outrage among artists and life models, who argue it reinforces the harmful stigma that equates nudity with impropriety.

The class, which has run for 30 years without issue, was told to either move to an evening slot or require models to wear clothing. Its organizer, art teacher Tony Swann, attempted to comply but found that students were unwilling to shift to a later time or compromise the essence of life drawing. Several professional life models condemned the decision as driven by ignorance, with one stating that “the naked body is not inherently sexual—it is a tool for education, body positivity, and human connection.” While the center denies prudishness played a role, the incident exemplifies the creeping censorship of natural nudity under the guise of “safety.” 🚀

45-foot-tall nude woman sculpture planned for Union Square canceled

• San Francisco Chronicle, February 20, 2025

Plans to install R-Evolution, a 45-foot-tall sculpture of a nude woman by artist Marco Cochrane, in San Francisco’s Union Square have been canceled due to engineering concerns. The towering artwork, originally debuted at Burning Man in 2015, was meant to be part of an effort to revitalize the struggling shopping district. However, just days before its scheduled February 6 unveiling, organizers determined that the plaza’s tiled foundation—situated atop an underground parking structure—could not support the massive installation.

The nonprofit Union Square Alliance, which led the project, has now shifted focus to securing a new site, with Embarcadero Plaza emerging as a potential location pending approval by the San Francisco Arts Commission. Despite the setback, organizers remain committed to bringing large-scale public art to Union Square. 🚀

Largest nude museum visit in the Low Countries takes place in Liège

• ArtDependence, February 26, 2025

Today (Friday, February 28th), more than 300 naturists from Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg are gathering at the Boverie Museum in Liège, Belgium, for a special nude viewing of Paul Delvaux and His Universe. This marks the largest naturist museum visit ever held in the Low Countries.

The event was organized by Blootgewone Eva’s en Adams (Bltgwn), a Ghent-based naturist collective founded in 2024 dedicated to opening cultural spaces for nude-friendly experiences. Exhibition partner Tempora welcomed the idea, seeing a natural connection between Delvaux’s dreamlike compositions—often featuring classical architecture, surreal elements, and idealized nudes—and the philosophy of naturism. 🚀

Why the best modern artists returned to nakedness to find the truth

• The Washington Post, February 7, 2025

A new exhibition at the Worcester Art Museum, showcasing 20th-century nudes from the Tate collection, explores how modern artists abandoned classical idealizations of the naked human form to uncover deeper truths about the body, identity, and mortality. The exhibit features works by Lucian Freud, Francis Bacon, Willem de Kooning, Marlene Dumas, and others who painted flesh not as an aesthetic ideal but as something raw, vulnerable, and deeply human.

The show challenges traditional representations of nudity, shifting from allegorical figures of “Truth” to more visceral depictions of real, imperfect bodies. Freud’s meticulous portraits, de Kooning’s frenzied brushstrokes, and Picasso’s bold distortions all serve to strip away societal illusions, emphasizing that nudity in art is not just about beauty but about honesty—sometimes unsettling, always revealing. In an era of image curation and digital manipulation, the show is a timely reminder of the power of nakedness to confront reality. 🚀

Army of nudists to descend on remote Scots train station from iconic film

• The Scottish Sun, February 24, 2025

• More from Daily Mail, February 23, 2025

This summer, a group of naturists will gather for a unique “Scottish Highland Adventure” at Corrour, Britain’s most remote train station, made famous by Trainspotting. Organized by British Naturism, the sold-out retreat will see around 20 nudists staying at the Loch Ossian hostel, where they’ll enjoy nude hikes, wild swimming, and a clothing-optional three-course meal.

Corrour, accessible only by train, foot, or bike, sits 17 miles from the nearest public road. Its isolated location makes it an ideal setting for a naturist getaway, with participants free to remain nude throughout the hostel and its grounds. Those unable to secure a hostel bunk have the option to wild camp or stay in a boutique railway signal box.

Public nudity is not a crime in Scotland, provided it does not cause alarm or distress. Police Scotland guidance advises officers to take no action unless disorderly conduct or harassment is involved. 🚀

I tried it: Going nude at Black’s Beach

• San Diego Magazine, February 10, 2025

In a humorous and self-aware first-person account, San Diego Magazine’s Cole Novak details his chilly but enlightening first visit to Black’s Beach, the famed clothing-optional stretch below the cliffs of Torrey Pines. While he doesn’t describe a grand personal awakening, Novak acknowledges that the experience—though cold—was one worth having.

Black’s Beach, long a haven for both seasoned naturists and curious newcomers, remains one of the most stunning and well-known nude beaches in the U.S. Novak notes that, on this particular winter day, most of the nudists were men—many fully embracing the beach’s free-spirited ethos with activities ranging from handstands to cold plunges. Though he stayed bundled in his nervous energy, he left with a newfound appreciation for those who let it all hang out.

While mainstream media’s take on nude recreation often leans on humor or novelty, Novak’s piece offers a glimpse into the unpretentious reality of social nudity—just people enjoying the sun, sea, and sand, as nature intended. 🚀

Maslin's - Australia's first nudist beach celebrates 50 years of freedom in SA

• Australian Broadcast Company, February 13th, 2025

Maslin Beach, located approximately 40 kilometers south of Adelaide, South Australia, holds the distinction of being the nation’s first official nude beach. On February 14, 1975, under Premier Don Dunstan's government, the southern portion of Maslin Beach was legally designated as a “clothing optional” area, acknowledging the growing number of nude bathers and aiming to reduce conflicts with law enforcement.

Over the decades, Maslin Beach has become a symbol of body positivity and freedom, hosting events like the annual Nude Olympics—later renamed the Pilawarren Maslin Beach Nude Games—which featured lighthearted competitions such as sack races and “best bum” contests. These gatherings fostered a strong sense of community among naturists and attracted participants from across the country.

Despite facing challenges, including issues with voyeurs and the decline of organized events due to insurance hurdles, Maslin Beach remains an iconic destination for those embracing a clothes-free lifestyle. Its legacy continues to inspire discussions about societal norms, personal freedom, and the acceptance of naturism in Australia. 🚀

Naturist dubbed ‘The Naked Carpenter’ tried to murder police officer

• The Mirror, February 4, 2025

Robert Jenner, a man from Maidstone, Kent, previously known as the “Naked Carpenter” for doing woodwork in the nude, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the attempted murder of Police Constable Sean Quinn. Jenner attacked the officer with a pair of scissors, stabbing him 23 times in the head, face, neck, and limbs after barricading himself inside his apartment.

While media coverage repeatedly refers to Jenner as a “naturist,” his history of criminal behavior and violence has no connection to the naturist movement, which promotes lawful, non-sexual social nudity. Associating naturism with indecent exposure and violent crime is both misleading and damaging to genuine naturist communities. 🚀

‘I’m a nudist mumfluencer and sick of exhibitionist celebs like Bianca Censori setting a terrible example’

• The Sun, February 5, 2025

Estelle Keeber, a self-described “nudist mumfluencer” and body positivity advocate, has spoken out against the growing trend of celebrity nudity-as-spectacle, criticizing figures like Bianca Censori—who appeared at the 2025 Grammys in an extremely sheer, netted dress—for using nakedness as a publicity stunt. Keeber, who has spent years promoting authentic body confidence through naturism, argues that when nudity is framed as shock value, it undermines the deeper message of self-acceptance.

While Keeber defends the right to body freedom, she notes that Censori’s recent sheer-dress appearance at the Grammy Awards seemed less about empowerment and more about media manipulation. In contrast, Keeber’s approach to nudism—embracing social nudity through naturist beaches, spas, and activism—centers on personal liberation and connection with nature, free from exhibitionism.

Her advocacy includes promoting nudist-friendly spaces, fighting social media censorship, and even staging protests to challenge body-negative policies. Keeber hopes to shift the conversation away from performative nudity and toward genuine body acceptance. 🚀

The evolution of female nudity in art: pornographic or profound?

• Varsity, February 21, 2025

This piece offers an interesting and compelling exploration of how attitudes toward the female nude in art have evolved across history—though the discussion could have gone significantly deeper. It examines how classical depictions of nudity in Ancient Greece emphasized power and beauty, while the rise of Christianity reframed the nude female body as vulnerable, shameful, or even sinful. Later, artists like Manet (Olympia) and Courbet (L’Origine du Monde) disrupted these narratives, forcing society to confront its hypocrisies—exalting nudity as high art in some contexts while condemning it in others.

The article also highlights how contemporary feminist artists use nudity to challenge beauty standards and normalize real, unfiltered depictions of the body. Yet it raises lingering questions about the line between empowerment and commercialization—especially when vulva art is sold on mugs and T-shirts. While the piece touches on fascinating themes, a deeper dive into the ongoing tension between artistic freedom, censorship, and cultural perception would have made it even stronger. 🚀

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That’s it for February.

That’s a wrap for this edition of News of the Nude! If this month’s stories tell us anything, it’s that naturism remains a battleground in a mad world—one where body freedom is constantly challenged, yet people refuse to back down. Some fight for nude spaces, while others cling to outdated fears, treating nudity as something to be censored, hidden, or condemned.

And yet, naturism endures. People continue to petition, protest, and push for a more accepting world, proving that the desire for body freedom isn’t going away. 🪐

Welcome to this edition of News of the Nude! As we dive into the latest in naturist news, activism, and culture in this time of turbulent change and uncertainty, it’s clear that the fight for body freedom is as relevant as ever. From challenging digital censorship to reclaiming public spaces, naturists around the world are pushing back against outdated taboos and standing firm in their right to exist—without shame, without barriers, and without clothes.

This month, we cover a bold global effort to hold Meta accountable for its discriminatory censorship of non-sexual nudity, the latest in nude art censorship at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, and a summer of cycling activism ahead in Portland and around the world. We also explore how the rise of social isolation is impacting naturism, new legal battles over nudity in public and professional life, and even a Wheel of Fortune moment that had us all laughing (or cringing).

So whether you’re reading this fully clothed or in your natural state, let’s get into it. 🚀

News of the Nude, Vol. 25 🪐

Naturists call out Meta for nudity censorship and discrimination in open letter, claim unfairly targeted

• Headline from National World, January 7, 2025

• The Sun, January 18, 2025

• Daily Star, January 11, 2025

• 404 Media, January 8, 2025

In January 2025, a coalition of 34 naturist organizations, led by the International Naturist Federation (INF-FNI), issued an open letter to Meta calling for reform in its censorship of non-sexual nudity. As someone involved in conceptualizing and executing this initiative, I feel proud of the collaboration, even as circumstances overshadowed its impact.

The letter, signed by naturist groups from over 30 countries—including U.S. organizations like AANR and TNSF which are not actually affiliated with INF-FNI in an official capacity—demanded that Meta recognize naturism as valid non-sexual expression, improve moderation systems, and increase transparency. It highlighted how Meta’s policies perpetuate body-shaming narratives and hinder naturist communities, which rely on social media to connect and educate.

Unfortunately, the release coincided with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s announcement that Meta would loosen content moderation and end fact-checking on its platforms, which dominated media coverage. Despite the announcement, multiple international naturist organizations noted their posts sharing the letter were censored by Facebook, limiting its reach.

This claim was reinforced by another article published by 404 Media the next day, revealing that Facebook has censored their articles criticizing Meta as well. Their article highlighted more double standards in Meta’s ad policies, specifically in how they allow explicit and illicit ads while censoring body-positive art and other content. This inconsistency echoes the systemic issues naturists have historically faced—and continue to face—on social platforms.

While outlets like The Sun and National World reported on the campaign, it didn’t quite make the splash we hoped. However, the initiative successfully demonstrated unprecedented global unity among naturists in advocating for body positivity and challenging societal taboos, and it got tremendous support and positive feedback from the naturist community. It also laid vital groundwork for future efforts to push platforms like Meta to distinguish non-sexual nudity from inappropriate content and foster a more inclusive digital landscape. For this, I couldn’t be more proud. 🚀

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World Naked Bike Ride offshoot sets 2025 date, setting up big summer for nude cycling in Portland

• OregonLive, January 23, 2025

• KOIN, January 23, 2025

Portland is gearing up for a lively summer of nude cycling activism as two World Naked Bike Ride events are set for 2025. The original ride, organized by longtime advocates of the event, is finalizing its date, while an offshoot group has announced their event for Saturday, August 9. Both events aim to spotlight environmental justice, body positivity, and cyclist safety, with particular focus on holding Zenith Energy accountable for its controversial fossil fuel practices.

This dual-event approach follows last year’s developments, reported by Planet Nude, when the original ride was canceled due to planning delays and volunteer burnout. A new group stepped in to organize a substitute ride, sparking concerns about divisiveness and leadership transitions. Despite these challenges, the substitute ride successfully carried forward the spirit of activism, including a protest at Zenith Energy’s facilities.

In 2025, both organizing groups aim to collaborate while maintaining distinct identities, as reported in the above article from OregonLive. As Portland continues to embrace its reputation as a hub for nude cycling protest culture, these events reinforce the city’s commitment to environmental action and the celebration of body freedom. Whether through a unified or divided approach, the rides demonstrate the enduring power of collective activism. 🚀

Naturists visit Body Works exhibition in the altogether

• VRT NWS, January 20, 2025

A group of 60 naturists attended the Body Works exhibition in Bruges, which showcases plastinated human bodies preserved to reveal anatomical details. By experiencing the exhibition without clothing, the naturists emphasized their philosophy of celebrating the human body in its natural state, free of societal judgment or taboos.

Having experienced the Bodies exhibit (a similar but different type of show also featuring plastinated bodies) many years ago and being seriously moved by it, I find this particular event really fascinating. Events like this highlight how naturism fosters a deeper appreciation for the human form beyond surface-level perceptions. It also underscores the persistent challenges naturists face, as public nudity remains stigmatized in many parts of the world. Such initiatives offer a powerful reminder that nudity can serve as a profound means of connecting with humanity, nature, and oneself. 🚀

Woman Arrested for Stripping Naked and Posing on Public Sculpture

• Daily Mail, January 14, 2025

• Wide Open Country, January 15, 2025

Olga Larrea, a 30-year-old nudist and artist from Mexico City, was arrested on January 13th in La Paz after staging a nude photoshoot atop the iconic “La Perla” sculpture on the city’s boardwalk. Footage captured Larrea throwing off her dress, climbing onto the clam-shaped statue, and posing as traffic slowed and bystanders looked on. Police detained her following the stunt, and she was later fined 3,365 pesos (approximately $163) before being released.

Larrea defended her actions as a protest against societal censorship of nudity, reportedly expressing frustration on social media with the caption: “Guess who was arrested for simply existing? Why is the human body censored, but not violence? Nudity is not offensive; it is natural.” The photos, briefly posted on Facebook, were later removed. 🚀

Two people hospitalised after a car drives over a 50m cliff at Maslin Beach, Adelaide

• News.com.au, January 20, 2025

A car plunged 50 meters off a cliff onto Maslin Beach in Adelaide late Sunday night, January 19, leaving two people hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Emergency services responded to the scene after the car crashed onto the sand below. Photographs reveal the vehicle’s extensive damage as authorities worked to determine the safest method for its removal.

Maslin Beach is celebrated for its stunning views and status as Australia’s first legalized nudist beach. Thankfully, the crash did not disrupt the tranquil reputation of this naturist haven, but the surreal event added a moment of drama to the otherwise peaceful locale. 🚀

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PETA holds ‘naked truth’ protest outside Downtown Jersey City’s Whole Foods

• Hudson County View, January 22, 2025

• Jersey City Times, January 24, 2025

PETA staged a striking “naked truth” protest outside Whole Foods in Jersey City, with activists lying nearly nude in giant cellophane-wrapped “meat trays” covered in fake blood. The demonstration aimed to criticize Whole Foods’ association with the Global Animal Partnership (GAP) and its “animal welfare certified” labels, which PETA alleges mislead consumers by giving factory-farmed meat a false veneer of ethical approval.

In response, Whole Foods defended its animal welfare standards, stating that the suppliers mentioned by PETA are no longer part of its supply chain and have not been for several years. Whole Foods reiterated its commitment to transparency and ethical practices, while PETA continues to call for the ASPCA and Humane Society of the United States to withdraw their support from GAP. 🚀

Parents demand arrest of man accused of indecent exposure near Castro schools

• SFist, January 27, 2025

Parents in San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood are outraged over a man who has allegedly been exposing himself to teenage girls near a popular student hangout. Witnesses say the man frequents the area on 18th Street wearing little more than a sock, reportedly engaging in lewd behavior.

Some residents claim they found the man on the sex offender registry, though police have not confirmed this. The SFist article above frames the suspect as a “nudist,” despite his alleged behavior being entirely unrelated to naturism. Nudism is a philosophy centered on body acceptance and non-sexual social nudity, while exhibitionism involves indecent exposure for shock or sexual gratification. Conflating the two is both misleading and harmful to legitimate naturist communities. 🚀

‘Wheel of Fortune’ Player Gives Hilarious Wrong Answer to ‘Nudist Colony’ Puzzle

• TV Insider, January 16, 2025

A memorable moment unfolded on the January 15th episode of Wheel of Fortune when a contestant’s misstep on the puzzle “Nudist Colony” left host Ryan Seacrest and co-host Vanna White visibly amused. During the Triple Toss Up round, contestants solved puzzles ending in “Colony,” with Ricky Brown correctly guessing “Ant Colony” and Karen Morgan nailing “Artist Colony.”

However, when the final puzzle revealed “_ U D I S T / C O L O _ Y,” Morgan buzzed in and guessed “Budist [sic] Colony,” prompting laughter in the studio. Brown then provided the correct answer, “Nudist Colony,” joking afterward, “I was afraid to say it.”

While the moment brought laughter, naturists may gently point out that the term “colony” is a bit outdated—“nudist camp” or “resort” are typically preferred these days—and have been for many years. Regardless, the playful exchange quickly went viral on social media, with fans joking about the incorrect guess and the unexpected nature of the phrase. 🚀

School was wrong to sack teacher over nude photos, court rules

• DutchNews.nl, January 7, 2025

In a landmark decision, a Dutch court in The Hague ruled on January 7th that a Protestant secondary school violated a teacher's right to freedom of expression by dismissing him over nude photos he posted online. While the images were deemed non-pornographic, the school argued the teacher’s actions had tarnished its reputation, especially after students discovered the photos and the teacher later showed a film featuring himself and his partner nude during a classroom discussion.

The court awarded the teacher €10,000 in damages, emphasizing that the school’s actions damaged his career prospects and infringed on his rights. However, the teacher was not reinstated, as the court found the relationship between him and the school irreparably strained. 🚀

Kaka Point nudist draws ire of community with ads for naked walking groups

• NZ Herald, January 22, 2025

A nudist in Kaka Point, New Zealand, has sparked mixed reactions within the local community after promoting naked walking groups in the Catlins region. Public nudity is legal in New Zealand under the Summary Offences Act, provided it does not intend to offend or alarm others, and the organizer emphasized discretion in choosing remote natural spaces for the walks.

While some locals find the activity harmless or amusing, others have criticized it as inappropriate or attention-seeking. Despite criticism, the organizer reportedly remains committed to encouraging others to explore the outdoors naturally and hopes to grow his group. 🚀

Bluesky is getting its own photo-sharing app, Flashes

• TechCrunch, January 15, 2025

Bluesky, the decentralized social network gaining traction as an alternative to Big Tech, is introducing Flashes, a photo-sharing app designed for visual content enthusiasts. Built by Berlin developer Sebastian Vogelsang, Flashes reworks his existing Bluesky client, Skeets, to focus on photos and short videos while seamlessly integrating with Bluesky’s timeline and features. The timing of the announced app seems well-suited to offer another path for users fleeing from Meta-owned Instagram in the aftermath of CEO Mark Zuckerberg's announcement that his platforms will no longer engage in political fact-checking. There has been growing interest in platforms that reject Big Tech’s monopolistic tendencies, censorship, and algorithmic manipulation.

While it’s hard to celebrate any new social media in the current “broligarchy” of misinformation and corporate overreach, Bluesky’s approach to artistic and nonsexual content offers some room for tempered optimism. With a name like Flashes, I dare say it had better be nude-friendly. 🚀

NCAC decries artistic censorship at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth

• National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC), January 9, 2025

• Instagram, January 9, 2025

The National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) has condemned the seizure of photographs by celebrated artist Sally Mann from the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth as part of a criminal investigation into alleged child abuse. The works, part of the museum’s Diaries of Home exhibition, include stylized portraits of Mann’s own children in the nude—images that have been widely recognized as significant works of contemporary art.

The investigation, launched after a complaint by Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare, echoes a long-standing moral panic surrounding depictions of childhood nudity in art. Officials such as Tarrant County Republican Party Chairman Bo French and State Representative-elect David Lowe have fueled the controversy with inflammatory rhetoric, likening Mann to a predator and calling the work “indecent.” NCAC, in its statement, warns that such claims are not only legally unfounded but also dangerous—threatening the artistic and parental rights of millions while trivializing actual child exploitation.

Mann’s work, which has been exhibited at the National Gallery of Art and honored by institutions such as the Guggenheim Fellowship and the National Endowment for the Arts, has been subject to controversy for decades. Yet, as NCAC points out, criminalizing a mother’s documentation of her children’s lives—and by extension, any non-sexual images of childhood—sets a chilling precedent.

NCAC calls on Texas authorities to immediately return the confiscated works and halt their baseless investigation, warning that such actions degrade First Amendment protections and reinforce the very sexualization of children that critics claim to oppose. 🚀

Aussie Pool Chain Sparks Debate Over G-String Bikini Ban

• Daily Mail Australia, January 6, 2025

Blue Mountains Leisure Centres in Australia reignited public debate by reiterating its ban on G-string bikinis and thong swimwear at its facilities. The council clarified its stance after a sign banning “revealing swimwear” caused confusion, explaining that while bikinis are acceptable, G-strings and thongs are not considered “recognized swimwear” under their policies.

Critics have called the policy outdated and intrusive, with many arguing that individuals uncomfortable with others’ attire should simply avert their gaze—a conversation that resonates with naturists advocating for body positivity and the normalization of diverse body expressions. 🚀

Naturists attend New Year’s Day annual nude plunge at Blind Creek Beach, St. Lucie County

• TCPalm, January 1, 2025

The annual Polar Bare Plunge at Blind Creek Beach in St. Lucie County, Florida brought naturists together on January 1st to celebrate the start of the new year in their preferred attire: nothing at all. The clothing-optional event drew participants to the pristine beach despite the cool waters.

Attendees may need to adjust their plans for future visits, as renovations to the Blind Creek Beach parking lot began on January 6th and are expected to continue through mid-summer. During this time, naturists are advised to use alternative parking areas and access points while keeping safety and property boundaries in mind. 🚀

Dress code: Birthday suit at Polar 'Bare' swim Jan. 1 in South Surrey

• North Delta Reporter, January 1, 2025

Surrey’s United Naturists hosted their 17th annual Polar Bare Skinny Dip on New Year’s Day, inviting participants to brave the icy waters of Boundary Bay in nothing but their natural selves. The event, held at the nude-friendly Crescent Rock Beach, saw attendees donning festive touches like Santa hats and body paint while taking the plunge. The chilly celebration continued a longstanding tradition of embracing body freedom while kicking off the new year with an invigorating sense of community and connection to nature. 🚀

A new magazine article has very important implications for naturism / “The Anti-Social Century”

• Revitalizing Naturism, January 12, 2025

• The Atlantic, February 2025 (online January 8, 2025)

, a consistent and prescient voice in naturism, recently wrote on his wonderful Naturist Place Substack about Derek Thompson’s recent Atlantic article, “The Anti-Social Century,” and its significant implications for naturism. Daney highlights Thompson’s thesis that Americans are now more isolated than ever, spending less time socializing in person due to a combination of cultural shifts, technological advances, and changes in how we use public and private spaces. Thompson traces this decline back to the 20th century, when technologies like the automobile and television began reshaping social behaviors. Today, trends like remote work, solo leisure, and even virtual friendships have further eroded traditional community bonds, turning what was once a society built around shared spaces into one of increasing solitude.

Daney connects these insights to naturism, arguing that declining participation in social nudity isn’t a rejection of nudity itself but a reflection of this broader societal retreat from face-to-face interaction. He draws on Robert Putnam’s Bowling Alone to underscore how the loss of communal spaces and activities has impacted everything from church attendance to social clubs. For naturists, this means fewer opportunities for gatherings at resorts, beaches, and events that rely on in-person connection to thrive—in other words, social nudity.

Thompson also highlights how this societal shift affects relationships, politics, and personal well-being. He argues that while technology makes life more convenient, it often leaves people lonelier, trading authentic interaction for curated digital connections. Daney builds on this, emphasizing that naturism—a lifestyle grounded in community and body positivity—requires active efforts to foster social spaces. His thoughtful analysis reinforces the importance of revitalizing social habits, not just for naturists but for the health of society as a whole. 🚀

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Revitalizing Naturism

A new magazine article has very important implications for naturism.

The article in question is in the February 2025 Atlantic Monthly - already available online: The Anti-Social Century. Currently, it can be read without a subscription. (Not clear how long that may last…

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a year ago · 3 likes · Charles Daney

Nudist, podiatrist, mechanic, principal among guests for Orange County radio station’s 28-hour New Year’s show

Los Angeles Times, December 28, 2024

Prominent social naturist advocate and Huntington Beach attorney Allen Baylis was a featured guest on KOCI 101.5’s 28-hour New Year’s Marathon Party, hosted by Jim “Poorman” Trenton. Bayliss, a returning participant, used his segment to highlight new laws taking effect at midnight while sharing a playlist centered on Frank Zappa’s music.

As a passionate advocate for naturism, Baylis has long worked to promote body positivity and normalize social nudity. I had the opportunity to interview him on The New Nudist Podcast this past August, where he shared insights into his activism and the challenges of fostering greater public acceptance of naturism. His continued visibility through programs like the New Year’s Marathon highlights the intersection of naturism with broader cultural and legal discussions, bringing attention to the values of freedom and acceptance. 🚀

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That’s it, for now.

That’s a wrap for this edition of News of the Nude! These can be dark and foreboding times, but when the skies are grey, it’s vital to search for the silver linings. This month’s stories remind us that naturism isn’t just about nudity—it’s about community, activism, and challenging the status quo. As we move forward, let’s keep advocating, keep gathering, and keep pushing for a world where the human body is seen as something natural, not scandalous.

Until next time, stay bold, stay free, and—if the weather allows—stay nude. 🪐

From Spain’s first nudist film screening to naturist festivals celebrating freedom of choice, this edition highlights the expanding presence of naturism in diverse public settings. At the same time, the issue of censorship looms, especially as social media platforms face mounting criticism for suppressing naturist content. Thoughtful responses from organizations like British Naturism and the INF-FNI underscore the urgency of protecting the rights to free expression and body acceptance in an increasingly digital world.

As the year winds down, we reflect on the importance of connection and understanding, even amid challenges. Let us approach the world in this new year with curiosity, empathy, and openness.

Happy holidays to all of our readers! Thank you for your continued support and for being part of this growing conversation. This being our 24th edition of News of the Nude, we’ve now been doing this monthly series every single month for two years straight! Wow. That’s a lot of reading and writing to do, trust me. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. Your readership is what makes this rocket fly. 🚀

News of the Nude, Vol. 24 🪐

A Silicon Valley nudist resort is on sale for $30m – but will its new owner ‘go textile’?

• The Guardian, December 26, 2024

It’s not every day that I get to share a story in News of the Nude where I’m featured myself! This month, The Guardian spotlighted Lupin Lodge, the historic 112-acre nudist resort in Silicon Valley that opened in 1934 and is now up for sale for nearly $30 million. The article includes quotes from me in my roles as director of the Western Nudist Research Library and editor of Planet Nude.

We’ve shared extensive information about Lupin’s rich history here on Planet Nude and in the Naked Age podcast, including research by contributor . Carl’s work uncovered that Lupin’s founding occurred a full year earlier than was previously believed, and he’s also quoted in this story, emphasizing the resort’s historic significance to the naturist movement.

Lupin Lodge, a cornerstone of American nudism since 1934, has long been a refuge for those seeking freedom from societal conventions. However, its current owner, Lori Kay Stout, is selling due to health concerns and financial pressures, and the property’s future as a naturist space is uncertain. Many, including its real estate agent, expect it to “go textile,” reflecting a broader trend of declining nudist venues as California property values soar and cultural shifts favor different forms of communal nudity.

As I note in the piece, Lupin Lodge stands as a vital piece of the “golden era of nudism,” when such spaces thrived as retreats promoting body positivity and inclusivity. Its possible loss would be a significant blow to the naturist community. 🚀

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Nudist film session at Cinemes Girona: this will be the first Natural Cinema

• From Barcelona Secreta, December 9, 2024

This month, Barcelona hosted Spain’s first nudist film screening at Cinemes Girona as part of the "Cinema al Natural" initiative. Organized by naturist associations, including the Spanish Naturist Federation, the event aims to normalize nudism in cultural spaces beyond beaches and resorts.

The December 15th screening features Tú no eres yo, a Christmas-themed film directed by Marisa Crespo and Moisés Romera. The film, which is not a particularly nudist story, is about a woman who returns home for the holidays to discover her parents have replaced her with a stranger occupying her role in the family. The initiative also ran concurrently in Madrid and Valencia.

Attendees were allowed to embrace partial or full nudity during the session, though clothes were required upon entry. Once inside, participants undressed, using towels for hygiene (of course).

What a fun idea that generated a ton of international press. By introducing naturist principles into a cinematic setting, this event promotes body acceptance expands naturist culture into new public spaces. Cool! 🚀

Meta Says It’s Mistakenly Removing Too Many Posts

• The Verge, December 3, 2024

Stand Together to Stop Social Media Body Shaming

• British Naturism, December 11, 2024

Censorship and Body-Shaming in Social Media Must Stop

• Planet Nude, December 10, 2024

Multiple headlines this month reflect the growing conflict between naturist communities and social media platforms, and the broader tension around content moderation and freedom of expression. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram, operated by Meta, have been criticized for removing posts featuring non-sexual nudity, often misclassifying them as explicit. For naturists, this heavy-handed censorship erases a legitimate way of life, silences advocacy for body positivity, and reinforces harmful societal taboos around the human body. Thus, it also weakens our organizations and our broader efforts as a movement.

British Naturism made an eloquent statement this month highlighting the detrimental psychological impact these policies have, emphasizing how they perpetuate shame and body-image issues. The same week, of INF-FNI—in a piece that was published on the INF-FNI blog as well as here on Planet Nude—explored the algorithmic failures at the root of the issue. He calls for a dedicated exception for naturist content, similar to existing allowances for artistic nudity, protecting naturist expression while fostering a culture of acceptance and diversity.

Meta’s own acknowledgment of its overreach, as reported by The Verge, adds fuel to the debate. Nick Clegg, Meta’s president of global affairs, admitted that “error rates are still too high,” leading to the removal of harmless content and unjust penalties for users. While this admission points to potential reforms, it underscores a systemic issue with automated moderation that disproportionately affects communities like naturists.

This situation reflects a clash between the public role of social media and the private companies that govern it. For naturists, this is not just about access to platforms but about the ability to advocate for their values and educate the public. The broader issue of censorship on digital platforms raises questions about who gets to define acceptable content in the global public square and whether current practices align with principles of free expression and inclusivity. 🚀

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NZ music festival where clothes are optional

• From Otago Daily Times, November 28, 2024

The Naked in the Trees festival, happening February 14–16 in Taumarunui, New Zealand, offers a clothing-optional experience blending music, community, and exploration. Hosted by Naked World’s Lisa McMillan, it welcomes up to 800 attendees at a scenic 200-acre venue with rivers and waterfalls.

With no dress code, participants can be clothed or nude, exploring zones like The Village, The Playground, and The Glade, which feature live music, workshops, and care spaces. While areas like the Pleasure Playground include a sexual element, the focus is on consent and respect, with pre-vetting and on-site training led by “consent guardians.”

The festival celebrates connection and personal freedom, offering activities like live performances, workshops, and waterfall swims—letting attendees embrace liberation at their own pace. 🚀

St. Lucie County Giving Blind Creek Beach a $1 Million Parking Lot Revamp

• TCPalm, December 18, 2024

St. Lucie County in Florida is revamping the parking lot at the popular clothing-optional Blind Creek Beach, with a $1 million renovation project. Starting January 6, the parking lot will be closed until mid-summer, though the beach will remain accessible through two alternative routes. Visitors can park at Little Mud Creek or Walton Rocks Beach, with the county providing temporary access to Blind Creek. The renovation will include a bathroom, showers, and handicapped accessibility, as well as a 176-space parking lot with porous concrete spaces. The project is aimed at improving infrastructure for the growing number of beachgoers, especially after a rise in popularity following the pandemic. Despite the changes, the county will not be expanding the parking lot or adding lifeguards. The revamp is set to be completed by July 2024. 🚀

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Artist Mr Bingo: ‘Nudism is the freest state you can be in’

• From Financial Times, December 5, 2024