Thank you for your kind words, Nahna. It's nice to know you found it helpful in some way. If you're interested in more, please also check out the links to my blog, my interview on the "Naked Age" podcast, and more of my online photos.
I used to be in Twitter. I reluctantly left it when it became X because I can't justify supporting any of Elon Musk's enterprises. I think you should be able to send me a private message through my profile here on Substack.
Nahna, I very much appreciated your comment when you first posted it. Now, having recently listened to your interview on the New Nudist Podcast, I am in awe of you. It means a lot to me that my blog has caught your eye. To think it “inspired” you makes me very proud.
I'm not sure how to answer your question. This piece is less about in-person public nudity, and more about controlling -- or not controlling -- where and how my nude photos are used. So, for starters, I'll reply in terms of online reactions. To be truthful, I'm somewhat apprehensive about potential backlash from conservative extremists, especially when my name accompanies the pictures. I anticipated some negative comments, and I've had a few. Here's one actual example: "Wonder how many little children this old pervert has exposed himself to?" That one is still on Facebook, beneath a post about me from The Naturist Living Show. The what-about-the-children crowd sometimes uses aggressive tactics such as doxxing to threaten nudists and others, so I was worried. So far, nothing bad has resulted from my online visibility (knock on wood), while some good things have come out of it.
As for the "real world," I've lately become somewhat more cautious with public nudity. During the last 8 years, more people have become willing to unleash their hate and fear in violent ways. The anti-Haitian shit currently going on in Springfield is the latest of many examples. Unlike those who are targeted because of their race, we nudists can minimize physical danger simply by keeping our clothes on. Even in San Francisco, I now think twice about going nude in public situations whereas previously I'd have thrown caution to the wind. This is due partly to societal change, partly to the city's 2012 nudity ban, and partly to the fact that I'm older and less able to defend myself.
As for that nudity ban, it was initially somewhat effective. For those unfamiliar with the ban, Evan sums it up clearly and concisely in his intro to my "San Francisco Naked Guy" interview on the Naked Age podcast. In a nutshell: in 2009 it became clear that public nudity was not illegal in the streets of SF. For the next 3 years, nudity was delightfully rampant in the city. A new law passed in 2012, requiring that "private parts" be covered. After that, some male nudists took to wearing cock-rings to hold little scraps of fabric in place over their genitals. (I've never done that. The effect is suggestive, similar to that of lingerie. My message is about normalizing nudity, not about titillation.) Starting during the height of Covid, the SF police apparently stopped enforcing the anti-nudity law, at least in certain neighborhoods. There's currently a small group of regulars that hangs out naked in the Castro (you may have seen a positive and widely distributed news story about how nudist Lloyd Fishback heroically rescued a tourist who was being assaulted by a deranged homeless man). At present, it feels ok to be fully nude in the Castro's commercial area. I went nude at Pride last June (2024) with absolutely no reaction.
And there's my long-winded reply to "how is it working out?" I hope I've answered the question.
My thoughts were specifically about the 2012 law. Here is where it gets complicated.
The law prohibits nudity on public property except as part of a permitted event. So we have all these delightful events where nudity is allowed. Pride, 4 WNBRs a year, B2B, and others. Likewise you are probably okay on private property. I was nude with no problems at an anti-Trump rally. A court has ruled that permits may not be denied because of the risk there might be nudity. So I'm going to continue to call it a partial ban, not a ban.
The city parks have an ordinance that nudity is not allowed on park property. However it is an explicit policy to suspend the rule during the B2B and pride. This became a problem when the park ranger didn't realize this in the 2023 B2B.
I have felt a share of hate for my nude blog posts. It is funny that I can get dozens of positive responses from people but every negative and nasty response hits me hard. Ironically, one of the nasty attacks was from a hyper feminist type who apparently thinks male nudity is disgusting, any male who post such photos is a creep, and threatened to shoot me if she ever saw me on the trail nude IRL.
Another time I simply posted on a forum - with no pictures - about how much I enjoyed the 2022 WNBR. I got a lot of support but two guys - possibly one guy with two accounts - really went after me with the "what about the children" attack.
As a result, I pulled the nude photos on my Medium blog. I even changed my avatar. I know it was a big overreaction but I have become anxious as of late about both the far right and certain elements of the far left. (Ten years ago I would have shrugged my shoulders.) There is a Medium publication by James Grigg (Nude Positive) and I'll post any future nude photos there.
Thank you for sharing your story and your photos.
And thank you for your nice feedback. I appreciate it.
This really inspired me. Thanks Andy.
Thank you for your kind words, Nahna. It's nice to know you found it helpful in some way. If you're interested in more, please also check out the links to my blog, my interview on the "Naked Age" podcast, and more of my online photos.
I definitely will, are you on twitter so I can message you.
I used to be in Twitter. I reluctantly left it when it became X because I can't justify supporting any of Elon Musk's enterprises. I think you should be able to send me a private message through my profile here on Substack.
Totally understand, seen.
Nahna, I very much appreciated your comment when you first posted it. Now, having recently listened to your interview on the New Nudist Podcast, I am in awe of you. It means a lot to me that my blog has caught your eye. To think it “inspired” you makes me very proud.
I like it and love it
How is it working out these days? I understand the laws have become a bit more restrictive.
One has to be careful about venues. There are places where nobody really cares and places that would react violently
I'm not sure how to answer your question. This piece is less about in-person public nudity, and more about controlling -- or not controlling -- where and how my nude photos are used. So, for starters, I'll reply in terms of online reactions. To be truthful, I'm somewhat apprehensive about potential backlash from conservative extremists, especially when my name accompanies the pictures. I anticipated some negative comments, and I've had a few. Here's one actual example: "Wonder how many little children this old pervert has exposed himself to?" That one is still on Facebook, beneath a post about me from The Naturist Living Show. The what-about-the-children crowd sometimes uses aggressive tactics such as doxxing to threaten nudists and others, so I was worried. So far, nothing bad has resulted from my online visibility (knock on wood), while some good things have come out of it.
As for the "real world," I've lately become somewhat more cautious with public nudity. During the last 8 years, more people have become willing to unleash their hate and fear in violent ways. The anti-Haitian shit currently going on in Springfield is the latest of many examples. Unlike those who are targeted because of their race, we nudists can minimize physical danger simply by keeping our clothes on. Even in San Francisco, I now think twice about going nude in public situations whereas previously I'd have thrown caution to the wind. This is due partly to societal change, partly to the city's 2012 nudity ban, and partly to the fact that I'm older and less able to defend myself.
As for that nudity ban, it was initially somewhat effective. For those unfamiliar with the ban, Evan sums it up clearly and concisely in his intro to my "San Francisco Naked Guy" interview on the Naked Age podcast. In a nutshell: in 2009 it became clear that public nudity was not illegal in the streets of SF. For the next 3 years, nudity was delightfully rampant in the city. A new law passed in 2012, requiring that "private parts" be covered. After that, some male nudists took to wearing cock-rings to hold little scraps of fabric in place over their genitals. (I've never done that. The effect is suggestive, similar to that of lingerie. My message is about normalizing nudity, not about titillation.) Starting during the height of Covid, the SF police apparently stopped enforcing the anti-nudity law, at least in certain neighborhoods. There's currently a small group of regulars that hangs out naked in the Castro (you may have seen a positive and widely distributed news story about how nudist Lloyd Fishback heroically rescued a tourist who was being assaulted by a deranged homeless man). At present, it feels ok to be fully nude in the Castro's commercial area. I went nude at Pride last June (2024) with absolutely no reaction.
And there's my long-winded reply to "how is it working out?" I hope I've answered the question.
My thoughts were specifically about the 2012 law. Here is where it gets complicated.
The law prohibits nudity on public property except as part of a permitted event. So we have all these delightful events where nudity is allowed. Pride, 4 WNBRs a year, B2B, and others. Likewise you are probably okay on private property. I was nude with no problems at an anti-Trump rally. A court has ruled that permits may not be denied because of the risk there might be nudity. So I'm going to continue to call it a partial ban, not a ban.
The city parks have an ordinance that nudity is not allowed on park property. However it is an explicit policy to suspend the rule during the B2B and pride. This became a problem when the park ranger didn't realize this in the 2023 B2B.
https://naturismcommunity.substack.com/p/bay-to-breakers-2023
I have felt a share of hate for my nude blog posts. It is funny that I can get dozens of positive responses from people but every negative and nasty response hits me hard. Ironically, one of the nasty attacks was from a hyper feminist type who apparently thinks male nudity is disgusting, any male who post such photos is a creep, and threatened to shoot me if she ever saw me on the trail nude IRL.
Another time I simply posted on a forum - with no pictures - about how much I enjoyed the 2022 WNBR. I got a lot of support but two guys - possibly one guy with two accounts - really went after me with the "what about the children" attack.
https://naturismcommunity.substack.com/p/la-wnbr-event-sparks-an-online-debate
As a result, I pulled the nude photos on my Medium blog. I even changed my avatar. I know it was a big overreaction but I have become anxious as of late about both the far right and certain elements of the far left. (Ten years ago I would have shrugged my shoulders.) There is a Medium publication by James Grigg (Nude Positive) and I'll post any future nude photos there.
https://medium.com/@AuNaturel
https://medium.com/nude-positive
https://medium.com/nude-positive