News of the Nude, Dec. 2024
Volume 24: Celebrating cinema, censorship, and cultural connections
This month’s News of the Nude explores various themes, from artistic nudity breaking new ground in cultural spaces to ongoing battles for body positivity and expression in the digital realm. Across these stories, one theme transcends: the power of nudity as a tool for liberation, community, and self-acceptance.
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’?
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. 🚀
More reading:
Nudist film session at Cinemes Girona: this will be the first Natural Cinema
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
Stand Together to Stop Social Media Body Shaming
Censorship and Body-Shaming in Social Media Must Stop
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. 🚀
Read more:
NZ music festival where clothes are optional
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
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. 🚀
Sponsor shout-out:
Artist Mr Bingo: ‘Nudism is the freest state you can be in’
The Financial Times profile of British artist Mr. Bingo uses his humor to shine a light on the liberating essence of nudism. Through anecdotes like his naked water polo game at a California nudist resort, the article captures the playful yet profound aspects of shedding societal norms. Rather than overshadowing the value of nudism, the humor enhances it, making the message of authenticity and connection more relatable. By leaning into his wit, the piece playfully highlights how nudism fosters personal freedom and disarms judgment, aligning well with Mr. Bingo’s apparent philosophy of embracing individuality and celebrating life’s quirks. 🚀
Christmas with naked Twister, penis-shaped cake and roast dinner cooked in the buff
Ireland Live’s coverage of naturist resort owner Karie Jane’s festive traditions offers a glimpse into a colorful, unconventional lifestyle—but not without its usual sensationalized framing. From naked Twister to a penis-shaped cake, the article leans heavily on quirky, eyebrow-raising details to attract readers, rather than exploring the broader cultural or philosophical aspects of naturism.
Karie Jane, who owns the BHH Naturist Resort in Fuerteventura, has become something of a recurring figure in stories about nudism, particularly in the British press where she is often featured for her candid and humorous approach to life. While her anecdotes about festive nudist traditions are engaging and Karie Jane always comes off very charminly, the media’s persistent focus on the more salacious or “odd” elements of naturist living risks reducing her story to novelty rather than treating it with genuine curiosity or respect.
To Karie’s credit, she always navigates the attention with poise. But as with so many similar articles, one wonders: is the point to inform and normalize, or simply to entertain at the expense of nuance? Karie’s openness is commendable, but it’s clear that the media’s framing of naturism still has a long way to go. 🚀
Women are getting ‘designer nipple’ filler for perkier bosoms: ‘Not something to hide anymore’
In a recent article in the New York Post, the rising popularity of "designer nipple" augmentation is explored, as women increasingly turn to hyaluronic acid fillers to enhance nipple projection. Influenced by celebrities like Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner, the trend is part of the broader "naked dressing" aesthetic, where bra-free fashion is embraced as a symbol of confidence. The $5,000 procedure, often prompted by fashion or practical needs like post-breastfeeding changes, reflects a shift in how nipples are viewed—no longer something to hide, but something to enhance.
As a man, I don’t have personal experience to draw from in this area. I do have nipples, of course, but they’re as irrelevant to this conversation as they are to anything else. So, I’ll be the first to admit that my opinion isn’t worth much here. That said, I can’t help but consider the implications of this trend.
On one hand, the growing visibility and acceptance of nipples is a positive step toward cultural body acceptance. Nudism has always celebrated natural bodies, and this push for visibility aligns with that. Don’t get me wrong—I don’t judge anyone for choosing to alter their bodies. I support those who find empowerment in shaping themselves however they see fit, and if that means enhancing what you’ve got, more power to you. On the other hand, I wonder if this is just another layer of pressure to meet some ideal—now, even your nipples need a boost to be considered “perfect.” It feels like a delicate balance between embracing the natural body and feeling like even our most natural features need to be tweaked to meet beauty standards. 🚀
The Long Shadow of Kate Winslet’s Nude Scene in Titanic
In a candid 60 Minutes interview, Kate Winslet reflected on the body-shaming she endured following her iconic nude scene in Titanic. While the film cemented her status as a Hollywood star, it also subjected her to relentless scrutiny in an era obsessed with extreme thinness. Winslet spoke about the media’s viciousness, recounting cruel comments about her weight, even on red carpets. The article explores how Winslet’s experience mirrors the evolution of media and societal attitudes toward women’s bodies since the 1990s.
As Winslet promotes her new film Lee, about war photographer Lee Miller, her resilience and commitment to meaningful roles is ultimately helping to pave the way for greater acceptance and respect for women of all body types in Hollywood. 🚀
More reading:
Stories of what it's like growing up as a nudist are surprisingly normal childhood experiences
The above Upworthy article delves into the lives of those raised in nudist households, emphasizing themes of body acceptance and normalization of diverse body types. Contributors shared memories of nude beaches, swimming pools, and home environments where nudity was treated as normal. These experiences often fostered body positivity and reduced societal pressures about appearance.
While some outsiders view nudism skeptically, participants described it as respectful and safe, with clothing always an option. Research cited in the article supports the benefits of nudism, noting increased body positivity among those engaging in group nudity. 🚀
Stripping Down for a Night at a French Museum
New York Times journalist Amelia Nierenberg experienced a night of social nudity firsthand at Marseille’s Museum of Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean (Mucem). Reporting on Naturist Paradises, an exhibition exploring the history and culture of social nudism in Europe, she chose to join 150 other attendees in stripping down for the last of five special naked visits organized by the museum. This museum exhibit has made quite a splash in the press, as it has appeared in every News of the Nude edition for the last five months. This article is remarkable due to the prominence and visibility of the New York Times. 🚀
‘Politics as Unusual’ at Hippie Nudist Retreat
Scott Schafer’s essay from a Bay Area naturist retreat vividly portrays the tensions of America’s polarized political landscape, even in spaces devoted to tranquility and connection. His engaging recounting of a heated hot tub debate highlighted how divergent worldviews clash, particularly when truth itself becomes a battleground. Schafer’s reflections traverse politics, history, and philosophy, drawing a haunting parallel to Eugène Ionesco’s Rhinocéros. Like the play’s protagonist resisting conformity, Schafer wrestles with the allure and peril of ideological extremes. The piece critiques the normalization of absurdities in contemporary politics while emphasizing the need to hold fast to humanity amidst chaos.
This sharp commentary effectively highlights the complexities of political discourse today, particularly in unexpected venues like nudist retreats. For me, it served as a reminder that while there’s little we can do to change things beyond our control, we can't escape the world we're in—we can only adapt to it. 🚀
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Stuffed with gratitude.
That wraps up this month’s News of the Nude! Thank you for being part of this incredible community and supporting our journey throughout the year. As we close out 2024, let’s look forward to new opportunities, connections, and moments of self-expression in 2025.
See you next year. 🪐
Good run down as always. Glad to hear about the parking lot at Blind Creek. We view Playalinda and Apollo as our “home beach” but have wanted to venture down to Blind Creek. Looking forward to a better parking experience when we do!