I don’t see the necessity of having pictures. We all know what the naked human form looks like. IMHO I want to read what someone has to say on a subject, how they feel. I’m always open to broadening my horizons, but I don’t necessarily need photos to do that.
The opposition to support from LGBTQ+ community is one of the most common problems to finding allies. Basically, many nudists are social conservatives who like to get their kit off. They will say that nudism has nothing to do with sex and LGBTQ+ is about nothing but sex. They don't want to be associated with them. I'd counter that both are about the greater cause of freedom, but nobody listens to me.
On the west coast where its a bit more tolerant, gays and the other "letters" are some of our biggest supporters. It is socially conservative straights who want to pass laws and shut everything down.
The WNBR-LA is an example of an alliance that I don't think quite worked out. This year there were nudist pavilions at the starting area but no bicycling groups. If they don't show up for the event, it may mean the nudies have taken over and the bicyclists have lost interest. At least the event hasn't disappeared. Ciclavia is where the cyclists do their thing now.
The biggest gatekeepers in (American) nudism are the nudists themselves. When their clubs have high prices, no single-men rules, or men/gender caps, references, "must join" after a certain number of visits etc you are just discouraging others from joining naturists and non-naturist getting the wrong idea about who and what we are. We need to expose ourselves (pun intended) to the textile world. That is the only way we will be accepted, and change will be made.
I say this over and over again, naturist organizations need to control the message of who we are, and part of doing that is good PR. Not just for the movement but at a resort level. Resorts/campgrounds need to operate and market themselves like textile resorts. That is what they do in Europe, and because of that, Europeans, naturists, and textiles alike, have a different view on naturism. And I keep hearing "America isn't Europe", yes. But that's why WE need to change the message.
I was in Vienna this summer, at one of the cities' 3 FKK beaches/parks, and there were non-naturist riding their bikes, walking through the nude section, many with children, and the adults and kids did not care. But I believe it starts at the resort level, as many resorts are NOT clubs but for-profit tourist locations which advertise and does not discriminate like another tourist destination.
This is a great article. Kinda also the point of the normalising naturism campaign. Even if it's not for you, accept that it might be for other people, it's not wrong, it's not weird...
Your site sounded like it was doing great service. Anyone that says you have to show yourself full frontal to prove your a nudist is missing the point. Whether you show yourself on the internet is your choice. It doesn't make you any less or more a naturist (although some would argue it might make you more of an exhibitionist... not sure I necessarily agree if you're doing it for advocacy though)
On embracing external support for nudism
Strong point! I agree, and I’m sorry to learn of the heckling that led you to close your information site.
Great article.
A well-considered article, and something worth reflecting on.
I don’t see the necessity of having pictures. We all know what the naked human form looks like. IMHO I want to read what someone has to say on a subject, how they feel. I’m always open to broadening my horizons, but I don’t necessarily need photos to do that.
The opposition to support from LGBTQ+ community is one of the most common problems to finding allies. Basically, many nudists are social conservatives who like to get their kit off. They will say that nudism has nothing to do with sex and LGBTQ+ is about nothing but sex. They don't want to be associated with them. I'd counter that both are about the greater cause of freedom, but nobody listens to me.
On the west coast where its a bit more tolerant, gays and the other "letters" are some of our biggest supporters. It is socially conservative straights who want to pass laws and shut everything down.
The WNBR-LA is an example of an alliance that I don't think quite worked out. This year there were nudist pavilions at the starting area but no bicycling groups. If they don't show up for the event, it may mean the nudies have taken over and the bicyclists have lost interest. At least the event hasn't disappeared. Ciclavia is where the cyclists do their thing now.
The biggest gatekeepers in (American) nudism are the nudists themselves. When their clubs have high prices, no single-men rules, or men/gender caps, references, "must join" after a certain number of visits etc you are just discouraging others from joining naturists and non-naturist getting the wrong idea about who and what we are. We need to expose ourselves (pun intended) to the textile world. That is the only way we will be accepted, and change will be made.
I say this over and over again, naturist organizations need to control the message of who we are, and part of doing that is good PR. Not just for the movement but at a resort level. Resorts/campgrounds need to operate and market themselves like textile resorts. That is what they do in Europe, and because of that, Europeans, naturists, and textiles alike, have a different view on naturism. And I keep hearing "America isn't Europe", yes. But that's why WE need to change the message.
I was in Vienna this summer, at one of the cities' 3 FKK beaches/parks, and there were non-naturist riding their bikes, walking through the nude section, many with children, and the adults and kids did not care. But I believe it starts at the resort level, as many resorts are NOT clubs but for-profit tourist locations which advertise and does not discriminate like another tourist destination.
This is a great article. Kinda also the point of the normalising naturism campaign. Even if it's not for you, accept that it might be for other people, it's not wrong, it's not weird...
Your site sounded like it was doing great service. Anyone that says you have to show yourself full frontal to prove your a nudist is missing the point. Whether you show yourself on the internet is your choice. It doesn't make you any less or more a naturist (although some would argue it might make you more of an exhibitionist... not sure I necessarily agree if you're doing it for advocacy though)