On the one hand, I think this is true. It is likely easier to gin up a moral panic when the nudity is very public. The WNBR is, at least in part, an activist event—meaning it is intended to be a bit "shocking" and provocative. There is a meaningful difference between the kind of naturism that happens at an AANR club or designated nude beach and in a public space—namely, that everyone there has agreed to see nudity. In that sense, it's wise for us as nudist advocates to defend the right to practice nudism in private clubs and designated spaces and be careful of risking that because nudity gets targeted following an incident like this one.
On the other hand, there are two other facts that I think are worth keeping in mind. First, events like WNBR, a Spencer Tunick type event, or a nude protest and not exclusively "nudist" events per se. Even if a major national nudist organization wanted to, they wouldn't be able to (and shouldn't be able to!) deter all people who want to get naked in public spaces, for whatever reason. So I think it's probably best that the nudist advocacy groups fight for non-criminalization of public nudity while also fighting to defend family-friendly naturism in other, private settings. It's a nuanced fight, to be sure, but it is a consistent and fair approach.
Second, these moral panics are cyclical and keep rearing their head in different time periods and places as long as nudism has been a thing. Sometimes the impetus is a public event like WNBR, sometimes it's a nudist group renting out a YMCA or publishing a magazine, and sometimes it's about happenings in private clubs, like the furor over nudist summer camps in the early 2000s.
My personal view is the Wisconsin situation and similar incidents are certainly disheartening and reflect the current moral panic of today—but they are only part of the story, and we've been in similar situations before. Let's keep up the good fight, stay optimistic, and the trends will shift again.
I agree with all you have said. I think my additional concern, though, is for public spaces that have been designated (formally and informally) as nude-friendly that will come into effect here.
I also took another look at the bill copy and there is a clause that forbids photography with an exception to photography for the purposes of reporting, encouraging a tattle atmosphere...this in particular gave me the ick considering the tragic things we see happening already with abortion reporting. (is Brittany Watts) It's a dog whistle for people to start policing others at a whole new level.
I'm big on the don't-panic-stay-pragmatic front, but pragmatically, ignoring how other legislation is being used for prosecution and torment of various different groups is quite risky. I also apologize of this comes across as a comment directed solely at you, it's not meant that way. All of what you wrote is definitely solid. If it comes across another way, please say so. There is such a scary growing wave of dehumanizing others and I am concerned. My heart breaks for the brave mother who got pulled into this. I hope she is safe.
Interesting point, but I do feel there is a difference in an individual (or small group) going nude on public land and a large advertised organized event. We simply can't apply the same empathy levels as to respecting people's sensibilities in these two situations, I feel. The WNBR specifically is also not really supposed to be a 'nudist' event, although it's been co-opted as such in some cases. As it's been said, it's SUPPOSED to shock and awe... But the main message has been muddied. Respect is also a two way street. I cover up when I meet people on hikes because it's a fair expectation that they won't see naked people. Things like the WNBR are kind of the other way around. Or, should be, if the route was marked and advertised properly. People generally should know what they are in for if they 'attend'.
It still all just comes down to another reason to bray loudly for Conservatives though, and yes, it has happened through history and will keep happening.
Moral panic... But did anyone... Anyone at ALL... Bring evidence that any actual harm came to a single youth from these events? I highly doubt it. You would have heard nothing BUT. It's so tiring for hypotheticals to rule instead of evidence and practicality.
Being from the horrible state of Wisconsin and a naturist for 37 years. I'd like to comment. I think Wisconsin has bigger and better things to worry about than whether people are engaging in a nude (non-sexual) bike ride or any other nude event. Did you know Wisconsin has the weakest drunk driving laws in the nation? How about we strengthen those laws rather than worrying about someone being naked or not. When was last time someone was harmed or killed by a naturist? When was the last time someone was killed or hurt by a drunk driver or repeat drunk driver? Everyday! BOY do I HATE this state!
It's a statistical fact that children are more likely to be abused by authority figures than by anyone else. The three biggest perpetrators are members of the clergy, teachers, and law enforcement officials. In fact abusers will typically join these career paths because they know they can hide behind the organizations and have easy access to victims. There were a group of naturists who successfully worked hard and maintained the use of a beach for nude activity who stated clearly that they would fight any effort to build a church or other house of worship in sight of the beach. Their reasoning behind this was to protect their children from possible abuse. So really it's the people screaming about the immorality of nudity that we should be careful of.
Well, let’s see what the Governor does and then let’s see how far the influence of the laws reaches the other states. I’m betting that other states will adopt similar laws now that they know they will face no serious opposition. If you give an inch they take a mile.
There are so many tentacles in this that are connected both to who this bill will touch and other legislation already enacted, I find it mind-boggling. However, I would like to say that I would love to give birth in a public place in Wisconsin and have someone come and charge me for exposing my genitals. 🖕
There are literally more men stopping to urinate on the roadside than there are naturists. (Sorry guys, I would include women, but this isn't very convenient for us.) I hope the highway patrol brings their cameras with them.
Once again, adults think for children! Children have absolutely no problem with nudity. All you have to do is spend a day with a family on a naturist campsite to realize that living together naked is beneficial to a much more balanced life.
As one comment put it: "Perpetrators of child abuse or assault are much more likely to be non-nudists" It's true, it's clothes that bring us problems, not the other way round. (ツ)
I don't know how anyone can still have any respect at all for the Republican party. All they want to do is stop people from having fun. I can tell you this, I'm making it out to a WNBR this year, come hell or high water, because pretty soon, they'll be outlawed across the country. Mark my words. The Cotton Curtain is closing around us.
On the one hand, I think this is true. It is likely easier to gin up a moral panic when the nudity is very public. The WNBR is, at least in part, an activist event—meaning it is intended to be a bit "shocking" and provocative. There is a meaningful difference between the kind of naturism that happens at an AANR club or designated nude beach and in a public space—namely, that everyone there has agreed to see nudity. In that sense, it's wise for us as nudist advocates to defend the right to practice nudism in private clubs and designated spaces and be careful of risking that because nudity gets targeted following an incident like this one.
On the other hand, there are two other facts that I think are worth keeping in mind. First, events like WNBR, a Spencer Tunick type event, or a nude protest and not exclusively "nudist" events per se. Even if a major national nudist organization wanted to, they wouldn't be able to (and shouldn't be able to!) deter all people who want to get naked in public spaces, for whatever reason. So I think it's probably best that the nudist advocacy groups fight for non-criminalization of public nudity while also fighting to defend family-friendly naturism in other, private settings. It's a nuanced fight, to be sure, but it is a consistent and fair approach.
Second, these moral panics are cyclical and keep rearing their head in different time periods and places as long as nudism has been a thing. Sometimes the impetus is a public event like WNBR, sometimes it's a nudist group renting out a YMCA or publishing a magazine, and sometimes it's about happenings in private clubs, like the furor over nudist summer camps in the early 2000s.
My personal view is the Wisconsin situation and similar incidents are certainly disheartening and reflect the current moral panic of today—but they are only part of the story, and we've been in similar situations before. Let's keep up the good fight, stay optimistic, and the trends will shift again.
I agree with all you have said. I think my additional concern, though, is for public spaces that have been designated (formally and informally) as nude-friendly that will come into effect here.
I also took another look at the bill copy and there is a clause that forbids photography with an exception to photography for the purposes of reporting, encouraging a tattle atmosphere...this in particular gave me the ick considering the tragic things we see happening already with abortion reporting. (is Brittany Watts) It's a dog whistle for people to start policing others at a whole new level.
I'm big on the don't-panic-stay-pragmatic front, but pragmatically, ignoring how other legislation is being used for prosecution and torment of various different groups is quite risky. I also apologize of this comes across as a comment directed solely at you, it's not meant that way. All of what you wrote is definitely solid. If it comes across another way, please say so. There is such a scary growing wave of dehumanizing others and I am concerned. My heart breaks for the brave mother who got pulled into this. I hope she is safe.
When fighting for Truth and Justice, one should never wear one's good trousers.
- Henrik Ibsen, An Enemy of the People.
Interesting point, but I do feel there is a difference in an individual (or small group) going nude on public land and a large advertised organized event. We simply can't apply the same empathy levels as to respecting people's sensibilities in these two situations, I feel. The WNBR specifically is also not really supposed to be a 'nudist' event, although it's been co-opted as such in some cases. As it's been said, it's SUPPOSED to shock and awe... But the main message has been muddied. Respect is also a two way street. I cover up when I meet people on hikes because it's a fair expectation that they won't see naked people. Things like the WNBR are kind of the other way around. Or, should be, if the route was marked and advertised properly. People generally should know what they are in for if they 'attend'.
It still all just comes down to another reason to bray loudly for Conservatives though, and yes, it has happened through history and will keep happening.
Moral panic... But did anyone... Anyone at ALL... Bring evidence that any actual harm came to a single youth from these events? I highly doubt it. You would have heard nothing BUT. It's so tiring for hypotheticals to rule instead of evidence and practicality.
Thank you so much for the timely update.
Being from the horrible state of Wisconsin and a naturist for 37 years. I'd like to comment. I think Wisconsin has bigger and better things to worry about than whether people are engaging in a nude (non-sexual) bike ride or any other nude event. Did you know Wisconsin has the weakest drunk driving laws in the nation? How about we strengthen those laws rather than worrying about someone being naked or not. When was last time someone was harmed or killed by a naturist? When was the last time someone was killed or hurt by a drunk driver or repeat drunk driver? Everyday! BOY do I HATE this state!
I am so tired of hearing "think of the children" innocent nudity, why is everyone afraid of that?
It's a statistical fact that children are more likely to be abused by authority figures than by anyone else. The three biggest perpetrators are members of the clergy, teachers, and law enforcement officials. In fact abusers will typically join these career paths because they know they can hide behind the organizations and have easy access to victims. There were a group of naturists who successfully worked hard and maintained the use of a beach for nude activity who stated clearly that they would fight any effort to build a church or other house of worship in sight of the beach. Their reasoning behind this was to protect their children from possible abuse. So really it's the people screaming about the immorality of nudity that we should be careful of.
Well, let’s see what the Governor does and then let’s see how far the influence of the laws reaches the other states. I’m betting that other states will adopt similar laws now that they know they will face no serious opposition. If you give an inch they take a mile.
There are so many tentacles in this that are connected both to who this bill will touch and other legislation already enacted, I find it mind-boggling. However, I would like to say that I would love to give birth in a public place in Wisconsin and have someone come and charge me for exposing my genitals. 🖕
There are literally more men stopping to urinate on the roadside than there are naturists. (Sorry guys, I would include women, but this isn't very convenient for us.) I hope the highway patrol brings their cameras with them.
Even President Helen Lovejoy wouldn't think of the children this much.
Looks like you’ve lost this one , police state coming !!??🤬🤬🤬
Panic is never moral.
The GOP doesn't seem to have any interest in maintaining local control over local policies if it doesn't follow what the MAGA crowd wants.
Once again, adults think for children! Children have absolutely no problem with nudity. All you have to do is spend a day with a family on a naturist campsite to realize that living together naked is beneficial to a much more balanced life.
As one comment put it: "Perpetrators of child abuse or assault are much more likely to be non-nudists" It's true, it's clothes that bring us problems, not the other way round. (ツ)
I don't know how anyone can still have any respect at all for the Republican party. All they want to do is stop people from having fun. I can tell you this, I'm making it out to a WNBR this year, come hell or high water, because pretty soon, they'll be outlawed across the country. Mark my words. The Cotton Curtain is closing around us.