Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Stamp of Approval

Today should be hailed as a milestone in the history of modern nudism, for "Dear Abby" has given her stamp of approval to the lifestyle. When the reluctant wife of a nudist wrote in to ask if she should join her husband in his clothes-free lifestyle, she received the following answer:
I'm not opposed to it. From everything I have read, and from readers' testimonials, the naturalist lifestyle is healthy and upbeat, so give it a try. Just be sure to wear sunscreen.
I'll forgive Abby for using the word "naturalist" instead of "naturist", because it's rare that any media personality says that taking off all of your clothes is "healthy and upbeat." Contrast her statement with that of Alicia Silverstone, who admitted to gardening and swimming in the nude, but denied that she was a nudist. It's terrific that Silverstone enjoys the freedom of not wearing clothes, but her nudist denial is inherently dishonest, merely a ploy to prevent her from being tagged with the label.

We need more media personalities like "Dear Abby" to come out and say that the nudist or naturist lifestyle is perfectly OK.

Another positive in the media is the writings of Detroit Day Trips Examiner Laura Leyrer, who has now created a new category for Nudist Adventures, which should do a great deal to promote nudism in the Midwest. I don't know Laura, but her avatar shows her with a bright, beaming smile, and her skin with the healthy glow of sunshine. With all the male nudist bloggers and writers out there, it's refreshing to have a woman's point of view on the issues.

Readers of this blog are encouraged to write to Dear Abby and Laura Leyrer to thank them for their endorsements.

6 comments:

Unknown said...

I don't know if I'd call that a ringing endorsement, but at least it's not negative. At the same time, Sunset Magazine, a very conservative west coast oriented travel and gardening magazine has, in their current issue, an article on travel to Lake Tahoe. In describing the various beaches (it's a very large lake) they list at least 4 that they describe as ideal for skinny-dipping. That's amazing for a mag who's ideal vacation is a 3 day pass to Disneyland

Nudiarist said...

I deliberately refrained from using the word "ringing" when describing Abby's endorsement. Look, she tells the wife to take off her clothes and join her husband in the nudist lifestyle, that's more than being "not negative", it's being supportive and accepting. While not "ringing", which would mean that Abby herself is a nudist, it's good to know that someone considered to be quite mainstream when it comes to social issues believes that nudists are good people.

Unknown said...

Actually, Nudi, I wasn't talking about your comments but hers. She didn't jump up and say Yeah! Great! It was more of a "What the heck? Give it a try! What's the worst that could happen?"
I wasn't disagreeing, I was concurring.
I actually support your attitude. I also resigned from Skinbook because of the elitist attitude they have

Nudiarist said...

Thomas, it's clear we agree...all I'm saying is that Abby's comments were a bit more supportive of nudism than merely being "not negative". Just the fact that she would endorse nudism as "healthy and upbeat" is a huge step forward for a column which is known for it's socially conservative advice.

Paul Rapoport said...

Whatever its appearance or claim, taking the Examiner seriously is not to be taken seriously. Like so much on the Internet, it's not a credible source.

Nudiarist said...

Paul, that's precisely why nudists and naturists should take it seriously, because many Examiner writers, such as Laura Leyrer, are sometimes spreading misinformation. Leaving comments on articles is important to clarify and correct.