Graphic Photos from BDSM Group Holding Event at Lupin Lodge

A "Human Fox Hunt" is scheduled to take place at Lupin Lodge in Los Gatos, California, May 6-8, 2011. The organizer for the event, a person who goes by the name of "smashwolf", has posted the following photos on his Twitpic account. Just thought that AANR and TNS might like some visuals illustrating what might be taking place at this "family friendly" resort. I apologize for the graphic sexual content, but I feel it's necessary for naturists and nudists to see what is happening. Please note that these photos are not hidden in any way, and are able to be freely shared and added to any blog or website, according to "smashwolf's" account settings. Just click on the photos to enlarge.

BDSM Group Leader Speaks Up About Lupin Lodge

(Let me just state that this is NOT an April Fools joke. It never even occurred to me that today was April 1 until someone emailed me. This is a 100% serious post.)

"smashwolf", the organizer of the "Human Fox Hunt" event at Lupin Lodge, has spoken up through his Twitter account, admitting that Lupin and AANR are keeping the event quiet because "it makes sense not to flaunt our sort of event in the faces of naturists worldwide", and because on "the national level, Lupin values it's standing in the naturist community".

Admitting that there is a deliberate cover-up, smashwolf goes on to accuse me of being a troll and of being "so midwest" in my personal values, and that people in California simply have "different sensitivities".

In another tweet, smashwolf says, "There is a time and place for everything. and this activity requires a controlled, private, and discrete location". He justifies the linking of his fetish group with a naturist venue by stating that "Walls are walls, naturist, or a kinkster. The same forces that oppose nudity, oppose sexuality, and self expression."

And to further emphasize the fact that Lupin Lodge knows exactly what is happening, smashwolf states that "hosting the event there actually meshes well with the existing community. There seems to be a lot of mutual respect."

OK, let's get one thing straight - I have no personal opposition to people who wish to engage in a BDSM or other erotic lifestyle. I've known people all my life with different sexual needs, and when consenting adults decide to play together, it's fine with me. We need more people comfortable with their own sexual expression, not less.

And it has nothing to do with "midwest values". That's a crock. Where I live in Columbus, Ohio, there is a thriving BDSM community, all you have to do is do a little Google searching. This is a desperate argument. People can justify *anything* if they lie to themselves enough.

Not to mention that Columbus Ohio is one of the few places in the country where women can walk about topfree legally.

No, this is about naturist values. This is about the stated principles of naturism and nudism as have been understood and passed down for a century. What is central to the movement is that people of all ages can gather together to socialize and recreate in the nude without overt sexual activity.

Nudism is not anti-sexuality. In the Naturist Society document "205 Arguments and Observations in Support of Naturism", the words "sex" and "sexuality" and variations thereof appear 152 times. Naturists argue clearly and rationally that nudity is healthy for mind, body, and sexual development.

Naturists and nudists believe that clothing actually sexualizes the body by emphasizing certain parts, that the wearing of textiles creates a false image of who we really are, and that what we wear actually divides people socially. By being nude with each other, as we all are when we enter the world, there can be no pretense, no hiding, and no shame.

On the Lupin Lodge website, overt sexual activity is strictly forbidden.

Public eroticism and sexual exploitation are not acceptable at Lupin. We have found that an absence of sexual pressure fosters uniquely open communications across differences of gender, generation, and genealogy and allows everyone to just relax and enjoy Lupin as the special resort it is. Guests and visitors who accept the mutual agreements under which the club operates are welcome to share Lupin's unique ambience.

Lupin Lodge is affiliated with both the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) and The Naturist Society (TNS). From the TNS website:

Is naturism appropriate for families?

Absolutely! Naturism is about body acceptance and body awareness, which makes it appropriate for everyone. Therefore, families with children are welcome at naturist venues and events. Any venue or event that purports to be "naturist" but excludes children should be viewed with skepticism. Such exclusions are appropriate in some cases. A grueling nude hike or a late evening dance at a club or resort come to mind. But the exclusion of children is sometimes used as a signal that an event is sexual in nature. The Naturist Society has no interest in passing judgment on sexual activities among consenting adults; however, TNS adamantly rejects the use of the term "naturism" as a cover for sexual activity. Naturists do not deny the sexual nature of human beings, but they reject the all too prevalent view in our society that nudity and sex are synonymous, and that children should be "protected" from nudity regardless of context. To repeat: nude is not lewd.

And from AANR "Nudist Family Values":

Whatever the level of amenities offered, all clubs are expected to adhere to AANR’s principles and standards, honed from 79 years of experience. Our clubs foster a wholesome, nurturing environment for members and their families.

Where are the nudist and naturist leaders on this issue? Where are Susan Weaver, Anita Panganiban, James Lane and the heads of the other regional AANR offices?  Where is Nicky Hoffman-Lee, and why is the Naturist Society holding its Western Gathering at Lupin Lodge this year in light of the marketing to groups which are the antithesis of what naturism is all about? And where are Bob Morton, Mark Storey and other leaders in TNS and the Naturist Action Committee? And where is the outrage from Robbe White of the Florida Young Naturists, who recently mounted a merciless campaign against Young Naturists America for issues which pale in comparison to what is happening at Lupin Lodge?

The Naturist Action Committee works tirelessly on the behalf of naturists in fighting unjust anti-nudity laws and  preserving the few clothing-optional beaches in America. AANR has its Government Affairs Team which is currently trying to negotiate for public lands to be set aside for nude recreation in California, and in a recent letter to Chief of the California Department of Parks and Recreation Tony Perez, declared that "any step towards creating areas set apart for nudity would usher in an entirely new level of sharing and cooperation."

The primary reason that the California DPR ended nudity at San Onofre Beach was because of complaints of sexual activity. How on earth can either AANR or TNS claim any moral high ground when negotiating with government officials when one of their premier nudist venues is hosting erotic fetish groups?

John Dean once warned President Nixon that there was a "cancer" on the Presidency. Well, there is a cancer on organized nudism.

When confronted with the Lupin Lodge situation back in May of 2010, AANR issued the following statement:

I was made aware of these various groups just this week, I did look at their websites and found the content very disturbing. The most disturbing was that these groups had planned on “ambushing” Lupin Lodge and AANR.

I immediately called the club and spoke with the owners, I also sent them any information I was able to find. Of course they were shocked and very annoyed that this was about to befall them, they are very proud of their family-friendly, non-sexual resort.

They thanked the AANR office for catching this, and assured us that there would be extra security at the gate and in the resort. These groups will be turned away and or ejected, and will never be welcome at Lupin Lodge.

Thank you once again for your email and for confirming the intent of these groups.

Sincerely,
Terry Justice
Club/Member Liaison

Disturbing. Ambushing. Shocked. Annoyed. Extra security. Turned away. Ejected. NEVER be welcome. This was a Shermanesque statement if there ever was one. AANR is either completely naive, or they are deliberately covering-up the truth. I understand that AANR and TNS are between a rock and a hard place on this issue. Lupin Lodge has been a respected naturist venue for 75 years and was the cover story of a recent Naturist Society magazine.

But AANR took swift action with Caliente, Paradise Lakes and Seminole in Florida when those clubs began to openly market to swingers, and holding sex-themed parties.

The national organizations are now confronted with a decisive moment, to either continue covering up and accepting erotic lifestyle groups at nudist resorts, or begin telling the truth about what is happening and let the chips fall where they may. Lies, deceptions and feigning ignorance can no longer stand.

Contact Information


AANR
Tel: 800-TRY-NUDE 
407-933-2064 
Fax: 407-933-7577
Email: try-nude@aanr.com
Email: susanweaver@aanr.com

THE NATURIST SOCIETY
Tel: 800-886-7230
Fax: 920-426-5184
Email: nickyh@naturistsociety.com

smashwolf's Twitter avatar

Some of the tweets from smashwolf's Twitter account:

More Proof of BDSM Event at Lupin Lodge

Just follow the Twitter account of smashwolf here.

Local Residents Complain of Noise from Lupin Lodge

Lupin Lodge in Los Gatos, California, is the subject of complaints from local residents of excessive noise coming from the clothing-optional resort well past the 11:00 PM self-imposed curfew.

Residents in the Chemeketa area of the Santa Cruz Mountains have been noticing an increase in noise late at night. The noise has been traced to the Lupin Lodge, a clothing optional resort located in Aldercroft Heights about ten minutes outside of downtown Los Gatos. 

The Lupin Lodge website says that their events end at 11:00 pm, but residents are hearing noise coming from the area much later into the night.

A group called Anti-Lupin Raves has been started due to people being "bothered by the loud music (played into the wee hours) and the traffic at the parties given at Lupin Lodge", posing a "noise nuisance and potential fire hazard".

One resident says that flyers will be distributed informing neighbors with website and telephone information, and options are being discussed to solve the ongoing problem. Group member Karla said, "I am not looking forward to the upcoming week end, I fear it will be a repeat of the last one."

Lupin Lodge is a member club of both the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) and The Naturist Society (TNS). Susan Weaver, President of AANR, recently commented about allegations that Lupin management is allowing BDSM and erotic lifestyle groups onto the property, against the organization's guidelines which prohibit overt sexual activity: "The Lupin situation has been brought to the attention of the AANR-West Region and it is my understanding that an investigation is taking place."

Lupin Lodge in Erotic Lifestyles Controversy

In the last week there has been a buzz on some Internet discussion groups about Lupin Lodge in Los Gatos, California, and the fact that two erotic lifestyle groups were planning on holding their meetings at the clothing-optional club.

Equus Eroticus, a pony play fetish group, posted on their website plans for a "hunt" based at Lupin for September 17-19, 2010.

We will have a large indoor heated play space, outdoor play space, camp space, including cabin and yurt rentals, two hot tubs, a pool, showers, flush toilets, plenty of paved parking, RV hookups, the works. The hunt will happen on top of a wooded hill behind the camp. There are graded paths that should not be too steep for cart pulling, and cars can drive up to the hunt site and park.

Equus Eroticus also claims that all lodging and food costs would be handled by Lupin, and that they might also handle the erotic party registration fees. Their website lists all of Lupin's rates as well as a link to the resort's website.

Another erotic lifestyle group, Masters and Slaves Together Santa Clara County (MAsTSCC), announced that Lupin is their new "home" and were planning their first get-together at the venue for May 23, 2010.

Lupin has graciously offered free entry from 5pm to 12 on site for anyone attending this meeting. Come up early, enjoy the pool, walk in the hills, have dinner at the restaurant (opens at 5 pm), maybe a swim and then attend the 7-9 pm meeting before either pulling out the toys in our yurt or heading over to the hot tubs to enjoy the open sky...Lupin is open and aware of our group, has all their permits and has been around 78 years- we are welcomed with open arms, and hope that your time with us will be a warm, loving environment with leather folk and M/s friends.

There is no mention of these activities on Lupin's website, and they have not responded to my emails seeking further information and clarification. MAsTSCC has also failed to return my messages. Lupin also carries The Naturist Society logo on their home page, and TNS has also failed to respond.

AANR had the following official comment:

I was made aware of these various groups just this week, I did look at their websites and found the content very disturbing. The most disturbing was that these groups had planned on “ambushing” Lupin Lodge and AANR.

I immediately called the club and spoke with the owners, I also sent them any information I was able to find. Of course they were shocked and very annoyed that this was about to befall them, they are very proud of their family-friendly, non-sexual resort.

They thanked the AANR office for catching this, and assured us that there would be extra security at the gate and in the resort. These groups will be turned away and or ejected, and will never be welcome at Lupin Lodge.

Thank you once again for your email and for confirming the intent of these groups.

Sincerely,

Terry Justice
Club/Member Liaison

While the lifestyle groups claim that Lupin is welcoming to their members, AANR is claiming that the owners of Lupin are "shocked and very annoyed" and will turn these groups away. Without further information it's unclear if these visits were arranged with the approval of someone at Lupin, or if it truly was an "ambush" as AANR claims. When asked if MAsTSCC was "lying" when they claimed they were welcome with "open arms" at Lupin, Terry Justice did not respond.

Lupin has a very clear statement about overt sexuality at their resort:

Parents can relax knowing that the others in our family environment share their concern for the inviolability of all children. Harassment of any form is prohibited by club agreements. And no one is likely to witness a discomforting situation, for we share a common ethic that the joy of sex remain a private matter between consenting adults. Public eroticism and sexual exploitation are not acceptable at Lupin.

If anyone has further information about these planned activities at Lupin, please email me at nudiarist@gmail.com.

Allen Baylis Reports No Citations at San Onofre in Four Months

From the Friends of San Onofre News:

To the best of our knowledge no citations for nudity have been issued since the Cahill/Harrison Policy has been revoked. We really can’t anticipate that the Parks Dept. has in mind for the summer, but you can be certain that if we don’t keep going to the beach and continue the long tradition of nude sunbathing, skinny-dipping and naked volleyball, the tradition will be lost. We must continue to show the government that we are not going to simply go away.

Be sure to read the entire report here.

State of California Spent $42,000 Fighting Nudity at San Onofre Beach

Public records show the State of California has spent $42,000 fighting the Naturist Action Committee over the issue of nudity at San Onofre Beach, and that the Parks Department took action against nudists over only two written complaints, according to a story today in the Orange County Register.

Ken Kramer, district superintendent of the Orange Coast District, said the money spent was well worth it.

"Our approach to this issue transcends dollars and cents," Kramer said. "This is money well spent to make sure we address these concerns. We have the duty to make sure that with this type of increased popularity and visitation that we have a park where all visitors feel welcome and that there is lawful activity occurring."

When asked about the shockingly low number of written complaints, Kramer said that the majority of the complaints were verbal, yet there is no documentation of those, and no explanation as to why records were not kept. Kramer also would not directly blame the nudists as the source of the complaints, yet showed his own bias by claiming that there was a "correlation between the two" without presenting any actual proof.

Kramer also indicated that if people did not comply with the San Onofre nudity ban, that his department would be "forced to take it to the next level."

It's abundantly clear that the California Department of Parks and Recreation, which is cash strapped to begin with, has done something overwhelmingly unpopular by banning nudity at San Onofre. Read the comments on the article and take the poll - the vast majority of respondents already feel that this is all a complete waste of taxpayer money and resources.

NAC might have lost the battle, but stands to win the war by taking a stand for naturist and nudist rights against out-of-control parks management. As more details emerge, AANR appears to be more and more in the wrong on this issue. It's hard to fathom an organization like AANR, which professes to represent nudists and their rights to be clothes-free in designated areas, would actually cave in on such an important case, and cede the loss of San Onofre as something acceptable in appeasing parks officials, who have shown time and time again that they cannot be trusted.

Thanks must go to Cindy Carcamo of the OC Register for researching and reporting this story. These new revelations should open the door for a new strategy to restore nudity at San Onofre. The question is: will AANR finally admit that it has been tragically wrong on this particular issue and unite with the NAC and the Friends of San Onofre to finally present a united front against those who would further erode our civil liberties and natural rights?

USA Today Covers the California Nude Beach Story

USA Today picked up on the banning of nudity at California's San Onofre Beach, and both Bob Morton and Allen Baylis are quoted. It's noteworthy that AANR was not interviewed for the article.

Park Superintendent Richard Haydon warns:

"We are going to be moving forward with starting to enforce the nudity statute down at San Onofre, and basically returning that portion of the beach to all people who want to go down there without fear of running into something they didn't think they would," Haydon said. "People should very well be under notice."

I really despise this so-called "rationale". How can you exclaim that you are returning the beach to "all" people by banning those who most frequent the area? This is clear discrimination. All that needs to be done is put up a sign or two warning about nude sunbathers so people don't have to live in "fear" of seeing too much flesh.

Most of the article is retread material, but Baylis does note that people are ready to be arrested in order to bring the matter before the criminal courts as a matter of civil disobedience. Unfortunately, with a government intent on robbing people of basic freedoms, sometimes that's the only way. I only hope that Baylis has the numbers of people necessary to make such a protest effective.

Tom Mulhall Blames the NAC for San Onofre Loss

In a disappointing yet predictable move, Tom Mulhall, owner of the Terra Cotta Inn, has decided to bash the NAC for the loss of nude sunbathing at San Onofre.

I guess some people do not understand the meaning of hazards of litigation and decided to sue. They put at risk nude sunbathing at ALL beaches in California. That was so obvious in the lawsuit.

Worse, not only was Cahill at risk in California, but Cahill was a model policy used by nudist groups in other states to work on getting legal nude beaches.

Sorry Tom, but your argument is bogus. The minute the California Department of Parks and Recreation decided to ban nudity at San Onofre Beach, the Cahill Policy was breached. While AANR made the decision to roll over and accept the loss, the NAC stood up for naturist rights and put up a good fight.

Tom, who is on the AANR West Board of Directors, made this statement upon his election: "I am very happy to be elected to this position of trust for nudists. I won't let you down."

Well, Tom, today you let me down, as well as every member of The Naturist Society and board member of the NAC. This political spitball game is unbecoming of people entrusted to uphold nudist and naturist rights. This is schoolyard childishness that only serves to stroke the egos of all the AANR officials who made the decision some time ago to abandon San Onofre.

“Lost causes are the only ones worth fighting for.” ~ Clarence Darrow

"I guess this is just another lost cause, Mr. Paine. All you people don't know about lost causes. Mr. Paine does. He said once they were the only causes worth fighting for. And he fought for them once, for the only reason any man ever fights for them; because of just one plain simple rule: 'Love thy neighbor.'... And you know that you fight for the lost causes harder than for any other. Yes, you even die for them." ~ James Stewart as Senator Jefferson Smith in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington"

Public Nudity at LovEvolution

San Francisco continues to lead the way in displays of public nudity, and yesterday's LovEvolution event (formerly LoveFest) was no exception.

The event shut down Market Street between Second Street and Civic Center and was expected to draw 10,000 revelers. Shoppers and tourists on the busy thoroughfare looked downright perplexed, several stopped to ask what the 20-plus floats blaring electronic music as scantily clad people gyrated on them were all about.

Lots of colorful and fun Flickr photos can be found here and here. Be sure to set your safe search to "off".

Nude Beach Olympics in San Francisco

The Nude Beach Olympics II will be held at Baker Beach, The Presidio, San Francisco, California, at noon on October 10, 2009. For more information contact George Davis (415) 722-2968 or george@fkkfreebodyculture.com.

San Onofre News Video...

...can be found here.

UPI Picks Up San Onofre Protest Story

The story is now going international. Will the California Department of Parks and Recreation allow nudity during the protest? Is nude protest protected by the First Amendment as freedom of expression? Will the protest sway public opinion? Will the press coverage be positive?

This event could be a watershed for naturist rights.

AANR Further Retreats on San Onofre

When faced with adversity, some dogs strike back, while others run away with their tails between their legs. While NAC fights for naturist rights at San Onofre in the courts, and its members prepare for a day of civil disobedience on Sunday, AANR has chosen to run away like a cowardly cur.

It is important that individuals be aware that a misdemeanor citation can often have long-term consequences and to make their decisions regarding recreating at San Onofre accordingly.

California Parks is stressing that this change in managing nudity in its parks is being limited to San Onofre. Individuals who are aware of any actions that differ from this should report this information to the AANR office at 800/Try-Nude immediately so we can address this with California Parks.

AANR continues to have ongoing discussions with high-level representatives of California Parks to look for long-term answers to protect our rights to reasonable access to public lands for nude recreation in the California Parks system.

More appeasement, more laying down, more blind trust in authorities who have no interest whatsoever in naturist rights. It's reprehensible. Naturists are gathering this Sunday to protest the anti-nudity ordinance at San Onofre, and AANR not only refuses support, it advises its members to stay away.

It's time for AANR to provide some hard evidence of these "ongoing discussions" with Parks representatives, otherwise these claims of progress and negotiations are nothing but hot air. The California Department of Parks and Recreation officials must be having a good laugh at how easily they were able to mislead AANR to the point where they just laid over and played dead.

Rally Sunday at San Onofre

A nude rally is being planned for Sunday, September 13, between the hours of 11:30 a.m and 1 p.m., to protest the California Department of Parks and Recreation's nudity ban at San Onofre Beach.

"Really it kind of comes down to that the state has better things to spend their money on than running after naked people on the beach," said Allen Baylis, a Huntington Beach attorney who is a leader of the Naturist Action Committee.

State parks spokesman Roy Stearns questioned Sunday's protest.

"You know forcing a confrontation doesn't solve this problem and just makes the lack of civility in this issue worse," Stearns said. "They're entitled to have a rally but what's the purpose of the rally I would ask."

This ludicrous statement from Stearns shows how clueless, indifferent and callous the DPR is on this issue. It shows the state is not listening, and doesn't want to listen to nudist and naturist groups. And what exactly "solves" this issue? The NAC tried to negotiate, the state rebuffed them. The NAC then took them to court and won, then the state won on appeal, and now the case is in the hands of the state Supreme Court.

By stating that tickets will now be issued for nudity at San Onofre, the state is showing contempt for its own court system by enforcing a policy which is under appeal.

This is the moment where all nudists and naturists who can walk, run, ride or fly to San Onofre should be there to show support for the public lands issue. Without officially sanctioned areas of beaches and parks set aside for nude recreation, people who enjoy the clothes-free lifestyle will continue to be marginalized and restricted to gated clubs and resorts.

Friends of San Onofre Beach

The Battle for Bates Beach

Santa Barbara's Nude Beach Alliance is making a public statement on restoring a clothing-optional section of Carpinteria's Bates Beach.

In spite of the complaints registered against the clothing-optional beach that contributed to the increase in enforcement of restrictions on nudity, advocacy groups insist that the positive effects of a nude section of Bates Beach will outweigh the complaints. Supporters have taken a closer look at the financial influences of clothing-optional beaches, especially focusing on tourist dollars. According to Allen Baylis, a director for the Naturist Action Committee, nude beaches can stimulate the economies of the areas that surround them, as evidenced by other communities that have opted to create clothing-optional stretches.

The Alliance proposes a Beach Ambassador progam similar to Neighborhood Watch, where volunteers monitor beach behavior for potential problems, and claims that the return of clothing-optional status will actually improve the safety of the area. The clothed rally held this past weekend is just the sort of peaceful activism that is needed to help secure naturist rights on public lands.

An Open Letter to Tom Mulhall

Tom Mulhall reports that he has been elected to the AANR West Board of Directors. I wholeheartedly congratulate him on this well-earned honor.

Tom and his wife Mary Clare are experts in public relations and have made their Terra Cotta Inn clothing-optional resort a model for success in the nudist industry. They are by far the most enthusiastic and friendly spokespersons in the industry, qualities which they will no doubt bring to AANR.

In his announcement, Tom writes:

If people have questions about AANR, feel free calling me at 800-786-6938. If you want me to bring something up to the board, let me know.

OK, I'll bite.

It's no secret that I have been critical of AANR's failure to support the NAC's initiatives in trying to save the clothing-optional status of a section of San Onofre Beach. It is my opinion that by ignoring the legal front and attempting to come to some sort of "deal" with the California Department of Parks and Recreation, AANR has not only thrown San Onofre Beach under the bus, it has endangered the status of all clothing-optional beaches on state lands. AANR is blaming the NAC's lawsuit for creating the hostile atmosphere, but the real truth of the matter is that the DPR made a unilateral decision to ban nudity at San Onofre, would not bargain with the NAC, and left no alternative but to sue to protect nudist and naturist rights.

I would hope, Tom, that as a private business owner with a successful resort, that you will not forget the public lands issue. There is a common belief out there that AANR is deliberately sabotaging the public beaches because it will drive more people into private AANR affiliated resorts like the Terra Cotta Inn.

I don't subscribe to this misconception. From my point of view, the more public lands are set aside for nude recreation, the more people will become accepting, and overall participation will increase. In Florida, the creation of Haulover Beach appears to have contributed to a boom in private resorts throughout that state, and now Key West is looking for its own clothing-optional beach in order to increase tourist revenue. Crowded nude beaches means crowded nude resorts.

The banning of nudity on public lands in California only serves to propagate the myth that nude recreation obscene and dangerous and should be made illegal. Nudist resorts are always at risk from government encroachment and could be next.

I humbly suggest that you keep in mind that in accepting a board position with AANR you are representing all of the hard-working dues-paying members who all share the same basic philosophies that wholesome family-friendly nude recreation should be a basic human right, and not just for people who can afford expensive resort vacations.

I also suggest that you help to find some way to secure greater cooperation from AANR with TNS, NAC and local free beaches associations in helping to protect naturist rights.

I wish you great success in your new position with AANR West, as well as continued success to you and Mary Clare at the Terra Cotta Inn.

NAC Appeals San Onofre to California Supreme Court

Story here.

"We're pretty hopeful," said Huntington Beach attorney Allen Baylis of the Naturist Action Committee. "Things are going back and forth, but we're pounding away on it." The Supreme Court has up to 90 days to decide whether they want to hear the case. Until then, Baylis said, the appellate ruling is on hold.

Damage Control

With California now set to crack down on nudity on state beaches, AANR is spinning wildly to do damage control on its decision to throw San Onofre Beach under the bus.

...other venues where nudity has been traditionally enjoyed may be under threat now that California’s Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has issued its ruling regarding the Cahill Policy. This situation is, of course, what the American Association for Nude Recreation feared could happen when the Naturist Action Committee filed suit against the California Parks System.

What a crock. Nudity was under threat the minute the California Department of Parks and Recreation declared an end to nude sunbathing on San Onofre. It was not the NAC's lawsuit which caused this, so blaming them is appalingly disingenuous. What AANR really did was hedge its bets, taking a path of appeasement with the DPR instead of doing the right thing and standing up for naturist rights. It was not hard to predict the the NAC lawsuit would ultimately fail, mainly because it was over administrative process, claiming that the DPR did not go through the proper procedures to ban naturism from San Onofre.

AANR is urging everyone to stick to the facts, but is failing to present a full and honest explanation, in my opinion. The fact is that AANR has nothing, only some vague communications and what they call an "atmosphere" with the DPR, and when they ultimately come up empty-handed they are prepared to blame the NAC lawsuit for poisoning the waters of negotiation. This is all merely political posturing and does nothing for the interests of nudists and naturists.

The DPR must have been delighted when AANR failed to join the NAC lawsuit, and sensing a split and weakness in the nudist community, they played AANR for the fool, taking them out of the game with empty promises. Now that the DPR is set to start banning nudity in other areas, the fact that they cannot be trusted has become abundantly clear.

Blind faith in political leaders, and trusting them to do the right thing, leads to loss of freedoms and civil rights.

It's time for AANR to admit its mistake and work to unite all nudists and naturists to fight this threat.

"So we can all get along"

An article in the San Diego Union-Tribune quotes California state parks spokesperson Roy Stearns on the San Onofre beach situation.

“Hopefully, people will understand and comply,” Stearns said. “We don't want to
assle people if we don't have to. Our thought is there is a law that says no nudity, and that applies to public land where we feel there should be some common rules of conduct that all of us subscribe to so we can all get along.”

Understand? Thought?" We feel?" What kind of language is this? Either there is a law or there isn't. Nudity is either allowed or it isn't. People are going to be fined, or they aren't. Allen Baylis is right when he says the public deserves to have the rules clarified.

This isn't about "getting along", it's about the law. People have been "getting along" for thirty years sunbathing in the nude at San Onofre, it's the Department of Parks and Recreation which has upset the apple cart.

ALL nudists and naturists need to be furious over this situation in California (and this means you AANR and all of your members) and get united in an effort to restore clothes-free rights on California state beaches. This is the big one, folks, and it's going to require money, protest, civil disobedience, and great numbers of people. AANR and TNS and the NAC all need to "get along", starting today.

Kapeesh?