ladygod1va's London WNBR Photo Set

More Than 1000 Expected for Brighton World Naked Bike Ride

Starting with 160 riders in 2006, the Brighton leg of the World Naked Bike Ride promises to be the largest ever, with over 1000 riders expected. The event will end up at Black Rock naturist beach, which is a wonderful idea to mix the protest with some real naturism. It baffles me why AANR or TNS are not willing to tap in on the enthusiasm of the WNBR, which is peaceful, fun, environmentally kind, and a reflection of the true spirit of naturism. The WNBR is proof positive that public nudity can be a community event, and even the police are escorting and protecting the nude riders.

WNBR Brighton

British Politician Declares Herself a "Naturist by Instinct"

Esther Rantzen is an independent candidate in Great Britain, and is unfazed when confronted by nude people when canvassing door-to-door. “You are my first nude, though I am almost a naturist by instinct. I like taking my clothes off, but not in the street.”

How nuts are we, really?

All airline passengers in the UK under the age of 18 will be exempt from full-body scanners until Manchester airport authorities can "clarify the law on indecent images of children."

Well, I guess that opens the door for terrorists to plant bombs on children. And if the scanned images are judged to be "indecent" for those under 18, would they not also be indecent for those above 18, too? What is it about turning 18 which magically makes nudity "decent?"

Alisdair Gillespie, an expert on the law relating to indecent images at Leicester's De Montfort University, said there was a theoretical possibility that an image taken by the scanner could be considered indecent.

"Usually an indecent image would be one where there was something overtly sexual about it," he said.

"But if this machine can produce an image of a child's genitals then there is a theoretical possibility that it might be classed as indecent."

I'm speechless.

UPDATE: Another story here reports that the drive against using airport scanners on children is by the Action on Rights for Children (ARCH) activist group.

Making an indecent image of a child is an offence under the Protection of Children Act - the fact Manchester Airport scans will not be stored is irrelevant in the eyes of the law.

ARCH has sought and been given government assurances during past trials that the scanners that can see under clothes will not be used on children.

"It's completely unlawful. Manchester Airport haven't got a leg to stand on," the group's spokeswoman Terri Dowty told The Register today.

1000 Petition for More Nude Space in London

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Over a thousand people have signed a petition requesting more space for nude sunbathing at the men's pond in Hampstead Heath, London. Current story here, older story here.

Good Nipple, Bad Nipple, Part Two

Via TERA comes this video of a woman posing topfree atop a public pedestal in London as part of Antony Gormley's art project "One & Other".

While Dr. Rapoport featured this story on the TERA website, he did so with reservations, and made the following comment on the video:

Ms. McDonald's performance, a mild version of what she probably does professionally, reinforced the automatic association of women's breasts with sexual display, which we have to get rid of.

Women should have the right to be without tops as much as men are, possibly more. But actions such as this undermine that goal, whatever their merit or demerit as performance.

While I agree with the essence of what Dr. Rapoport has to say, I feel that there are contradictions which need to be discussed. Yes, Naomi McDonald shakes her breasts and slaps her own behind in suggestive ways, taking her "performance" into something beyond traditional art, and into the realm of sleaze; however, if this were a man up there flexing his biceps and making his pecs dance, there would be no controversy. After all, men have been doing this sort of posing for many years, from ancient Greek statues through today's muscle magazines and pageants. Yet the moment a woman flaunts her body, people get upset and condemn her as an "exhibitionist", and accuse her of undermining women's equality.

Yes, because of society's double standard, a woman expressing her sexuality in public is not good for the topfree movement because our male-dominated legal system tends to pass more laws controlling female nudity whenever a nipple makes an appearance.

I certainly don't have an answer for this issue, and how it will eventually play out is beyond anyone's guess.

What I do know is that women's bodies have been used in fine art for as long as humans have been able to scratch images onto the walls of caves, and some of the greatest examples of the female form, such as Manet's "Olympia", Renoir's and Cezanne's bathers, Picasso's "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon", and so many other works freely celebrate the eroticism and sexuality of females, and the male infatuation with prostitution.

These works are mounted on museum walls without censorship for people of all ages to see and admire.

So when Ms. McDonald freely displays her body and sexuality, it's a time-honored tradition in fine art, merely taken from inside the art museum to the light of day. In addition, eroticism has been a component of ballet and other classic dance, completely acceptable on a stage illuminated with footlights, but somehow unacceptable in burlesque or strip clubs, or in the street. Society struggles with this issue, constantly defining and redefining what is or what is not pornographic.

It is probably a mistake to equate Naomi McDonald's public performance with topfreedom at all - it's more of a statement on art vs. pornography, and society's exploitation of the female body. Art should always push the envelope and get people stimulated emotionally and intellectually. In that respect, Ms. McDonald succeeded.

The Legacy of Stephen Gough

Stephen Gough, Great Britain's "Naked Rambler", has been jailed once again for a breach of the peace.

Standing in the dock naked, Gough compared himself to other martyrs from the past.

He said: "People who have brought great change often have to go to prison first. People often have to go to prison for many years before others see the light."

However, Sheriff MacFarlane, after being told the bill for dealing with Gough was several hundred thousand pounds, said: "Would you like to estimate how much it has cost as a drain on the public purse to keep you in prison?

The sheriff offered Gough a chance to walk free on the condition he would simply put on clothes, but it was refused. It is reported that Gough has not worn clothes for six years.

British authorities need to take a deep breath and stand back from this situation. What possible purpose does it to incarcerate this man, who has done no harm to anyone, but simply wants to walk about nude? It's a classic case of law enforcement officials failing to serve the public interest, and the violating rights of the individual.

Take note that there is NO LAW AGAINST BEING NUDE IN PUBLIC IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. It is only illegal if the nudity is used to "harass, alarm or distress" others, and there is no evidence that Gough has used his nude body in such a manner. This is a clear case of persecution, there is no logic to spending vast amounts of money to "protect" the public from seeing something that they all witness when they get into the bath, or look into a mirror when changing clothes.

Gough has been painted as a kook and a menace to society. Yes, he's stubborn, committed to a fault to his cause, but there appears to be truth when he states that he is "becoming more sure of myself rather than the other way around."

Gough is becoming a symbol for how modern society views the human body. Something which should be embraced is now condemned, a symptom of centuries of textile culture, religious dogma, and archaic laws.

"Free Stephen Gough" should be a mantra for every citizen of the British Empire who value their own freedoms and rights. If they can jail a man indefinitely simply for being nude, they can do far worse to anyone who dares challenge other cultural norms.

The Daily Newds 1/20/09

• An Australian sports club has imposed a six month ban on a member for streaking.

  A member - who didn't want to give her name - said the six-month ban was "ridiculous".

• "Hanging Out" is the name of a nude musical revue in California.

  From the moment they dropped their robes our merry band of birthday suit-ers (which was also the name (Birthday Suit) of one of the 23 numbers) didn’t bat an eyelash or flash a blush as they gamely sang and danced.

• Spencer Tunick is back in Mexico City again, this time for more intimate photos of 40 subjects instead of the 20,000 people he gathered in May 2007.
• Calendar Girls in Hampshire, England, is holding a nude photo contest in anticipation of the arrival of the hit musical.
• The advice given to the mother of a three year-old who loves being naked is to invent an imaginary therapist and use bribery to get her to put on clothes.

Tags: nudism, naturism, nudist, nudists, naturist, naturists, nudity, nudes, bare, au naturel, nude, naked

The Sunday Newds 11/30/08

• Women in Manchester, England, are getting breast enhancements at twice the rate as women in London.

  "Oh, women have massive boobs in Manchester," my 22-year-old law student cousin, Sarah, who lives just outside the city, tells me breezily. "There’s a lot of money around and it’s that Manchester look, isn’t it? Low cut tops, perma-tans, hair extensions. If you go out in town on a Saturday to places like Tiger Tiger or Circle Bar everyone is dolled up. Big breasts are just part of the look."

• Thanksgiving is celebrated at the Riverside Ranch the same as everywhere else, with the exception of clothing.
• British rugby teams are rivals on the field, as well as with their competing nude calendars.

  (Flanker Andy) Hazell said his team mates did not need much convincing to take their clothes off for charity.
  
  "It's just a bit of fun and we thought it would be good to do something like this," he said.
  
  "The boys are always willing to take their clothes off and pose around, so it seemed a logical thing to do really."

• When Suzanne G. Fullam proposed a nude calendar project to benefit a local library, she was told that it would be impossible to get a group of men to pose naked.

  A few months later, a contingent of firefighters pulled up for a photo shoot, jumped out of the truck and stripped down. Mr. (Cortland A.) Gariepy was stunned and told them to put their clothes back on until he’d set up the shot. “They were definitely the most comfortable. I saw a lot of things I didn’t want to see,” he said. Now, an image of several firefighters, including Chief Joseph Rogowski, with strategically positioned axes and hydrants graces one of the months in the newly released calendar.

• A German caregiver at a day care center allowed a small group of children to play naked in a separate room after they had repeatedly removed their clothing on their own.

  The nude frolicking of some of the children first began after the summer holidays. The fact that other children were disturbed by the lack of clothing did not put an end to the practice. Staff decided to put the nude kids in a separate room, where they could play, under supervision, in all of nature's glory. While the parents of the kids playing au naturel were informed, other parents were not. And when word got out, parents were incensed, talking about "pornography" at the day care centre.

• Parents of a Michigan teen suspended for sending a topless photo of herself to classmates are considering a lawsuit for gender discrimination because male students take photos of themselves topless all the time and are not suspended.
• The Watford Naturist Swimming Club in Great Britain is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
• Artist Melissa Sharplin has been painting nudes since she was 15 years old, and drew her inspiration from a stack of old Playboy magazines.

  "I went to fashion school and always loved fashion advertising and women's figures and trying on clothes. I have always loved the female nude", she says.
  
  "In the 70s it was about free love. It was about beauty and natural beauty."

• AP reporter Hugh Mulligan has died.

  Competing with AP colleagues in New York for choice feature assignments, Mulligan drew the short straw — a weekend in a Pennsylvania nudist colony.
  
  Oh, great," his hostess-to-be said by phone. "You'll be here in time for the square dance."
  
  Mulligan later described her as "5-feet-2 in any direction and barefoot all the way up to her harlequin sunglasses" and said the July 4 barbecue was "about the same as any other place except that people tend to stand a little further away from the fire."

• Seven students were suspended from a Michigan high school for nude cell phone photos, but any potential criminal charges are uncertain.

  Since the girl who took and sent the picture is under 18 the picture is considered child pornography, a felony, and anyone involved in having or sending the picture could face penalties that (Grand Blanc police Det. Robert) McFadden said range from seven to 20 years in prison. "Honestly I don't think we're going to send any kids to prison for 20 years, or even seven," McFadden said.

• I've said time and time again on this blog that if nudism can actually become a thriving capitalist profit cash cow, it will gain more widespread acceptance. Richard Mason, the president of the Florida Naturist Association says it's time for the state of Florida to "grow up" and create more nude beaches, which would create revenue from parking fees and help with state revenue problems. "Naturists like to be around the ocean," he said. "You put one of those beaches in Palm Beach County and it will draw a lot of people."
• Amanda Palmer of the Dresden Dolls band ended up topless on stage after challenging the audience to donate some money to charity.

  "i made a joke from stage the other night during the collection for the danger ensemble (because steven pointed out that i looked like i was about to take my bra off). i joked that i would take my top off if someone donated $500 to the danger ensemble. and [expletive], some generously crazy person went to the club ATM and gave steven five $100 bills. so i had psycho crank up the painful techno remix of coin-operated boy and we had a topless rave (well, it wasn't much of a rave, and i was the only topless one, but we definitely all danced to flashing lights and bad techno) to end the show. i'd say the offer stands, but i think i'll tack on an extra hundred-dollar donation bounty for anyone who wants to see the topless rave again."

• Rosario Dawson is proud of her body, in part because her mother took her to nude beaches when she was young. "She'd say, 'I hate tan lines,' and off our bathing suits would go."

Tags: nudism, naturism, nudist, nudists, naturist, naturists, nudity, nudes, bare, au naturel, nude, naked

The Weekend Newds 11/21/08

• Did you know that Spencer Tunick did a nude photo shoot in a Brooklyn bar on election night?
• The daughter of an English cricket legend has organized a nude calendar to raise money for breast cancer.

  "We were all nervous about going completely nude. But it's brought us closer and we're so glad we've done it.
  
  We just hope the money raised will help."

• Should the government restrict pornography? Yes and No.
• In Las Vegas, women apparently cannot enter some topless bars unless accompanied by a male. A writer wonders how that can be legal.
• The whole world will be laughing hysterically if the Janet Jackson nipplegate episode is actually heard by the United States Supreme Court.
• Speaking of nipples, American Apparel's new ad campaign features some.
• Six figurines lampooning Disney's seven dwarfs have been banned from a New Zealand gallery because of their sexually graphic positions. Sleazy, Gropey, Horny, Randy, Rumpy, Grabby and Dick?
• The 15 year-old Ohio teen facing a felony for sending a nude photo of herself to classmates unexpectedly revealed that she received similar photos in return, prompting prosecutor Ken Oswalt to open an inquiry into bringing new charges against some boys.

  He said after the hearing the girl might not understand that a depiction of a male juvenile without a shirt does not qualify as child pornography..."This is serious stuff," he said. "I'm not out there telling (students) one thing and then not backing it up."

  With this statement Oswalt proves that this entire fiasco is all about him covering his own ass. What higher office are you running for, Ken? It's not about the children, it's about the prosecutor maintaining his credibility. How can a child who does not even understand the meaning or pornography be charged with a felony?
  
  The good news is that the judge has left it open for the girl to have the case dismissed if she adheres to certain conditions, a way out that the overzealous prosecutor was apparently unwilling to offer.
• Moorehead State University is holding its second annual Nearly Naked Mile charity run.
• A Cambridge student who is under attack for appearing topless in a magazine is getting a lot of support from her peers.

  Natalie Szarek, women's officer at the Cambridge Union debating society, said: "We totally support her choice to do this photo. It's entirely up to her what she does and we would never tell an individual what they can or cannot do with their body."It's inconceivable that any action could be taken against her and we would certainly support her in that case."think the whole thing has been blown out of proportion - she has done nothing illegal."

• A Catholic priest who was arrested for jogging nude around a Colorado high school track has been put on probation and required to register as a sex offender for at least 10 years, even though there was no sexual act associated with his run. The priest will appeal.
• What thoughts are running around inside the head of a nude artists' model?
• An editorial in a Pennsylvania newspaper makes the following statement: "Taking, sending and possessing nude pictures of anyone 18 and younger is a felony". If that is true, then all parents with nude photo of their child on a rug or in the bath must burn the images immediately.
• Students at Northern Michigan University celebrate the first big snowfall of the season by running nude around a courtyard.

  The Brule Run is also just one of many organized streaking events held on college campuses around the United States.At Dartmouth College, students celebrate an annual swim across the Connecticut River by running back to the starting point in the nude. Students at Tufts University in Massachusetts celebrate the end of the fall semester by streaking around the residential quad, and at Hamilton College in New York they actually have a varsity streaking team.

• A man in his sixties stripped naked in a public shower when a small group of children ages 5 to 11 were present.

  ...as a result of complaints by parents, a report of the incident and the relevant CCTV footage were forwarded by Newtownabbey Council to local PSNI officers.Mr. Hollis also raised the matter with Councillor Jackie Mann, who this week called for an end to communal changing areas at the Valley..."This was a nasty incident and I hope the kids who were present weren't too upset by it." Councillor Mann went on to criticise Council officials for not acting sooner in reporting the matter to police.

• Australian naturists presented a petition with 1000 signatures demanding for the government to establish a nude beach.
• A woman stripped down in various New York locations in order to study the reactions of people. Video here.

Tags: nudism, naturism, nudist, nudists, naturist, naturists, nudity, nudes, bare, au naturel, nude, naked

The Sunday Newds 10/19/08

• A YMCA in the Boston area has a misunderstanding with some Russian-born members who don't understand why bathing suits are required in the steam room.
• On of Britain's most well known television personalities, Carol Smillie, has stripped off for a series of photographs to raise awareness about breast cancer. "I have been asked to pose topless for a breast cancer campaign. I thought long and hard about it, as I heard that a lot of the others who have been asked are a lot younger than me. However, it's a great cause so I agreed to do it. Yep. They are coming out."
• The sex industry is finding that business is booming as people seek less-materialistic pleasures. Hey, try nudism, it's about the cheapest simple pleasure on the planet.
• Students and parents are fighting hard against the current onslaught of dress codes in schools.

  Like a lot of students, Grace Davis, a sophomore at Salinas, said the new rules only compounded the problem.
  
  “It doesn’t fix the disease. It just covers the symptoms,” she said. “I think we’re still going to have the same gang problem. We’re just going to be angry at the administration, and I don’t think that’s the way to go.”

• Some people would be pleased if their neighbors paid their AANR dues, but for a Boston couple it's one aspect of a criminal case involving identity fraud and conspiracy.
• Monroe, Louisiana, is getting it's first "titty" bar, but only because it's going to be "classy", catering to high-end professionals such as doctors and lawyers. Only one girl will dance at a time, and will only remove her top during the last half of her second song.
• Bill Henson's photos on display in New York are not stirring up nearly the degree of controversy as they did in Australia.

  The gallery's director of photography, Royce Howes, said he did not expect any controversy in the US, where Henson had a strong following.
  
  Mr Howes said many people in the US were aware of the controversy in May when NSW police seized his photographs from a Paddington gallery amid claims they were child pornography. The images were later released and no charges laid.
  
  He said that publicity about the exhibition made no reference to the seizure because the gallery did not want to distract from the photographs.
  
  "Basically, we just want to present the work on its merits," Mr Howes said. "I think … at least for our audience, it's a non-issue. When the controversy was going on lots of people were calling out of curiosity, but for the serious collectors it was not an issue."

• A nude photo shoot on the roof of a North Carolina building created a bit of a stir, but the models and photographer were not arrested, only given a warning not to trespass again.

Tags: nudism, naturism, nudist, nudists, naturist, naturists, nudity, nudes, bare, au naturel, nude, naked

The Weekend Newds 10/17/08

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The Daily Newds 10/14/08

• Choreographer Trajal Harrell draws upon his experience with nudie shows at the age of 11 in his stage work today.

  “When I really started to look into my own sense of nudity, of course, I had to go back to my family,” he says. “When I was a young boy in Georgia, my father would take me to the county fair. At some point in the evening, he would go into the hoochie-koochie show. As the years went on, I became more curious about what that was; when I was maybe 10 or 11, I realized that it was a place with naked women dancing. This was my first introduction to performing and nakedness.”

• Click here for slideshow of body painting models from fashion week in Los Angeles.
• A museum in Dusseldorf is featuring Diana and Actaeon. The forbidden glimpse of the naked body, a gallery show focused upon "chastity and desire, of seeing and being seen, voyeurism and exhibitionism".
• Three nude paintings by Jonathan Hutchings have been moved out of general view by the Harrow City Council for fear of public complaints.

  "The council are being stricter than they have been. Two or three years ago the life class paintings went on show and they OK'd it.
  
  "I think the paintings may be 'questionable' but it depends on who's calling it offensive."

• A study shows that many children are suffering from Vitamin D deficiency, which can usually be helped with just a little exposure to sunshine.
• Journalist David Marr feels "terrible" about ruining the lives of a child and a school principal for reporting about photographer Bill Henson's recruiting visit.

  "I did not understand its beat-up potential, I did not understand therefore that people would seek out the principal. I feel terrible for what's happened to those people, terrible." Marr, who last night argued that as long as artists acted within the law, police should be kept out of arguments about taste, said the controversy was due to "tabloid rage capped and validated by the Prime Minister".

  Tags: nudism, naturism, nudist, nudists, naturist, naturists, nudity, nudes, bare, au naturel, nude, naked

What Do You Say to a Topless Lady?

Oliver Cross is at a loss for words when he encounters a woman sunbathing topfree along a walking trail.

Tags: nudism, naturism, nudist, nudists, naturist, naturists, nudity, nudes, bare, au naturel, nude, naked

London's Nipple Police

Body painting artist Ania Kohinski is appalled that her models have to cover up their nipples in London.

At her Ark Angel body painting booth, part of the Everything To Do With Sex Show at the Western Fair grounds, the models wore nipple covers, even though "a woman has the right to go topless if she chooses to in Ontario."

"We're appeasing the city of London, but I'm not particularly happy about it," the Niagara Falls artist said.

Tags: nudism, naturism, nudist, nudists, naturist, naturists, nudity, nudes, bare, au naturel, nude, naked

Nudist Challenges Town

Nina Turner has challenged the residents of Crawley in the U.K. to join her in the World Naked Bike Ride next summer.

"I became a nudist after I got divorced about a year ago. It is great for confidence and saves on the washing powder! I wish I had taken it up years ago.

"I do all my housework in the nude. Nudism is not about being an exhibitionist, it is about being comfortable with who you are.

"When somebody is wearing clothes we judge them on their status, but without the clothes we see them for who they really are.

"Society is so het-up about what we should look like. If you haven't tried being a nudist, why not give it a go? I would recommend it. Nudism stops hang ups. We all take life too seriously."

Tags: nudism, naturism, nudist, nudists, naturist, naturists, nudity, nudes, bare, au naturel, nude, naked

Nude Calendar Banned

A calendar featuring nude paramedics has been banned in England because some have claimed it "damages their integrity and dignity at work". Mr. December is defending the charitable project.

"I respect their views but I am convinced we have not upset anyone's integrity whatsoever. I've spoken to people who are in the calendar and not one regrets doing it. If taking my kit off saves someone's life then I'll do it again."

Tags: nudism, naturism, nudist, nudists, naturist, naturists, nudity, nudes, bare, au naturel, nude, naked

All Hail the Dartford Warbler

Anyone who says that nudism is for the birds is correct.

A nudist beach in the UK might be saved because it is the nesting place of the protected Dartford Warbler.

The beach is threatened by a proposed apartment development which would overlook the nude sunbathers and force them from the area.

Tags: nudism, naturism, nudist, nudists, naturist, naturists, nudity, nudes, bare, au naturel, nude, naked

Man Tries to Increase the Size...

...of a nudist sunbathing area in Hampstead Heath.

He said: "I love the sun, I love being naked, I am proud of my body and I like getting to meet other naked people. This is the only place in London you can legally sunbathe naked. This is a very British problem - why are we so prudish in this country? In Germany every park has an area for naked people. It is a human right - everyone in the country should have somewhere to sunbathe naked."

Tags: nudism, naturism, nudist, nudists, naturist, naturists, nudity, nudes, bare, au naturel, nude, naked

Illegal Sexual Gratification

A 41 year-old British man pleaded guilty to 16 counts of possessing indecent photos of children.

Most of the material was of naturism and included a video of naked children aged between seven and eight helping their father put up a Christmas tree.

Referring to Allen's police interview, prosecutor Ms Rutanah said: "He said he would
download pretty pictures of children in bikinis and not child-abuse images because he was not into children getting hurt."

It was also stated that Allen didn't think he had done anything illegal because the images weren't abusive but police explained to him that he was breaking the law by getting sexual gratification from the material.

Better round up all those retail catalogs which show children in swimsuits and underwear.

Look, any grown person who is getting off on images of children is sick, and in need of help. There has to be more to this story than is being reported, because this man must have exhibited some perverse behavior to draw the attention of authorities in the first place.

But it is disturbing to think that someone can be arrested and thrown in jail simply for possessing naturist material. This man has been charged with downloading "indecent photos and movies" of children, there appears to be no formal charge against him for "sexual gratification", although that appears to be police justification for bringing the case. Out of the over 18,000 images found on his computer, only a handful were considered "level 2" offensive, and only one was found to be "level 3".

Children have always been a part of nudism and naturism. A systematic removal of young people spells doom for the lifestyle. Making this an "adults only" practice will move social nudity into becoming a more sexualized activity. Children keep adults honest and help to check bad behavior. When the kids are away the adults will play.

Angye Fox and the folks at Caliente Resort will have their way - the merging of nudism with the swinging lifestyle. No more "family-friendly" because there will be no more families.

Tags: nudism, naturism, nudist, nudists, naturist, naturists, nudity, nudes, bare, au naturel, nude, naked