The Nude Calendar Craze

Let's face it, a year full of nudes on the wall sure beats a year full of cute kitties, and it seems like every day there is a news story about a sports team or some geriatric group baring it all for the sake of charity. The latest story about the "Stews", five over fifty flight attendants who are protesting the loss of their pensions, can be found on their website here.

So what is going on here? Thirty years ago when my parents were as old as I am now, it was completely inconceivable to imagine them daring to get into a bathing suit, let alone strip for a camera. I thing that there are a number of cosmic energies coming together. Since statistics show that many nudists are over the age of forty, there exists the Woodstock generation mindset for peace, love and a oneness with nature. Add to that the fact that people are living longer and healthier, and mix it with the stresses and complexities of today's lifestyle, and you have the ingredients for people to want to wave the proverbial middle finger at the world and take off their clothes.

As an over fifty nudist myself, I think that this trend is wonderful. It shows that attitudes are changing, that many people are discarding the notion that the human body is a temple of shame, and that in fact it is the most beautiful thing that each and every one of us owns. Going nude for charity, protest, art or just the pure sensual delight is a basic human right and should not be misconstrued as something perverse or deviant. Nudity as a personal expression is as fundamental as speech.

So, my advice to all of you is to get naked for something. Take off your clothes and do housework, make it a point to visit a nude beach, take it off for Spencer Tunick if he comes to your area, shop online for Christmas presents au naturel - just use your imagination. Perhaps you can publish your own calendar. And don't forget to support your local nudist or naturist organization. The only way to change attitudes and laws is to organize and educate - a little activism from a lot of people can go a long way.