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Protesters flaunt flesh in support of nudism
Source: Agencies |
September 26, 2011, Monday
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HANGING out on a street corner has taken on new meaning in the US city of San Francisco.
Several dozen men and at least one woman took part in a naked protest - a "nude-in" - on Saturday in an area of the Castro District known for its nude visitors. Several carried signs reading "Nudity is not a crime" and "Get Your hate off my body," as they milled around, undeterred by the brisk weather.
San Francisco generally allows public nudity, but a city supervisor has proposed regulating the practice. Supervisor Scott Wiener's proposal would require the clothing-averse to cover up in restaurants, and to put a cloth or other barrier beneath their bottoms if they take a seat in public.
Mitch Hightower, the organizer of the so-called "nude-in," said it was not intended as a protest against the proposal. The goal, Hightower said, was to promote acceptance of the human body no matter what shape or form it comes in.
"The people out here believe there is nothing indecent or offensive about the human body," he said.
The event, which had been scheduled before Wiener's proposal was announced, was part of the unofficial celebrations leading up to the annual Folsom Street Fair, billed as the world's largest leather and fetish event.
Some of the protesters say elements of Wiener's proposal were not necessary. For instance, putting down a towel is already etiquette among nudists, according to George Davis, 65, who took part in the event. "As nudists, why do we have to go to a special beach or a special resort? Why can't we just go to a park, which we are doing today?"
Passersby mostly seemed amused by the demonstration. Some stopped to take photographs of the naked men. "It doesn't bother me in the least," said Michael Zaverton, who was visiting from Cleveland.
Zaverton, 58, said he has been to a nude beach. Still, he hesitated as he considered whether he would participate in a more public display, such as the nude-in.
"It takes a little more courage because most of these guys, let's admit it, are not body-beautiful," he said.
But Heather Flynn was not as amused. She was heading to a nearby screening of "The Little Mermaid" with her seven-year-old daughter and walked by briskly.
"When you are at the corner of a kid's event, I think you should cover up a little," said 27-year-old Flynn.
Her daughter, Blanca, was more blunt. She scrunched up her face and said the nudists should definitely put some clothes on.
Several dozen men and at least one woman took part in a naked protest - a "nude-in" - on Saturday in an area of the Castro District known for its nude visitors. Several carried signs reading "Nudity is not a crime" and "Get Your hate off my body," as they milled around, undeterred by the brisk weather.
San Francisco generally allows public nudity, but a city supervisor has proposed regulating the practice. Supervisor Scott Wiener's proposal would require the clothing-averse to cover up in restaurants, and to put a cloth or other barrier beneath their bottoms if they take a seat in public.
Mitch Hightower, the organizer of the so-called "nude-in," said it was not intended as a protest against the proposal. The goal, Hightower said, was to promote acceptance of the human body no matter what shape or form it comes in.
"The people out here believe there is nothing indecent or offensive about the human body," he said.
The event, which had been scheduled before Wiener's proposal was announced, was part of the unofficial celebrations leading up to the annual Folsom Street Fair, billed as the world's largest leather and fetish event.
Some of the protesters say elements of Wiener's proposal were not necessary. For instance, putting down a towel is already etiquette among nudists, according to George Davis, 65, who took part in the event. "As nudists, why do we have to go to a special beach or a special resort? Why can't we just go to a park, which we are doing today?"
Passersby mostly seemed amused by the demonstration. Some stopped to take photographs of the naked men. "It doesn't bother me in the least," said Michael Zaverton, who was visiting from Cleveland.
Zaverton, 58, said he has been to a nude beach. Still, he hesitated as he considered whether he would participate in a more public display, such as the nude-in.
"It takes a little more courage because most of these guys, let's admit it, are not body-beautiful," he said.
But Heather Flynn was not as amused. She was heading to a nearby screening of "The Little Mermaid" with her seven-year-old daughter and walked by briskly.
"When you are at the corner of a kid's event, I think you should cover up a little," said 27-year-old Flynn.
Her daughter, Blanca, was more blunt. She scrunched up her face and said the nudists should definitely put some clothes on.
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