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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!eagle!mhuxt!mhuxi!mhuxa!houxm!houxh!pvl
From: pvl@houxh.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.rec.nude
Subject: Nude Recreation Primer
Message-ID: <187@houxh.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 28-Jul-83 15:53:46 EDT
Article-I.D.: houxh.187
Posted: Thu Jul 28 15:53:46 1983
Date-Received: Fri, 29-Jul-83 06:02:41 EDT
Organization: Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 63


  OK all of you closet net.rec.nude readers.  Yes, *YOU*.  As seemingly
the only active poster to this newsgroup, I received a very good set
of questions that many of you may also have.  The following responds to that
set of questions in the hopes of answering those who haven't asked.

Q: Who goes to clothes-optional events?  old people? teenagers? kids?
   men only? gays only?  couples?  families?  Give a head count and examples.
A: My experiences have been mostly limited to beaches. I've only
   been to one "event" myself so I can't directly answer.
   The crowd at Sandy Hook, NJ is predominately couples (75%), with
   single men second (straight *and* gay) (15%), then families (8%),
   and even some single women (2%).  Total people on a weekend is
   75 to 150.  The numbers and ratios are rough.
     Age is mostly young adult (20's and 30's) but there are some
   people in their late 50's.  Generally, beaches have a younger
   crowd than nudist resorts where nudity isn't felt to be "daring"
   (but see below for comments on safety).
     The one event I attended was a hot-tub/introduction session
   with a nudist group in California.  The attendance there was strictly
   couples (because this group *required* men to be "escorted"), but
   was of all age groups (20's through 60's)
     I would *guess* that the make-up of the attendance at the Tri-State
   Metro Naturists events would be comparable to the beach crowd.
Q: How safe are the places?  Are the cops waiting with binoculars?
   Old men in overcoats?  Photography nuts?  Hell's Angels?
A: I have been in the presence of officials while nude at Sandy
   Hook (Rangers as well as clean-up crews).  *NO* problems.
   Photography is heavily discouraged by the people there unless
   prior consent is obtained.  Within groups of friends, photography
   is not uncommon.  On most weekends, there are over 100 people
   on the nude beach.  You are at least as safe there (aside from
   lack of lifeguards) as on a clothed beach.  Due to the generally
   "comrade" nature and the way people watch out for each other,
   I would guess that one is actually safer on the nude beach.
   A fair amount of self-policing goes on.
     Slight disclaimer: One time while at the beach on a Wednesday
   evening (after work) (only about 5 people on the beach) I *was*
   sexually approached by a gay man.  I declined and it wasn't a problem.
Q: What are the laws?  specifically?  as enforced?  (area-by-area)
A: Federal law is "nude is not lewd" and the applicable laws are
   concerned with lewdness.  In other words, on Federal land,
   mere nudity is *not* against the law.  On private land, you
   can, of course, do totally as you please as long as you're
   not visible to the general public.
     In practice, local officials sometimes go on a binge and
   make life tough.  I've never been involved, so can't comment.
   Last year, a group tried to take some nudity citations to
   court from a demonstration at Sandy Hook.  The Federal Judge
   refused to hear the case, so it was dropped.
Q: What happens to you when you DO get caught?  Examples, please.
A: Like I said, I've never been around when trouble was.  If
   you confine your activities to spots which are generally accepted
   for nude use, it is unlikely that you will have problems without
   at least being given a chance to dress first.  Of course, this
   net is nationwide and each county has its own peculiarities.

 This particular article has gotten long enough.  I'll continue
  in a follow-up.  If you have something to add or refutation
  to contribute, please do so.  If you prefer anonymity (although
  there's nothing to be afraid of), you can mail to me and
  ask me to post it after deleting any identifying references.
    Pete LaMaster