Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site houxh.UUCP 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