The Weekly Nudesletter Front Page (public nudity)

Latest issue: July 2, 2000

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Note: The Nudesletter is not currently being published. We now have a much more efficient and timely way to offer the same sort of information and commentary.

Please visit our new Naturist Place Blog.

All of the old issues of the Nudesletter will remain available. Unfortunately, many if not most of the external links they contain are now out of date. But that's life... Please do not request updates of any of these links unless it is really, really urgent.

What are the first ideas that come to mind in connection with the concept of nudity? Sex? Embarrassment? Probably. Now, as an experiment, relax and turn on your imagination. What other ideas can you associate with nudity?

If you didn't think of any of these things, but they nevertheless raise some glimmer of recognition of an idea not yet quite apprehended, then you definitely need to browse through these pages.

On the other hand, if you did think of one or more of these things, then it is even more urgent that you read what's here, because you have an intuitive grasp of the potential of non-sexual nudity as a life-enhancing physical, emotional, and (perhaps) even spiritual experience. Some people regard non-sexual nudity as a liberating, enriching, exalting addition to their lives and to the lives of their familiy and friends.

Not everyone will find that much in nudity, of course. However, we're all different. For some this life-enhancing possibility is real. Yet very seldom is the full possiblity realized immediately. It takes some time for the ideas and reality to sink in. What we are offering here is a newsletter, that is, a series of articles and features devoted to exploring - through news about the experience of other, real people - the validity of the claims. In other words, this is not a finished work that you can simply sit down with and read from beginning to end. Instead, almost none of it is written yet. Like any other newsletter, it will develop gradually, a little at a time. You will be able to follow it - and interact with it - as it develops. This is one of the main advantages a Web-based publication can offer.

In order to get a little better idea of what the intent and purpose here is, please read the main article from our first issue, The Best-Kept Secret.

Then, to answer other questions that might naturally occur to you, please have a look at The Weekly Nudesletter FAQ. (FAQ = Frequently Asked Questions.)

We could summarize things by saying that this newsletter is for and about people who like to be naked for non-sexual purposes. And for people who want to explore the idea of non-sexual nudity with an open mind.

Why "non-sexual"? Because the conventional association of nudity with sexuality is too obvious to require further elaboration. We have no general objection to sexuality expressed within a conscientious moral system and the use of nudity as an adjunct to it. But if sexuality is the only reason you are interested in nudity, please don't waste your time reading anything more here. There is an absolutely overwhelming amount of material available online and elsewhere to meet your needs in this regard.

The purpose of this newsletter, therefore, is to cover just about every aspect of nudity except the sexual one. However, even if you came here out of a sexually motivated curiosity, feel free to read on if you're willing to entertain a much more general view of the value of nudity.

Incidentally, you might be wondering about how this newsletter relates to what is known as "nudism" or "naturism". The answer is: there is a strong relationship. Nudists and naturists are people who like to be naked, and they should find almost everything here of interest. Unfortunately, however, our society has a very poor understanding of what nudism/naturism is about. The most prevalent view is that it's about voyeurism and exhibitionism. The main purpose of this newsletter is to cover the value of being naked, not of seeing nudity or showing it off. Therefore, we have chosen to define the subject matter and audience as "people who like to be naked", to avoid cultural stereotypes.

What will you find here?

There will be a new issue of the Nudesletter every week. That's the plan, anyhow. Since it's a purely non-commercial, unfunded enterprise, there are no guarantees - everything is subject to the time available.

However, the hope is that every issue will contain at least several of the following types of features:

Articles
Information that will be some combination of fact and opinion about the subject of non-sexual nudity.
Nudity in the news
Summaries of news stories appearing in the public media about non-sexual nudity.
Contributed stories
Factual stories submitted by our readers, either under their own name or anonymously. They will usually be autobiographical, concerning first-time experiences with non-sexual nudity, favorite activities done in the nude, reflections on the benefits of nudity in one's life, etc.
Web site reviews
Reviews of Web sites that deal with non-sexual nudity and which are considered to be noteworthy.
New and interesting Web sites
Shorter notes about new Web sites or pages that are published for and about people who like to be naked.
Calendar of events
Listings of events scheduled for the benefit and enjoyment of people who like to be naked.
Where to be naked
Short notes and reviews about places which can be enjoyed by people who like to be naked - clubs, resorts, campgrounds, and locations on public lands.
Letters to the editor
Your feedback to the newsletter on anything that has been published, opinions, suggestions, etc.

The Nakedness, Nudity, and Naturism Mailing List

If you find the content of this newsletter interesting, you may want to discuss some of the topics with others. Now there's a way to do that: join our email discussion group! Check here for more information about it, and follow the instructions there if you want to join.

How to contact us

Just send email to The Weekly Nudesletter Editor.

Back to Being and Nakedness



1) Why are you encouraging women to take their tops off in public?
We are not doing any such thing. We believe women have the same rights as men. Those who wish not to remove tops should keep them on--by choice.

2) Isn't it illegal for women to go topfree?
This activity is legal for women and men. A high court decision from December 1996 makes it clear that women and men doing so with no "sexual or commerical" intent are not indecent.

3) Is it legal for women to be topfree everywhere, then?
No, because there are places where it is illegal for both women and men to be topfree, e.g. where regulations require tops as well as other articles of clothing. This is completely consistent with assuring women rights equal to those of men.

4) Doesn't the Bible forbid this kind of activity?
We don't think so, nor do many others who are deeply religious. But this is not a religious issue. The laws in this country are not made according to certain avowed Jewish or Christian preferences, whatever their source, but to protect a variety of beliefs DVD - Nudist Picture vacation.

5) Aren't women's breasts sexual?
It's up to women to decide when and where they are or aren't sexual. Everyone can respect a woman's or man's decision to lie on a beach and not be bothered, whether she or he has a top on or not. It is unconscionable to restrict women because men have some opinion about them or their breasts. Men aren't required to wear tops because women find their uncovered chests sexual, so the reverse should not be required either.

6) Isn't this a morals issue?
It's an issue of rights more than morals. Those claiming that all topfree women are morally wrong do not usually give any reason except personal preference. The law must be applied equally to women and men and ignore such personal claims.

7) Aren't topfree women just walking pornography?
No. Are topfree men? The automatic connection between women's breasts and sexual activity is one which is often made. The media reinforce it. We can and should reject it. We may choose to be nonsexual when changing clothes, taking a shower, lying on the grass, strolling down a street, etc. What we wear does not have to be relevant to the sexuality of a situation. There may indeed be more flirting in complete outfits than in topfree attire.

8) Don't women's clothes incite men to do certain things?
A woman or man may wear clothes for many purposes, including to be noticed. Nothing anyone wears or doesn't wear is an invitation to harassment or assault. It's not a woman's task to prevent a man from harassing her--by wearing clothes men deem suitable on her! Women who wish to enjoy the same topfreedom as men are therefore not "asking for it."

9) Won't topfree women increase sex crimes?
Experience in Europe and elsewhere shows that the answer is No. Sociologists from various places have stated that there is no connection. This is true partly because women and men almost always remove tops only when they think it is safe to do so.

10) What will children will see and do?
Children are not harmed by seeing breasts but by adults' phobias about them. The breasts themselves are doing nothing, except perhaps providing a lesson in body education. Adults should refrain from passing their irrational fright, intolerance, or hatred on to children. Bigotry is not a family value. Far better to explain that topfree women are just doing whatever others, including topfree men or fully clothed people, are doing (walking, sunning, swimming, etc.).

11) Won't there be topfree women everywhere?
No, this will not happen. Women and men can determine for themselves where it is appropriate to be without a top, according to the social context. Most will choose to keep their tops on: that has been the case elsewhere, notably in New York State, where this matter was resolved similarly by an Appeal Court in 1992. But if a majority of women and men keep tops on, this does not warrant criminalizing those who choose not to. A majority must not remove a minority's rights just because that group doesn't conform to some other group's wishes. Issues of religious intolerance have surely taught us that.

12) Aren't topfree women, and men for that matter, ugly?
Perceived superficial qualities are not a cause for legal action. This question disguises a fear of anything different from a very narrow set of expectations and reveals an unhealthy lack of body acceptance.

13) How will recreation staff treat the matter?
They are trained now to handle the public in a variety of situations. Little further training is necessary. They may wish to counsel those complaining about topfree women or men that such people are harmless.



Miami Nude Beach Nudity, Please Read!

There's something liberating about the antic of being naked.  The freedom.  The exhilaration.  The lack of pocket lint.  Unfortunately, for most people the notion of nudity requires some rationale - no matter how silly that rationale may be.  Streaking across a football field. Skinny-dipping in a lake.  Mooning for the camera.  Photocopying your butt.  Playing naked Twister.  Flashing a nun after sixth-period class, hoping she didn't recognize you and isn't at this instant phoning your parents.  For most people, it's all about the naughty thrill of getting caught or exposing a private part.  But not for all.  No, for many it's perfectly routine, as normal and natural as, say, kissing hands or shaking a baby.

Nude beaches are the perfect denominators for these two groups, the puritans and the pure exhibitionists, the fakirs and the non-fakers. Think of it as a big game of strip poker where everybody has crappy hands.  The thing to remember is that nude sunbathing isn't about sex or exhibitionism - we'll leave that to the nudist colonies and Courtney Love.  Nude sunbathing is about elation and free-spiritedness (and avoiding wedgies and ugly tan lines).

I've made the trek to No Clothes Land many a time.  I've dropped trou in Europe, where it's no big deal - heck, even the Royal Family has displayed a boob or two (not counting Prince Charles).  Black's Beach in San Diego is world famous for nude sun worshipping.  And, of course, here in Miami, we have Haulover Beach.

One of the misconceptions about nudity is that every human body is beautiful (Right).  The key to inoffensive nude sunbathing is to do just that - sunbathe.  Do not play volleyball in the buff.  No grilling or barbecuing.  Even if your Playgirl's Mr. January, do not perform an oil and air filter change on your auto while naked.  An watch the jogging - you could poke somebody's eye out.

Nude beachgoers often have their social cliques and routines.  They picnic and fraternize, and they love to mingle.  Zoiks.  These people who sashay up and down the beach wearing nothing but a smile and a spare tire are the same folks you find in the receiving line at a wedding wielding a business card and a can of Binaca.

When I venture to Haulover, I stick close to my blanket or hit the water.  I don’t wander about.  It’s like you want to work the room, but there’s no place to put your hands and no appropriate place to hang your Walkman.  (Plus, you feel like you’ve gone to a party and everyone’s wearing the same thing.)  Personally, I happen to like being naked. It’s never bothered me.  I often get home from work, disrobe, and sit naked on my couch eating cereal.  (Did I just cross the line of too much information?)  Some people are uncomfortable naked.  I’m not.  What I do have a problem with, however, is being ugly and naked.  Statistics show that the number of people who enjoy nude sunbathing is proportionate to those who should put something on.  Like a tarp.  Or one of those tents that they use when they’re debugging a house.  That one of the reasons why I prefer the sanctity of my blanket.  I can feign sleep (or death, if necessary) should some naked old man approach me and start to discuss today’s undertow as he squats liberally in front of me.

Sunscreen:  I’d be remiss if I didn’t stress the importance of proper protection.  Those regions that rarely see the light of day are the first to succumb to the sun’s deadly rays.  Hence, watch your behind, or your buns will be toast.  As for – how do I say this politely – garnishing your weenie, yes, your little buddy needs sunblock, but remember, you’re in public.  There a fine line between safety and pleasure when applying lotion to Mr. Happy.  I’ve seen guys go at it like they’re greasing a fire pole.  So take it easy.  Don't make things hard on yourself.

When it comes to accessories, there are certain things you should and should not bring to a nude beach.  Telescopes and binoculars are definite no-nos.  You may think of this as a ball game, but I’m sure the Red Sox would beg to differ.  Likewise with a camcorder – carrying a video camera at a nude beach is the pervert’s equivalent of driving by a schoolyard with a van full of candy.  As for ready, avoid books with titles like Justice of the Piece.  Stick to Field and Stream, Reader’s Digest or the Gideon Bible.  Sunglasses are a must.  If you’re gonna ogle, at least do it behind your Maui Jims.

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As for your random beach bump-ins, there are obvious encounters. Besides bodies that you’d rather not see naked, piercings are immensely popular.  Popular, I surmise, because they’re in places that wouldn’t necessarily be exposed at Publix (unless you shop at the new one by the bay).  I’ve seen nipples that look like parachute rip cords.

And below the belt, I’ve seen piercings that made me recoil.  (Come to think of it, I’ve seen coils down there, too.)  And little napkin rings.  And something called a Prince Albert.  I’ve seen less metal at a gun show.  And shaving.  Hmmmm.  Apparently trimming the hedges has become all the rage.  Some folks go for the close cropping; others like it smooth.  I haven’t seen topiary this creative since I was at the Botanical Gardens.

Nude sunbathing can be a kick, an exciting way to liven up an otherwise dull day at the beach.  For the ladies, it means being able to wear a sundress without worrying about unsightly strap lines.  For the guys, it means there’s no need to adjust the boys: it’s a wind sock now.  For all of us it means an escape, a break from our daily worries and cares, a moment’s freedom where less is so much more – except when it comes to that sunscreen.