<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Ken Palmer:
Hello Palmpelmousse. I will try and provide you with the best reply that I can. But before I do, just keep in mind that I am no activist myself. You had mention how the homosexual groups had demonstrated for their lifestyle. Well,it would depend how nudist and/or naturists would go about demonstrating for their cause. If they were to parade in city streets stark naked, you know what would happen right there and then. Off to jail they would go unless they were on the grounds of a nudist resort or at a nude beach. I think that is our biggest hangup unless I am wrong. If I missed something in issuing my answer here, please feel free to let me know. I hope I helped!
Ken Palmer
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Pampelmousse:
Minority groups, if they are determined to draw attention to their cause, often engage in public demonstrations, as witness the gay community some years ago. Since the activities and outlook of naturists are perfectly harmless, why has this not happened with them to draw attention to their wish to pursue their lifestyle more openly? </div></BLOCKQUOTE> </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I'm not so sure that nudists/naturists would necessarily be off to jail for appearing naked in the streets, as evidenced by the World Naked Bicycle Ride which takes place in cities around the world. You just have to do it right. The WNBR is, of course, tagged as a protest against oil dependency and car culture. The participants are enjoying being naked on public streets, but the nudity is linked to another cause. I have seen several examples over the years of such linked but disparate initiatives (deny one cause, deny them both).
Perhaps nudists/naturists could adopt a worthy cause, (e.g. cancer research), as a linked issue and beneficiary. This cause could increase the group's social acceptability to those persons not attuned to our lifestyle, and the naked participants could collect donations from those persons gathered to watch them, while perhaps carrying signs espousing the benefits of the nudist/naturist lifestyle. Everybody wins... persons watching the nude demonstration would learn about the nudist/naturist lifestyle, the on-lookers would see public nudity in a non-threatening socially responsible setting, and a worthwhile cause would receive valuable funding.
Just as police control the crowds and traffic during the World Naked Bicycle Ride, they would no doubt be assigned to similar duties for the "nude demonstration/cause-fundraiser". Television, newspapers and radio could not ignore such a demonstration as a news item; there is your publicity.
Now, imagine if the demonstration ended at a public park. The protesters could have tables set up, handing out naturist information pamphlets, etc., and continue collecting donations for the associated cause or charity. At this point, the demonstrators are not marching, but are gathered in a public park, along with the clothed sightseers. Who knows, this blended group just might attract some converts on the spot.
Another technique that could be employed at the same time would be offering well-known community figures and personalities, (radio DJ's, service clubs, etc.), sponsorships for contributions to the cause or charity for taking part in the demonstration. Would they do it? For charity? Just think of some of the teams, service clubs, etc., that pose nude for calendars for fund-raisers.
I guess what I am saying is nothing is impossible. We have all seen various groups use sophisticated psychological techniques for demonstrations; maybe we would just have to combine all the techniques together. And the difference between this and the WNBR? This demonstration would plainly and directly espouse the nudist/naturist lifestyle. Just an idea...