Legal nude beaches

[sdson]

I just spend a wonderful day at Black's beach. It was a perfect southern California beach day. The beach was packed with nude sunbathers (the majority of beach goers). Obviously, enjoying day at the beach naked is popular. So what do you think needs to happen to get more people supporting legalizing beaches as clothing optional?

[unpocodecafe]

It would be nice if AANR and TNS would become proactive and undertake to expand the areas available for clothing optional use and not be satisfied to merely react when the textiles threaten to take away part of what we presently have.

AANR needs to abandon the idea that nudism = clubs and it would be nice if they and TNS agreed to simply cooperate on behalf of nudists everywhere.

What needs to happen? I think the people are ready and looking for leadership.

[NudePete]

What seemed to work for Toronto's Hanlans' Point Beach was a convincing result of a pilot project, as reported here. The noticeably increased ferry traffic, tourist dollars spent, concession stand profits, and new jobs for park maintenance workers seems to have agreed with everyone. A local naturist group, TNT Men, probably provided most of the driving force for its formal recognition.

[jasenj]

The noticeably increased ferry traffic, tourist dollars spent, concession stand profits, and new jobs for park maintenance workers seems to have agreed with everyone. A local naturist group, TNT Men, probably provided most of the driving force for its formal recognition.

Too bad the folks in the USA who are strongly opposed to public nudity don't care about any of those things. Nudism is immoral in their eyes and an inherent evil.

[Adler]

NudePete: Thank you for the very interesting document on the nude beach at Toronto's Hanlan's Point. Toranto's experience with Hanlan's Point and South Miami's experience with Haulover Beach are good points to present to any governmental body when trying to establish a nude beach. A positive economic impact is a strong argument in making the case that a nude beach can be a viable option for beach usage. Both TNS and AANR are actively working to gain access to public beach areas for nude usage. This information will be of great use in their efforts.

[naturalmanwa]

It would be nice if AANR and TNS would become proactive and undertake to expand the areas available for clothing optional use and not be satisfied to merely react when the textiles threaten to take away part of what we presently have.

AANR needs to abandon the idea that nudism = clubs and it would be nice if they and TNS agreed to simply cooperate on behalf of nudists everywhere.

What needs to happen? I think the people are ready and looking for leadership.

AANR seems to want to get people into clubs. More money for them if people have have to join a club to get naked.

[EricNY]

It would be nice if AANR and TNS would become proactive and undertake to expand the areas available for clothing optional use and not be satisfied to merely react when the textiles threaten to take away part of what we presently have.

AANR needs to abandon the idea that nudism = clubs and it would be nice if they and TNS agreed to simply cooperate on behalf of nudists everywhere.

What needs to happen? I think the people are ready and looking for leadership.

AANR Does do these things.....I know in the eastern region work is being done at cape cod every year! Work is also being done every year at assateague island state park. Yes AANR works closely with the clubs, but AANR is also working with government and local officials all the time. There are beach out reaches going on all over and the more people get involved the more they will realize this. AANR also works with education and was developed grants for the younger generation and also has been working to protect younger children by becoming and training others to be stewards of children through a national program called Darkness to Light http://www.d2l.org/site/c.4dICIJOkGc...xual_Abuse.htm

So to say AANR=clubs is just not true

[Sanslines]

AANR Does do these things.....I know in the eastern region work is being done at cape cod every year! Work is also being done every year at assateague island state park. Yes AANR works closely with the clubs, but AANR is also working with government and local officials all the time. There are beach out reaches going on all over and the more people get involved the more they will realize this. AANR also works with education and was developed grants for the younger generation and also has been working to protect younger children by becoming and training others to be stewards of children through a national program called Darkness to Light http://www.d2l.org/site/c.4dICIJOkGc...xual_Abuse.htm

So to say AANR=clubs is just not true

This is the history of TNS:

http://www.naturist.com/tns/about/History.html

Specific quote from above article" TNS began in the early 1980s as what seemed to many to be the younger--and perhaps estranged--sister to the older and larger American Sunbathing Association (now AANR). In its first decade however, TNS matured to take the leading role in America on the issue of nudity on public lands."

This is the major difference between AANR and TNS............TNS is the clear leader on protecting nudist rights on public lands...............AANR is the clear leader on protecting nudist rights within private member clubs.

As always, the devil (truth) is in the details of both organizations.

Further support of differences from truenudist's blog:

"One fundamental difference I see in the two organizations is that AANR has historically seemed more of an urban nudist organization, satisfied with maintaining the status quo by urging nudists to participate in social nudity through established nudist clubs and resorts. They are the definitive leaders I think in nude recreation and travel. TNS on the other hand, with more of a focus on naturism, or the experience of nudism while interacting with the outdoor environment has been more of a leader in working toward the expansion of nudist rights in the public arena such as in attempts to increase the availability of and access to public beaches and public lands for use by nudists. In fact, TNS founder, Lee Baxandall was one of the pioneers of the free beach movement. I think it would be fair to say that AANR is primarily social nudity focused while TNS is more public nudity focused."

"TNS got its start due to the disenfranchisement of both the beach movement and singles. Single males were not allowed to attend the old ASA parks and clubs. TNS offered the first nongendered, couples, or sexual orientation membership. Egalitarian and open to whomever was willing to pay the dues. AANR has progressed greatly from thefamily-only oriented nudist clubs to a better egalitarian approach.But, membership is by club andsome clubs still have restrictive policies against single males. AANR does have a membership called "direct" which is unaffiliated to an individual club. Most AANR affiliated clubs will honor a "direct" membership for single males. "

[EricNY]

This is the history of TNS:


As always, the devil (truth) is in the details of both organizations.

"

My point is that AANR does a LOT more than promote private clubs....I know this NOT based on what I read, or second hand info...I know this because I am involved, and have witnessed it and experienced it, and am involved in it.

[Sanslines]

My point is that AANR does a LOT more than promote private clubs....I know this NOT based on what I read, or second hand info...I know this because I am involved, and have witnessed it and experienced it, and am involved in it.

My point is that people need to know the whole truth as to what AANR and TNS do. I make this point based upon a long and personal history with BOTH organizations and also recognize that it is very important to get the whole truth out. As far a people's perceptions are concerned, AANR needs to be aware that they are considered a club promotion agency and they need to address this issue in an open and honest manner.

You could do a great service by simply stating exactly what AANR does beyond promoting clubs. This is indeed a fair question and it is important to all people (including prospective members) that it be answered in a fair manner. Stating that they do a "LOT' does not tell people much. AANR should be a strong enough organization to withstand any criticism (perceived or real) without reacting in a defensive manner.

I am honestly on your side and want a stronger and better AANR. Criticism, with the purpose of improving AANR, is a very important part of achieving this. When people at AANR get defensive (and I have seen this too many times) and start launching into abstractions, the organization is only harmed - yet some will not see this.

I am the type of person that you should want in AANR. Yet, if you chase me away when I speak out, then do not be surprised when others continue to go off and do whatever they wish to do and remain silent about anything and everything that AANR does. Silence does not help AANR - speaking out does and I hope that you can appreciate this point.

Finally, most people are unaware of the histories of both AANR and TNS. There is absolutely nothing wrong with informing people as to the history and development of the organizations. None of us are so old as to have first hand knowledge of and involvement during the entire history of AANR - TNS being a much younger organization is another story.