November open forum
How might the outcome of the U.S. election affect America's naturism community?
There is a lot of anticipation and anxiety in the U.S. and its neighbour to the north, Canada, as Americans head to the polls next week to pick their next president and a host of other politicians.
It’s difficult to think of anything else, really, because we are told that democracy itself is at stake and that the United States government could become far more conservative, even authoritarian, under a Donald Trump presidency.
I know that the naturism community in the U.S. has members from all walks of life — some support Trump and the Republicans, others support Kamala Harris and the Democrats.
I’m Canadian, and I don’t feel it would be appropriate for me to give my opinions on the American election in this forum. Nor do I want to see a political debate here unrelated to naturism.
But I am interested in what American readers here think the future of naturism in the U.S. might be like under a Trump presidency vs. a Harris presidency. Is anyone worried that their current rights to practise social nudism may be threatened in any way?
If anyone wants to discuss the subject here, please keep your comments related to naturism.
Naturism and spirituality
I saw a report at the end of September out of France in which the author linked his love for naturism to his spirituality. Sadly, I hit a paywall a few paragraphs in, so I didn’t get to read the whole piece.
I can see the link between the two, I suppose, for naturists who strive to live in harmony with nature and believe in various universal principles, including the oneness of humans and nature.
What do you think?
For discussion . . .
A Canadian naturism poll
“29 million Canadians are OK with nude beaches.”
That was the headline on a CNW release on Oct. 22 highlighting the results of a survey. (CNW Group Ltd., also called Canada Newswire and CNW, is a commercial press release service.)
Considering Canada’s total population is just over 41 million, that is a pretty convincing majority and should be reason enough for provincial governments to take note and allow more beaches to be clothing optional.
The study commissioned by the Federation of Canadian Naturists looked at other naturism-related activities, including nude sleep habits, nudity in home daily life, skinny dipping and club/resort activities.
“When it comes to trying naturist-related behaviours, sleeping in the nude (57%) followed by walking around the house in the nude (46%) are the two behaviours which the largest proportions of Canadians are interested in,” the release says.
But I wonder about those figures and those habits: does sleeping in the buff or walking around your house naked make you a naturist? How many people doing it are making that connection?
Still, I am encouraged by how open-minded Canadians appear to be when it comes to nude beaches:
“Results show that respondents' belief in the right of others to swim or sunbathe in the nude is highest with regard to designated nude beaches (70%) and designated naturist / nudist resorts (66%), followed distantly by within one's own backyard (48%).”
The welcome mat
A warm welcome to all new members. Please feel free to join in the discussions here — we have some very experienced naturists in this group who often share a lot of wisdom in the comments sections.
To join in, click on the comment tab below or go to the website.
Happy November, everyone!
The election of Trump wouldn't mean anything in particular for naturists. If there are any elections that hold any specific meaning it will be state and local elections. That is where the laws are written that affect us.
I blame the Democrats for Trump's success. Today's Democrats do not reflect the citizenry any more than the MAGA extremists. They have allowed the Progressives to become the ideological face of the party. They advocate revolutionary change while most Americans will only accept evolutionary change in small easily chewed and swallowed bites. It is too easy to get them worked up about "woke" politics or Transgender theory. You cannot push change before the people decide they want it.
Before she became VP, Harris was a self described Progressive. That is a liability here.
Trump himself doesn't mean that much. If the GOP manages to take both Houses of Congress, that could be a problem. Trump could then do as he wishes. The Senate wouldn't impeach and the House of Representatives wouldn't deny him the funding. Since he already has the Supreme Court in his pocket there isn't a lot to stop him from passing any law he wants. Fortunately, he's mostly bullshit and bluster. Four more years of His Odiousity.
If he were someone who was clever and well versed in playing the system were elected, it could be big trouble. He isn't.
It doesn't matter whether Trump or his followers support or not support nudism. He nor Congress mandate that nudism is illegal or whatever. The U.S. Constitution clearly and correctly states:
Amendment 10
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
The decision is based on the electorate in each state. Some conservatives believe in nudism/naturism, some don't. Each person has the right, and in my opinion, responsibility to research what is important to them and then make a decision as to how they will live their lives and to vote.
I am a conservative, a devout and traditional Roman Catholic, nudist and live in a nudist resort, Mass every Sunday, receive the Sacraments, etc. I don't believe in Government knows all or that politicians or bureaucrats can fix everything. Each of them has their own "thing." Republican, Democrat, Socialist, Independent.
Don't assume what you not know. Test everyone!