The problem with laws like this is that once passed they are almost impossible to repeal.
The law doesn't mention "naturism" but that doesn't matter. Naturism/nudism has no legal meaning. The religious right doesn't differentiate that "this" is naturism and "that" isn't. Free hiking, skinnydipping, nudity in theater, or WNBR, it is all the same to them. Either law would be will be a Sword of Damocles over all social nudity, doubly so over families. It is the local sheriff who will decide how to enforce it and that will depend on politics..
A real conservative believes in keeping government decisions as local as possible. The city of Madison should be responsible for allowing or not allowing the WNBR. They aren't conservatives, they are part of the Trump crowd looking for ways to throw red meat to true believers. There is a difference between conservative and reactionary.
I sure hope you are wrong about this, Fred. If not, then naturists have good reason to worry because moves like this could snowball around the country. But I am sure naturism organizations in the U.S. will speak up if they see a threat to their organizations. Stay tuned . . .
American naturist organizations fear politics. If they were to become political, they'd lose half their membership. They haven't joined up with other non-nudist organizations that might sympathize with them. because, well, allying with one group alienates everyone else. Most American naturists are closeted for fear of social rejection by the broader textile society.
Since the US is a federal system, the response to the law in Wisconsin will be up to the citizens of Wisconsin. Supreme Court precedent gives them authority to pass such laws. There is no higher authority to appeal to.
From a foreigner's perspective, I look on in horror as US lawmakers continue to legislate against the natural. My fear is the unintended consequences of such reactionary and poorly thought-out legislation will create ridiculous situations that will be difficult to repeal.
Fred I think you are on point in your comment. The pattern of conflation is common and there are grave potential implications for family naturism in the US which is already on life support. Additionally naturist venues that include families among their customers can be impacted by a broad application of the law. Already one naturist venue in WI there are not many has closed to public.
As far as the place where I live in doesn't make any difference. We are used to the total legal ban & it is there from many a decades & across generations. We don't have any option than to practice naturism within our home walls. However it's ridiculous to turn the clock back in the countries where in outdoor naturism is being practiced from so many decades..
You make a good point, Abhijit. Public nudity is banned in most places, unless you obtain a permit for specific events. In Montreal, for example, the organizers of the World Naked Bike Ride would have to obtain a municipal permit ahead of time. Even landed and unlanded naturism clubs need some sort of municipal approval or permits to operate.
Great article. These bills seem to me to be a deliberate assault on freedom of expression that begins with naked bike rides and ends with what... your ability to wear the clothes you feel comfortable in or even to kiss or hold hands in public? I live in England and am now fearing the USA more than China or Russia. What starts across the Atlantic will inevitably resurface in Westminster...
Yes, England is a LITTLE more tolerant of nudity, but maybe not as much as it was a number of years ago. There does seem to be a LITTLE healthier attitude towards the naked body than here in the United States. It does appear though that everywhere is getting this sickness of anti-nude attitude.
Thank you Gerard - I think you are right. I have little direct experience of the US context and the direct influence of Christian religious moralists here is not strong. Nevertheless, there is a strong undercurrent of quasi-religious morality that seizes on anything that gives these 'community spokespeople' the power to influence and, ultimately, control the rest of us. I wish the good people of Wisconsin every success in defeating these bills.
"Assaulted by nudity?" Pfffft! These same Republican legislators certainly voted against any reasonable gun control and thus contributed to REAL assaults on children.
“What about my children’s innocence that I work very hard to protect?,” he told the committee.
I wonder how hard that one and only concerned citizen of Madison has worked to protect his child from whatever she needs protection from. When did she see nudity in public? Why was she there? Was she really there? What did she experienced?
I think the climate in the US makes the potential implications much graver than may be understood. Laws like this are very broadly applied and often copied from one jurisdiction to another if successfully passed. Further we are heading into a political election cycle where some politicians look for easy hits to make. So this could be really bad despite what U.S. nudist leadership are saying.
Well, I was trying to be optimistic. I think naturists will make their voices heard, and there surely must be some Republican naturists with families into the lifestyle.
But I understand the concern of the naturism community, and the feeling of being under assault. I would just remind everyone that it is very early days.
While I live ( Alaska) where such events would DEFINITELY not happen due to attitudes, I certainly do applaud those who are lucky enough to actually partake in, or watch, events like the Naked Bike Ride. I do notice that it seems that society is definitely on an 'anti-nude' push. This is saddening!!!
The problem with laws like this is that once passed they are almost impossible to repeal.
The law doesn't mention "naturism" but that doesn't matter. Naturism/nudism has no legal meaning. The religious right doesn't differentiate that "this" is naturism and "that" isn't. Free hiking, skinnydipping, nudity in theater, or WNBR, it is all the same to them. Either law would be will be a Sword of Damocles over all social nudity, doubly so over families. It is the local sheriff who will decide how to enforce it and that will depend on politics..
A real conservative believes in keeping government decisions as local as possible. The city of Madison should be responsible for allowing or not allowing the WNBR. They aren't conservatives, they are part of the Trump crowd looking for ways to throw red meat to true believers. There is a difference between conservative and reactionary.
I sure hope you are wrong about this, Fred. If not, then naturists have good reason to worry because moves like this could snowball around the country. But I am sure naturism organizations in the U.S. will speak up if they see a threat to their organizations. Stay tuned . . .
Maybe.
American naturist organizations fear politics. If they were to become political, they'd lose half their membership. They haven't joined up with other non-nudist organizations that might sympathize with them. because, well, allying with one group alienates everyone else. Most American naturists are closeted for fear of social rejection by the broader textile society.
Since the US is a federal system, the response to the law in Wisconsin will be up to the citizens of Wisconsin. Supreme Court precedent gives them authority to pass such laws. There is no higher authority to appeal to.
From a foreigner's perspective, I look on in horror as US lawmakers continue to legislate against the natural. My fear is the unintended consequences of such reactionary and poorly thought-out legislation will create ridiculous situations that will be difficult to repeal.
Fred I think you are on point in your comment. The pattern of conflation is common and there are grave potential implications for family naturism in the US which is already on life support. Additionally naturist venues that include families among their customers can be impacted by a broad application of the law. Already one naturist venue in WI there are not many has closed to public.
As far as the place where I live in doesn't make any difference. We are used to the total legal ban & it is there from many a decades & across generations. We don't have any option than to practice naturism within our home walls. However it's ridiculous to turn the clock back in the countries where in outdoor naturism is being practiced from so many decades..
You make a good point, Abhijit. Public nudity is banned in most places, unless you obtain a permit for specific events. In Montreal, for example, the organizers of the World Naked Bike Ride would have to obtain a municipal permit ahead of time. Even landed and unlanded naturism clubs need some sort of municipal approval or permits to operate.
Sincere thanks Jillian for your feedback & response...
Great article. These bills seem to me to be a deliberate assault on freedom of expression that begins with naked bike rides and ends with what... your ability to wear the clothes you feel comfortable in or even to kiss or hold hands in public? I live in England and am now fearing the USA more than China or Russia. What starts across the Atlantic will inevitably resurface in Westminster...
Yes, England is a LITTLE more tolerant of nudity, but maybe not as much as it was a number of years ago. There does seem to be a LITTLE healthier attitude towards the naked body than here in the United States. It does appear though that everywhere is getting this sickness of anti-nude attitude.
Thank you Gerard - I think you are right. I have little direct experience of the US context and the direct influence of Christian religious moralists here is not strong. Nevertheless, there is a strong undercurrent of quasi-religious morality that seizes on anything that gives these 'community spokespeople' the power to influence and, ultimately, control the rest of us. I wish the good people of Wisconsin every success in defeating these bills.
"Assaulted by nudity?" Pfffft! These same Republican legislators certainly voted against any reasonable gun control and thus contributed to REAL assaults on children.
“What about my children’s innocence that I work very hard to protect?,” he told the committee.
I wonder how hard that one and only concerned citizen of Madison has worked to protect his child from whatever she needs protection from. When did she see nudity in public? Why was she there? Was she really there? What did she experienced?
I think the climate in the US makes the potential implications much graver than may be understood. Laws like this are very broadly applied and often copied from one jurisdiction to another if successfully passed. Further we are heading into a political election cycle where some politicians look for easy hits to make. So this could be really bad despite what U.S. nudist leadership are saying.
Well, I was trying to be optimistic. I think naturists will make their voices heard, and there surely must be some Republican naturists with families into the lifestyle.
But I understand the concern of the naturism community, and the feeling of being under assault. I would just remind everyone that it is very early days.
While I live ( Alaska) where such events would DEFINITELY not happen due to attitudes, I certainly do applaud those who are lucky enough to actually partake in, or watch, events like the Naked Bike Ride. I do notice that it seems that society is definitely on an 'anti-nude' push. This is saddening!!!