Sitting in my inbox recently, was a message from John Lowe, the editor of the NZ Naturist Federation newsletter, Go-Natural. John and I have communicated a number of times on several issues, and I always enjoy our conversations. John was responding to one of my blogs about Landed clubs and their relevance. In his note, talking about a perceived decline in club membership, John said:
Also, some people form nudist groups because they are not accepted in traditional nudist settings. I live in Louisville, KY and I belong to two mens/gay nudist social clubs that meet at least once a week. I also attend a men's nude yoga class. Single men are viewed as pariahs in the nudist community and gay nudists even more so. Sex at the parties? One group allows it after a certain point but one social group and the yoga class are nonsexual. And there is nothing disparaging is said about the groups. As a gay nudist I enjoy socializing naked with other naked men. And I might be considered a "feral nudist" since I will be nude anywhere/anytime I can.
That being said, I think that many traditional nudist clubs are their own worst enemies. When a gay person isn't made to feel welcome or the first thing we see are racist/homophobic political displays, we know we are not welcome.
Oct 31, 2022·edited Oct 31, 2022Liked by BOPBadger
A feral animal is one that has escaped domestication (or is descended from such) and is living in the wild. It has bad connotations in the US. Feral dogs destroy wildlife and livestick and can be a danger to people. Feral cats decimate the local bird populations. Feral burros eat everything in sight and leave nothing for the native wildlife. Feral pigs do the same and are a serious problem in some areas.
I don't know what the connotations are in New Zealand but in the US, feral things are often trapped, hunted or otherwise put down because they are obnoxious to the natural order. He might just have a very negative view of feral nudists.
If one must be labeled, I prefer "free-range nudist" or simply "nudie."
There is no entry for 'feral' in the thesaurus here, in a dictionary the definition is 'wild'. I'll go with that as I am predomminantly naked at home, at local beaches, walking in the countryside or visiting like-minded people. That means going out and about, some of it within a human-constructed environment, some of it in the 'wild' or as near as that is possible in SE England.
If someone doesn't practice clothes-free activities in any of those environments, sticking to clubs, does this mean that they may be 'tame' or 'domesticated' naturists? Living naked within a delinineated and confined area. Could the same be said about those who are only naked at home and in their gardens?
'Feral' brings to mind formerly domesticated cats and dogs that have run away from their 'homes' or been abandoned by humans, spending their time scavenging from bins and other rubbish discarded mostly by humans, alongside 'wild' foxes, gulls, bears, apes etc As these 'wild' creatures frequently scavange in the built environment, 'feral' naturism should also be possible in this type of place.
Leaving aside the links to rubbish, the alternative aspect the 'feral' tag can give is quite attractive, to a degree, the rubbish definitely isn't.
I do go to naturist clubs and really enjoy the 24/7 social nudity that this allows while staying there. Being among other naked people all of the time is very civilised, in fact it is the most civilised way I know of living, but even at clubs with extensive grounds the fact that there are fences, walls and hedges keeping us in just makes me want to 'escape' after a few days and revert to being a 'feral' nudist. The solution for me would be a society where public nudity is legal, oh hang on, it is here, not enough people know or practice this though.
How about responding to your 'feral' tagger that membership to organisations like BN in the UK are open to everyone, there is no requirement to prove that you do get naked through club membership, or whatever the reason(s) the NZ naturist body is only open to club members. They might just see their membership numbers increasing!
In the USA I have long supported The Naturist Society rather than AANR. The Naturist Society began as a support group for Free Range Naturists. Sadly since the founder's death they have become more tied to "Factory Farm" nudists (landed clubs) but still are more supportive of Free Range Naturism than the "recreation" focused vacation resort organization.
"I accept that a portion of club fees go to support local Naturist Foundations and in turn the World Naturist Foundation,"
This support of International Naturist organization is part of why I contribute to The Naturist Society. They still also print a monthly paper based magazine which reminds me that I'm not alone.
I'm also a Free Range Naturist, and have been for most of my life. I once joined an AANR club but their focus on fenced and hidden compounds are counter productive for promoting clothes freedom as a fundamental human right. And clothes free is a way of life, not some infrequent "recreation" at a far off pay-for-play resort. We need to be seen in public places until it becomes common. We need to object to anti-body concepts like "private parts" that are used to teach body fear to children and adults. Young people are becoming much more nudist, but its all Free Range as it should be.
Another interesting article to read - " Thank You ".
I am not a ' club type person ' - except for when it comes to partaking in sporting activities which I enjoyed i.e. tennis club, golf club, rugby club, etc.
I am a naturist - and as I am not a club type person, and due to my chosen lifestyle, the joining of a naturist club is not an option for me. And to add to that, with the beaches in New Zealand so easily accessible, and with the Law permitting nudity at the beach . . . . . . why would I join a naturist club ? ?
However, the term and description of me and my lifestyle used by John Lowe, I find to be extremely insulting and I take umbridge !
With the NZNF referring to people such as myself as ' feral ', this clearly displays yet another reason as to exactly why the number of members of naturist clubs in New Zealand remains in a decline.
Great article. I am sure I fall in the "independent" category. That being said, I am doing an extended stay at a resort in January, after being a stay-at-home naturist since 1977. I will see. Thanks for the blog.
While the term feral actually is pretty close, it has a negative connotation that I dislike. I think the most fitting label is renegade, an individual who rejects lawful or conventional behavior. To the extent that we prefer to needlessly cover our bodies, we definitely reject conventional behavior. I hereby declare that I’m a renegade nudist.
I don't know I'd use the term feral but free ranging, unattached or independent work. I too like the idea that contributions could be made to the work of national or international bodies without the need to join a landed club. I am a member of free beaches and continue to support INF via a BN membership.
Also, some people form nudist groups because they are not accepted in traditional nudist settings. I live in Louisville, KY and I belong to two mens/gay nudist social clubs that meet at least once a week. I also attend a men's nude yoga class. Single men are viewed as pariahs in the nudist community and gay nudists even more so. Sex at the parties? One group allows it after a certain point but one social group and the yoga class are nonsexual. And there is nothing disparaging is said about the groups. As a gay nudist I enjoy socializing naked with other naked men. And I might be considered a "feral nudist" since I will be nude anywhere/anytime I can.
That being said, I think that many traditional nudist clubs are their own worst enemies. When a gay person isn't made to feel welcome or the first thing we see are racist/homophobic political displays, we know we are not welcome.
A feral animal is one that has escaped domestication (or is descended from such) and is living in the wild. It has bad connotations in the US. Feral dogs destroy wildlife and livestick and can be a danger to people. Feral cats decimate the local bird populations. Feral burros eat everything in sight and leave nothing for the native wildlife. Feral pigs do the same and are a serious problem in some areas.
I don't know what the connotations are in New Zealand but in the US, feral things are often trapped, hunted or otherwise put down because they are obnoxious to the natural order. He might just have a very negative view of feral nudists.
If one must be labeled, I prefer "free-range nudist" or simply "nudie."
There is no entry for 'feral' in the thesaurus here, in a dictionary the definition is 'wild'. I'll go with that as I am predomminantly naked at home, at local beaches, walking in the countryside or visiting like-minded people. That means going out and about, some of it within a human-constructed environment, some of it in the 'wild' or as near as that is possible in SE England.
If someone doesn't practice clothes-free activities in any of those environments, sticking to clubs, does this mean that they may be 'tame' or 'domesticated' naturists? Living naked within a delinineated and confined area. Could the same be said about those who are only naked at home and in their gardens?
'Feral' brings to mind formerly domesticated cats and dogs that have run away from their 'homes' or been abandoned by humans, spending their time scavenging from bins and other rubbish discarded mostly by humans, alongside 'wild' foxes, gulls, bears, apes etc As these 'wild' creatures frequently scavange in the built environment, 'feral' naturism should also be possible in this type of place.
Leaving aside the links to rubbish, the alternative aspect the 'feral' tag can give is quite attractive, to a degree, the rubbish definitely isn't.
I do go to naturist clubs and really enjoy the 24/7 social nudity that this allows while staying there. Being among other naked people all of the time is very civilised, in fact it is the most civilised way I know of living, but even at clubs with extensive grounds the fact that there are fences, walls and hedges keeping us in just makes me want to 'escape' after a few days and revert to being a 'feral' nudist. The solution for me would be a society where public nudity is legal, oh hang on, it is here, not enough people know or practice this though.
How about responding to your 'feral' tagger that membership to organisations like BN in the UK are open to everyone, there is no requirement to prove that you do get naked through club membership, or whatever the reason(s) the NZ naturist body is only open to club members. They might just see their membership numbers increasing!
I think you can support NZNF and Free Beaches-without belonging to a club. I have for some years, $40 a year
In the USA I have long supported The Naturist Society rather than AANR. The Naturist Society began as a support group for Free Range Naturists. Sadly since the founder's death they have become more tied to "Factory Farm" nudists (landed clubs) but still are more supportive of Free Range Naturism than the "recreation" focused vacation resort organization.
"I accept that a portion of club fees go to support local Naturist Foundations and in turn the World Naturist Foundation,"
This support of International Naturist organization is part of why I contribute to The Naturist Society. They still also print a monthly paper based magazine which reminds me that I'm not alone.
I don't like feral either - it means to be reverted back from a domesticated state. I might go with 'incorrigible' just for a hoot.
I'm also a Free Range Naturist, and have been for most of my life. I once joined an AANR club but their focus on fenced and hidden compounds are counter productive for promoting clothes freedom as a fundamental human right. And clothes free is a way of life, not some infrequent "recreation" at a far off pay-for-play resort. We need to be seen in public places until it becomes common. We need to object to anti-body concepts like "private parts" that are used to teach body fear to children and adults. Young people are becoming much more nudist, but its all Free Range as it should be.
Another interesting article to read - " Thank You ".
I am not a ' club type person ' - except for when it comes to partaking in sporting activities which I enjoyed i.e. tennis club, golf club, rugby club, etc.
I am a naturist - and as I am not a club type person, and due to my chosen lifestyle, the joining of a naturist club is not an option for me. And to add to that, with the beaches in New Zealand so easily accessible, and with the Law permitting nudity at the beach . . . . . . why would I join a naturist club ? ?
However, the term and description of me and my lifestyle used by John Lowe, I find to be extremely insulting and I take umbridge !
With the NZNF referring to people such as myself as ' feral ', this clearly displays yet another reason as to exactly why the number of members of naturist clubs in New Zealand remains in a decline.
Great article. I am sure I fall in the "independent" category. That being said, I am doing an extended stay at a resort in January, after being a stay-at-home naturist since 1977. I will see. Thanks for the blog.
While the term feral actually is pretty close, it has a negative connotation that I dislike. I think the most fitting label is renegade, an individual who rejects lawful or conventional behavior. To the extent that we prefer to needlessly cover our bodies, we definitely reject conventional behavior. I hereby declare that I’m a renegade nudist.
I don't know I'd use the term feral but free ranging, unattached or independent work. I too like the idea that contributions could be made to the work of national or international bodies without the need to join a landed club. I am a member of free beaches and continue to support INF via a BN membership.
Great Blog, But yes "Free range" sounds much more apt to us non landed club naturists.