Great article. "Personally, my naturism is about my comfort. This may seem selfish, but I don't need a gender balance to make me feel better. If suddenly every other nudist decided that clothing was a better option, I would still be naked at home.
Do I wish that there were more women visible in naturism? Absolutely, but more specifically, I wish there were more people taking part in naturism."
I think what's key in this statement is that that gender balance is important. Because a perceived gender imbalance also prevents potential new naturists from taking part. If a woman only sees men participating, she may be very reluctant to join. We as men all need to do better to support those safe spaces for them.
There is no doubt that a perceived gender imbalance can be a barrier for women to join in naturism or naturist activities. In order to correct that imbalance, I think that a lot of men need to look closely at their own behaviour and reactions when women do turn up.
Wonderfully written article & what you have said in the article is very true.. It's unfortunate though very true that naturism varies person to person.. Perhaps only nakedness may be the common factor..The concepts of naturism differs from person to person & moreover dependent upon local laws, societal constraints & many other issues...As you have said it rightly, right now it seems that there is no single solution which may connect all naturists...
Good article Steve, as usual. Reflecting on your writings I believe I'm in your camp. What I don't like about the online community is the constant battle to remove the bots and accounts trying to co-opt me into paid sites. I think many of us are starting to withdraw from online, being comfortable in our own private worlds.
A well thought-out and expounded piece as usual, Steve. Nudism/naturism is what we want it to be, all those varieties you lay out; giving oneself a label has always left one open to another’s different understanding of that label, so adopting it is always a risk.
As nudism/naturism is not a protected characteristic or copyrighted title we’re stuck with the confusion if we choose to adopt the label.
For another perspective - policeman is a label worn all over the world, but people’s views of it vary wildly depending where they are! So we’re not alone with our label confusion.
I shall carry on avoiding any labels whenever I can, and wish everyone else well in their self-description.
You pretty well covered the gamut of opinions about what nudism might entail. I enjoyed seeing an article that acknowledges the wide range of ideas of people's opinions about what nudity should or shouldn't be. We also should all look at how our actions affect the environment.
“out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks” — #StLukeVI45 #StMattXII34
There are a lot of anonyMouse nameless bot•like folks, who seem to be only able to exist behind digital screens & keyboards of “virtual reality” — not in relevant tangible verifiable Material Reality, spreading specious negative fallacies about “society at large” — while naming & quoting no one ( not one single credible source ) — as if pulling useless waste matter of ideas out of one’s tail.
The World is FULL of Loving Souls & Bodies. The #FREErangeSFnudistEXPERIENCE is just one modern day ( 2025 A.D. ) example of how Naturists & Urban Nudists can seamlessly coexist, as they have at least since the 60s, if not historically & since ancient times, in San Francisco🇺🇸USA among thousands of “closeted-nudists”** ( the “nudist-curious;” “bi-nudists” — those who wear clothes sometimes & enjoy get naked at other times, even if only in the shower; & those who are struggling in “recovery” — from being inundated by endless corporate & govt propagandas that entice them to waste countless amounts of their earnings & savings on unnecessary & dehumanizing “body-masks” ) who, even after enjoying fleeting moments of the nirvana & myriad benes of #SocialPublicNudism, face both endogenous & exogenous challenges to doing so more regularly & “normally” — careFREE.
So, come check it out someday & get a taste ( WARNING: Nudism is “addictive” ). The @SFWNBR is a notorious “gate-way” drug to #SocialPublicNudism & a handy key to #ThePureSuitOfHappiness; this months #Bare2BreakersWeekenders’ San Francisco World Naked Bike Ride, is an annual part of a Naturists/Nudists double-header event coupled with the following day’s historic annual #ClothingOptional #Bay2Breakers run/walk/parade:
Indeed, your definition of naturism aligns with my own, one borne from an environmental ethic and a practical enjoyment of the freedom of being nude. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
One small edit: as I understand it, bell hooks intentionally used lowercase letters for her name so as to “emphasize the ideas over her authorship “.
Great article. "Personally, my naturism is about my comfort. This may seem selfish, but I don't need a gender balance to make me feel better. If suddenly every other nudist decided that clothing was a better option, I would still be naked at home.
Do I wish that there were more women visible in naturism? Absolutely, but more specifically, I wish there were more people taking part in naturism."
I think what's key in this statement is that that gender balance is important. Because a perceived gender imbalance also prevents potential new naturists from taking part. If a woman only sees men participating, she may be very reluctant to join. We as men all need to do better to support those safe spaces for them.
Nice work!
There is no doubt that a perceived gender imbalance can be a barrier for women to join in naturism or naturist activities. In order to correct that imbalance, I think that a lot of men need to look closely at their own behaviour and reactions when women do turn up.
I love that you’re talking about the diversity of ideas. You can have a multi-ethnic representation and yet still have monocultural thinking.
Wonderfully written article & what you have said in the article is very true.. It's unfortunate though very true that naturism varies person to person.. Perhaps only nakedness may be the common factor..The concepts of naturism differs from person to person & moreover dependent upon local laws, societal constraints & many other issues...As you have said it rightly, right now it seems that there is no single solution which may connect all naturists...
Pretty much 100% agree with all of this Steve, great article once again.
Good article Steve, as usual. Reflecting on your writings I believe I'm in your camp. What I don't like about the online community is the constant battle to remove the bots and accounts trying to co-opt me into paid sites. I think many of us are starting to withdraw from online, being comfortable in our own private worlds.
I fear that you may be right, and unfortunately this further fragments and isolates people from enjoying a sense of community.
A well thought-out and expounded piece as usual, Steve. Nudism/naturism is what we want it to be, all those varieties you lay out; giving oneself a label has always left one open to another’s different understanding of that label, so adopting it is always a risk.
As nudism/naturism is not a protected characteristic or copyrighted title we’re stuck with the confusion if we choose to adopt the label.
For another perspective - policeman is a label worn all over the world, but people’s views of it vary wildly depending where they are! So we’re not alone with our label confusion.
I shall carry on avoiding any labels whenever I can, and wish everyone else well in their self-description.
You pretty well covered the gamut of opinions about what nudism might entail. I enjoyed seeing an article that acknowledges the wide range of ideas of people's opinions about what nudity should or shouldn't be. We also should all look at how our actions affect the environment.
“out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks” — #StLukeVI45 #StMattXII34
There are a lot of anonyMouse nameless bot•like folks, who seem to be only able to exist behind digital screens & keyboards of “virtual reality” — not in relevant tangible verifiable Material Reality, spreading specious negative fallacies about “society at large” — while naming & quoting no one ( not one single credible source ) — as if pulling useless waste matter of ideas out of one’s tail.
The World is FULL of Loving Souls & Bodies. The #FREErangeSFnudistEXPERIENCE is just one modern day ( 2025 A.D. ) example of how Naturists & Urban Nudists can seamlessly coexist, as they have at least since the 60s, if not historically & since ancient times, in San Francisco🇺🇸USA among thousands of “closeted-nudists”** ( the “nudist-curious;” “bi-nudists” — those who wear clothes sometimes & enjoy get naked at other times, even if only in the shower; & those who are struggling in “recovery” — from being inundated by endless corporate & govt propagandas that entice them to waste countless amounts of their earnings & savings on unnecessary & dehumanizing “body-masks” ) who, even after enjoying fleeting moments of the nirvana & myriad benes of #SocialPublicNudism, face both endogenous & exogenous challenges to doing so more regularly & “normally” — careFREE.
So, come check it out someday & get a taste ( WARNING: Nudism is “addictive” ). The @SFWNBR is a notorious “gate-way” drug to #SocialPublicNudism & a handy key to #ThePureSuitOfHappiness; this months #Bare2BreakersWeekenders’ San Francisco World Naked Bike Ride, is an annual part of a Naturists/Nudists double-header event coupled with the following day’s historic annual #ClothingOptional #Bay2Breakers run/walk/parade:
• Saturday 17 May 2025 :
wiki.worldnakedbikeride.org/wiki/San_Francisco
( FREE no fees or registration needed, only Smiles & Wheels ( or good running shoes ) required )
• Sunday 18 May 2025: Bay To Breakers :
baytobreakers.com
( registration is still open! )
**“Every•Body is a Nudist ( some are just ‘in the closet” )!”
Indeed, your definition of naturism aligns with my own, one borne from an environmental ethic and a practical enjoyment of the freedom of being nude. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
One small edit: as I understand it, bell hooks intentionally used lowercase letters for her name so as to “emphasize the ideas over her authorship “.
Thank you, I will make the changes now.
Beautifully written. 👌👍