Nudists Rally in San Francisco After Proposed Laws
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A Muni F-Market line streetcar rolls past nudists at Castro and 17th streets, Sept. 24, 2011, in San Francisco, Calif.
The proposition that naked people should be required to sit on a towel, piece of paper, or other such “guard” when sitting in public places was met with, well, nudity over the weekend in San Francisco.
A few dozen naked men and at least one woman gathered in the Castro section of the city Saturday to raise support for nudists as proposed legislation makes its way through the city government to limit how and where nudists can sit publicly, according to the AP. There are currently no laws prohibiting nudity in the city, so long as it is not in the form of “lewd” behavior.
The proposed laws would prohibit nudists from eating in restaurants and would force them to put down a towel or other material before sitting on public benches or other public places. Supervisor Scott Wiener, who represents the Castro district, introduced the legislation, and told the New York Times that the number of naked individuals roaming the city has increased recently, and the laws would simply be about keeping public places sanitary.
The nudists, some wearing hats, leis, and sandals, and carrying signs with sayings such as “Get Your Hate Off My Body,” “Naked City Nude In,” and “Buck Naked in Public,” maintained that most nudists already sit on towels or newspapers when in public because of “nudist etiquette.”
Mitch Hightower, the organizer of the so-called “nude-in,” told the AP that the rally was not intended as a protest against the proposal. The goal, Hightower said, was to promote acceptance of the human body no matter what shape or form it comes in.
“The people out here believe there is nothing indecent or offensive about the human body,” he said.
The event was scheduled prior to the introduction of Wiener’s legislation, and was originally intended as a kick-off to the city’s Folsom Street Fair, a celebration of leather, the report said. Many participants show up to the fair wearing only leather chaps.
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“The nudists, some wearing hats, leis, and sandals, and carrying signs with sayings such as ‘Get Your Hate Off My Body,’ ‘Naked City Nude In,’ and ‘Buck Naked in Public,’ maintained that most nudists already sit on towels or newspapers when in public because of ‘nudist etiquette.’” So why should they be irate about a health law that requires tham to do something “etiquette” (presumably for the same reasons as the health law) tells them that they should do anyway?
Posted by: Publius | September 26, 2011, 2:33 pm 2:33 pm
As much as I love San Francisco — and I really do — all this just comes off as too weird for a major city. An island somewhere in the tropics I can understand.
Posted by: JustMeIntheRock | September 26, 2011, 2:40 pm 2:40 pm
Such a classy place. And with Nancy Pelosi as their ring leader, they can’t lose.
Posted by: s | September 26, 2011, 3:55 pm 3:55 pm
ABC what gives? A story on a few nudists getting together in protest but no coverage of the protests on Wall Street? Why the suppression of real news?
Posted by: TampaBob | September 26, 2011, 4:08 pm 4:08 pm
EEEEWWWWWWW!!! This is just plain gross and indescent!!! I don’t want to see other people’s JUNK!!! This sounds about right for San Francisco!!! Wouldn’t go there if you paid me!!!! Too many weirdos!!!!!
Posted by: Jean | September 26, 2011, 4:32 pm 4:32 pm
Why is it that the people who SHOULD be wearing clothes are the ones who don’t …. if you get my drift.
Posted by: grackle | September 26, 2011, 5:23 pm 5:23 pm
OK, the laws can’t be changed fast enough on this one – this is so totally messed up. What is wrong with thiscountry that they can’t control this kind of thing. These people should be in mental hospitals and so should all those people standing there gawking at them.
Posted by: Monica | September 26, 2011, 5:34 pm 5:34 pm
How long did it take to arrange those guys to where every one of them had their private parts concealed? ;-)
Posted by: Jerry Knowles | September 26, 2011, 7:54 pm 7:54 pm
Talk about a nightmare. This is Nancy Pelosi’s district could you imagine seeing Nancy Naked
Posted by: Carl Hubert | September 26, 2011, 9:34 pm 9:34 pm
I’m sorry if these people are offended, but why would they think someone or someone’s child want to sit where their bare a** or vaginas were? There are too many things and fluids out there that transmit unwanted germs, give me a break, just a reason to want to flash their stuff around in my eyes. Personally, they should do it out of courtesy, wth, they can walk around nude for god’s sake!
Posted by: Djwpaice | September 27, 2011, 2:05 pm 2:05 pm
Bless San Francisco, more cities should allow simple nudiy in public places. It is how God wanted us to live, not like the Taliban.
Posted by: andy | September 30, 2011, 12:17 pm 12:17 pm
Looks like a bunch of old pervys wanting to expose themselves to women.
Posted by: Manny | September 30, 2011, 12:59 pm 12:59 pm
Take time to read the article. They were NOT protesting the law!!! The rally was to support another fair that happened to be starting next week. Their rally (not protest) was scheduled months ago!
The law for sitting on some barrier (typically a towel) is common sense and has been part of nudist etiquette for over 50 years.
It’s good to see some people understand there is nothing inherently lewd or wrong with the nude human body. If you think it’s disgusting, don’t look. I’m sure there are plenty of people wearing clothes that you also think are disgusting. This is no different – except that they are comfortable with themselves and others and have a healthy sense of self worth.
Mark
Posted by: Mark | October 7, 2011, 6:35 pm 6:35 pm