Guest blog by: Monique N. Gilbert
The beach has been a constant in my life. Being from Miami, it is where I grew up, where I met my husband, where I fell in love, and where I currently work. I officiate weddings on Miami Beach.
I have also been a lifelong nudist. When I was little, I was always running around the house naked. When I would come home from school as a kid, the first thing I would do is take off all my clothes and run out to the pool area to swim nude.
I remember going to beach with my parents as a little kid, and I couldn’t understand why they said I had to wear a bathing suit – I didn’t have to at home. To their dismay, I would be running around the beach topless with my swimsuit top in hand shouting to them “I got my top!” In fact, you would sooner find me wearing it as a headband than a top.
Later I learned that being nude in public was frowned upon, even though it was perfectly acceptable in private. This was the case for many years, until Haulover Beach designated a clothing-optional section in 1991, thanks to South Florida Free Beaches.
This was monumental – a county park establishing a legally sanctioned section of the beach for naturists to enjoy the sun and surf. Going there was so refreshing and liberating. It was the first time I was able to go out in public and be nude without feeling like I was doing something wrong.
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