Naked ambitions on a Greek island

Sunset strip: The nudist beach attached to Antiparos Camping on the island where both Tom Hanks and Madonna have houses.

[...]

The nudists appear totally normal to me now, but five years ago, when I first came to the beach with my sister and her boyfriend, I was not so relaxed. I remember it clearly. We sat not far from the nudists, but not so near as to be imposing, and began our beach routine. I became increasingly aware that wearing swimwear somehow excluded us, and I felt like I owed it to their nudity to undress. One nudist in particular frightened me into revealing myself. I like to call him Nordic Sea God: a Swede, around 60, an artist, and equipped with a handlebar blond moustache. He sat under his own shade like the beach's royal authority and eyed our swimming costumes with derision. I was afraid he might come and whip the bikini top straight off my chest.

Looking nervously at my sister's boyfriend I disrobed, while he did the same. Nordic Sea God's face lit up. The faces of several other nudists did the same: yes, you're just like us, they seemed to say, creatures bearing disappointing forms. It was time to go for a naked swim. Whereas I can't recommend anything more highly than nude swimming, walking out of the sea afterwards is a different matter. You are suddenly aware that the point will come when your unsheathed form will rise into full view and that the whole beach is facing the water, like an audience. As I came out of the sea that first time, I was met by Nordic Sea God's Swedish accent booming: "What a pale woman!"

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SFBG Radio: Johnny wants a nude-in

SFNudeOut by endorsements2011

A radio chat about the San Francisco Castro district nudists, it's refreshing to hear a non-prude view on nudism from Americans.

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Some of the clothing people wear in public is far worse

As for feeding a baby in a restroom, would YOU eat in a restroom? I believe that the issue goes deeper than breastfeeding a baby. I feel that a large part of this “problem” is the fact that a woman’s breasts (by the way, a few years back the word breast could not have been printed in a newspaper) have been turned into something only sexual.

To be viewed only in a sordid manner and not as God and nature intended. Nurturing, loving instruments to feed, soothe comfort and bond.  I would certainly feel much less offended by a nursing mother than by some of the “clothing”’ that people wear in public. That’s just one MAN’s opinion. Sometimes the problem isn’t the view, it’s the viewer.

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SF OK With Public Nudity, But...

(Newser) – What's the world coming to when San Francisco politicians start ... gasp ... regulating public nudity. Don't worry—"naturists" won't have to cover up on the street. It's perfectly legal in the city to be nude, as long as you're not lewd. But they may soon have to put a towel—or something—between their bare butts and public seating, reports the Los Angeles Times. "If you're going to be naked in public, and you're going to sit down on public seating, you should cover the seating," explains city Supervisor Scott Wiener, who has introduced the new measures. "We shouldn't have to legislate about that, but we do. It's about basic public health."

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REAL WOMEN: Exhibit focuses on beauty and body image

Richmond artist Susan Singer revels in painting the truth — and she doesn't care what Madison Avenue thinks.

"The form that we see on models and in the media is, for most people, not achievable: Most of us cannot be 6 feet tall and 110 pounds," the 51-year-old says as she sits in her Richmond studio, surrounded by canvases of scarred, tattooed and comfortably curvaceous female nudes. These images — which will be on view in the upcoming exhibit "Not Barbie: A Celebration of Real Women," at Crossroads Art Center Sept. 16 through Nov. 7 — are Singer's retort to modern culture's veneration of stick-thin, porcelain-complexioned waifs. In her view, it's a joyous retort.

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NUDE IN

NUDE IN works on the concept of a "sit in", though the participants are naked. The first NUDE IN takes place in SAN FRANCISCO on July 30, 2011. More NUDE IN gatherings will follow.

 

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The bare truth about bedtime

THE party could be over for pyjamas – it has been revealed almost two thirds of us sleep naked.

A massive 64% of adults regularly go to bed in the buff, according to a survey of 3,000 people.

Four out of 10 adults say they have never worn anything to bed.

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Meet New York City's Outdoor Co-Ed Topless Pulp Fiction Appreciation Society

Back in June, when it was sultry and sunny on the city streets, there was a woman who walked the Bowery topless. Some were shocked, as people sometimes are; others responded coolly, knowingly that, actually, it is legal to be topless as a woman or a man in New York City. Still others were inspired to try it for themselves. And then, we all pretty much put our shirts back on and went about our business, except for a group known as the Outdoor Co-Ed Topless Pulp Fiction Appreciation Society. After a first meeting on August 17, they are still going topless as they read pulp fiction outdoors in various New York City locales -- although probably not today, given the rain. They are hoping to take female toplessness from "something taboo," albeit legal, to something that people don't much notice, or care about if they do. They've got a blog that's been seen by more than 100,000 people (and they're on Twitter, now, too). We had a chat with a couple of the group's members this weekend.

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Adriatic coast in Croatia - Oasis and cradle of naturism

Foreign media often describe Croatia as a 'naturist paradise', it is therefore not surprising that CNN named island of Rab top destination for nudists.

All those who believe that Croatia is a conservative country, will be surprised at the fact that the Adriatic coast is one of the most tolerant naturist destinations in the world, and Rab island  cradle of naturist tourism.

Naturism in Croatia dates back in 1936, when the first naturist beach on the island of Rab was opened - Paradise Beach.

Nude bathing season on Rab was opened by British king Edward VIII, who several months later became the first king who abdicated for the love of divorced American Wallis Simpson. It is the island of Rab that was on CNN's list of the ten top destinations for nudists.

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Heidi Klum Talks Topless Beaches, Family Vacations

Well, Heidi admits, "I bring more bottoms than actually tops and bottoms. I'm surprised you have photos of me wearing the top."

Jay perks up: "You have photos of you without the top?"

"Yeah, I don't really like to wear tops because I hate tan lines!"

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Nudists Open Their Homes to Budget-Minded Travelers

Those looking for a nudist-friendly environment have a variety of groups from which to choose — not just Clothing Optional, but also Naked at Home, Freedom for Nudity, Nudist Lifestyle and nakedveganpotsmokingcyclists, among others. By designating their homes as nudist-friendly spaces, members of these groups provide travelers with temporary havens from the tyranny of fabric and public nudity laws. More important, perhaps, from the hosts’ viewpoint, they are taking the intimacy of couch surfing to an extreme, bringing the unguarded ethos of the nudist camp into their homes.

More than 1,100 people belong to the Clothing Optional group, which is exactly what it sounds like: people who may or may not choose to be naked, but are open to the option. The group’s goal is not to cater exclusively to nudists but, in the words of the CouchSurfing mission statement, to “create inspiring experiences.” For Clothing Optional hosts and couch surfers, that means that being open-minded is as important as being naked.

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Topless may not be pretty but it's right

TORONTO - As far as protests go, the Go Topless one in Toronto last Sunday was in character for the sort of stories that take root in midsummer.

One of the co-ordinators for the Go Topless gesture that had some eyes popping in Toronto was Diane Brisebois. And she is perfectly correct when she says society tends to discriminate by shrugging when men go topless in public, and getting flustered and indignant when women do the same thing.

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Hippie Hollow

Situated on 109 peaceful acres, Hippie Hollow is a clothing optional park securely nestled in the natural beauty of the Hill County of Lake Travis, only 20 minutes off Interstate 35, but a world away from the bustle of nearby Austin, a haven for those who wish to escape the rigors of modern life in a safe and comfortable nudist atmosphere. Hippie Hollow is internationally popular for sunbathing and swimming, welcoming visitors from all over the world.

If you have never tried nude recreation, you are in for the most enjoyable experience of your life. If you are already a nudist, Hippie Hollow will be one of your favorite spots in Texas, after one visit here.

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Would you pose for a nude portrait?

I did at 45... and it was one of the unexpectedly liberating experience of my life

Alan seemed a pleasant enough chap. I had known him for precisely 25 minutes when I took all my clothes off in his house and stood in front of him entirely naked. He gazed at my body in frank assessment, as I had known he would.

‘So,’ I said, a touch over-brightly, ‘what are we going to do first?’ Before you dismiss me as a shameless hussy, let me assure you it really isn’t what you think — I am about to become one of an increasing number of women who pose for a nude portrait.

As I stood before Alan, it became apparent that no matter how interested you are in the idea of portraiture in general and nudes in particular, how chilled you are about your physical self and how confident you are in the skill of your chosen artist, the point where you get naked in front of a near-stranger is one of those through-the-looking-glass moments.

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Anne Hathaway: ‘It’s Easy Getting Naked’

ANNE Hathaway says it’s easier getting naked on screen than mastering a British accent.

The American actress plays a Yorkshire girl Emma in her new movie One Day but the 28-year-old star insists she was more comfortable stripping off for a skinny dipping scene with her costar Jim Sturgess than speaking in her character’s regional dialect.

“I was more nervous about the accent than nudity,” Anne said.

“I mean, you can do sit-ups as prep for the nudity. But there aren’t a lot of vocal sit-ups that you can do. Maybe it’s because I have more experience in my life being naked than pretending to be British.

“So I got more comfortable quickly with the nudity than I did with the accent.”

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Where Are The Naturist Females?

If a female can sunbathe topless in the local park walk down the street wearing whatever she chooses to wear, without being harassed or thought of as a bad person (slut or worse!), more are likely to do the same. If she is seen only as a sex object, then there is every need for her to cover up for safety. If you see a topless girl in the park, leave her be, let her enjoy herself, walk away and enjoy the glimpse of happiness. She does not want to talk to you, nor does she need help in understand whether what she is doing is right or wrong. It is natural and allow her the freedom to do it.

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The Purpose of National Go Topless Day

Breasts of every size, shape, color and even age were exposed in City Plaza Sunday, not to promote sexuality, but to promote equality.

It was National "Go Topless" Day and friends Meagan Fischer and Rain Scher gathered among others at 2 p.m. to celebrate and encourage support for fellow women and men who opted to remove their garments in honor of the day.

"We want to help create a culture where women's bodies and all of our bodies can be celebrated and respected," said Fischer, a 21-year-old Chico State student.

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"It's not for just today," Scher said. "Today is just the national day to celebrate altogether across the country, but our point is to normalize it, to make it an everyday thing where it's not a big deal ever anymore."

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Lara Terstenjak Speaks for Topless Equality

Protesters Go Topless at Venice Beach

 

How puritanism spreads and fails

Americans use shame primarily to get others feeling hatred, fear, or disgust of the human body. Another more direct form is scorn or anger, this sometimes results in bad outcomes for those simply wanting to enjoy how they we came into this world, nude.

We in the U.S. would be wise to look to Europe in how they have long appreciated the human body as a God given gift, a high art form, and a normal part of daily living.

American's minds are in the gutter, they can only see the body as dirty, shameful, something to hide, something outrageous, and yet the porn industry and hollywood feed hardcore sex all the time to these ridiculous hypocrites. Luckily they are becoming the minority as modern European attitudes trump these antiquated ways of the 1600's.

San Francisco's Nude Beaches

NUDE BEACHES A few snippets from the year in nude beaches: TV installer Paul Jung enjoyed playing nude volleyball on the north end of Baker Beach. Stinson Beach local and attorney-teacher Fred Jaggi preferred to be naked while tossing a Frisbee on Red Rock Beach in the North Bay. And when he wasn't busy representing an area that stretches from Tomales south to Muir Beach and as far east as Novato, Marin County Supervisor Steve Kinsey could sometimes be found without a stitch of clothing at a beach in Point Reyes National Seashore.

They'll be able to continue enjoying their favorite clothing-optional spots. Unfortunately, that's not the case for all Californians.

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National "Go Topless Day": Sunday, August 21st, 2011

National "Go Topless Day" for women is coming! Sunday, August 21st is a chance for women everywhere to "bare" their souls if they choose, and strut their stuff topless. Is this a good idea or just an attention getter?

This event is being held in cities across America for women who believe that they have the right to be outside topless on a hot day, just as men can do.

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Surprisingly many people may not know, but it is legal in many cities across the USA for women to go topless if they choose to. Austin, Texas, New York City, Asheville, North Carolina and Washington, DC already have passed laws for women to be legally topless.

Cities that will participating in this event include Chicago, Honolulu, and Los Angeles (Venice Beach).

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Does National Geographic still show nude Africans?

yes they do

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SlutWalk held in Germany to promote gender equality and fight intolerance

(CBS) - They're calling it a SlutWalk. You read it right. This isn't your grandmother's charity walk.

Hundreds gathered in Germany's capital of Berlin as part of an unorthodox movement that's been sweeping the globe.

Protesters took to the streets scantily dressed (some even topless) in an effort to stand up against sexism and raise attention to the rights of victims of sexual violence.



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Naturism Is More Than Nudity

There is something about baring it all, baring one’s soul that is liberating. If once really listens to the inner voices that show up in the outer world as feelings and emotions, then life somehow begins to make more sense and one feels more connected with life. Strange how it is through the outer world that one finds a way to an rich inner world in which long hidden questions and answers begin to
appear.

So, how does this work in terms of naturism? Well, naturism is only one of the many paths one can follow to find this inner world. With naturism, there is a rediscovery of the body and all of its hidden parts, denied parts. To be able to really look at one’s own body seeing the few (or more) extra pounds, the skin blemishes, the imperfection in terms of body symmetry and then accept these things as okay is a good start. However, one must be careful not to fall into a
trap of focusing on the external body.

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