Gay naturism

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Gay naturism or LGBT naturism (where naturism is generally equated with nudism) concerns a lifestyle of gay people in which nudity, especially in a communal context, is viewed as natural, positive and healthy. While naturist clubs and resorts in the United States date back to the 1930s, gay naturist organizations did not emerge until the early 1980s. Separate from official naturist clubs, gay individuals have long congregated in locally-known gay beaches in many countries, especially in Europe and North America. [1]

Contents

Early history

In the early 1980s, a number of unaffiliated local clubs for gay naturists began independently springing up in major metropolitan areas of the United States and Canada. By that time, many major cities were served by LGBT newspapers that were established during the gay liberation movement of the 1970s. These papers—e.g., L.A. Frontiers, Seattle Gay News and the Houston Voice—were important means of spreading the word about the first wave of gay naturist social clubs. Among the oldest and largest of the clubs that are still extant are Males au Naturel (MAN) in New York, [2] Los Angeles Nude Guys (LANG), [3] San Francisco Kindred Nudists (SKiNS), [4] and the Greater Atlanta Naturist Group (GANG). [5]

The first nationwide organization to promote gay naturism also originated in the early 1980s. In 1980, Lee Baxandall founded The Naturist Society (TNS). In contrast to the more conservative American Sunbathing Association (ASA) (which in 1995 was renamed the American Association for Nude Recreation, or AANR), TNS openly welcomed diverse groups of people and was a loose association of special interest groups (SIGs). According to Baxandall, from its inception TNS received almost daily inquires about a SIG for gay naturists. Baxandall approached Murray Kaufman (d. 2003), an openly gay New Yorker who had been hosting private nude socials for gay men in his home. Kaufman agreed to oversee a gay SIG for TNS, and Gay and Lesbian Naturists (GLN) was formed in 1983. GLN had its first gathering at the Summit Lodge in Rockbridge, Ohio in 1985. About 60 members, all of them men, attended.

Growth in the 1990s

Annual GLN gatherings grew steadily in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 1992, the group reorganized, with two key changes: it became an independent entity (no longer a SIG of TNS); and it was renamed Gay Naturists International (GNI). [6] Although GLN had been founded with the intent of attracting both gay men and lesbians, it had been a de facto all-male organization as there had never been any significant lesbian participation in the group. The new GNI became gender specific in its mission. GNI also became an umbrella organization for networking local gay naturist clubs.[ citation needed ]

In 1994, there was a schism in GNI due to a legal dispute over records and money with respect to the paid employee. Out of this split, the employee in question founded International Men Enjoying Naturism (IMEN). [7] Its goals were similar to those of GNI, including being a registry of local clubs, providing referrals to local groups, helping new local gay naturist groups organize, and holding an annual gathering. He was later terminated in a similar fashion from IMEN over the same issues.[ citation needed ]

The number of local gay naturist clubs continued to grow in the 1990s, particularly the latter part of the decade. GNI and IMEN provided organizational assistance to new clubs, and the advent of the Internet meant greater publicity opportunities for new and existing clubs. The website Spike's Naked Planet [8] lists over 100 gay naturist clubs in the United States, about half a dozen in Canada and a scattering in other places across the world.[ citation needed ]

Annual gay naturist gatherings

The 1990s saw the beginning of annual gay naturist gatherings on a large scale. GNI held its first gathering under its new name in 1992. The annual GNI Gathering, held each August in rural eastern Pennsylvania, remains the largest gay naturist gathering, attracting about 800 gay naturists. The second largest gathering, the CMEN Gathering, is sponsored by California Men Enjoying Naturism [9] and is held each September in Malibu, California. First held in 1999, CMEN now draws about 500 attendees. Three other gatherings attract a few hundred attendees each. The IMEN Gathering, [10] held each July in rural eastern Maryland, began in 1995. The East Coast Gathering, sponsored by the Philadelphia Area Naked Guys, [11] is held each May in rural eastern Maryland. The Midwest Male Naturist Gathering” [12] began in 1993 and is held in rural eastern Kansas each June. Key West's Bone Island Bare It All Weekend [13] is held each July and December, attracting between 300 and 500 men.

Gay naturist vacation market

In the United States, Palm Springs, California [14] and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida [15] have emerged as the leading vacation destinations for gay naturists. Both cities have a comparable number—about 25 in each—of small, all-gay resorts and guesthouses that allow either unrestricted nudity or at least poolside nudity. Key West, Florida [16] is recognized as an early leader in the development of clothing-optional all-gay guesthouses. Key West currently has ten clothing-optional guesthouses [17] as well as gay bars with clothing-optional areas. The majority of men-only gay accommodations throughout the world allow some degree of naturism, especially poolside, if there is sufficient privacy. However, there are no gay naturist resorts on the scale of co-ed, family oriented naturist resorts such as Cypress Cove [18] in Florida.

Puglia in Italy has become an extremely popular destination for gay naturists with two popular naturist beaches at Spiaggia D’Ayala, Campomarino di Maruggio and at Torre Guaceto, [19] Brindisi. Both have extensive gay sections. Additionally there are spots up and down Puglia’s coast where nude bathing coincides with predominantly, but not exclusively, gay and gay-friendly locals. [20]

Gay naturism in the United Kingdom

A community website [21] offers social networking for men looking to connect with other men also interested in male naturism together with member organised events, site organised events and an annual NakedFest [22] weekend camping festival, attracting over 400 attendees in 2014.

A number of gay naturist organisations have existed in the United Kingdom. Gymnos [23] offered social get-togethers for members only in and around London, and regular nude swimming (closed down in March 2010) together with Gay London Swimmers (GLS) at a public swimming pool in Camberwell, South London (closed down in 2009). Certain nudist beaches have areas which are informally used by gay men.[ citation needed ]

Gay naturist publications

The book Naked Places, A Guide for Gay Men to Nude Recreation and Travel [24] was first published in 1997 and is in its fifth edition as of 2006. The now defunct Naked Magazine was published from 1994 - 2001. Additionally, GNI and IMEN produce quarterly magazines—the GNI Informer and Naturist Gay-zette respectively—that are distributed to members only.[ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naturism</span> Movement for social nudity and naked lifestyle

Naturism is a lifestyle of practicing non-sexual social nudity in private and in public; the word also refers to the cultural movement which advocates and defends that lifestyle. Both may alternatively be called nudism. Though the two terms are broadly interchangeable, nudism emphasizes the practice of nudity, whilst naturism highlights an attitude favoring harmony with nature and respect for the environment, into which that practice is integrated. That said, naturists come from a range of philosophical and cultural backgrounds; there is no single naturist ideology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cap d'Agde</span> Human settlement in Agde, France

Cap d'Agde is a seaside resort on France's Mediterranean coast. It is located in the commune of Agde, in the Hérault department within the region of Occitanie. Cap d'Agde was planned by architect Jean Le Couteur as part of one of the largest state-run development schemes in French history. In the 1960s, the only buildings at the Cap were small houses that were typically used by locals over the weekends. It is now one of the largest leisure ports on the French Mediterranean.

The Naturist Society (TNS) is an American naturist organization based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, United States. It publishes a quarterly periodical called Nude & Natural which contains articles on naturist activities and issues related to naturism. The Naturist Society was established by Lee Baxandall in 1980. Baxandall was the Society president for a number of years. Baxandall formulated the initial TNS motto: "Body acceptance is the goal, nude recreation is the way." This statement incorporates the belief that the human body is not intrinsically offensive and that the practice of social nudity can be affirming, not degrading.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Association for Nude Recreation</span> American naturism advocacy organization

The American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) is a naturist organization based in the United States.

Lee Raymond Baxandall was an American writer, translator, editor, and activist. He was first known for his New Left engagement with cultural topics and then as a leader of the naturist movement.

<i>Nude & Natural</i> American naturist magazine published by The Naturist Society

Nude & Natural: The Magazine of Naturist Living or simply N magazine, is a quarterly 100+ page naturist magazine published by The Naturist Society Foundation in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and distributed throughout the United States and internationally. In addition to the current news the magazine also features scholarly articles on naturist history, culture and current legal issues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freikörperkultur</span> Movement for social nudity and naked lifestyle

The Freikörperkultur (FKK) is a social and health culture that originated in the German Empire; its beginnings were historically part of the Lebensreform social movement in the late 19th century. The Freikörperkultur, which translates to free body culture, consists in the connection of health aspects of being naked in light, air and sun with intentions to reform life and society. It is partially identical with the culture of nudity, naturism and nudism in the sense of communal nudity of people and families in leisure time, sport and everyday life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian naturism</span> Practise of naturism or nudism by Christians

Christian naturism is the practise of naturism or nudism by Christians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Issues in social nudity</span>

Social nudity is the practice of nudity in relatively public settings not restricted by gender. This occurs both in public spaces and on commercial property, such as at a naturist resort.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nude recreation</span> Leisure activity while naked

Nude recreation refers to recreational activities which some people engage in while nude. Historically, the ancient Olympic Games were nude events. There remain some societies in Africa, Oceania, and South America that continue to engage in everyday public activities—including sports—without clothes, while in most of the world nude activities take place in either private spaces or separate clothing optional areas in public spaces. Occasional events, such as nude bike rides, may occur in public areas where nudity is not otherwise allowed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nude beach</span> A beach where public nudity is practiced

A nude beach, sometimes called a clothing-optional or free beach, is a beach where users are at liberty to be nude. Nude beaches usually have mixed bathing. Such beaches are usually on public lands, and any member of the public is allowed to use the facilities without membership in any movement or subscription to any personal belief. The use of the beach facilities is normally anonymous. Unlike a naturist resort or facility, there is normally no membership or vetting requirement for the use of a nude beach. The use of nude beach facilities is usually casual, not requiring pre-booking. Nude beaches may be official, unofficial, or illegal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of social nudity</span> A chronology of the acceptance of nudity in public life

This timeline of social nudity shows the varying degrees of acceptance given to the naked human body by diverse cultures throughout history. The events listed here demonstrate how various societies have shifted between strict and lax clothing standards, how nudity has played a part in social movements and protest, and how the nude human body is accepted in the public sphere.

Naturism is a cultural and social movement practicing, advocating and defending social nudity in private and in public. It is particularly strong in Germany where it goes under the name Freikörperkultur (FKK). It refers to a lifestyle based on personal, family and/or social nudism in the "great outdoors" environment. Naturism grew out of the German Lebensreform movement and the Wandervogel youth movement of 1896, and has been adopted in many neighbouring European countries and was taken by the German diaspora to North America and other continents. In 1974, the International Naturist Federation (INF) defined naturism as:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naturist resort</span> Clothes-free recreational facility

A naturist resort or nudist resort is an establishment that provides accommodation and other amenities for guests in a context where they are invited to practise naturism – that is, a lifestyle of non-sexual social nudity. A smaller, more rustic, or more basic naturist resort may be called a naturist camp.

References

  1. ↑ "35 Best Gay Beaches Around the World". wolfyy. 2022-02-16. Retrieved 2022-05-07.
  2. ↑ "Social". MALES AU NATUREL. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  3. ↑ "Los Angeles Nude Guys | A club for the man who enjoys being naked and free with other men…". www.clublang.com. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  4. ↑ "Home". skins.cc.
  5. ↑ "Greater Atlanta Naturist Group". gangatl.org. Archived from the original on January 25, 1999. Retrieved 2021-07-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. ↑ "Home | Gay Naturists International". www.gaynaturists.org. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  7. ↑ "IMEN - International Men Enjoying Naturism Join Us and be Naked at 13th Annual Gathering in 2007". imengonude.org. Archived from the original on February 12, 2007. Retrieved 2021-07-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  8. ↑ "nakedplanet.org". ww38.nakedplanet.org. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  9. ↑ "California Men Enjoying Naturism". California Men Enjoying Naturism, Los Angeles, CA. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  10. ↑ "IMEN - International Men Enjoying Naturism Join Us and be Naked at 13th Annual Gathering in 2007". imengonude.org. Archived from the original on February 12, 2007. Retrieved 2021-07-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  11. ↑ "PANG - Philadelphia Area Naked Guys". phillynakedguys.org. Archived from the original on October 19, 2000. Retrieved 2021-07-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  12. ↑ "MMNG". Midwest Male Naturist Gathering. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  13. ↑ "Bone Island Bare It All". Bone Island Bare It All Key West. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  14. ↑ "Palm Springs Gay". Archived from the original on 2006-10-22. Retrieved 2019-12-25.
  15. ↑ "Naked Concierge Fort Lauderdale". Archived from the original on 2006-09-11. Retrieved 2019-12-25.
  16. ↑ "Promoting Key West Since 1978 | Key West Business Guild". Gay Key West. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  17. ↑ "9 Best Key West Gay Resorts, Hotels & Guesthouses". wolfyy. 2021-01-27. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
  18. ↑ "Home | Cypress Cove Nudist Resort". cypress cove resort. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  19. ↑ "Torre Guaceto - Gay Beach Guide". The Big Gay Podcast from Puglia. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  20. ↑ "Gay Puglia Beach Guide". The Big Gay Podcast from Puglia. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  21. ↑ "Welcome to Naked Mates". www.nakedmates.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  22. ↑ "NakedFest". www.nakedfest.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  23. ↑ http://www.gymnos.org/ Archived 2007-06-22 at the Wayback Machine
  24. ↑ Michael Boyd (2006). Naked Places. ISBN   9780965608947 . Retrieved 2021-06-08.
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