July 2019

• Editor's Message — The Naturist
Society Foundation's 2019
Naturist Tour heats up
• Naturist Action Committee Board
of Directors election opens in July
• Tampa Bay Free Beaches' first
town hall meeting a success
• SFFB July Board meeting
• 5th Annual Blind Creek Beach
Skinny-Dip with raffle, July 14
• Free the Nipple activist honored
by President Trump
• Nudity ends at Lake Tahoe beach
• Nude protest outside Facebook's
New York headquarters
• Price increase for GNI's annual
men's nude Gathering in August

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Join South Florida Free Beaches

Beach Education Advocates for
Culture, Health, Environment
& Safety (B.E.A.C.H.E.S.)

501(c)(3) nonprofit educational and charitable adjunct to SFFB

Find a nude beach group to join!

Grand Lido™ Negril
Au Naturel All-Suite Resort
Negril, Jamaica
An upscale and elegant naturist resort
Represented by Fox Travel American Express

The Landon
(formerly, daddy O hotel miami)
Bay Harbor Islands, FL
Textile, but close to Haulover Beach

Lake Como Family Nudist Resort
Lutz, FL
The place to be ... naturally!

Sunsport Gardens
Family Naturist Resort
Loxahatchee Groves, FL
Clothes-free recreation in a
natural, tropical paradise!

The Naturist Society Foundation
Body acceptance is the idea.
Nude recreation is the way.

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Learn all about Haulover Beach! Click on above image to download this informative, 20-page booklet.

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Bringing Together the Largest Nudist Community in the World
nusasun.com
Pick up a free copy at a newspaper dispenser box on Haulover Beach.

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Gay Naturists International, Inc.
Life is Great; Live it Nude! ©

Find a men's naturist club or naked yoga group to join!

Read GNI BuffBuzz, GNI's official blog.

Register to attend GNI's annual nude Gathering for men, August 16-25, 2019 (shorter options available). Late registration fees kick in on July 16.

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Nudist Florida, an online magazine by AANR-Florida (Florida region of American Association for Nude Recreation), helps you find places to enjoy nude recreation.

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Looking for additional naturist places in Florida?

Click on above image to search for naturist clubs, resorts, yoga classes, and other businesses statewide. See alphabetical and geographical listings and an interactive map. Also includes a list of beaches.

by Seth Paronick

Naturist Action Committee (NAC) Board of Directors election opens in July

What is NAC, and why should you care? A leader on the political and legal fronts, the Naturist Action Committee (NAC) monitors legislative activities from city hall to the halls of the U.S. Congress and Canadian Parliament, issuing alerts and lobbying on behalf of naturist interests. When lobbying fails, NAC can be found in the courthouse, filing briefs and intervening directly on behalf of naturists and the naturist cause. NAC's ongoing work and vigilance, along with its sister organizations (see below left), The Naturist Society Foundation and the Naturist Education Foundation, and support from the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) and the Federation of Canadian Naturists (FCN), help make possible our continued enjoyment of the naturist way of life. This work does not come cheaply. Sometimes grappling with several hotspots, NAC is stretched to fund it all. Please consider donating to NAC (not tax-deductible) today to help protect your right to nude recreation. If you live in another country, your national naturist federation may do similar work. Find more information about it from the International Naturist Federation. The Naturist Educa-tion Foundation (NEF) is a nonprofit, informational and educational organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the awareness of naturism and body acceptance among both naturists and non-naturists and achieving an understanding and acceptance of naturists and their activities throughout North America. Click or tap on the image below to learn about the NEF Research Library.

Voting begins in mid- to late July for the Board of Directors of the Naturist Action Committee (NAC). The NAC Board totals nine members, each serving a three-year term. Terms are staggered so that three seats are up for election each year. Per by-law, NAC Board members also constitute the Board of Directors of the related Naturist Education Foundation (NEF).

All members of The Naturist Society Foundation (TNSF) are eligible to vote in the NAC Board election. Ballots are to be inserted in the upcoming issue (38.4, Summer 2019) of N (Nude & Natural), The Magazine of Naturist Living, which, at press time, was being printed and TNSF expected to bulk-mail around mid-July to reach members' mailboxes by later in the month. TNSF members may vote for up to three candidates, and completed ballots must be returned to TNSF, postmarked no later than September 1, 2019.

There are four candidates vying for three available seats. Candidates' statements with information about their background and qualifications and their objectives for NAC and NEF are provided in an article in the aforementioned magazine. Read and follow instructions on the ballot carefully to ensure that it is not invalidated due to voter error.

If you're not a current member of The Naturist Society Foundation but would like to vote in the NAC Board election, you may join TNSF online or by phone at 1 (920) 426-5009 ASAP to allow enough time for ballot turnaround. Watch the mail for your ballot, which may be inserted in a copy of N Magazine, and vote promptly. Remember that your completed and returned ballot must be postmarked no later than September 1, 2019 to be counted. Mark the deadline a few days early on your calendar so that you don't run out of time!

Become a NAC or NEF Area Representative (NACAR or NEFAR)

Area Representatives serve as eyes, ears, and spokespersons for NAC or NEF, respectively, in their own local area or region. Through their approved activities, NACARS and NEFARS can be a tremendous help to NAC/NEF Board members and to the naturist cause with just a modest commitment of time as their personal schedule and interest may allow.

Each Board member is assigned oversight of certain states and/or provinces in the United States and Canada, respectively. Within his or her designated area, the Area Representative may:

• assist the Board member that has oversight of the rep's state or province in promoting and protecting the interests of naturists, as identified by NAC, or furthering the informational and educational goals of NEF;
• collect and disseminate information pertinent to naturist activity;
• advise, assist, coordinate, and consult and liaise with naturist groups and individuals;
• with the prior approval of the Board member, solicit funds and other support and accept donations using proper forms provided by NAC or NEF, as applicable;
• with the proper approval of the Board member, represent NAC or NEF before public and private authorities and with the media;
• for NAC, monitor legislative activity and actions of groups inimical to naturist interests and report timely on such things to the Board member;
• never obligate NAC or NEF or any affiliated organization contractually and never, without prior approval of the Board member, communicate in writing as an agent or representative of NAC or NEF.

If you are ready to volunteer as a NAC or NEF Area Representative, complete and submit this questionnaire. If you have questions before deciding to do so, contact Jim Dickey, NAC/NEF Board member and Committee Chair for the Area Representatives program.

Tampa Bay Free Beaches' first town hall meeting a success

Tampa Bay Free Beaches' new banner with website address at bottom

A new group, Tampa Bay Free Beaches (TBFB), has formed to obtain a clothing-optional beach in the Tampa Bay Area. It aims to bring focus and direction where previous efforts have floundered.

TBFB held its first town hall meeting on June 29, 2019 at Lake Como Family Nudist Resort in Lutz, FL. Approximately 40 people attended out of around 75 who had registered for the meeting.

TBFB's Board of Directors provided coffee and cupcakes for the hour-and-a-half morning meeting. Along with refreshments, tables at the entrance held a sign-in sheet, copies of the agenda, TBFB membership applications, and donation jars. As a further sweetener, there was a raffle for two therapeutic massages, to be donated by one of the Board members.

The meeting started with Board introductions, including an explanation of each Director's role, a statement of the history of nude beach use in the Tampa Bay Area and the quest to reëstablish a clothing-optional beach there, and a discussion of the mission of Tampa Bay Free Beaches. Using a wide-screen TV, presenters walked through the group's website at TampaBayFreeBeaches.com, which is a work in progress, demonstrating site navigation, how to join TBFB on line, and how to donate to TBFB's Joseph DiPippo Memorial Legal / Political Fund. There was a discussion of additional fundraising ideas.

TBFB's Board of Directors conducting first town hall meeting

Shirley Mason, "Mother of Haulover Beach" and Executive Director of B.E.A.C.H.E.S. Foundation Institute, was a guest speaker, giving a history of clothing-optional Haulover Beach in Miami and a status update on clothing-optional Blind Creek Beach in Fort Pierce, FL. (See related article below.) Shirley emphasized the importance of gaining the support of the business community to help sway the government. She passed around a copy of Years of the All-Over Tan at Haulover Beach (PDF, 12.6 mb), B.E.A.C.H.E.S.' premier promotional booklet, and explained the benefits of becoming a B.E.A.C.H.E.S. Chapter group, which the TBFB Board indicated it will pursue.

The primary location where TBFB seeks a clothing-optional beach is in Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin, FL (just north of Clearwater), but a fallback location is nearby Caladesi Island State Park. TBFB has joined the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, where it has found support and an invitation to provide promotional literature. B.E.A.C.H.E.S. and other Florida naturist groups are supporting TBFB in its efforts with state officials.

With around 100 members, TBFB is forming working committees, with a key one focusing on communications and consistent messaging. Anyone interested in helping to get a clothing-optional beach in the Tampa Bay Area is encouraged to join and donate to Tampa Bay Free Beaches or contact TBFB with any questions or ideas.

SFFB Board meeting on Haulover Beach, July 13

The Board of Directors of South Florida Free Beaches usually meets on the second Saturday of every month at 10:30 a.m. (an earlier time than last year's meetings) under the North Chickee (thatch-roofed shade structure) near Lifeguard Tower 15 on Haulover Beach unless another date and time or location is announced. See below for the long-term schedule. Any planned exception to the second Saturday pattern is noted with an asterisk.

The meetings are open to SFFB sponsors / members, supporters, and invited guests. Prior to setting out, check the upper left-hand corner of SFFB's home page at sffb.com (under Today's Beach Reports) for any change in date, time, or location due to unavailability of Board members or in case of bad weather, when the meeting may take place indoors.

Don't miss an SFFB Board meeting — add the schedule to your calendar now!

Free the Nipple activist honored by President Trump

You read that right! It was announced in mid-June that Maggie Fisher, an employee of Liberty Mutual in Dover, NH, had received The President's Volunteer Service Gold Medal Award in recognition of her more than 500 hours of volunteer service in 2018 to Free the Nipple New Hampshire, part of the movement for women's top-free equality. Her volunteer activity is encouraged and tracked by her employer.

The award is accompanied by a letter of commendation from the President of the United States. President Trump wrote, "Over this past year, you have served as a model of the American spirit. Your many hours of service has [sic] strengthened the bonds of cooperation and trust brings people together, while helping to address some of the greatest challenges of our time."

Ms. Fisher's service to Free the Nipple includes engaging the public in discussion of the issue and helping organize and manage the annual Go Topless Day in Hampton Beach, NH. For further details, read Free the Nipple volunteer earns President's Award.

While New Hampshire has no law at the state level concerning public exposure of breasts, some municipalities in the state ban it for females. The New Hampshire Supreme Court has recently upheld such an ordinance in Laconia, NH, as we reported in the February 2019 issue.

Annual Blind Creek Beach Skinny Dip, July 14

Reminder: Treasure Coast Naturists (TCN)'s 5th Annual Blind Creek Beach Skinny-Dip takes place on Sunday, July 14 at 2 p.m. in conjunction with the annual Nude Recreation Week. Last year, 266 participants entered the ocean together, and they hope to break 300 this time.

Start this day on Blind Creek Beach with a special session of Naked Yoga on the Sand, 9-10 a.m. These classes are also offered there at the same time on most Saturdays, weather permitting.

Win a free week at Cypress Cove Nudist Resort in Kissimmee, FL (near Orlando) or other prizes! Enter TCN's drawing ASAP at treasurecoastnaturists-drawing.org or at TCN's information booth on Blind Creek Beach for a chance to win the Cypress Cove stay or one of a couple of other prizes. The drawing takes place on the beach immediately following the Skinny-Dip. (Winners do not need to be present; they will be notified.)

Proceeds of the raffle go toward Treasure Coast Naturists' expenses to maintain the beach (particularly, the port-a-potties) and to protect its clothing-optional status. Another way to support TCN and Blind Creek Beach is to donate to the Treasure Coast Naturists Legal Defense Fund.

To be kept informed, "like" TCN's Facebook page at facebook.com/TreasureCoastNaturists.

Police end nudity at Lake Tahoe's Secret Cove Beach

On June 29, deputies from the Washoe County, NV Sheriff's Office observed nude sunbathers at Secret Cove Beach, a remote, longtime naturist destination on the northeastern shore of Lake Tahoe. They warned the beachgoers that it is against Nevada law to be nude in public. Claiming that the latter made inappropriate and lewd gestures, the deputies referred the matter to their counterparts in Carson City, NV, which has jurisdiction over the location.

The next day, the Carson City Sheriff's Office initiated an enforcement action, but did not observe any nude sunbathers. With a new bike path bringing more visitors to the lakeshore, the Carson City Sheriff's Office indicated that it will be directing more patrols to the site. For additional details and a brief video of the Washoe County Sheriff's deputies' encounter, read Alleged lewdness at Tahoe beach leads to nudity ban.

Nude protest outside Facebook's NYC headquarters

Around 100 nude models demonstrated on June 2 outside Facebook's Manhattan headquarters to protest the company's policies on nude content on its platforms. For details, read Demonstrators, photographed by Spencer Tunick, bare nipples outside Facebook in censorship protest.

Reminder: July 16 price increase for GNI's 2019 men's nude Gathering

The above clip is an overview of the GNI Gathering. Watch additional GNI Gathering videos.

Browse the 2019 Gathering app for a sample of what to expect, and keep checking back for additions as the program schedule is built out!

Reminder: July 15 is the final day of standard pricing for this summer's edition of Gay Naturists International (GNI)'s signature nude event for men, the 34th Annual International Gathering of Male Naturists, also known as the GNI Gathering or Naked Camp. Through that date, registrants can save up to $60, depending on the length of stay selected. Late registration surcharges kick in on July 16, 2019.

The Gathering takes place in a rustic, but comfortable resort in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, August 16-25, 2019, with shorter attendance options available. The location is about an hour-and-a-half's drive west of New York City, and GNI provides optional bus transportation from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Midtown Manhattan.

More than 600 men come together at The Gathering for up to ten days of naked fun, camarad­erie, education, and relaxation in a beautiful setting with a lake; two heated pools; gym and courts for tennis, volleyball, and other sports; wooded trails; and rolling, manicured grounds. Of that number, as of this writing, more than 130 first-timers have registered to attend.

The registration fee covers housing in dormitory-style cabins (camping optional; RVs [caravans] welcome, but utility hookups are not available), all meals, snacks, and beverages (including beer and wine), and events, activities, and entertainment (except the optional Body Electric massage weekend workshop, Yoga Foundations for Life weekend retreat, and add-on excursions, which require additional fees).

Regular programming includes seminars and workshops, sports and tournaments, massage and yoga, contests, shows, parties, bonfires, a nightly, naked Dance Club with live DJs and fantastic sound and lights, and much more! The Gathering is open to men aged 21 or over, regardless of orientation. GNI membership is required to attend, but it is convenient to join GNI as part of registration for The Gathering. Get info and register.