Rancid Meat

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Stopping Exploitation Begins at Home, Mr. Deschênes

Stéphane Deschênes of Bare Oaks Family Naturist Park and the Federation of Canadian Naturists, has released his latest web podcast entitled "Exploitation", which condemns the people who have exploited nudism and naturism, those who would "objectify our bodies and sexualize our activities." He rails against profiteers who "pander to deviants", selling photos and videos of children engaging in nude recreation, which have no interest to actual naturists, but only to those with "prurient intents." Deschênes uses strong words like "infect" and "victimize" when referring to people who "twist the definition of naturism to suit their purposes."

I wholeheartedly agree, and I will have a lot more to say about this subject, which is extremely important and should be of great concern to nudists and naturists worldwide.

But Mr. Deschênes is on the Board of Directors for "Going Natural", the official publication of FCN, which accepts advertising from "Nudism Lifestyles" (see page 39 Summer 2010 issue), which sells DVDs for $45 and up which include "mothers and daughters enjoy a morning of lively water exercises", "dozens of guys spend the day at the gym", "Ms. Nude Texas", "1999 Junior Miss Pageant", and other similar exploitative materials.

And on page 52 of the same issue is an ad which features a nude child with the words "RUSSIANBARE.COM" painted on her back, used as a human billboard to sell exactly the types of exploitative materials so condemned by Mr. Deschênes on his podcast.

So I urge everyone to let Mr. Deschênes (stephane@fcn.ca) know that he needs to start looking  in his own back yard when it comes to rooting out those who "conceal themselves beneath the cloak of legitimacy that naturism provides."

Dr. Paul Rapoport Steps Down as "Going Natural" Editor

Statement released today:

For nearly 13 years, I've edited Going Natural magazine for the Federation of Canadian Naturists, the last five years with an excellent Francophone co-editor. The summer 2010 issue, which just came out, is my last as Editor. I hope to assist whoever takes over with whatever the magazine becomes.

My work in naturism may involve more research and writing but less editing and managing. I have non-naturist projects to carry out also.

The FCN is in the process of deciding how to continue the magazine. It will probably involve both print and digital media, as it does now. Neither the FCN nor the magazine is going away!

With kind regards,

Paul Rapoport

--

Dr. Paul Rapoport
Co-Editor, Going Natural / Au naturel
Federation of Canadian Naturists
Box 81128 FGPO
Ancaster ON L9G 4X1
Canada
editor@fcn.ca

Stephane Deschenes Responds to Toronto Police Report

Following the arrest of an elderly man accused of sex crimes against children, the Toronto Police stated that he "gained access to children through his affiliation with various nudist organizations around the world".

In a swift response, the Director of the Federation of Canadian Naturists, Stephane Deschanes, took exception to the insinuation that nudist and naturist groups were providing access to pedophiles. Here is the entire press release:

The Federation of Canadian Naturists, like everyone else, is committed to stopping sex offenders and to helping their victims. However, we take exception to the Toronto Police Service Sex Crime Unit's (New Release May 13, 2010, 10h56) characterization that the accused "gained access to children through his affiliation with various nudist organizations around the world".

Unlike organized sports, religious institutions and other activities coordinated by civic organizations, children in naturism are not left in the care of a person in authority. Naturism is based on family participation and children are usually in the care of their parents. As such, being affiliated with a naturist/nudist organization would not provide any more access than joining any other group. In fact, children in naturism may be less vulnerable because naturist environments tend to have a stronger sense of community than the general society. People in naturist clubs look out for each other and are very aware of what is happening in their environment. Individuals with nefarious intent are often easier to identify if they are in a naturist environment.

A multitude of scholarly research studies on this topic in psychology and sociology have shown that children reared in an atmosphere containing casual family social nudity benefit from the practice. Children raised in naturism learn to accept the human body and recognize that everyone is unique. Comfort with nudity combined with naturist values lead to a healthy self-image and strong self-esteem. Although good parenting is by far the most important factor in raising children, naturism helps to promote their confidence and understanding about their bodies.

It is clear that being dressed has not kept children safe. Those who prey on children are attracted to any place where children can be found. It is a sad reality that predators have been found as priests, teachers, scout leaders, hockey coaches, etc... It is therefore unrealistic to suggest that we should avoid any place that might attract them since we would rob our children of all of those institutions that are so important to their upbringing.

The best thing we can do is to teach our children the confidence to speak up when people do things that make them uncomfortable. If they are not ashamed of their bodies, they are much more likely to tell their parents when someone does things to them that they don't like. If we are informed, we can help them. Whether nude or clothed, children should know that being touched in certain ways is wrong and they should have the assertiveness to speak up.

For further information: Stephane Deschenes, Director, Federation of Canadian Naturists (FCN), stephane@FCN.ca, Cell: (416) 219-5856, www.FCN.ca

Going Natural Spring 2010 Available Online

The digital edition of the Federation of Canadian Naturists' fine magazine Going Natural is now available here in a digital version, or here in paper version.

Inside you will find an editorial by Michel Vais on "The Naturist Minority" which echoes something I have said many times on this blog, that there is strength in numbers, that a "group is essential" for gaining wider acceptance for nudity.

There is also a very interesting article by Stina Sieg on the Northeast Naturist Festival. The author is in her twenties, and while raised by naturist parents, fell out of the lifestyle and felt it was "time to explore nakedness again".

Other articles include "The Fourth British Naturism Weekend at Alton Towers", "Naked People: An Internet Project", "Noods + Toons = The Bare Pit!", "Reasons to Be a Naturist, Part 2", "The International Naturist Anthem", "Kayaking Naked in Desolation Sound", "Going the Full Monte", and more. As usual, the magazine is loaded with great color photos. Be sure to check out the feature "Quote of the Quarter" for some words of wisdom from a certain nudist blogger.

The Image of Fullness

In the Fall 2009 issue of Going Natural, Michael Vais writes in his column "Respect for the Body":

But there's one basic naturist value that is perhaps under the most attack today: respect for oneself. In the spirit of the founders, nudity (the most visible aspect of naturism), allows the maximum benefit of the natural elements - water, air, sun - for bodies to thrive in good health. So why accept markings that do violence to our bodies and threaten its integrity? Piercing or jewelry hinders the flow of vital energy whose importance has been shown by acupuncture. Besides producing a self-inflicted wound, it draws attention to a body part, more than do clothes and jewelry, damaging the image of fullness that characterizes naturism. A naturist is someone who for a time lets go of most of the markers of social status and of the wish to be noticed, in favor of relaxing in nature's bosom in a condition of elemental nudity.

That phrase "image of fullness" really feels right to me. Aside from the piercing issue (which is something I have never done myself), being nude, and being with other people who are nude, feels more honest, more natural, and more fulfilling than hanging around in clothes.

It's like my own nude self portraits. Throughout my life I've hated the way I look in photos. Isn't that true for most people? But when I am nude, I look at the image and see my complete self. It's not vanity, it's not a sexual thing, it's just when I see my entire naked self, I see an image of fullness, of completeness, of totality.

I believe that respect for one's self, and respect for others, begins with the eyes.

Looking at ourselves is a lifelong activity, from observing our hands and feet in the crib, to avoiding mirrors as we age. It's a game we play with ourselves, applying makeup, experimenting with different clothes, constantly trying to look good. How do I look? Does this look good on me?

Looking at others is an extension of looking at ourselves. We constantly compare our faces, our bodies, our clothes with that of others. We judge people by what they wear, and how they wear it. You look great! That's a good look for you. Looking good!

I had a friend once who had a habit of telling people "you look like shit." I think he thought it was funny.

But all of this is game-playing, a means of avoiding the issue of how we really look. It's a grand illusion, lying to ourselves, lying to others, manipulating our bodies with clothing and accessories in order to avoid the truth about ourselves, and how we really look.

Respect for the body goes beyond avoiding piercings and tattoos. It involves eating well, getting exercise, and giving it the "water, air, sun" that it needs to thrive. But it also involves getting naked and looking at one's self with total honesty.

Lee Baxandall said, "body acceptance is the idea, nude recreation is the way."

You can stand in front of a mirror all day looking at your nude body, taking inventory of all the parts you like, and all the parts you hate, but until you are willing to share the sight of that nude body with others, you cannot achieve that "image of fullness" in your own mind. Social nudism is the great equalizer. Not only does it make a person less self-conscious, it fosters actual confidence.

When you are nude with others, the attention and obsession with body parts disappears, and is replaced by the image of a complete human being. Not a penis, or breasts, or arms and legs, but a full body from head to toe, a sense of oneness with self, others, and with nature.

Michael Vais uses the term "elemental nudity", which is another wonderful combination of words. This is nudity stripped away from all adornment, all pretense, all self-consciousness, and all shame.

There are only two times in life when human beings are purely elemental - at birth, and at death. At those moments nothing else matters except primal existence. All the time between is spent trying to come up with definitions of ourselves through the use of education, careers, influences, parenting, clothing, fraternalism, etc. There is nothing wrong with working on the things which define us in society, but today we have extended those efforts to manipulating and altering the body itself.

Vais talks about piercings, but this medical body sculpting is far more invasive and unnatural, from liposuction, to breast implants, and botox injections. People do this because not only have they lost all respect for their own bodies, they have lost sight of what a normal body even looks like.

All the therapy and medication cannot turn around this societal struggle with body image, but nudism and naturism can play a major role in helping people to not only strip away the clothing which hides their true skin, but to wash away some of the stress which accompanies modern life.

Is it too late to undo this downward spiral, or can respect for the body be restored to some sort of healthy balance?

Many people, including myself, say that social nudism is one of the best things they have ever done, and wish that they had immersed themselves in it much sooner. Until we can overcome issues with the way we look, we cannot restore the values of inner self which used to be paramount, and are now seemingly only secondary when assessing human beings. We are a society which treats people like products.

The integrity of the body is elemental in shaping the integrity of the soul. Naturism fosters respect for that image of fullness that we so desperately lack, and leads us all back to our authentic selves.

Nudist Photos of the Day 10/07/09

Going Natural Fall 2009 Issue Available as Digital Edition

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Canadian Freehiker Perseveres

Interesting article from Orillia, Ontario, Canada, about a man who has been freehiking trails in that area for years. A recent encounter with cyclists provoked the following reaction:

"He was like anybody else," said (Guy) Aubin. "He just gave us a nod. If he had clothes on, you wouldn't think he was weird or nothing."

Still Aubin felt compelled to call the Orillia OPP to report the bizarre encounter. "It doesn't bother me personally, but if kids are out there, I'd be worried."

"He should get a fine to encourage him to put his clothes on."

This sort of irrational response isn't anything new to the unidentified naturist. He has been charged with public nudity and committing indecent acts but never convicted on either charge, and in 2007 authorities managed to harrass him with a "mischief" charge.

"He's been doing it for years," Severn Township mayor Phil Sled said. "We asked him not to do it any more, but he thinks he's within his rights. We passed the matter on to the police, but they couldn't do anything.

"It's just one of those things. It is kind of humorous."

Orillia OPP Sgt. Robin Moore said the hiker is not committing an indecent act if he covers his genitals, however skimpily.

Four questions. 1) If the man is within his rights, why do the authorities continue to harass him? 2) If the mayor finds the man humorous, why continue to pass the matter on to police? 3) What exactly is it that makes even the skimpiest covering of the genitals "decent", and the uncovering of them "indecent?" 4) What specifically is it about the mostly nude freehiker with one arm that is dangerous to children?

There are no good answers to these questions. This freehiker is being persecuted simply due to people's ignorance of the law, and of naturism. Has the Federation of Canadian Naturists come to the support of this man, or has he been fighting this battle alone?

I have been fortunate enough to freehike at Ohio's Cedar Trials, which has 5 miles of paths, and after feeling the freedom of not having sweaty clothes clinging to my skin, and feeling the cool breeze instead, I think it's weird that anyone would ever want to hike wearing textiles.

Freehiking could be one of the keys to getting the next generation interested in naturism. Next to sunbathing, swimming and beach volleyball, it's the recreational activity that makes the most sense being done in the nude.

New Challenges to Public Nudity Laws

The topless doughnut shop in Vassalboro, Maine, is the center of a topfreedom equality issue when it was reported to police that one of the waitresses was outside the shop without a top on. No charges were filed in the incident, but the matter has been referred to the district attorney for possible review.

My guess is that there will be no charges for a couple of reasons. First, the woman reported to be topless is described as being "probably involved", so there could be some question of eyewitness accuracy. Second, there is some doubt as to whether the town's allowance of the topless establishment prohibits nudity outside the cafe.

The absence of charges in this case will likely result in further revision of a proposed nudity ordinance by the town's Board of Selectmen, which is scheduled to make a final vote at a town meeting on June 8.

The article on the incident notes that there were also males outside the cafe, but does not say if they were topless or not. The report also does not give a reason why the employees were outside. These are important facts to uncover, because if the men were outside on break just to get a little sun, perhaps the woman decided to join them in a display of topfree equality, merely enjoying the freedom given by society to all men.

By insisting that the "probably involved" woman be questioned while fully clothed, and not demanding the same of the male employees, trooper Shawn Porter likely engaged in sexual discrimination. We really need to get a grip on this female breast phobia and stop treating women like criminals when they exercise their topfree equality. This case in Maine could potentially be important in the fight for topfreedom.

In the town of Bracebridge, Canada, a group of naturists paraded nude in front of an Ontario Provincial Police department to protest public nudity laws. There is no word if the Federation of Canadian Naturists had a hand in the incident, but a recent blog post by Malcolm Scott, calling himself a "Proud Naturist", declared his right to be naked anywhere, anytime. Scott is apparently affiliated with FCN as the Coordinator of Public Awareness and Education, but there is nothing at this point to link him directly with the protest.

There were no arrests in Bracebridge, but due to several complaints the matter has been handed over to the district attorney, similar to the case in Maine. If anyone has further details on this incident. please forward them to me at nudiarist@gmail.com. I'd like know who's behind the protest, and if the naturists had a permit for their public assembly.

Perhaps it's time for naturists in the US and Canada to stand up for their rights to be nude. With public events such as Bare to Breakers and The World Naked Bike Ride gaining public acceptance, society seems to be ready for more clothing optional areas on public beaches and lands. Naturist and nudist organizations need to move from reactive into proactive mode if these challenges are to be met.