Planet Nude

In reviewing tens of thousands of nudist and naturist publication pages over decades of research, this author has been absolutely astonished at a recent discovery. The companies that typically advertise in these publications tend to have ads that could fit into any popular publication. However, the one found may be unique as an ad just for nudists.Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

Directed by Bruce Seth Green, Nudes in Limbo has no story, setting, or dialogue to speak of. The entire thing is 53 minutes of models, athletes, and dancers, nude or nearly nude, tastefully posing, exercising, dancing, or performing other physical feats, often in slow motion. It’s beautifully shot, lit, and edited in an artistic fashion: shots often feature light moving across the planes of the body, occasionally resembling abstract landscapes.Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

Denny Blaine Park, a beloved haven for the nudist and LGBTQ+ communities in Seattle, is once again in the spotlight. This time, the Friends of Denny Blaine Park have launched an ambitious fundraiser aiming to raise $3.3 million for park improvements. This effort comes on the heels of recent revelations that have reignited concerns about the park’s future and the influence of wealthy neighbors.Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

Serendipity Park, a beloved nudist resort in Cleveland, Georgia, has been put up for sale at a listing price of $1.8 million. This development comes at a time of uncertainty, with the current owners purportedly committed to ensuring the park remains a sanctuary for naturists. Despite the sale, the club continues to operate and has a full schedule of events planned for the summer. Serendipity Park is one of only a small handful of remaining family nudist resorts in the southern region.Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

This essay by author D.H. Jonathan explores his recent experience as an art model at a start-up art academy, highlighting issues of gender-based discrimination in art modeling. Through his advocacy for equal treatment and non-sexual nudity, Jonathan's candid feedback prompted a policy change, leading to more inclusive and respectful practices at the academy. This piece underscores the importance of honesty and activism in effecting positive change.Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

Sheikh Fouad Hobeiche was a pioneering figure in introducing nudism to the Middle East. In 1930, he began translating French nudist literature into Arabic and publishing it in Beirut. His newsletter, "al-Makshuf" (The Revealed), disseminated ideas of social nakedness, emphasizing honesty and body positivity. Hobeiche’s works were inspired by French writer Louis-Charles Royer and the global nudist movement. He faced controversy, especially for advocating nudism as a remedy for societal issues. Despite evolving views on women’s roles, Hobeiche's contributions laid the groundwork for modern nudism in the region. His legacy is preserved in various publications and studies on early naturism. Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

I wonder if there is any naturist in North America who has not heard a reference to Seinfeld when the subject of nudity comes up with a non-nudist. It is up there with “don’t cook bacon naked” as one of the most cliche responses to nudism. It always bothered me, even before I was a nudist.Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

TORONTO—International Skinny Dip Day is coming July 13, but the members of one bare bathing group in Canada might not be able to catch their breath long enough to go for a swim. That’s because they’re drowning beneath a flood of attacks. Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

In recent months, a disturbing trend has emerged in various cities across the United States: fraudulent World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR) events being advertised online, only to leave hopeful participants in the lurch. These deceptive listings, often linked to a man named Stephen Franks, have caused significant confusion and frustration among the WNBR community.Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

Would you rather be stuck in a forest with a man or a bear? Overwhelmingly, women have chosen the bear in this thought experiment across social media. It’s not a setup to say men are bad, but given that there’s no way to know who’s dangerous until it’s too late, women have to play the odds and assume all men are dangerous based on either personal experience or what has become normalized in society. Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

Linda Weber has emerged victorious in the recent American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) presidential election, securing a significant win with a 70/30 margin. Garnering approximately 2,210 votes against her opponent’s 982, Linda's triumph signals a new direction for AANR amidst growing calls for reform and modernization.Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

Thirty eight years ago, on June 21, 1986, seven women, led by Ramona Santorelli and Mary Lou Schloss, were arrested in Cobbs Hill Park, Rochester, New York, for removing their shirts and exposing their breasts. This act of civil disobedience aimed to challenge a state law that prohibited women from being topless in public while allowing men to do so, highlighting the gender discrimination inherent in the law and asserting their right to equal treatment.Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

Goodland Country Club in Hackettstown, New Jersey, one of the nation’s oldest traditional nudist clubs, quietly closed its doors this spring. In a March 25th statement posted on both the club’s Facebook page and their website, owner and president Jack Korzilius announced his retirement and the immediate shutdown of all facilities, including the sun field, pool, sauna, and hot tub. This closure marks the end of a ninety-year-old institution. Korzilius, who has owned the resort for the past fifty years, expressed heartfelt gratitude to loyal patrons, reflecting on the cherished memories and rich legacy of this historic naturist landmark.Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

Wreck Beach, Vancouver’s renowned clothing-optional sanctuary, is facing a contentious debate following changes implemented by Metro Vancouver. Aimed at improving safety and accessibility, these changes have sparked significant backlash from longtime visitors and naturists, who argue that the alterations have compromised their privacy and the beach’s unique character. Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

The Kinsey Institute at Indiana University (IU), a pioneering center for the study of human sexuality, has faced significant political challenges over the past year. Initially threatened by defunding and potential restructuring, the Institute’s future was uncertain. However, recent developments have brought relief and stability to this important research center, with crucial updates emerging in March 2024.Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

Brett Marcus Cook reviews Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release of vintage nudist documentaries, including "10 Days in a Nudist Camp" (1952). Cook explores the film's patchwork composition, blending footage from multiple sources, and its unique focus on dance and physical movement. They highlight the film's connection to early 20th-century nudism and its spiritual essence. Despite the chaotic editing, Cook appreciates the film's expressive depiction of nudist ideals, setting it apart from more exploitative works in the genre. 🪐Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

The American Association for Nude Recreation stands at a crossroads, grappling with an existential crisis that jeopardizes its future. In recent weeks, the premier American nudist organization has faced mounting discontent among volunteers and staff, resignations and personnel upheavals, and PR issues arising from poor communications and questionable decisions. These immediate challenges, coupled with a broader trend of declining membership, have sparked deep introspection and urgent calls for reform. This moment of reckoning is heightened by the important decision members must now make in electing a new president. Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

Internet age verification bills are emerging nationwide. Several have been signed into law. According to the Free Speech Coalition’s May 28, 2024 update, “Bills in Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Tennessee were enacted in the last two months, bringing the total number of states with age verification laws to 18.” The stated intent of age verification laws is to keep minors from accessing pornography sites. This, of course, is a reasonable effort. However, problems arise when a state attempts to define what constitutes “harmful to minors,” and First Amendment concerns emerge when website owners are compelled to limit or censor their content to comply with these laws. Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

Timothy celebrates Pride Month in West Hollywood, highlighting supportive messages from British Naturism and AANR. Despite receiving backlash from some in the nudist community, Timothy emphasizes the importance of Pride and solidarity, reaffirming that the LGBTQ community has significantly contributed to nudism and should be embraced without shame or judgment.Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

As summer approaches, preparations for Wisconsin’s World Naked Bike Rides (WNBR) are in full swing, with both Milwaukee and Madison gearing up for their annual events. These rides, celebrated for promoting body positivity, cyclist awareness, and energy independence, are set to take place in the coming weeks, reflecting a robust return after a scary close call with the state legislature last year. Despite the challenges that threatened the future of the events in the state, the WNBRs have persevered, ready to roll out with renewed enthusiasm and increased community involvement. 🪐Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

Seattle Parks and Recreation is set to formalize a policy for Denny Blaine Park that preserves its status as a clothing-optional space while addressing concerns from local residents. This move follows last year’s controversy over a proposed children’s play area, funded by an anonymous donor now revealed to be Stuart Sloan, a prominent Seattle philanthropist. The proposal, which will be discussed in a public meeting on May 16th (today), seeks to balance the interests of the park’s naturist and LGBTQ+ communities with those of the affluent neighborhood residents who have voiced complaints about the park’s current use.Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

The winding road is littered with old motels with peeling paint, empty swimming pools, and rusty neon signs that burned out long ago. Some rent rooms by the month, some by the hour. Between long stretches of farmland and woodlands, there is a meat-and-three, a gas station, a liquor store, and a mobile home or two. Faded billboards warn of damnation and advertise salvation, as there is not much else to sell in these parts. It is the kind of community decimated by the construction of the interstate highway system in the 1960s, which circumvented many of the two-lane roads and took out-of-state travelers (and their dollars) with them. A sleepy town like this is not where you would expect to find a clothing-optional gathering of an international movement called the Radical Faeries. However, as I learned long ago, you never know what you might find when exploring the backroads of the rural south. Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

In April, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB197, a law that tightens regulation of massage therapy establishments, aiming to combat human trafficking and ensure professional standards. The legislation mandates increased operational transparency and precise documentation of services and personnel. Notably, it requires that all individuals on the premises must be clothed except for consenting massage recipients. Crucially for the nudist and naturist community, it includes an exemption for clubs chartered with the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) where massage may be offered as a service, legally recognizing the legitimacy of naturist activities and distinguishing them from exploitative commercial nudity.Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

As any seasoned horticulturist can attest, gardening involves much more than putting a seed into the dirt, keeping it watered, and watching it grow. Serious agrarians insist on the importance of lore and ritual in gardening. The Old Farmer’s Almanac stresses the importance of planting according to the moon phases. Rural grandmothers will swear that parsley must be planted in three sowings (“two for the devil and one for the gardener”) or that spicier peppers can be achieved if the gardener sows the seeds while angry.Some even claim that nudity has a role in gardening and horticulture. Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

North American attitudes toward many social issues have progressed over the past 100 years. However, the way we approach nudity has seemingly regressed. Consider the practice of nude swimming, especially among males. From the early part of the 20th century until well into the 1970s, many high schools, boy’s clubs, and YMCAs required males to swim nude. While not widespread, it was the accepted practice at many such facilities across the U.S. I discovered this while interviewing stand-up comedian and writer Paul Mecurio, who works on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. 🪐Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

A newly proposed initiative by Brevard County, Florida, led by County Commission Chair Jason Steele during a Brevard County Tourist Development Council meeting, aims to restrict nudity at public events that receive tourism grants. This initiative specifically targets LGBTQ+ cultural events under the premise of protecting children and families from potential harm. Notably, Steele has not cited any past incidents justifying the need for such a measure. 🪐Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

In 2024, “The Streak,” a novelty song by veteran singer/songwriter and occasional humorist Ray Stevens, turned 50. The song was released in February 1974, and by late spring, it was inescapable, receiving airplay on both the country and pop charts. It came out just a week before the famous streaking incident at that year’s Oscar ceremony, further fueling interest in the track.I was eight years old when the song hit #1 on the Hot 100 (#3 on the Country Chart) in May of that year. It stayed on top for three weeks and remains one of Stevens’ biggest hits. The song intrigued me immediately. The idea of being naked just sounded appealing for some reason. I didn’t know why. Also, a few other things happened that spring and summer that cemented my early interest in nudism.Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

The disappointingly crude, post-pulp cover of Orrie Hitt’s novel The Naked Flesh reflects the book’s publication date of 1962. The cover promises “ADULT READING” and portrays two women, one distantly nude, the other wearing a bikini that is clearly intended to bemuse the garment industry and puzzle innocent, non-adult readers. (Hey, kid! This book is for ADULTS!) 🪐Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

As a nudist in Western Australia, I took on the challenge of securing legal recognition for Lights Beach as a clothing-optional area. Despite initial hurdles, including bureaucratic resistance and the need to navigate jurisdictional complexities, my persistence paid off. I advocated for the naturist lifestyle's family-friendly values and cultural significance, ultimately convincing the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions to install signage. This landmark victory not only legitimizes the beach's status but also paves the way for greater acceptance and legal protection for nudists. 🪐Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

Freehiking combines the joy of nudity with the benefits of hiking, offering an unparalleled sense of freedom and connection with nature, distinct from the experience of nudist resorts or crowded nude beaches. It not only promotes mindfulness and presence by encouraging a full engagement with the surroundings but also serves as a therapeutic escape from daily stress. Having embarked on numerous freehikes, I share my passion for the activity and offer insights on engaging in it both legally and, if necessary, safely on the fringe of legality. 🪐Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

A few weeks ago, Tate Britain hosted a captivating intersection of art, history, and activism. The Neo Naturists, a trailblazing artist trio consisting of Jennifer Binnie, Christine Binnie, and Wilma Johnson, captivated visitors as they transformed their nude bodies into living representations of iconic nude artworks from the gallery’s collection, challenging the audience with a provocative question: “Do women have to be naked to gain entry into the Tate Gallery?” The lecture was part performance art, part art history, and part legitimate rebellion, cleverly criticizing the very establishment where they’d worked for over forty years to have the opportunity to exhibit. 🪐Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

In an era when Comstock Laws still clamped down on the dissemination of sexual information and LGBTQ+ identities were forced into the shadows, an out-and-open lesbian named Jan Gay challenged these constraints with her words, actions, and art. 🪐Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

Inspired by a science book by Anthony Smith, producer and director Roy Battersby’s 1970 documentary The Body (not to be confused with the 2001 Antonio Banderas film of the same title), narrated by Vanessa Redgrave & Frank Finlay and scored by Ron Geesin & Pink Floyd's Roger Waters, seeks to better our understanding of the human form and deepen our connection with it in an unflinching and somewhat psychedelic manner. 🪐Read the original article at www(dot)planetnude(dot)co This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

I pause in my packing, taking in the fancy floral cocktail dress, my husband’s buttoned down shirts and slacks, when I am struck by absurdity.What am I thinking? We’re going to a nudist resort.Read the full story on Planet Nude. Search for Planet Nude on Substack. 🪐 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

Naturist activist Lee Baxandall, who founded the Naturist Society and whose work led to the formation of the Naturist Action Committee and the Naturist Education Foundation, was an early advocate for a diverse and inclusive naturism. As author Brian Hoffman notes in his book Naked: A Cultural History of American Nudism, “Baxandall welcomed a growing interest in TNS (the Naturist Society) among gay men and lesbians who saw naturism as an alternative to an urban gay identity defined by privilege, whiteness, and a depoliticized commercial culture.”Baxandall began his work as a free beach activist in 1975. During that period, he observed the critical role lesbians and gays played in securing clothing-optional spaces on the nation's beaches. In an editorial published in the November 1981 issue of Clothed With The Sun, Baxandall writes: “Gays on the nude beach have often led because of more experience at defying intimidation on behalf of values too central to abandon.” 🪐 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

Andee Rodgers is at the forefront of a movement that champions the role of women in the world of naturism. As the current president of Serenity Mountain Retreat, Rodgers has taken on a significant role within the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR), focusing on advocating for Women in Nude Recreation (WINR). Her entry into the nudist lifestyle was unplanned, beginning with a vacation with her husband Tom that turned into a transformative journey towards self-acceptance and empowerment. 🪐 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

Loxie & Zoot is a webcomic created by Grace Crowley which ran from 2003 to 2006, during the big webcomic boom when titles like Penny Arcade, Ctrl+Alt+Del, and 8-Bit Theater rose to prominence. Its titular characters run an Australian nudist camp together called Koala Bares, populated by a diverse cast of characters including multiple men named Herb and an eccentric old man named Mungo who seems to be able to see into the future.Over the comic’s run, they deal with the anti-nude politician Tex Tyler’s weird schemes, college porn scams, a traveler from another dimension, and jewel thieves who aren’t what you expect.These storylines are all quite elaborate, with Crowley weaving multiple plot threads together involving several cast members, plus plenty of zany, good natured gags and frank discussions of body image and other familiar nudist issues without ever sounding preachy. 🪐 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

In a surprising turn of events, the Wisconsin State Legislature has apparently opted not to advance the controversial anti-nudity bills SB 477 and SB 478 to the assembly agenda before the closure of their legislative session this week, leaving naturism advocates cautiously optimistic. Despite a scheduled session focused on budgetary items in March, the likelihood of these bills being revisited remains low, marking a critical moment for proponents of body freedom in the state, though it is tempered by a lack of definitive closure and continued anxiety over what has amounted to a dangerously close call. 🪐 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

Dolls and Dues, Suburban Wife, The Torrid Teens, Call Me Bad, Dial ‘M’ for Man—all characteristic titles for pulp fiction short stories and novels of the 40s and 50s. But Orrie Hitt (1916-1975) was not your typical writer of pulp fiction, and some of his 150-plus novels also have more unexpected and intriguing titles—take Panda Bear Passion, Love in the Arctic, Ex-Virgin, Diploma Dolls, and Abnormal Norma for example. The writer Brian Greene dubs Hitt “the Shakespeare of Shabby Street,” and a “visionary artist” who explored characters within “moving human dramas.” (Shabby Street is both a metaphor here and the title of an early Hitt novel.)At first glance, Nudist Camp, published in 1957, appears to be just another exploitative example of the genre, but there is a little more going on between its covers than meets the eye. 🪐 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

The Friends of Little Beach (FoLB) are locked in a culture war with Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) over the right to nude sunbathing at Little Beach. Facing increased enforcement, the group has launched an alert system to evade police citations and reignited their advocacy, gathering over 5,000 signatures to support clothing-optional status. Despite legal hurdles, victories in court offer hope. The push for allies and community backing underscores the ongoing struggle to safeguard expression and access at Little Beach. Read the compelling article on unity, resistance, and the pursuit of naturist rights. 🪐 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

With DeAnza Springs Resort “going textile” last July, Olive Dell Ranch being listed for sale a few days later (since unlisted), and Lupin Lodge a few months later, the California nudist community is in turmoil. Members of these resorts, and of the non-landed clubs that often used them, feel confused and abandoned. But all is not lost in the Golden State. There are still landed and non-landed clubs that are stable and thriving, and regional and national organizations dedicated to the cause. What is needed is an opportunity for everyone who cares about social nudism in California and beyond to gather, vent and discuss, feel the passion that still exists, have some fun together, and help chart a path forward. This moment brings with it a call for California nudists to come together. A call for unity. 🪐 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

The naturist community prides itself on taking up the charge for diversity, inclusivity, and body positivity in an effort to foster a sense of equality among all participants. However, recent incidents have highlighted inadvertent consequences of mixed messaging, hindering women's integration into naturist spaces. As a naturist woman, I've advocated for women to embrace naturism, highlighting its positive impact on body image and mental well-being while consistently challenging societal norms perpetuated by print media, entertainment, and social platforms. 🪐 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

Not long after I released my book, Nudism in a Cold Climate: The Visual Culture of Naturists in Mid-20th-Century Britain, a review feature appeared in the French newspaper, La Libération. Wittily subtitled ‘Tout Nus Mais Pas Bronzés’ [‘Everybody is Nude, but Nobody is Tanned’], the 2022 article was accompanied by a monochrome 1948 photograph from the book, showing pale, white-skinned diners in a nudist club restaurant in the south of England. 🪐 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

“We got it all, and we show it all!” shouts the Cavalcade of Perversion ringmaster Mr. David (David Lochary) to a crowd of curious carnival goers in director John Waters’ 1970 underground feature Multiple Maniacs. Inside the Cavalcade’s tent is an array of performers in various states of undress, engaged in activities that are viewed as obscene or perverse by the conservative suburban audience. Though Waters has utilized shock and showmanship to market his films, the scene acknowledges an uncomfortable truth about the American entertainment industry. American filmmakers lure moviegoers by appealing to their visceral rather than their intellectual sensibilities. They offer movies with familiar, traditional plot structures and cartoonishly simplistic characters, enhanced by gratuitous violence, exaggerated drama, and uncontextualized nudity. 🪐 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

I discovered naturism when I was facing my biggest fear in life. I had spent eight years trying to acquiesce and appease this fear. Actually, that’s not quite true; I had spent twenty-one years doing that, but the last eight were particularly more difficult. Though the appeasement attempts were mostly successful, appeasement never makes fear go away, it just buries it temporarily. During this time, I saw a photo of a naked woman and was mesmerized by it. It took a while to decipher the source of the appeal. She was striking a powerful pose, but that wasn’t the only thing; the entire photo was not sexualized. There was also a naked man in the photo, and she was clearly more powerful than him, but even that didn’t matter. What mattered was that she showed up as a human being, first and foremost. It was so unusual, so arresting; it moved something deep inside me. (Years later, I find that it is still very different; even amongst many naturist photos, it’s as if the lens consumes a woman’s body in a very narrow box.) I decided I needed to know more. 🪐 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

On January 9th, 2024, New Jersey lawmakers, led by Republicans Carmen F. Amato, Jr. and Brian E. Rumpf, introduced Senate Bill No. 1905 and Assembly Bill No. 1723. These proposals seek to update the existing legal framework, specifically targeting the operational scope and zoning requirements of businesses classified under this category. These bills, by stating the need for special supervision to protect “community health, safety, and morals,” assert a legislative viewpoint on the potential societal impacts of these establishments. 🪐 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

On January 18th, 2024, Hawaii introduced legislation concerning indecent exposure, with bills presented in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Led by Democrat Scott Saiki, HB 1873 and SB 2251 aim to adjust the state’s approach to indecent exposure laws, with a focus on enhancing protections for minors. This move aligns with a broader trend seen in states like Wisconsin, where legislation often emphasizes “protecting the children” from exposure to nudity. 🪐 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

Eva Grant was a former glamour model turned glamour photographer who photographed for nudist/naturist magazines postwar. She died on January 22nd, 2024, at age 98. I was intrigued by her when I researched my 2021 book, Nudism in a Cold Climate, as she represented one of a very small band of British women who worked as professional nude photographers. The fact that she made the move into the profession from the other side of the camera also added to her story. I found women’s voices harder to locate than men’s in the history of nudism in Britain, and in the history of nude photography. They tended to get spoken on behalf of, but Grant was an exception: she seized the means of production to develop her own photography business and she built her own publishing platform through which to show it. 🪐 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

Immediate. Today, I am sure that most of us hear this word and understand it to mean now, to mean without delay, or without the barrier of time separating me from the thing I want. Immediacy, in our fast-paced world driven by consumerism and access to information, is about speed and convenience more than anything else. That is, after all, the most common definition you’ll find in any dictionary: “occurring or accomplished without delay.” But the wordy guy in me, the one who took all those linguistics and language history courses in school, has been thinking a lot about those less common uses of the word and how that relates to our body and our experience of the world around us, whether we truly experience any of our world immediately, and whether immediacy should even be the goal or if it’s just one of many important ways to experience life. 🪐 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe

In early January, there was a great post here on Planet Nude about AI’s anti-nude bias in art. Concerns were raised about AI censorship, including my caution about the dangers of AI misusing nudity. On January 26, this concern became real with fake explicit AI images of Taylor Swift surfacing online, alarming the White House and prompting Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella to advocate for AI guardrails. SAG-AFTRA called for a ban on such images. This incident underlines the need for a deeper conversation on body freedom and how nudity is perceived outside safe spaces. It raises questions about the safety of women in an era where technology outpaces law, especially for those without extensive support systems. 🪐 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.planetnude.co/subscribe