I believe that women need to band together of their own accord in nudism, and also develop the courage to be more assertive in dealing with the idiots and perverts who are wandering and trouble around public nude places. Saying something like “What the hell do you think you’re looking at?” in a loud voice, or “my partner’s penis is bigger and better than yours” if they are exhibiting themselves sexually will be enough to send them scarpering. These kind of people are wimps and cowards who think that it’s cool to be tough to intimidate nudist women.

I believe nudist women need their own forums where they can say what they want without being judged. I have started a group on Yahoo! for female naturists to have their own space at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/female_naturist

You’ve got a great site here on WP, only wish there were more women like you in the world.

Dario

At blacks beach the Blacks Beach Bares have always made me feel comfortable, and accepted. However, it is a public place and there are some “issues” occasionally. I.E. old creepy guys wanking and sometimes young ones too. and gawkers. I’ve not really done the resort thing as I hate chlorine so maybe my perspective is a bit skewed, but it would be great to just feel safe. to feel I could let my guard down. to invite other women to try the lifestyle free from the male gaze. It is not about a permanent separation but a a temporary reprieve.

I’m guessing you are not a nudist, or at least have never been affiliated with a nudist organization. So why do you have the right to say how nudist organizations should be run?

You are just repeating your first argument instead of responding to either response to it. If you have further discussion to add, you may. If you continue to post “blah-blah reverse sexism” without any focus I will start deleting your posts.

And you just proved my point about your screen-name.

Furthermore, as noted above, there is a distinct difference between men-only groups and women-only groups in terms of social power; traditionally the former has been used as an exclusionary tool to further the status quo, while the latter exist to encourage solidarity and stimulate discussion around issues directly related to the marginalised group. What happens when you try to bring up women’s issues, lgbt issues, poc issues in a predominantly straight, white male environment? You get shut down, that’s what: you’re a “special interest” group, or your problems “aren’t relevant,” or are “unimportant,” or you’re being “oversensitive.” Groups dedicated to those issues often need to be women-only, lgbt-only, poc-only (etc.) just to be heard, and to have a forum for discussion in which their opinions are validated and legitimised. As an example, the fact that you dismissed nakedthought’s critique of your username out of hand, without even stopping to consider her interpretation of it as valid (even though many people still do associate pimps with the trafficking of women’s bodies) is a perfect example of the kind of privilege that necessitates spaces where that kind of discussion actually happens, instead of simply being shut down or ignored.

and further more I simple feel it hurts your cause to have a double standard, you cant fight injustice with more injustice.
you have to practice what you preach.

williamca – wanting a place to feel safe is not about my personal body image. I think I have a pretty good body image. no I am not immune to how society thinks I should look, and yes sometimes I feel “prettier” than others, but none of these feelings have every stopped me (personally) from going to the beach. To me feeling safe means that If I let myself be vulnerable (physically or emotionally) that no one will take advantage of that vulnerability at that moment.

Also I think it is insensitive to imply that I should just “deal with it.” I often “just deal with it.” Everytime i go to the beach. But that attitude is not one that will encourage more women to explore the benefits of nudism. If I don’t feel safe I put clothes on, and I’m already used to it… how are women new to this arena going to react? They won’t come back, that’s how. And that is counter productive to what is trying to be achieved.

hoodpimp – So we should have mandatory co-ed restrooms? Changing rooms in gyms should allow both men and women in the same room? Battered women’s shelters should allow men to roam through even though it might trigger a tramatic response for many of the women there?

Many women have problems getting naked in front of a group of men (regardless of what the men are actually like). A discounted room rate won’t change that. Being naked is a big deal for first timers. Providing a place where an individual feels they can safely explore nudism should be welcomed by ALL proponents of nudism.

Of course your handle hoodpimp is a perfect example of how women are objectified. You are saying that if a woman wants to try nudism her only option should be to undress in front of someone like you, who chooses a screename that refers to selling women for sex. (if you don’t view your screen name that way, that just goes to show that objectification of women is so ingrained that you don’t even notice you are doing it!)

Again, this entry is about creating a safe place for people to try an activity that, while they are interested, seems a bit far out of their comfort zone.

Michel – Firstly, I don’t think that by having everyone naked men will magically stop obectifying women, or that perverts will cease to exist, but that is its own debate.

Secondly, even if this were the case, we do not live there yet. And just because you find their behaviour understandable, doesn’t mean it is acceptable. And if this really is the case, By ignoring it, it will only set up a catch 22 situation: Women feel too uncomfortable to undress infront of men so we still do not have a nudist culture ==> Men continue to objectify and stare at women ==> Women feel too uncomfortable to undress in front of men so we still do not have a nudist culture.

I’m not even sure if a complete nudist culture is “main goal of nudism”. I think that forcing a culture on anyone is innapropriate. Let the textiles have their clothes. (hey, even I like to dress up now and again). I do think a great goal would be to have nudism accepted as a PART of mainstram culture. But to impose it as the whole, I’m not sure I would support that.