Nuditics
Nude Beach Scene
“More Active” Today
That’s what the San Francisco Bay Guardian is reporting, but along with that increased nudity is a “jump in warnings for rude or illegal behavior being given by park police and rangers.” The article attributes the poor economy as a factor sending more and more people to the beaches instead of taking more expensive vacations. The overall situation is very fluid, with increased law enforcement, the apparent loss of San Onofre Beach as a clothing-optional venue, and the one positive possibility of making Muir Beach exempt from anti-nudity laws.
On top of those situations is the California economy, which is basically bankrupt, threatening the closure of 220 state parks and beaches. Although nude activity is increasing, the push back from law enforcement and government agencies appears to be on the upswing, too.
Courtesy of the Political Naturist
Federal Law
There is no federal law against nudity. The legality of various forms of undress is currently left up to the individual states and localities to decide. Nudity is generally allowed in national parks, unless local laws have overriding jurisdiction.
In 1981 (Schad v. Borough of Mount Ephraim, 452 U.S. 61, 65-66), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on nudity, as it appears in movies, plays and TV. They found that: “Entertainment, as well as political and ideological speech, is protected; motion pictures, programs broadcast by radio and television, and live entertainment, such as musical and dramatic works, fall within the First Amendment guarantee nor may an entertainment program be prohibited solely because it displays the nude human figure. ‘Simple nudity’ is generally protected by the First Amendment. This may be interpreted as protecting a naturists right to engage in a nude demonstration or public performance on a beach. Local law may override this ruling.
via videosift.com
