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| The Event (1982-1990), Bern Loibl's brainchild |
The first world Congress on Nude Beaches –a great moment in the annals of naturism and, perhaps, the beginning of a NEW beginning.
Card-carrying naturists, throughout the world, have long struggled to overcome a social enigma– the irrational attachment to body coverings and the attacks by those who would sustain this compulsion. Despite many setbacks in our effort to reason, naturism continues to gain popularity, as is evidenced by this auspicious occasion and greater public awareness of basic, natural values.
In the United States, naturism– the Naturist Society's leadership–
is in its tenth year. In its infancy many naturist leaders, myself
included, felt certain that by new clothes-optional values would be
fully accepted and compliance at our public beaches and recreation
areas. While naturist awareness in the USA has grown dramatically
(evidence the Gallup and Roper polls), our estimations fail far short,
as did our predictions of tolerance by legislators and law enforcement
officials.
WE WERE WRONG BECAUSE WE ASKED
We sought permission, we asked to be accepted. We asked for “secluded”
beaches. We asked for equal rights, and we asked, “What's wrong with
being nude?” And when we explained ourselves, we said “nude is not
lewd!” –CAN YOU SEE OUR MISTAKES?
When a child requests permission to play in an unfamiliar place, a
responsible parent is not likely to yield permission. And like
well-behaved children we, too, asked for permission and rarely received
it. But we are not children. We are naturist teachers! Isn't it time we stop asking for the right to be a natural human being, anywhere, anytime, it is natural?
Although the naturist “world” is filled with people from all segments
of the social mainstream, there are still too few teachers,
entrepreneurs, politicians, movers and shakers to affect existing
social values. In this endeavor, opportunities abound.
LET US TEACH AND BUILD
When naturists seek acceptance, is it a matter of acquiring equal
rights? Should any recreation areas be secluded? Must we explain the
obvious only to discover we are not believed? Must we fight.
The fact is, in most cases where naturists enjoy total acceptance and full benefit of legal recognition, it was for profit. And it is the profit of a great naturist market which I believe will ultimately sway governments to praise the wholesomeness of naturism. Naturism represents opportunities for naturists, too. It is also these opportunities which will expand our ideals.
Let us consider that we will no longer justify naturism. That we will no longer explain ourselves. That we will no longer make statements such as “nude is not lewd” or “there s nothing wrong with being naked”. Instead, let us reach out with a new message. Let us educate without asking or demanding. Let us build our great market without free handouts. If present-day body taboos fall before the ax of wisdom, it is not because we asked to be accepted, but because everyone accepts basic values again.
We are naturists because we are free... not just of raiment, but also of the shackles built by superstition and ignorance designed to harness our very spirit.
Everyone wonders what has gone wrong with the world. Why is there so much crime, violence and insanity. Is it really so hard to understand? How far from nature will society remove itself, before it realizes that it has created an imaginary monster devouring reality?
We are naturists, and proud to be naturists! Let no one return to closet nudism, ever again! Only then can we reach, build, be seen and believed. And then we have won.
Bern Loibl
(The author, who has been President of Tri-State Metro Naturists of New York, is either and publisher of “The Event”.)
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