Naturism in Brazil

I’ve had the opportunity to meet several naturist leaders in Brazil and visit a couple of naturist sites there. In a nutshell, here’s what I’ve learned about Brazilian naturism: Besides the US and Canada, Brazil is the only other country in the Americas that has a national naturist federation. Its sites and groups range fromContinue reading “Naturism in Brazil”

Dare To Go Bare

I love listening to good music about social nudism! The clothesfree.com site has been featuring Ton Dou’s catchy naturist-inspired music, with some fun house-produced videos, and of course the theme music of Shane Gentry and the Nekkid Monday Band. Another great song about the topic is Dolly Parton’s “Sugar Hill”! I’d like to feature oneContinue reading “Dare To Go Bare”

In the Spotlight: Nudity and Performance

Performance theorist Richard Schechner on the contradictions of “nakedness”: “Nakedness reverberates in apparently contradictory directions. A naked baby, a naked corpse, a naked person asleep. A naked prisoner running a gauntlet of truncheon-wielding concentration-camp guards. Dreams of being naked alone among a crowd of the dressed. Naked and seductive; hundreds of naked people sunning onContinue reading “In the Spotlight: Nudity and Performance”

On Reserve

Unwrapping the Sensory Mechanics of Nudity There are certain body parts that the twin social strictures of religion and politics most want to cover—or, more accurately, to bind. These parts are put on reserve, so to speak: under wraps. According to the rules of repression, they can’t be checked out, or unwrapped, except by special,Continue reading “On Reserve”

Legendary Naturist King

Adam and Eve. Lady Godiva. The Emperor and his “new” clothes. Venus. David. Archimedes. St. Francis. Among the rich contributions that myth, history, folklore and art have made to nudist and naturist imagery, a much too forgotten figure is El Dorado. This is especially surprising given that El Dorado’s story features not one but twoContinue reading “Legendary Naturist King”

Intactivists and Lactivists

The cleverly named intactivists (against circumcision) and lactivists (for breastfeeding) have protagonized the news lately. One group wants the government to ban a bodily practice, the other group wants the government to encourage a bodily practice. But most importantly, both groups embrace the inviolate integrity of the human body and the functions for which itContinue reading “Intactivists and Lactivists”