UPDATE, Jan. 1, 2021: I’m taking a closer look at this subject in my newsletter, The Naturism Community.

I find it hard to believe in this day and age that some public and semi-public naturism settings (i.e. beaches) — both clothing optional and nudism areas — and organizations are barring single men from attending.

It’s a problem I hear about from time to time here, but I am not sure just how extensive the issue is. Are we talking about a few places and groups, or the majority?

And are there also naturism organizations and settings that only allow families with kids in attendance?

Before I comment any further on this (in another post), I would like to hear from readers. What are your experiences with naturism organizations and public settings? And if you are running an organization that puts limits on the numbers of men allowed, please feel free to explain why you feel justified in doing so

Personally speaking, the naturism group I belong to has no such policy of limiting the ratio of men to women. I’m not sure what the exact ratio is, but I would bet it is around 60 percent males and 40 percent females.

But, you know, the truth is, when I participate in our swims and other activities, I don’t really notice who is female and who isn’t. Naturism is not only about body acceptance and stripping away the hangups that come with textiles, it is about deeper connections that transcend sexuality and gender.

So, it seems to me that barring single men from events and settings might very well be sexist discrimination, along the lines of “every single man has only one thing on his mind — sex — and can’t control himself.” That would be a terrible stereotype.

I suppose some would say that such rules are in place to protect women from being hit on over and over again by single men. But that type of behaviour could happen in any naturism setting, and those in charge would soon deal with it by expelling those who cross the line.

What say you?

— Jillian

Photo: Naturists at a hot spring in Taiwan. (Photo: Albert Yam, CC BY-SA 3.0/Wikipedia)