Sometimes I think the world could learn a lot from naturists’ organizations.

Starting with the big picture: we’re all in the same boat.

In the group I belong to, there’s no segregation from the outset. Men, women, children et al undress in the same locker room before a swimming or gym event.

Why wouldn’t we? We’ll all be naked together in (no particular order) the pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room and gym.

The locker room is where you check your body hangups as well as your textiles. You soon see that people are focusing on your eyes, not your body parts.

Welcome to Body Acceptance 101.

A concern for the novice might be sexual harassment. I haven’t seen any in my group, which has a sexual harassment policy in pIace.

Naturists have a common code of respect for each other, and that may be the movement’s most noble principle and purpose.

It’s not some lofty goal. It’s immediate. You see the respect, you feel it, and in no time at all it is just a mutual way of life.

At least, that has been my experience, and I think of it often when I hear women outside of naturism express fears about change rooms in public facilities.

I’m grateful to not have that fear at naturist events.

— Jillian