Dozens in San Francisco bare it all at naked protest to promote
acceptance of human body.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Hanging out on a street corner has taken on
new meaning in San Francisco.
Several dozen men and at least one woman took part in a naked
protest Saturday in an area of the Castro District neighborhood
that has become known for its nude visitors.
Several carried signs that read, "Nudity is Not a Crime" and
"Get Your Hate Off My Body," as they milled around, undeterred by
the brisk weather and light mist.
San Francisco generally allows public nudity, but a city
supervisor has proposed regulating the practice. Supervisor Scott
Wiener's proposal would require the clothing-averse to cover up in
restaurants. It would also require nudists to put a cloth or other
barrier under their bottoms if they take a seat in public.
Mitch Hightower, the organizer of the so-called "nude-in," said it
was not intended as a protest against the proposal. The goal,
Hightower said, was to promote acceptance of the human body no
matter what shape or form it comes in.
"The people out here believe there is nothing indecent or offensive
about the human body," he said.
The event, which had been scheduled before Wiener's proposal was
announced, was part of the unofficial celebrations leading up to
the annual Folsom Street Fair, billed as the world's largest
leather and fetish event.
Some of the protesters say elements of Wiener's proposal weren't
necessary. For instance, putting down a towel is already etiquette
among nudists, said George Davis, 65, who wore a black fanny pack,
a fake lei and sandals at the nude-in.
"As nudists, why do we have to go to a special beach or a special
resort?" Davis asked. "Why can't we just go to a park, which we're
doing today?"
Passersby mostly seemed amused by the demonstration. Some stopped
to take photographs with the naked men.
"It doesn't bother me in the least," said Michael Zaverton, who was
visiting from Cleveland.
Zaverton, 58, said he has gone to a nude beach. Still, he hesitated
as he considered whether he would participate in a more public
display like the nude-in.
"It takes a little more courage 'cause most of these guys, let's
admit it, are not body-beautiful," he joked.
But Heather Flynn was not as amused. The Oakland resident, who was
heading to a nearby screening of "The Little Mermaid" with her
7-year-old daughter, walked by briskly.
"When you're at the corner of a kid's event, I think you should
cover up a little," Flynn, 27, said.
Her daughter, Blanca, was more blunt. She scrunched up her face as
she said the nudists should definitely put some clothes on.
