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American Association for Nude Recreation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) is a nudist organization in the United States.
In the United States, German immigrant Kurt Barthel organized the first nudist event in 1929, just outside of New York City (NYC), and founded the American League for Physical Culture (ALPC). Social nudism in the form of private clubs and campgrounds began appearing in the 1930s. In 1931, according to a history [1], Baptist minister Ilsley Boone was elected as vice president of the ALPC and gained a nickname as "The Dictator." He also began the American Sunbathing Association (ASA), which, according to a decision in Roberts v. Clement, posted on the Naturist Education Foundation site [2], was organized in 1939 as a successor to the ALPC. Boone sought a family atmosphere by prohibiting alcohol at all member clubs. According to the Federation of Canadian Naturists history [3] and the Lupin Naturist Club history [4], Boone was toppled in 1951 by members dissatisfied with his autocratic style. This, together with Boone's desire to open a new club closer to NYC than others had wanted, led him to form the National Nudist Council.
Elsewhere in the USA, a 1935 advertisement claims Sea Island Sanctuary, South Carolina, was the "largest and oldest" year round resort where nudism could be practiced. Nudism first began appearing on the US and Canadian west coast about 1932. Rock Lodge Club in Stockholm, New Jersey, 68 km (42 miles) from New York City started in 1932 and still operates. Kaniksu Ranch, about 70 km (45 miles) north of Spokane, Washington, opened in 1939 and still exists. In 1995, the ASA renamed itself, becoming the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR).
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The AANR has long lobbied governments to allow nudism in the United States and Canada. In 2005, its representatives boasted legislative successes in getting nude recreation exempted from anti-nudity laws in West Virginia; Tennessee; California; Dawson County, Georgia; and Lake County, Florida.[1] Based on the AANR's wording of the exemptions, only dues-paying AANR members and clubs benefit. That effectively excludes the larger skinny-dipping community which includes: the other main naturist organization in the US, The Naturist Society, as well as non-affiliated individuals and organizations that participated in clothing-optional activities or attended free beaches, including organized beach-goers, nudist or naturist-friendly businesses, nudist or naturist clubs or events not chartered by AANR and others enjoying some form of social nudity on public lands. One critic said this amounted to AANR trying to own the "brand" on nudism. [2]
When the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) had an opportunity to insert protecting language in an anti-nudity Senate Bill 224 Municipal Corporations - Regulation of Nudity and Sexual Displays in Maryland, its representatives, including AANR East lobbyist Don Murphy, lobbied to adopt language that would exempt AANR businesses, such as clubs, in Maryland. Otherwise individuals would be subject to six months imprisonment and a $500 fine for allowing nudity without AANR affiliiation.
The proposed amendment section (c) said "an ordinance adopted under this section may not apply to any event charted by the American Association for Nude Recreation." The amendment failed by a 23-20 vote.
After hearing about an adult-oriented businesses ordinance in Carroll County, Virginia, an AANR representative in January 2007, faxed to the county attorney a couple suggestions for legal language changes, including a proposed exemption for members of its society. The suggestion read: “No person shall be in violation of this section in or at a club event sanctioned under legal association with the American Association for Nude Recreation,”[3] The association's input was considered but ultimately rejected.
AANR is the sole representative for organized naturism and nudism in the United States with the International Naturist Federation/Federation Naturiste Internationale (INF/FNI). Excluded is the other large naturist organization in the US, The Naturist Society, as well as other ClothesFree International. AANR was affiliated long before the others began. INF affiliates with only one national organization from each country.
Because AANR has chosen to focus mainly on revenue-generating opportunities through its dues-paying clubs and dues-paying members, some contend it is not giving proper consideration to clothing-free opportunities on public lands such as free beaches, where there are fewer revenue-generating opportunities for AANR.
AANR has no documented efforts of advocating the establishment of new clothing-optional beaches, which many believe should be the primary focus of organized naturist and nudist efforts. AANR's own FAQ says: "The law can be a little fuzzier when it comes to nudity at beaches and public recreation areas. AANR works to protect nude recreation in such places where there is an established tradition for sunbathing."
AANR counters that it has efforts underway to improve established clothing-optional beaches in Oregon, including Sauvie Island (Collins Beach) and Rooster Rock State Park.
AANR leaders have also criticized World Naked Bike Ride as leading to unfavorable public policies against nudists.
In addition, AANR, a sustaining member of the American Recreation Coalition(ARC), by virture of its membership in ARC, supports the privatization of the national public lands system. This is a direct ideological and substantive attack on free naturists of all social classes for whom the public lands infrastructure provides the opportunity structure for naturists to engage in nude recreation free and with unfettered access on national public lands. AANR's ideology that the only good nude recreation is recreation that must be had with dues paid to it or its subsidiaries is evidently engaged in a long term project to stamp out free naturism on national public lands. This is accomplished by potentially supporting rules on public lands that ban nudity, plans to lease national forests under private-public partnerships to secure space for nude recreation, or national public lands transferred to AANR ownership under privatization ideology as this ideology in practice becomes more developed and implemented by government and corporations. Either way, AANR still contributes to the undermining of free naturism and a citizen-owned free national public lands system, both which mutually support and reinforce each other. This would suggest that AANR really does not value body acceptance, except only a false body acceptance that has a price tag attached to it. AANR supports through ARC the corporatization of the body which ultimately is the commoditization of the nude body. This abnegates the spirit of naturism - "body acceptance, respect for others, and the environment."
Clubs are allowed free range in discriminating against members engaging in outside activities, including, ironically enough, topfree advocacy.
In 2003, Buckridge Park moved to terminate membership of Dorene Schumacher for topfree activism in her hometown.
Charles Preston, the Buckridge Park representative, counters, "Do you not feel that we should have the right to protect our investment and business if we feel it is threatened? We did not think it was appropriate to have one of our members hold a top free picnic in the town we were located in. We have worked hard to be accepted as a good business to have in town."
When she announced a topfree picnic for Candor, the park owners cancelled both their memberships. The picnic has not yet been held, although Schumacher has held them in other NY towns. It is legal for women to be topfree in New York State, but AANR feels that their policy is not something that AANR needs to cooperate with, as it is poor public relations.
TOPFREEDOM NEWS (April 2001 through June 2005). Retrieved on 2006-09-23.
The AANR and British Naturism have given cold receptions to protests and activists involved in The Freedom to be Yourself. As an example, no nudists came out to support Terri Sue Webb during her trial or protests in Bend, Oregon.
Some nudists counter that drawing attention to social nudity issues could result in a backlash of even more stringent laws.
In many cases, when an individual joins an AANR affiliated club in the US, they are required to become a dues-paying AANR member. Daniel Johnson, BFC co-founder, said "The only reason there are so many AANR members is because they are forced to join when they pay their local club dues."[4]
AANR affiliates with some clubs that choose to discriminate based on of inclusion of gays, singles, same-sex couples, and those with tattoos, piercings, body jewelry. From AANR-SW FAQ: "Some clubs have rules addressing such body decorations. The best idea is to call ahead and ask." Ellen Woodall, writer and nudist researcher, says, "The naked truth about the American nudist movement is its failure to live up to the ideal that everyone is treated the same, despite social standing or the shape of their bodies". [5]
The AANR acknowledges that historically AANR member clubs have practiced discrimination, but insists that each club is autonomous and free to make its own decisions and policies as far as admissions are concerned.
TNS has also said that their affiliated clubs may impose a single male quota if they deem it necessary.
In Canada, the relations between AANR affiliates and non-affiliates are much better. Relatively tolerant governments and public attitudes usually allow each movement to carry on.
- ^ Talk About Nudism (2005-8-03). Retrieved on 2006-09-16.
- ^ Talk About Nudism (2005-8-03). Retrieved on 2006-09-16.
- ^ Brooke, Christopher (2007-1-12). Group seeks exemption for nude recreation. Galax Gazette. Retrieved on 2007-1-12.
- ^ Bornheimer, Ryan (2003-5-20). Naturists pursue active nude pastimes, locales: Naturist organizations such as Body Freedom Collaborative are working to promote nude activities in designated areas. Oregon Daily Emerald. Retrieved on 2007-1-14.
- ^ Keen, Cathy (2001-10-18). UF Study bares contradictions about American nudists. University of Florida. Retrieved on 2006-09-16.