American Association for Nude Recreation
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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], a Baptist minister named 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, located in Stockholm, New Jersey, 42 miles from New York City started in 1932 and is still in operation today. Kaniksu Ranch, about 45 miles (70 km) north of Spokane, Washington, opened in 1939 and is still in operation. In 1995, the ASA renamed itself, becoming the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR).
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[edit] Criticism
[edit] Exemptions
AANR has a history of lobbying for legislative exemptions for its network of clubs. Its own representatives boasted legislative successes adopted in getting nude recreation exempted from laws in West Virginia; Tennessee; California; Dawson County, Ga; and Lake County, Fla.[1] Based on the AANR's wording of the exemptions, only dues-paying AANR members and clubs benefit. These tactics effectively exclude, ignore and jeopardize the efforts of the larger skinny-dipping community which include: the other 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 beachgoers, nudist or naturist-friendly businesses, any nudist or naturist club or event 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]
[edit] Senate Bill 224
When the American Association for Nude Recration (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.
[edit] Carroll County, Virginia
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.
[edit] INF referrals
AANR is the sole representative for organized naturism and nudism in the United States with the International Naturist Federation (INF). The result is that only AANR is listed as an International Naturist Federation/Federation Naturiste Internationale (INF/FNI) affiliated federation, effectively excluding the main naturist organization in the US, The Naturist Society as well as other significant organizations such as ClothesFree International. AANR was affiliated long before The Naturist Society came into existence. INF allows only one national organization to be affiliated with it.
[edit] Opposition to public lands initiatives
[edit] Monied interests
Because AANR has chosen to focus mainly on revenue-generating opportunites 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.
[edit] Maintaining a status quo in free beach advocacy
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.
[edit] Discrediting public lands initiatives
AANR leaders have also criticized World Naked Bike Ride as leading to unfavorable public policies against nudists.
[edit] Fighting topfree activist member
Clubs are allowed free range in discrimating 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.</ref>
[edit] Indifference to public nudity activists
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.
[edit] Forced affiliations
In many cases, when an individual chooses to join an AANR affiliated club in the US, they are often required to also 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]
[edit] Discrimination
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.
[edit] References
- ^ 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.
[edit] See also
- Criticism of social nudity
- List of major social nudity organizations
- List of social nudity places
- Social nudity
- Nudity
- Public nudity
- Skinny dipping
- The Naturist Society (TNS) - AANR's major rival
- American Nudist Research Library
