[description: the contours of a man's body are visible through the fabric of a fancy dress]
Because I don't want to be defined by the clothes I wear.
Because I don't want to be defined by the clothes I wear.
Nudism is an equalizer. By coming together, stripped of all the outward signifiers of our social status, we emphasize our common humanity. Whether you're a doctor, a secretary, a construction worker, a lawyer, or a janitor, we all look pretty much the same under our clothes. Granted, there is a limit to how effective this philosophy is in practice - because, in truth, people judge one another on many factors beyond our clothing, including our possessions (such as the car we own), body type, grooming habits, jewelry and tattoos, and not least of all the coverage of our tan. But one of the great reliefs of nudism is the freedom from the pressure not just to have to decide what to wear, but of having to impress people with the way you dress. You don't need to put on makeup or a tie to earn the respect of other nudists. You don't even have to put on pants! Just come as you are, and you'll be accepted no matter what you look like.
I know that, for me - as a gender non-conforming individual - there is a lot of pressure in the textile world to adhere to gendered stereotypes, and a constant fear associated with trying to "pass". I very much enjoy donning the outward appearance of a girl, but it is a great relief to be able, in a nudist context, to simply be myself, without having to telegraph my identity through the clothes I choose to wear. I may not look conventional even in my birthday suit, but when everything's hanging out, there are no lingering questions on people's minds - such as "is that a boy or a girl? I wonder what genitals they have." I don't feel like I'm concealing a potentially outrageous secret, either - everything's on the table; there are no games to be played, and you can either take me as I am, or leave me alone.
