or, Re-enacting a Slumber Party Massacre
Two and a half years ago, I spontaneously had the idea to remake my popular Slumber Party image from 2010. That original image inspired two sequels, the first one being an elaborate collection of images documenting a Slumber Party Massacre, inspired by my fandom of the horror genre (and tribute to the slasher film of the same name), in which four girls are stalked by a sexual predator and attacked on the night of their slumber party. When I did the Slumber Party remake in 2019, I had no plans to revisit the sequels in my original Slumber Party trilogy, but just as that remake arose spontaneously, so did I end up turning this year's Halloween shoot in my Freddy Krueger costume into a spiritual remake of the Slumber Party Massacre, complete with establishing shots of the four girls haunted by Freddy, and culminating in one final group image.
[description: a girl brushes her hair in the bathroom, with Freddy's reflection visible in the mirror]
The beauty queen brushes her long, blonde hair in the bathroom, wearing a brand new mermaid pajama shirt, while Freddy is visible to us in the reflection of the mirror, creeping around the corner from his hiding spot in the tub.
[description: a girl runs water at the kitchen sink, while Freddy watches from atop the fridge]
The athlete enters the kitchen in her comfy pajama shorts and crop top to get a glass of water from the sink, while Freddy advances on her from his unexpected perch on top of the refrigerator.
[description: a girl plays on her phone in the bedroom, while Freddy emerges from under the bed]
The gamer plays on her phone in bed in her pink pajamas and knee socks, while Freddy quietly slides out from under her bed where he's been watching her.
[description: a girl in underwear waits for her laundry, while Freddy hides behind the dryer]
The party girl takes a break while doing laundry in her bra and panties, while Freddy crouches behind the dryer waiting for the right moment to strike. (I think this was actually a scene from the original Halloween, but a girl going out half-dressed to do laundry in a separate building is one of those situations that always stuck in my mind).
[description: four girls in pajamas lounge in the living room, while Freddy peeks out from the kitchen]
Finally, the four girls gather for their slumber party and pop in a slasher film, while, unbeknownst to them, Freddy emerges from the kitchen with plans to scare them senseless.
No aftermath shot this time (you can use your imagination), but there are some outtakes as well as an alternate version of the final image which once again takes place in a parallel world where nudism is mainstream.
Now that I'm two titles in to remaking this trilogy, I feel invested enough to say that, this time, I do plan on finishing the trilogy and creating a remake of the final sequel, Slumber Party Campout. It won't be right away, but maybe next year. I've already got an idea for it, but I'm going to keep it under wraps for now. So stay tuned, and I hope you've enjoyed this re-enactment of the Slumber Party Massacre featuring the one and only Freddy Krueger!
Monday, October 18, 2021
Thursday, September 9, 2021
Speedo FAQ
I'm that one guy on American beaches wearing a speedo, and I want to open a dialogue. I know you're curious, and maybe a little bit confused. I've seen the looks. I've overheard the remarks. My goal isn't to make anyone uncomfortable. I'm just living my truth, wearing what makes me happy. I know you have questions. Let me try to answer a few of them.
But first, a note on terminology. I'm using the term "speedo" in this post because that's what most people are familiar with. I don't usually call my swimsuits "speedos", as that is a brand name, and most of my swimsuits are not Speedo brand (also, Speedo makes a variety of swimsuits, not just the kind most people associate them with). It's like how we call tissues "Kleenex" and colas "Coke". The generic term - and the one that I normally prefer to use - is "swim brief".
Now, on to the questions!
Q: Are you European?
A: No. I was born and raised in the USA (for better or worse). I've never even been to Europe, although I'd like to visit someday. I've heard that speedos are pretty much the norm over there (although reports are varied).
Q: Are you gay?
A: The answer might surprise you! This is, in my experience, the number one assumption people make when they see a guy in a speedo. No, I am not gay. I love and support the gay community, and I'm pretty open-minded; it just so happens that I am predominantly attracted to the female sex. What puzzles me is why so many people think the swimsuit I'm wearing has any bearing whatsoever on my sexual orientation. If a woman puts on a thong bikini, does that make her a lesbian?
Q: Why do you wear speedos, then?
A: You might be surprised to learn that there are a lot of good reasons for a man to wear a speedo. Maybe you're a swimming athlete. Maybe you want less noticeable tan lines. Any single reason would be justification enough for the decision to wear a speedo; I've got three!
1. I'm a nudist. I realize this puts me in the minority, but I am actually more comfortable the less I am wearing. Especially when my clothes are going to be getting wet. I would prefer to be swimming nude. So although a speedo is less than you would expect me to wear, it's more than I want to be wearing. It's a compromise.
2. My gender identity is complicated. I go back and forth on what to call myself, but suffice to say, I am gender non-conforming, and my gender presentation is predominantly feminine (on the other hand, I am not interested at this time in chemical or surgical intervention). Wearing men's swimwear - the baggy, knee-length shorts that are ubiquitous in this culture - gives me gender dysphoria. But I can't wear women's swimsuits because they are obviously not practical for my anatomy. So, once again, speedos are a compromise. Also, as a gender non-conforming person, I'd like to mention that I do not appreciate the double standard whereby it's considered perfectly normal for women to wear skimpy swimsuits, but scandalous when a man does it. That doesn't really seem fair.
3. I'm a model. Contrary to stereotype, I am not old and fat. Although I am not quite as young as I look, I am not that old, either. I'm pretty skinny, and try to keep in good shape. I model, so you can bet I'm pretty confident in my skin. I like to show off what I've got. Women do it all the time. Why not give them something to look at, too? If just looking at a man's body makes you uncomfortable, then I don't know what to say. It's not my responsibility to prevent you from having gay thoughts.
And while we're on the subject of appearance, I don't understand people who say "nobody looks good in a speedo." For a subjective opinion, this is one that is demonstrably untrue. Just because men aren't typically held to the same grooming standards as women doesn't mean that there aren't men with bodies worth drooling over. I put effort into my appearance because I want to look good.
At the same time, I'm a nudist, and I believe that people have the right to feel comfortable in their skin, no matter what they look like. Do you think everyone at the beach looks good, and that the ones who don't should leave? Why does anyone need your approval on their fashion choices, and why is your approval more important than anyone else's? I dress to satisfy myself, not to impress some random stranger I don't know.
Q: Where do you wear speedos?
A: Wherever I go swimming, unless there's an explicit rule forbidding them. I've worn speedos on the beach and at lakes. I've worn them in hotel pools, and even waterparks. In beach towns, I've walked through the streets, shopped in stores, eaten at restaurants, and played minigolf, all while wearing just a speedo. I've worn them around family and friends, young and old, and complete strangers, too.
Q: Isn't it indecent to walk around in public with the outline of your genitals visible?
A: Is it? Ask all the women wearing bikinis. Outlines will vary depending on the suit (including color - black is pretty discreet) and conditions (e.g., lighting, wet vs. dry), but this is also true of many women's swimsuits. I know the sexes have different anatomy, but I'm not sure they should have different rules about visibility and what is or is not acceptable. The suits I wear are not "fetish wear" that emphasizes or enhances my manhood (there's a whole rabbit hole of those that it's easy to tumble down when searching for non-traditional men's swimwear online). They're just basic swim briefs - the kind you might see on Olympic athletes, or your local high school swim team. In fact, they're actually modest compared to what a lot of women wear.
Q: What about children and abuse survivors? Even the suggestion of the sight of a penis can be traumatizing to some people.
A: I believe that phalliphobia (fear of the penis) is not a healthy mindset, and that it is not good for society to coddle it. In order to change my mind, you would have to convince me first that men and women are not equal, and deserve to follow different standards of public decorum (unless you are arguing that women shouldn't wear bikinis either, which is not the common stance I'm addressing here), and second that innocent people deserve to have their freedoms restricted due to the behavior of criminals and scoundrels, purely on the basis of having similar anatomy.
In this culture, there is typically a lot of skin on display wherever swimming is involved. If you are someone who is bothered by this, then I would suggest you try to avoid public pools and beaches in lieu of demanding that everyone else cover up. Nudism teaches us that the sight of the human body does not carry an inherently sexual context. (Whether or not you think someone has "sex appeal" is beside the point - that's a thought in your head, not a behavior of their body). Nor are children intrinsically harmed by exposure to the human body. That's something they have to learn - and frequently do learn, from their parents, their peers, and from society. And we're not even talking about nudity, here - we're talking about swimsuits!
It's not that I don't think you can make an argument that I'm prioritizing my own comfort over the comfort of others. You can. But I'm arguing that fear of the human body (although really just the male body in this instance) isn't more valuable to us as a society than the freedom of individuals to wear different styles of swimsuits (some more revealing than others, perhaps, but without breaching the legal standard for indecency). What's more, considering that women already have this freedom (nearly uncontested, except by fringe minorities) makes the argument rather moot.
Q: Do you have a large penis? If not, are you worried about people making fun of you? Or do you get off on the humiliation?
A: I understand that many men have anxiety about their penis size. Thankfully, I have been insulated from this toxic form of competition for most of my life. The truth is, some men are showers, and some are growers. What you see is often not what you get. I have been called both "tiny" and "massive", depending on the state of arousal, and I've never had trouble satisfying a woman. So what somebody else thinks about my size is inconsequential to me. In a similar vein, I know that lots of women have anxiety about their chest size. But that doesn't mean that a woman with A cups can't rock a bikini and look damn fine doing it.
Q: What are some good brands of non-Speedo swim briefs?
A: I'm not brand-loyal. Men's swim briefs are hard to come by, so I tend to search online, and try out whatever looks good. I have owned actual Speedos. One of their top competitors is TYR, atlhough I had a TYR swim brief that didn't last as long as some of my others. My favorites are by a company called Sporti. They have a low-rise brief that better approximates the look of a bikini bottom. I have a black one that I like so much, I bought matching pairs in blue, green, and red. I also like Kiniki brand tan-through suits. They have a variety of styles, including classic briefs. They're composed of a thinner, mesh-like material, so they're a bit less modest (personally, I find the coverage to be perfectly adequate unless you're deliberately scrutinizing it), but I love how quickly they dry.
Q: What's the worst thing that's happened while wearing a speedo?
A: Two incidents come to mind. One time I was kayaking near a busy marina, and I got chewed out by a park ranger for not wearing a life jacket, because he literally thought I was twelve years old! (I can only guess why, but I imagine the fact that I'm scrawny, hairless, and was riding a kid-sized kayak were all contributing factors). On the positive side, I took his lack of comment on my swimwear as tacit approval (or at least allowance), him being an authority figure and all.
Another time, I left the beach wearing my speedo, and on the way to my car, I turned a corner only to stumble upon a group of twenty or more kids sitting in a circle having class outdoors on the lawn. They all started pointing and whispering, even as their teacher droned on. Children are naturally curious, and there is, of course, no harm in them seeing a man in a swimsuit within sight of the shore. But I can appreciate how it might have looked to an outside observer, taken out of context. I didn't want to draw any more attention to myself or make a production out of covering up, so I tried my best to ignore them and kept walking casually to my car.
Q: What's the best thing that's happened while wearing a speedo?
A: If this hadn't actually happened to me, I wouldn't believe it myself, but I was lying out on the beach one day when a group of college girls came over and invited me to play volleyball with them. Afterward, we went skinny dipping. That alone makes up for every disparaging look and dismissive comment I've ever received while wearing a speedo. =D
But first, a note on terminology. I'm using the term "speedo" in this post because that's what most people are familiar with. I don't usually call my swimsuits "speedos", as that is a brand name, and most of my swimsuits are not Speedo brand (also, Speedo makes a variety of swimsuits, not just the kind most people associate them with). It's like how we call tissues "Kleenex" and colas "Coke". The generic term - and the one that I normally prefer to use - is "swim brief".
Now, on to the questions!
Q: Are you European?
A: No. I was born and raised in the USA (for better or worse). I've never even been to Europe, although I'd like to visit someday. I've heard that speedos are pretty much the norm over there (although reports are varied).
Q: Are you gay?
A: The answer might surprise you! This is, in my experience, the number one assumption people make when they see a guy in a speedo. No, I am not gay. I love and support the gay community, and I'm pretty open-minded; it just so happens that I am predominantly attracted to the female sex. What puzzles me is why so many people think the swimsuit I'm wearing has any bearing whatsoever on my sexual orientation. If a woman puts on a thong bikini, does that make her a lesbian?
Q: Why do you wear speedos, then?
A: You might be surprised to learn that there are a lot of good reasons for a man to wear a speedo. Maybe you're a swimming athlete. Maybe you want less noticeable tan lines. Any single reason would be justification enough for the decision to wear a speedo; I've got three!
1. I'm a nudist. I realize this puts me in the minority, but I am actually more comfortable the less I am wearing. Especially when my clothes are going to be getting wet. I would prefer to be swimming nude. So although a speedo is less than you would expect me to wear, it's more than I want to be wearing. It's a compromise.
2. My gender identity is complicated. I go back and forth on what to call myself, but suffice to say, I am gender non-conforming, and my gender presentation is predominantly feminine (on the other hand, I am not interested at this time in chemical or surgical intervention). Wearing men's swimwear - the baggy, knee-length shorts that are ubiquitous in this culture - gives me gender dysphoria. But I can't wear women's swimsuits because they are obviously not practical for my anatomy. So, once again, speedos are a compromise. Also, as a gender non-conforming person, I'd like to mention that I do not appreciate the double standard whereby it's considered perfectly normal for women to wear skimpy swimsuits, but scandalous when a man does it. That doesn't really seem fair.
3. I'm a model. Contrary to stereotype, I am not old and fat. Although I am not quite as young as I look, I am not that old, either. I'm pretty skinny, and try to keep in good shape. I model, so you can bet I'm pretty confident in my skin. I like to show off what I've got. Women do it all the time. Why not give them something to look at, too? If just looking at a man's body makes you uncomfortable, then I don't know what to say. It's not my responsibility to prevent you from having gay thoughts.
And while we're on the subject of appearance, I don't understand people who say "nobody looks good in a speedo." For a subjective opinion, this is one that is demonstrably untrue. Just because men aren't typically held to the same grooming standards as women doesn't mean that there aren't men with bodies worth drooling over. I put effort into my appearance because I want to look good.
At the same time, I'm a nudist, and I believe that people have the right to feel comfortable in their skin, no matter what they look like. Do you think everyone at the beach looks good, and that the ones who don't should leave? Why does anyone need your approval on their fashion choices, and why is your approval more important than anyone else's? I dress to satisfy myself, not to impress some random stranger I don't know.
Q: Where do you wear speedos?
A: Wherever I go swimming, unless there's an explicit rule forbidding them. I've worn speedos on the beach and at lakes. I've worn them in hotel pools, and even waterparks. In beach towns, I've walked through the streets, shopped in stores, eaten at restaurants, and played minigolf, all while wearing just a speedo. I've worn them around family and friends, young and old, and complete strangers, too.
Q: Isn't it indecent to walk around in public with the outline of your genitals visible?
A: Is it? Ask all the women wearing bikinis. Outlines will vary depending on the suit (including color - black is pretty discreet) and conditions (e.g., lighting, wet vs. dry), but this is also true of many women's swimsuits. I know the sexes have different anatomy, but I'm not sure they should have different rules about visibility and what is or is not acceptable. The suits I wear are not "fetish wear" that emphasizes or enhances my manhood (there's a whole rabbit hole of those that it's easy to tumble down when searching for non-traditional men's swimwear online). They're just basic swim briefs - the kind you might see on Olympic athletes, or your local high school swim team. In fact, they're actually modest compared to what a lot of women wear.
Q: What about children and abuse survivors? Even the suggestion of the sight of a penis can be traumatizing to some people.
A: I believe that phalliphobia (fear of the penis) is not a healthy mindset, and that it is not good for society to coddle it. In order to change my mind, you would have to convince me first that men and women are not equal, and deserve to follow different standards of public decorum (unless you are arguing that women shouldn't wear bikinis either, which is not the common stance I'm addressing here), and second that innocent people deserve to have their freedoms restricted due to the behavior of criminals and scoundrels, purely on the basis of having similar anatomy.
In this culture, there is typically a lot of skin on display wherever swimming is involved. If you are someone who is bothered by this, then I would suggest you try to avoid public pools and beaches in lieu of demanding that everyone else cover up. Nudism teaches us that the sight of the human body does not carry an inherently sexual context. (Whether or not you think someone has "sex appeal" is beside the point - that's a thought in your head, not a behavior of their body). Nor are children intrinsically harmed by exposure to the human body. That's something they have to learn - and frequently do learn, from their parents, their peers, and from society. And we're not even talking about nudity, here - we're talking about swimsuits!
It's not that I don't think you can make an argument that I'm prioritizing my own comfort over the comfort of others. You can. But I'm arguing that fear of the human body (although really just the male body in this instance) isn't more valuable to us as a society than the freedom of individuals to wear different styles of swimsuits (some more revealing than others, perhaps, but without breaching the legal standard for indecency). What's more, considering that women already have this freedom (nearly uncontested, except by fringe minorities) makes the argument rather moot.
Q: Do you have a large penis? If not, are you worried about people making fun of you? Or do you get off on the humiliation?
A: I understand that many men have anxiety about their penis size. Thankfully, I have been insulated from this toxic form of competition for most of my life. The truth is, some men are showers, and some are growers. What you see is often not what you get. I have been called both "tiny" and "massive", depending on the state of arousal, and I've never had trouble satisfying a woman. So what somebody else thinks about my size is inconsequential to me. In a similar vein, I know that lots of women have anxiety about their chest size. But that doesn't mean that a woman with A cups can't rock a bikini and look damn fine doing it.
Q: What are some good brands of non-Speedo swim briefs?
A: I'm not brand-loyal. Men's swim briefs are hard to come by, so I tend to search online, and try out whatever looks good. I have owned actual Speedos. One of their top competitors is TYR, atlhough I had a TYR swim brief that didn't last as long as some of my others. My favorites are by a company called Sporti. They have a low-rise brief that better approximates the look of a bikini bottom. I have a black one that I like so much, I bought matching pairs in blue, green, and red. I also like Kiniki brand tan-through suits. They have a variety of styles, including classic briefs. They're composed of a thinner, mesh-like material, so they're a bit less modest (personally, I find the coverage to be perfectly adequate unless you're deliberately scrutinizing it), but I love how quickly they dry.
Q: What's the worst thing that's happened while wearing a speedo?
A: Two incidents come to mind. One time I was kayaking near a busy marina, and I got chewed out by a park ranger for not wearing a life jacket, because he literally thought I was twelve years old! (I can only guess why, but I imagine the fact that I'm scrawny, hairless, and was riding a kid-sized kayak were all contributing factors). On the positive side, I took his lack of comment on my swimwear as tacit approval (or at least allowance), him being an authority figure and all.
Another time, I left the beach wearing my speedo, and on the way to my car, I turned a corner only to stumble upon a group of twenty or more kids sitting in a circle having class outdoors on the lawn. They all started pointing and whispering, even as their teacher droned on. Children are naturally curious, and there is, of course, no harm in them seeing a man in a swimsuit within sight of the shore. But I can appreciate how it might have looked to an outside observer, taken out of context. I didn't want to draw any more attention to myself or make a production out of covering up, so I tried my best to ignore them and kept walking casually to my car.
Q: What's the best thing that's happened while wearing a speedo?
A: If this hadn't actually happened to me, I wouldn't believe it myself, but I was lying out on the beach one day when a group of college girls came over and invited me to play volleyball with them. Afterward, we went skinny dipping. That alone makes up for every disparaging look and dismissive comment I've ever received while wearing a speedo. =D
Monday, August 23, 2021
Tops and Bottoms
(Apologies to those expecting a discussion of BDSM - this post is about clothing =p).
It seems to me that the only good thing, fashion-wise, about being a biological male is being allowed to walk around (sometimes) without a shirt on. I like to wear things like bras and bikini tops on occasion, because it gives me a more feminine look, but since I don't actually have breasts, they're really not practical for my anatomy. They don't stay in place, they often don't even fit right, and it's just more clothes that I don't actually need to wear - and if you know anything about me, you should know that I like to wear as little as possible. I think the worst thing would be to be a girl with a flat chest. Not that I don't appreciate women with smaller chests (because I do - double D's are so overrated; I've always been more of an A student ;-p). But to not really have the need for upper support yet still be forced by law (in most cases) to wear a top... Yeah, I totally support topfreedom.
And bottomfreedom, too, but total freedom aside, what about bottom equality? It's true that women are more restricted from the waist up, but what often gets overlooked is the inequality between what men and women are socially permitted to expose below the waist. Not only are women's shorts shorter (and they have the option to wear free-flowing skirts), but if you compare underwear and especially swimwear - since it's expected to be worn in public - there is a huge stigma against the exposure of men's lower buttocks and upper thighs that is not at all present for women. Even though, like nipples, these parts of the human anatomy are not actually classified as sexual organs.
[description: a man in knee-length board shorts and a woman in a bikini are viewed from behind]
Though it may be true that this fashion asymmetry is an organic product of the anatomical differences between men and women (women's more fully developed breasts versus men's external genitalia), the fact remains that a woman may be comfortable going topless, while a man may comfortably wear a pair of briefs. We should strive to hold all human beings regardless of sex, gender, or anatomy to the same rules of public decorum. Though if we are to insist on discriminating based on anatomy, I daresay the argument for covering women's breasts is stronger than that for covering men's buttocks and thighs (which, unlike their chests, are effectively no different than women's). The reason the former is the larger issue is due to the demand informed by gendered stereotypes on men's and women's bodies.
Poignantly, in this era of gender experimentation and increasing tolerance of diversity, strict adherence to such gendered stereotypes disproportionately affects gender and sexual minorities. Women who wish to are welcome to continue wearing supportive tops, just as men who wish it may continue covering their thighs and buttocks. But those who wish to be held to the same standard that the other half of the population is held to ought to be permitted the freedom to do so. Anything less would be unjust. Not to mention transphobic.
In the interest, then, of highlighting this asymmetry, and promoting fashion equality, I propose a visibility protest in which men and women swap their swimwear, with women going topless in knee-length board shorts, and men wearing revealing bikinis. The following recommendations are optional, depending on whether you're willing to risk engaging in civil disobedience, but 1) the protest may be staged in an area where topfreedom has already been achieved to keep female protestors safer, and 2) men are advised to choose their swimwear carefully, as most women's bikini bottoms are not designed to hold cargo, and it would be helpful to demonstrate to the public (as I know from experience can be done) that men can wear bikini briefs without exposing themselves.
So, who's in?
It seems to me that the only good thing, fashion-wise, about being a biological male is being allowed to walk around (sometimes) without a shirt on. I like to wear things like bras and bikini tops on occasion, because it gives me a more feminine look, but since I don't actually have breasts, they're really not practical for my anatomy. They don't stay in place, they often don't even fit right, and it's just more clothes that I don't actually need to wear - and if you know anything about me, you should know that I like to wear as little as possible. I think the worst thing would be to be a girl with a flat chest. Not that I don't appreciate women with smaller chests (because I do - double D's are so overrated; I've always been more of an A student ;-p). But to not really have the need for upper support yet still be forced by law (in most cases) to wear a top... Yeah, I totally support topfreedom.
And bottomfreedom, too, but total freedom aside, what about bottom equality? It's true that women are more restricted from the waist up, but what often gets overlooked is the inequality between what men and women are socially permitted to expose below the waist. Not only are women's shorts shorter (and they have the option to wear free-flowing skirts), but if you compare underwear and especially swimwear - since it's expected to be worn in public - there is a huge stigma against the exposure of men's lower buttocks and upper thighs that is not at all present for women. Even though, like nipples, these parts of the human anatomy are not actually classified as sexual organs.
[description: a man in knee-length board shorts and a woman in a bikini are viewed from behind]
Though it may be true that this fashion asymmetry is an organic product of the anatomical differences between men and women (women's more fully developed breasts versus men's external genitalia), the fact remains that a woman may be comfortable going topless, while a man may comfortably wear a pair of briefs. We should strive to hold all human beings regardless of sex, gender, or anatomy to the same rules of public decorum. Though if we are to insist on discriminating based on anatomy, I daresay the argument for covering women's breasts is stronger than that for covering men's buttocks and thighs (which, unlike their chests, are effectively no different than women's). The reason the former is the larger issue is due to the demand informed by gendered stereotypes on men's and women's bodies.
Poignantly, in this era of gender experimentation and increasing tolerance of diversity, strict adherence to such gendered stereotypes disproportionately affects gender and sexual minorities. Women who wish to are welcome to continue wearing supportive tops, just as men who wish it may continue covering their thighs and buttocks. But those who wish to be held to the same standard that the other half of the population is held to ought to be permitted the freedom to do so. Anything less would be unjust. Not to mention transphobic.
In the interest, then, of highlighting this asymmetry, and promoting fashion equality, I propose a visibility protest in which men and women swap their swimwear, with women going topless in knee-length board shorts, and men wearing revealing bikinis. The following recommendations are optional, depending on whether you're willing to risk engaging in civil disobedience, but 1) the protest may be staged in an area where topfreedom has already been achieved to keep female protestors safer, and 2) men are advised to choose their swimwear carefully, as most women's bikini bottoms are not designed to hold cargo, and it would be helpful to demonstrate to the public (as I know from experience can be done) that men can wear bikini briefs without exposing themselves.
So, who's in?
Saturday, August 14, 2021
Skinny Dip Rant
What would you say if I told you that I went skinny dipping? Would you share in my excitement, or would you chastise me for tempting the fates and risking public indecency? What if I told you that I left my swimsuit at the car, instead of wearing it to the shore and stripping off there? Why? Because doing so extends my naked time (hiking through the woods plus swimming, instead of just swimming).
But what if I also told you that being stuck without an escape route makes the experience all the more thrilling? Does that mean there's something wrong with me? It's not that I WANT to get caught, or to expose myself to anyone involuntarily, but being further away from my clothes enhances the purity and the enjoyment of my nudity.
I wish I knew more people who understood this, that I could share these experiences with. I know it's not the safest or perhaps the smartest plan of action (although at the same time, I think the "danger" of being inadvertently spotted while enjoying what is supposed to be clandestine nude recreation - which means you're not conspicuously brandishing your genitals in front of strangers - is over-exaggerated), but it's a calculated risk with a verified personal reward.
And I want to be able to tell the story of how I couldn't get back to my car because somebody else had pulled in, and how I had to hide in the bushes until they followed the trail down to the lake and I could sneak past them*, to someone who can appreciate the humor and the excitement of the situation, instead of judging me and criticizing me for engaging in "reckless behavior".
Because, of all the vices people regularly indulge in (both legal and illegal - as all the beer cans callously littered across this nature preserve will attest to), is a little bit of naked mischief really such a horrible way to add a little spice and adventure to your life?
----------------
*I know opinions among nudists are divided on how to handle encountering textiles while engaging in so-called "secret naturism" outside of approved boundaries, and that many idealistically support the approach to stand proud and act like nothing's out of the ordinary. In theory, I too like that approach, as the only way to normalize nudity is to expose people to it. But in practice, it may actually do more harm than good, and everyone has to consider their own safety above the goals of "the lifestyle".
In any case, although hiding in the bushes means tacitly acknowledging that what you're doing is wrong, it also lends evidence to the case that you're not trying to be seen and thus cause a disturbance, which is often taken into consideration on the subject of indecent exposure. Although it may undermine the ideals of nudism, it shows an understanding and respect for those (who happen to make up the majority of the population) who are not nudists.
But what if I also told you that being stuck without an escape route makes the experience all the more thrilling? Does that mean there's something wrong with me? It's not that I WANT to get caught, or to expose myself to anyone involuntarily, but being further away from my clothes enhances the purity and the enjoyment of my nudity.
I wish I knew more people who understood this, that I could share these experiences with. I know it's not the safest or perhaps the smartest plan of action (although at the same time, I think the "danger" of being inadvertently spotted while enjoying what is supposed to be clandestine nude recreation - which means you're not conspicuously brandishing your genitals in front of strangers - is over-exaggerated), but it's a calculated risk with a verified personal reward.
And I want to be able to tell the story of how I couldn't get back to my car because somebody else had pulled in, and how I had to hide in the bushes until they followed the trail down to the lake and I could sneak past them*, to someone who can appreciate the humor and the excitement of the situation, instead of judging me and criticizing me for engaging in "reckless behavior".
Because, of all the vices people regularly indulge in (both legal and illegal - as all the beer cans callously littered across this nature preserve will attest to), is a little bit of naked mischief really such a horrible way to add a little spice and adventure to your life?
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*I know opinions among nudists are divided on how to handle encountering textiles while engaging in so-called "secret naturism" outside of approved boundaries, and that many idealistically support the approach to stand proud and act like nothing's out of the ordinary. In theory, I too like that approach, as the only way to normalize nudity is to expose people to it. But in practice, it may actually do more harm than good, and everyone has to consider their own safety above the goals of "the lifestyle".
In any case, although hiding in the bushes means tacitly acknowledging that what you're doing is wrong, it also lends evidence to the case that you're not trying to be seen and thus cause a disturbance, which is often taken into consideration on the subject of indecent exposure. Although it may undermine the ideals of nudism, it shows an understanding and respect for those (who happen to make up the majority of the population) who are not nudists.
Friday, August 6, 2021
Teasing and Eroticism
The word "tease" is sometimes used to describe the erotic arts. My philosophy is this: not all of us will be lucky enough to bed a supermodel at some point in our lives. But we can still fantasize. If you're the kind of person who can't appreciate beauty without possessing it, then look away; my art is not intended for you. Although it is true that, as a photographer, whenever I spy beauty, I experience the very human desire to capture it (albeit in the form of a photograph, not as a pet), I am also able to admire it from afar; such views brighten my life. If I were limited to only seeing the beauty I can grasp in the palm of my hand, the world would be a much darker place. 'Tis better to be teased and have one's desire go unsatisfied, than to never experience desire at all.
And besides, masturbation can be fun, too. ;-p
And besides, masturbation can be fun, too. ;-p
Thursday, August 5, 2021
A Prudist Brief
The thing about prudism (prudish nudism) is, it creates this dichotomy where nudity is either monastic, ostensibly practiced by erotophobic asexuals (the prudist ideal), or else it's laced with primal sexuality, in the context of hardcore pornography (the prudist's worst nightmare).
It doesn't leave any space for people who appreciate the human form both artistically and erotically, who aren't interested in lying to themselves about their feelings of attraction, and want to be involved in activities where naked (or nearly naked) people congregate, yet without it being a hunting ground for sexual partners.
Nudism professes that people can be naked and still behave civilly toward one another. Well, I profess that people can appreciate the eroticism of other people's bodies, and STILL behave civilly toward one another.
THOSE are the people I want to congregate with - and they are more likely to be nudists (who have a grounded attitude toward the human body) than textiles, who aren't accustomed to nudity outside of an explicitly sexual context.
I'm just saying, we can have that kind of nudism, without creating an atmosphere of sexual predation, yet still without pretending that we're not animals who appreciate the erotic appeal of the human form (heaven forbid!).
It doesn't leave any space for people who appreciate the human form both artistically and erotically, who aren't interested in lying to themselves about their feelings of attraction, and want to be involved in activities where naked (or nearly naked) people congregate, yet without it being a hunting ground for sexual partners.
Nudism professes that people can be naked and still behave civilly toward one another. Well, I profess that people can appreciate the eroticism of other people's bodies, and STILL behave civilly toward one another.
THOSE are the people I want to congregate with - and they are more likely to be nudists (who have a grounded attitude toward the human body) than textiles, who aren't accustomed to nudity outside of an explicitly sexual context.
I'm just saying, we can have that kind of nudism, without creating an atmosphere of sexual predation, yet still without pretending that we're not animals who appreciate the erotic appeal of the human form (heaven forbid!).
Friday, June 18, 2021
Nude, But Never Exposed
I've gotten a lot of flak from the [online] nudist community about my sex-positive advocacy. And it hurts, because I consider myself a warrior for nudism, and it's like having the army you're enlisted in turn against you; I just don't think you have to choose between the two. The war we're fighting is for the liberation of the human body, not to defend the puritanical ideology of Bible-thumping prudes. You can advocate for nudism without taking an antagonistic stance towards the freedom of sexual expression.
That said, appreciating nudity isn't always about sex. This is true whether or not eroticism is involved. "Eroticism" is an evocative term, but I use it in the broad sense that we are sexual organisms, and much of what we do - even outside of sexual foreplay and intercourse - relates to our instinctive desire to mate and procreate, especially when we take into consideration the aesthetics of physical beauty as perceived in the human form (in contrast to a sunset or a pretty flower). There are indeed times when the broad category of eroticism is uninvolved in the appreciation of nudity, but even when it is, it's not necessarily an invitation for the censor. Like glamour or fashion photographers who deal in physical attraction, but not in an explicit way - except that the models happen to be undressed. It is textile culture that automatically assumes that the presence of nudity implies explicit sexuality; nudists ought to know better.
I just wish I didn't have to tiptoe around my genuine and passionate interest in the human body - both as an artist, and as a nudist; that more people would understand that nude recreation, as well as the production of nude art, is not a sex act; that less people would have so many hangups about their own and others' bodies; and that it wasn't such a taboo to have an appreciation for the aesthetics of the human form that goes above and beyond the average feelings of physical attraction to one's intimate [or prospective] partner(s) that most people are familiar with.
None of this is to disparage any part of the natural and healthy human sexual instinct. The fact that I don't want my interest in nudity reduced to a sexual fetish doesn't justify a sex-negative platform. I just wish I could more freely share this aspect of my life without it being tied up with all the baggage that sex brings. Whatever my sexual activities might involve, my interest in nudity is not limited to intimate encounters - isn't that the definition of nudism? It's a lifestyle. It's a hobby and a passion, and to a growing extent, a career. I don't feel it should be wrapped up and hidden away, spoken of only in hushed whispers, kept private, like the details of my sex life are - which, outside of my additional involvement in pornography (which occupies its own separate space in my life), I have no compelling interest to share with anyone outside of my circle of intimacy. In other words, I don't need my friends and family to know what I do on OnlyFans, in order to want to be open about my passion for nude photography, and my interest in casual nude recreation, without being judged a pervert or a loony.
It's just that it's really hard to explain to dyed-in-the-womb textiles (the kind that were born with their clothes on) why I go to the woods (or anywhere, really) and take pictures of myself with my clothes off, when I feel that the art should speak for itself. But they don't just see a beautiful human form (assuming they see that at all - I'm not trying to boost my ego, here, it's just that I AM a professional model), they see a person naked in the woods and they wonder what strange and possibly perverted activities they might be up to. Which is not to say that I can't enjoy the eroticism of being naked in nature (because I do, when the appropriate conditions arise), but to boil all of my art, as well as my appreciation for nude recreation, down to a kind of sex play (and to censor it accordingly) is totally unfair.
And I realize this argument would be more convincing if I wasn't constantly making concessions to human sexuality - which is exactly the official stance that nudists take. I'm just trying to express myself as honestly as I can, because we ARE all sexual organisms, and it's not helpful to pretend that we don't have these feelings, and that these behaviors aren't also an aspect of our lives. (Also, I tailor my lecture to the metaphorical conference room, and this just happens to be the place where I'm free to speak openly about sexuality). That just leaves you guessing at what nudists are hiding from the conversation. I'm trying to put it all out in the open, which is part of what I believe nudism stands for - not "anything goes", but a dedication to authenticity. Many prefer to go for a more political approach, oversimplifying the subject for an unsophisticated audience. It's plausible that this strategy could be more effective, but I have a natural aversion to hypocrisy, and I don't have it in me to lie for profit. Even if it would be pragmatic for me to do so. Alas, I am an idealist at heart.
That said, appreciating nudity isn't always about sex. This is true whether or not eroticism is involved. "Eroticism" is an evocative term, but I use it in the broad sense that we are sexual organisms, and much of what we do - even outside of sexual foreplay and intercourse - relates to our instinctive desire to mate and procreate, especially when we take into consideration the aesthetics of physical beauty as perceived in the human form (in contrast to a sunset or a pretty flower). There are indeed times when the broad category of eroticism is uninvolved in the appreciation of nudity, but even when it is, it's not necessarily an invitation for the censor. Like glamour or fashion photographers who deal in physical attraction, but not in an explicit way - except that the models happen to be undressed. It is textile culture that automatically assumes that the presence of nudity implies explicit sexuality; nudists ought to know better.
I just wish I didn't have to tiptoe around my genuine and passionate interest in the human body - both as an artist, and as a nudist; that more people would understand that nude recreation, as well as the production of nude art, is not a sex act; that less people would have so many hangups about their own and others' bodies; and that it wasn't such a taboo to have an appreciation for the aesthetics of the human form that goes above and beyond the average feelings of physical attraction to one's intimate [or prospective] partner(s) that most people are familiar with.
None of this is to disparage any part of the natural and healthy human sexual instinct. The fact that I don't want my interest in nudity reduced to a sexual fetish doesn't justify a sex-negative platform. I just wish I could more freely share this aspect of my life without it being tied up with all the baggage that sex brings. Whatever my sexual activities might involve, my interest in nudity is not limited to intimate encounters - isn't that the definition of nudism? It's a lifestyle. It's a hobby and a passion, and to a growing extent, a career. I don't feel it should be wrapped up and hidden away, spoken of only in hushed whispers, kept private, like the details of my sex life are - which, outside of my additional involvement in pornography (which occupies its own separate space in my life), I have no compelling interest to share with anyone outside of my circle of intimacy. In other words, I don't need my friends and family to know what I do on OnlyFans, in order to want to be open about my passion for nude photography, and my interest in casual nude recreation, without being judged a pervert or a loony.
It's just that it's really hard to explain to dyed-in-the-womb textiles (the kind that were born with their clothes on) why I go to the woods (or anywhere, really) and take pictures of myself with my clothes off, when I feel that the art should speak for itself. But they don't just see a beautiful human form (assuming they see that at all - I'm not trying to boost my ego, here, it's just that I AM a professional model), they see a person naked in the woods and they wonder what strange and possibly perverted activities they might be up to. Which is not to say that I can't enjoy the eroticism of being naked in nature (because I do, when the appropriate conditions arise), but to boil all of my art, as well as my appreciation for nude recreation, down to a kind of sex play (and to censor it accordingly) is totally unfair.
And I realize this argument would be more convincing if I wasn't constantly making concessions to human sexuality - which is exactly the official stance that nudists take. I'm just trying to express myself as honestly as I can, because we ARE all sexual organisms, and it's not helpful to pretend that we don't have these feelings, and that these behaviors aren't also an aspect of our lives. (Also, I tailor my lecture to the metaphorical conference room, and this just happens to be the place where I'm free to speak openly about sexuality). That just leaves you guessing at what nudists are hiding from the conversation. I'm trying to put it all out in the open, which is part of what I believe nudism stands for - not "anything goes", but a dedication to authenticity. Many prefer to go for a more political approach, oversimplifying the subject for an unsophisticated audience. It's plausible that this strategy could be more effective, but I have a natural aversion to hypocrisy, and I don't have it in me to lie for profit. Even if it would be pragmatic for me to do so. Alas, I am an idealist at heart.
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