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A
nude beach is a beach where the users
generally wear no clothing for numerous reasons:
that doing so feels and looks good, that it is
practical, for philosophical or religious reasons,
or simply because there is no reason for clothing.
Nude sunbathing allows an even sun tan. Nude
beaches are also variously known as "FKK" (from
the German "Freikörperkultur"),
"clothing optional" (C.O.) or "free" beaches they
are also described as being "au
naturale", French for "of nature".
Most existing nude beaches have
been used as such for many years and thus have
become "traditionally nude". Many are "unmanaged"
beach areas that have been adopted by the local
users in the effort to maintain the beach's
quality. Others' right to existence has been
recognized as such by one or another legislative
body - municipal, regional or national, and are
termed "official". One can distinguish between
different types of nude beaches:
- official nude beaches
- nudity is compulsory unless
the weather is bad, etc.
- clothing is optional (e.g.
nudity is permitted but not required)
- those that are tolerated by
the authorities
- those where nudity is
illegal, and users risk a fine or worse
In each case the
nude areas tend to be isolated from the non-nude
areas so encounters with clothed people are less
likely to occur.
In the United
States, the number of traditional nude beaches has
declined somewhat over past decade due to the
influx of abusive users. However, the number of
official nude beaches has, in fact, increased
during this period. Most of this increase can be
attributed to the ongoing stewardship of local
nudist organizations and the establishment of
working relationships with local municipalities
and law enforcement agencies. In fact, naturist
attractions are increasingly being recognized as
being a good source of tourist income.
The users of nude
beaches are sometimes the target of legislation to
ban public nudity, often because of broad language
included in bills intended to target sexually
oriented businesses. Nudist organizations such as
the Naturist Action Committee have worked to
prompt rewriting or rejection of such bills.
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