by Shirley Gauthier
AANR-NW clubs and resorts addressed discrimination in a most positive way. Below is the non-discrimination policy passed on April 15, 2018.
AANR-NW reaffirms the AANR non-discrimination policy by-laws,
Section I Article IV A, “AANR welcomes all people willing to conform to its principles and standards, regardless of age, gender, marital status, religious beliefs, ethnic origin or sexual orientation.”
To AANR-NW this includes welcoming all single, partnered and married people of all gender identities, ethnicities, sexual identities, ages, sizes, religions and physical abilities.
My first visit to an AANR affiliated resort was the Willamettans in 1972. Sometimes I have to rewind the memory tapes to get a reality check on just how far nudists have grown over the decades.
In 1972 my husband and I were warned no physical touching. What did that mean? We were told to avoid kissing, holding hands or walking off into the woods alone to hike. Fast forward to April 15, 2018 when fourteen out of fifteen AANR-NW affiliates signed and endorsed the AANR-NW non-discrimination policy.
I was fortunate to work with Karen Lahey and Cynthia K. drafting the policy. It was not an accomplishment that came easy. It was working on that committee that I realized I had been left behind when it comes to the Queer community. I no longer knew the language, pronouns or the fact that when used in the proper context Queer was no longer a negative.
The book Queer-The ultimate LGBTQ guide for teens by Kathy Belge and Mark Bieschke opened up my world of education. Don’t let the word “teen” distract you. However, it is an excellent book for teens, parents, and everyone. This sixty-nine year old grandmother found every page worthy of a read. The first seventeen pages that explains lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, pansexual, transgender, non binary, cisgender or cis, asexual, aromatic, and demisexual explained so much. If your feeling lost or confused right now this book is for you. Confusing to me were pronouns and how to properly use them. It’s all covered in this book. The book includes a massive amount of information that relates to teens.
Now that our region has a non-discrimination policy what does that mean? The Willamettans Family Nudist resort recently deleted couple memberships. Every member has the same benefits and pays the same fee. Perhaps it means art work showing same sex couples. You can go to almost any AANR affiliated resort and see numerous photos or artwork of nude women or male/female couples. Have you noticed how the nude artwork always has subjects that don’t look anything like yourself? How many resorts continue to give a discount to couples? We have passed the policy now lets see what we can do as individuals to embrace the policy. If your a member of a club or resort ask yourself what you can do to be more inclusive to members, potential members and guests.
I am proud to be a member of AANR-NW. My AANR membership will have much more value when the non-discrimination policy is critiqued and addressed.
The book Queer can be purchased on Amazon for $14.99. I appreciate that the price point is teen friendly and wallet friendly enough I can gift them to the adults in my life.