Support Top-Freedom in Maryland
We have been asked to lend our support to the top-freedom efforts of Maryland Barechestedness Advocate Chelsea Covington. She has succeeded in getting the Maryland Attorney General’s (AG) Office to accept public comment on the issue.
This is a gender equality issue. Men fought for the right to be barechested in 1936, and it was a hard fought issue. Our society was not ready to see men bare-chested but men pushed the envelope and now it is not an issue. It seems that almost a century after women won the right to vote we can help support this effort to let them take their tops off too if they choose.
As nudists we know the issue usually comes down to intent and whether the reason for nudity, or in this case a bare chest, is sexual in nature or simple nudity. We need to maintain a professional and respectful tone and let the AG know we support Maryland with our tax dollars and want to be able to enjoy “The Free State” by being top free. To be fair Maryland is also the “Old Line State” but the time for that nickname has passed!
As Chelsea stated in her request to AANR, ‘(We need)…local support, specifically from women and girls and non-binaries, or parents of girls, would be very, very helpful. Women sharing why this is important to them personally carries a lot of weight when it comes to the “why” part of the equation, that this is not about being sexual, this is about being… empowered, free, comfortable, breastfeeding, overcoming body shame — whatever applies to that specific person. But with that said, women who have gone publicly bare-chested elsewhere or been prevented from doing so will carry weight too, a lot of weight actually. They will need to hear that this is important to women.’
Chelsea is asking us to email Adam Snyder of the Attorney General’s Office using a subject line that will standout in his email. I feel ‘Breasts are gender neutral’ would meet that desire. Our issue is nondiscrimination based on gender. Breasts aren’t the issue, perception of nudity as being sexual is the problem. Write to Mr. Snyder at the address below. Let him know you support women’s right to be top free in any situation where a man can legally do the same.
Contact:
asnyder@oag.state.md.us
Adam D. Snyder
Chief Counsel, Opinions and Advice
Office of Attorney General
200 St. Paul Place, 20th Floor
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
(410) 576-6327
Montana Mama
(Reprinted with permission from “In The Buff”, the Newsletter of The Montana Naturist Organization.)
Well, is everyone enjoying the political races this year?!? You can’t avoid it so you might as well pay attention and join in. I feel that we are somewhat sheltered here in a low population state in national elections. Our few votes aren’t as coveted as maybe California or Texas. But we still have something to
say, don’t we?
As nudists we may look at things just a bit differently. What does a nudist look for in a political candidate?
- respect for individual choices, e.g. nudist v. textile
- keeping public lands open for all, e.g. recreating nude in a national forest
- equal treatment of men and women e.g. top free for all
No, we’re probably not going to see the US President at an AANR convention (but wouldn’t that be something?!?!) but does he/she support personal freedom of expression?
Most important is that you are registered and that you DO VOTE!!!! Absentee voting is sure convenient, especially since you can do it nude!!!! But traditional voting at the polls has a lot to be said for it, too. I feel it makes a statement that, yes, there you are in public expressing your opinion on very important matters. And I’m not just talking about national elections because often your local elections can affect your daily lives even more closely.
Remember when certain counties were trying to adopt anti-nudity ordinances? Judges, county commissioners, those that sit on the PSC board all make decisions that affect our lives as nudists. Though it may be boring it can potentially be very important to us all!
So ………. On November 8th, are you going to be able to say that you made the best choices possible?
Montana Mama,
who is NOT running for any political office
Reminder – AANR-NW Fall Board Meeting
The AANR-NW Fall Board meeting coming up on October 7-9 at Sun Meadow Resort. Come and find why AANR-NW Board Meetings are a lot of fun!
Weekend
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Wednesday
Weekend
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
- Weekend Activities LARC
- Breakfast – 9:00am
- Canadian Thanksgiving Potluck Lunch – 3:00pm
- Potluck – 6:30pm – Sun Meadow Resort
- Activities – Willamettans
- Breakfast – 8:30am
- Work Party – 9:00am
Monday
Wednesday
Friday
- Movie – 8pm – Sun Meadow Resort
- Activities – Willamettans
- Facilities Meeting – 5:00pm
- Dinner – 6:00pm
- Fireside Chat – 6:30pm
- Full Moon Saloon – 7:30pm
- Karaoke – 8:00pm
Saturday
Sunday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Wednesday
Send your articles or ideas for articles to nudenews@aanr-nw.org
