Arguments laid bare at nudity ban hearing

SFGate: City Insider ^ | 11/5/12 | John Reilly and John Cote

[SmithL]

Let’s face it, it would’ve been weird if everyone’s clothes stayed on for the entirety of Monday’s hearing on legislation that would ban public nudity in San Francisco.

For two hours, speakers tussled over whether the Castro “naked guys” were a few harmless individuals just expressing themselves, or a growing public nuisance that San Franciscans should no longer have to tolerate. Supervisor Scott Wiener, who represents the Castro, is proposing legislation forbidding genital exposure on city sidewalks, plazas, parklets, streets and public transit while exempting street fairs, festivals and parades.

“Over the past two years, the situation on our streets and particularly in the Castro has changed,” Wiener said. “Public nudity is no longer random and sporadic it’s no longer an occasional quirky part of San Francisco.”

Nudist activist Gypsy Taub was removed from the proceedings after she disrobed during the public comment period, standing at the lectern naked touting “body freedom” and deriding Wiener’s legislation as “fascist.”

“Down with Scott Wiener!” Taub cried before a sheriff’s deputy led her from the hearing room. In the hallway, deputies had Taub up against the wall and were holding her arms for several minutes before she agreed to put her dress back on and was led out of the building. She was not arrested or cited for violating City Hall rules against nudity in the building, . . .

[a fool in paradise]

At least everyone got to air their differences.

"...And the rest of you, if you'll just rattle your jewelry."