Posted on 05/23/2007 8:18:54 AM PDT by AngelesCrestHighway
SEATTLE -- This city is no stranger to occasional clothing-optional events. Every summer there are nude bike rides and fun runs.
But a request from a group of nudists who want to go skinny dipping in Seattle's premiere outdoor pool isn't getting a warm reception from the city.
City parks officials say kids and parents use Lincoln Park, and if they let a group skinny dip in Colman Pool, it could freak some families out.
"Fremont has that naked bike ride so why can't we have the naked swim?" said Heather Guichard.
That's what event organizer Daniel Johnson thinks.
"I don't see it as something that's negative or harmful," he said.
Johnson organizes clothing-optional events all year long. They've even rented indoor city pools for private skinny-dipping parties.
But when the group wanted to take the fun outside, the city said no way.
"Colman Pool is visible from the beach and it's visible from Lincoln Park, so you know it's just not the same situation at all," said Seattle Parks spokeswoman Dewey Potter.
Once the swim season starts, the plywood walls that are around the pool will come down, opening up a gorgeous view to anyone swimming in the pool.
But that also means that anyone walking by outside will see everything that goes on inside.
"We sell sex on TV and music everywhere and then we get all prudish about an optional clothing place or a topless beach," said Jasmine Stark, who is in favor of allowing the naked swim.
Johnson argues that the city permits the naked bike rides, with few complaints. He thinks a Colman Pool skinny dip would be even less offensive to the public.
"They're not gonna be sticking themselves against the window, they're going to be swimming in the pool," he said.
Johnson even offered to post people on the path on either side of the pool to warn people that a "naked event" was happening so they could walk around it if they wanted.
But the city has twice refused his request to authorize the event.
Johnson says he'll keep trying.
"They're not trying to be seen," he said. "They just want to go swimming."
You assume it's prudishness. It may be just charity to the onlookers.
It's always the wrong people who go in for this kind of thing.
Riiiiiighhtttttt....
LOL... how true.
However, if there were to be a vote on which activity is more naturally done in the nude, biking - running - swimming -— I’d vote for swimming every time.
LoL
Don’t really know which is worse. Fat cow in bikini/speedo, or fat cow all the way naked. I’ll choose to swim in a different state. (nothing personal, I like fat cows)
Truer words were never spoken.
...and chattering teeth.
Nudism isn’t about being naked, it’s about being seen naked.
It’s that wierd narcissistic compulsion to expose yourself in front of strangers.
Legalized flashing.
How true.
I would suggest that before anyone knocks swimming in the nude they should give it a try before they start criticizing those who enjoy it. I'll admit to a little skinny-dipping in my time and I will tell you that it beats swimming in those wet swimsuits by a mile.
Yep, this is one time where we can say "This thread is only worthy without pics!"
Yes...you only need to imagine Madeleine Albright buck naked on a bike.
I didn’t know the city actually approved those nude bike rides; I thought those people just did it, and the police looked the other way - or perhaps stared, but kept their ticket books in their pockets.
13 posts and no one has commented on the guys name?
Actually, that’s one thing I most certainly do NOT NEED to do today!
It was once proposed as a law in Florida, that no one over 150 lbs be allowed to wear spandex in public.......
I feel like writing a letter to one of the local papers that’s always agonizing about why the Islamists hate us; I’ll say they can add the nude bike riding and the gay pride parade to the list.
I received this via email this morning...
Mark your calendar for next Saturday!
As you may already know, it is a sin for a taliban or al quaeda male to see
any woman, other than his wife, naked and that he must commit suicide if he
does.
So this saturday at 4 p.m. eastern time all American women are asked to walk
out of their houses completely naked to help weed out any neighborhood
terrorists.
Circling your block for one hour is recommended for this anti-terrorist
effort.
All men are to position themselves in lawn chairs in front of their house to
prove they are not taliban or al quaeda, and to demonstrate that they think
it’s okay to see nude women other than their wives and to show support for
all American women.
Since the taliban and al queda also do not approve of alcohol, a cold
6-pack at your side is further proof of your anti-terrorist sentiment. For
good measure, have various pork products cooking on your bbq grill.
The American government appreciates your efforts to root out terrorists and
applauds your participation in this anti-terrorist activity.
God bless America.
It is your patriotic duty to pass this on.
Will Giuliani be campaigning there also?
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