While most passersby appreciated the sculpture, a green bikini top and blue sarong bottom were added until the snow woman melted when temperatures warmed up.

As AANR Executive Director Erich Schuttauf said in his Weekly Report, “As long as there are people throughout North America that would actually call law enforcement over a rendering of one of history’s most famous and treasured art pieces in crystals destined to melt in days, there will be an American Association for Nude Recreation providing a voice for common sense treatment of nudity and the human body.”

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Arguably one of the most discussed moments in TV history, the FCC  levied a $550,000 fine against the network after a piece of Jackson’s costume was pulled away for a mere half  second, showing her exposed breast, as she performed a song with Justin Timberlake.

In 2008, the 3rd U.S. Court of Appeals in Philadelphia ruled that broadcast regulators acted “arbitrarily and capriciously” in issuing the fine. Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court directed the lower court to consider reinstating the fine, following a ruling in a case that said the FCC could threaten a fine even for fleeting profanity.

The appeals court will now rule whether the fine for CBS is permissible.

Last week we heard from AANR Government Affairs Team volunteer Shirley Gauthier with report of a story too important not to pass on.

It seems that Shirley and other volunteers from The Willamettans nudist club in Marcola, Oregon, set up a table alongside other participating members of the area chamber of commerce at an annual event held within a local shopping mall.  Within minutes of putting up a tasteful “window shade” type display banner, they were asked to take the banner down.  Ever diplomatic and cordial, Shirley complied but she did ask why. The reason? Its presence had generated a complaint to mall management.

What triggered the complaint? The words American Association for Nude Recreation, as well as the AANR-Northwest logo that appeared along with very discreet pictures, shots of couples pictured from their shoulders up, plus a 40-something woman crouched behind her dog after enjoying a stroll on a nude beach.

But the story doesn’t end there.  As she lowered the banner, Shirley looked directly across the mall corridor from her location into a full-size window promotion for a well-known chain that sells novelty items. The feature items?  A corset “trio” complete with garter belt and skimpy bra–modeled on a poster by a woman wearing the getup and little else while grasping the metal pole on a touring bus. Delightfully surprised men look on, and a girlfriend snaps pictures. Oh…plus a few adult “novelties” in a briefcase are also on display.

Ironic, huh?  

Admittedly, the store is a rent paying tenant, and the chamber of commerce conducting its trade show was a guest.  Hence Shirley’s tactful cooperation (FYI: she did follow up the day’s events with a very well-stated letter to the chamber president.) 

But what does it say about current attitudes toward nudity in this country when a banner in which 40-something adults appear where there’s little more than implied simple nudity and it triggers a complaint within minutes?  Yet crowds pass novelties, lingerie, or T-shirts bearing crass slogans, offered for sale. And they don’t seem to bat an eye.

From time to time, I am asked, “Why do we even need an AANR?” I hope this story provides another answer.  We’ll continue to do what we have done since 1931: advocating for nudity within appropriate settings and educating the public about the wholesome benefits that enjoying nudity offers. 

For those who want something else, it appears they’ll have to visit the local mall.   

By AANR Executive Director Erich Schuttauf from the February 12 AANR Weekly Report.

Writing for the panel in the case of Nunez v. Holder, Circuit Judge Stephen Reinhardt explained that having two or more crimes of moral turpitude on one’s record within a ten year period would trigger an automatic denial of the request under immigration law (Nunez also had a conviction for a shoplifting incident.)  However, Judge Reinhardt added that the issue of whether an indecent exposure charge was sufficiently severe less clear:

“We start by recognizing one point that does not appear to be in dispute. Exposing oneself in a public place is not necessarily lewd, or base, vile and depraved as traditionally required by our traditional definition of moral turpitude.  For example, the Board of Immigration Appeals and the California courts appear to agree, a sunbather who removes all his clothes to tan on an unoccupied public beach and wakes to find himself surrounded by offended beachgoers has done nothing either lewd or depraved and thus is neither in violation… nor guilty of a morally turpitudinous act.”

Consistent with its role as advocate for nudity, AANR follows developments such as the Nunez case closely.  Moreover, because we believe that enjoyment of one’s own nudity within appropriate settings is a basic and fundamental right, AANR occasionally become involved in such cases.  (We once provided expert testimony in an asylum case before the immigration courts when the petitioner convincingly argued that he would face serious persecution in his home country where he had become a leading nudist figure for which he was beaten and threatened with worse.)

Thank you for providing a credible voice for nudity to those who wouldn’t have a voice without you.

As we inch toward spring and warm weather when we can enjoy the activities nudists love most, what are some of the ways you plan to go nude this holiday weekend?

All Facebook American Association for Nude Recreation page fans can enter the drawing for an AANR Green Bag.  Be ready for spring with this great bag to hold your towel, book, sunscreen and more, made from 100% cotton canvas with the AANR logo and slogan “We’ve always been natural.” Spread the word to other Facebook friends so that everyone has a chance to win. The drawing will be held on March 1.

Log in to Facebook or create an account by clicking here.

Motions for two proposed Bylaw amendments will appear on the election ballot that you will receive with your May Bulletin.  The propositions are printed here in their entirety.  Additions are shown by underline, deletions are shown by strikeout.  In some instances, the entire block is changed and it will be so noted.

If you would like to engage in any dialogue regarding these propositions, please add your comments to this blog.

Proposition 1:  To amend the Bylaws, Article IV, by striking paragraph A in its entirety, substituting the following, and renumbering current paragraphs B and C:

A.         The following shall not be required of applicants or members:

                    2.   Any agreement to be photographed or to permit any public use of name, address or occupation in connection with membership.

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.

B.       Any agreement to be photographed or to permit any public use of name, address or occupation shall not be a requirement of membership

Purpose:  To clearly define AANR’s position toward diversity in membership.

Maker: The Diversity in Membership Committee

Fiscal Impact:    None.

Pro Statement written by AANR Member Fred Van Nest:  “AANR welcomes everyone who shares its values for nude recreation.  Unfortunately, the anti-discrimination provisions in its Bylaws are dated and inadequate, to the point that they may inadvertently imply discrimination against some commonly protected groups.

“President Kinman recognized this deficiency and appointed a committee of three club leaders and one long-time AANR member to propose a solution. The committee developed and enthusiastically endorses this amendment. It received near-unanimous support from leaders and members at the 2009 General Assembly.

“Although clubs are strongly encouraged to practice AANR values, this amendment does not impose any new requirements on clubs.  Requirements can only be imposed via contracts sign by individual clubs.

“I encouraged all members to vote “yes” on this amendment to remove any implied discrimination and bring the AANR Bylaws into agreement with the high level of inclusiveness practiced by the AANR and its members.”

Although President Kinman solicited a writer for a Con Statement, none was written.

No position statement was formulated by the Trustees, but they unanimously approved of the inclusion of this proposition on the ballot.

Proposition 2:  To amend Bylaws Article VI, paragraph A.1.a by striking as follows:

A.1.a)        The area to be served by the Eastern Region shall include and be the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont,  Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee east of a north‑south line drawn through the city of Manchester, Rhode Island, Delaware, Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, Mississippi, Louisiana South of the 31st degree of latitude, Eastern Canada, including Quebec and provinces north and east of Quebec, and such foreign areas as it now serves and/or may later be assigned to it.

And Bylaws Article VI, paragraph A.1.g, by striking as follows:

A.1.g)        The area to be served by the Southwest Region shall include the states of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana north of the 31st degree of latitude, Texas, Mexico east of a north‑south line drawn through Juarez (except the three eastern‑most states), and such foreign areas as it now serves and/or may later be assigned to it.  All associate members with Mexican addresses will be assigned to this region.

Purpose:  To allow Louisiana to operate as an entity under the jurisdiction of the Southwest Region. 

Maker: The Legislation Committee.

Fiscal Impact:    None.

Pro Statement written by AANR Member Annica Summers:  My name is Annica Summers.  My husband and I are AANR members who live in Lafayette, LA, with our three children.  We belong to a landed club in Texas, where we feel a strong, active community.  Although we’ve traveled on the east coast, Texas just seems more like home to us.

At the present time, there is only one landed club in Louisiana.  It might be easier to get more landed clubs if Louisiana was represented entirely by one region, instead of being divided like it is now.  It also would be better to have all the AANR services, like public relations and government affairs, be addressed by just one region.

My experience with AANR in Texas assures me that AANR Southwest would take good care of Louisiana.   I am asking that you please vote “yes” on Proposition #2 so that Louisiana will be united under a single region.   Thank you.

Con Statement written by AANR Member Tim Thomsen:  When the issue of consolidating Louisiana in one region was considered last year, the AANR office surveyed Louisiana members without providing any data regarding potential benefits or liabilities.  Members were asked to offer an opinion without adequate facts.

Less than 20 responses were returned out of approximately 136 persons surveyed with no response from the one landed club within the state.  This shows that those who live in Louisiana do not view this as pressing, or that the members had inadequate data from which to draw appropriate conclusions. 

There may be advantages to consolidating a state within a region; there could also be unforeseen disadvantages.  To decide without analysis of the issue is a disservice to our members. 

Voting against this proposition does NOT prevent taking such steps later.  It just makes sure that all leadership takes sufficient time to do the job right. 

No position statement was formulated by the Trustees, but they unanimously approved of the inclusion of this proposition on the ballot.

Stay tuned for continuous updates, details and need-to-know information as the date approaches.