American Association for Nude Recreation: Difference between revisions
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Also in 1931, the police raided the ALPC gymnasium and those present were charged with [[Indecent exposure in the United States|public indecency]]. On December 9, 1931, a New York court dismissed all charges, stating that the exposure was neither public nor indecent.{{cn|date=September 2012}} A first positive legal precedent had been set. |
Also in 1931, the police raided the ALPC gymnasium and those present were charged with [[Indecent exposure in the United States|public indecency]]. On December 9, 1931, a New York court dismissed all charges, stating that the exposure was neither public nor indecent.{{cn|date=September 2012}} A first positive legal precedent had been set. |
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In late 1931, Huntington, Boone and Livingston created a new organization they named the International Nudist League (INL). Livingston became the first appointed president and also was chosen to edit the INL publication entitled "The Nudist". The first annual meeting of the INL was of a select group of three clubs in August 1932. The name of the International Nudist League was changed, without explanation, to the International Nudist Conference (INC) following that meeting. After several years, |
In late 1931, Huntington, Boone and Livingston created a new organization they named the International Nudist League (INL). Livingston became the first appointed president and also was chosen to edit the INL publication entitled "The Nudist". The first annual meeting of the INL was of a select group of three clubs in August 1932. The name of the International Nudist League was changed, without explanation, to the International Nudist Conference (INC) following that meeting. |
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The [[Comstock Law]] was invoked in 1933 to ban the distribution through the [[United States Postal Service]] of the nudist publication "The Nudist", even with the genitals airbrushed out of the photos. The matter finished up in the [[United States Supreme Court]], where the [[AANR]] ultimately won the right to distribute materials through the mail. |
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After several years, INL changed its name to the [[American Sunbathing Association]] (ASA) as Boone, took over the organization. During his behind the scenes controlling tenure, the group grew much larger. "The Nudist" was renamed "Sunshine and Health." |
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In 1946, the geographic regions were formed as separate entities. A vote changing the bylaws at the 1951 ASA convention ousted Boone's handpicked leaders and changed voting rules. Following a one year legal battle and judicial oversight, the 1952 convention once again voted to reaffirm the bylaw changes. Boone went off to found another nudist association, albeit a much smaller one. Through succeeding Executive Directors and boards, the association grew to more than 50,000 members. In 1995, the organization changed its name again to the American Association for Nude Recreation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aanr.com/pdf/press_room_news_releases/history_of_nudism_in_america_copy_1.pdf|title=The History of Nudism in America|author=Carolyn Hawkins|publisher=American Association for Nude Recreation|year=2007|format=pdf}}</ref> |
In 1946, the geographic regions were formed as separate entities. A vote changing the bylaws at the 1951 ASA convention ousted Boone's handpicked leaders and changed voting rules. Following a one year legal battle and judicial oversight, the 1952 convention once again voted to reaffirm the bylaw changes. Boone went off to found another nudist association, albeit a much smaller one. Through succeeding Executive Directors and boards, the association grew to more than 50,000 members. In 1995, the organization changed its name again to the American Association for Nude Recreation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aanr.com/pdf/press_room_news_releases/history_of_nudism_in_america_copy_1.pdf|title=The History of Nudism in America|author=Carolyn Hawkins|publisher=American Association for Nude Recreation|year=2007|format=pdf}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 03:17, 23 September 2012
The American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) is a nudist organization in the United States. Founded in 1931, the AANR is now an association of approximately 259 U.S. nudist non-landed clubs, resorts and parks. Individuals and families may become members of AANR. While not always required for admitance to an AANR affiliated club, AANR membership entitles the member to a discount, and a basic bona fides.
The association promotes nudism and nude recreation in appropriate settings and lobbies various levels of government in the interest of its affiliates and of nudist recreation.
Regions
AANR is divided into seven regions with affiliated clubs and business partners to better serve the members. These regions are devoted to promoting family nude recreation in their geographic areas. Note the "Southwestern Region" encompasses the area more commonly known as the South Central United States, the Western Region does not include the Pacific Northwest, and Canada is split into three sections, with only Western Canada having its own separate regional division not grouped together with the U.S.
- Eastern Region - (AANR-East) Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, eastern Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and the Maritime Canadian provinces with Quebec (Total: 18½ states, 5 provinces, and DC)
- Florida Region - (AANR-Florida) Florida (Total: 1 state)
- Midwest Region - (AANR-MW) Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, western Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Ontario, Canada (Total: 13½ states, and 1 province)
- Northwest Region - (AANR-NW) Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington State (Total: 5 states)
- Southwestern (a.k.a. South Central) Region - (AANR-SW) Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas (Total: 4 states)
- Western Region - (AANR-West) Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming (Total: 8 states)
- Western Canadian Region - (AANR-WC) Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan (Total: 4 provinces)
History
In 1929, Kurt Barthel organized the first American nudist club, the American League for Physical Culture (ALPC). Henry S. Huntington joined the ALPC in November 1929 and former Dutch Reformed Pastor Ilsley Boone and David Livingston joined in July 1931 after reading the book "Among the Nudists". Huntington and Boone were ministers and Livingston, also known as Gilbert (or Gil) Parks, was a businessman. Boone was elected vice president of the ALPC in 1931.
Also in 1931, the police raided the ALPC gymnasium and those present were charged with public indecency. On December 9, 1931, a New York court dismissed all charges, stating that the exposure was neither public nor indecent.[citation needed] A first positive legal precedent had been set.
In late 1931, Huntington, Boone and Livingston created a new organization they named the International Nudist League (INL). Livingston became the first appointed president and also was chosen to edit the INL publication entitled "The Nudist". The first annual meeting of the INL was of a select group of three clubs in August 1932. The name of the International Nudist League was changed, without explanation, to the International Nudist Conference (INC) following that meeting.
The Comstock Law was invoked in 1933 to ban the distribution through the United States Postal Service of the nudist publication "The Nudist", even with the genitals airbrushed out of the photos. The matter finished up in the United States Supreme Court, where the AANR ultimately won the right to distribute materials through the mail.
After several years, INL changed its name to the American Sunbathing Association (ASA) as Boone, took over the organization. During his behind the scenes controlling tenure, the group grew much larger. "The Nudist" was renamed "Sunshine and Health."
In 1946, the geographic regions were formed as separate entities. A vote changing the bylaws at the 1951 ASA convention ousted Boone's handpicked leaders and changed voting rules. Following a one year legal battle and judicial oversight, the 1952 convention once again voted to reaffirm the bylaw changes. Boone went off to found another nudist association, albeit a much smaller one. Through succeeding Executive Directors and boards, the association grew to more than 50,000 members. In 1995, the organization changed its name again to the American Association for Nude Recreation.[1]
The organization currently charters around 259 nudist resorts and campgrounds across the United States. The AANR charter establishes baseline standards, among which is providing for a family-friendly atmosphere. Under Boone, it was also considered a Christian organization (though open to people of all beliefs; something akin to the YMCA).This began to change in the 1960s, as both the AANR, and society in general became more secular.
After a 2003 article in the New York Times discussed AANR's Youth Leadership Camps for the children of nudists, Rep. Mark Foley called for an investigation of the camps, claiming concerns of possible child endangerment. An AANR spokesperson, Carolyn Hawkins, stated that the organization is protective of children, whether at the camp or elsewhere and that since the AANR began youth camps in 1992, there have been no reported incidents of pedophilia.[2][3]
Awards and associations
The AANR has received awards from the Hospitality Marketing and Sales Association International and the American Society of Association Executives.
The AANR belongs to the American Recreation Coalition, the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, the National Recreation and Park Association, and the Park Law Enforcement Association.[4]
In September 2010, the AANR withdrew its association with the International Naturist Federation, accusing the INF of being Eurocentric. [5][6]
Political activity
The AANR has lobbied governments to allow nudism in the United States and Canada. In 2005, they were successful in having nude recreation exempted from anti-nudity laws in West Virginia; Tennessee; California; Dawson County, Georgia; and Lake County, Florida.[7]
After hearing about an adult-oriented businesses ordinance in Carroll County, Virginia, an AANR representative in January 2007, faxed to the county attorney a couple suggestions for legal language changes, including a proposed exemption for members of its society. The suggestion read: “No person shall be in violation of this section in or at a club event sanctioned under legal association with the American Association for Nude Recreation,”[8] The association's input was considered but ultimately rejected.
See also
References
- ^ Carolyn Hawkins (2007). "The History of Nudism in America" (pdf). American Association for Nude Recreation.
- ^ Morahan, Lawrence (June 20, 2003). "Congressman Calls for Investigation of Nudist Camp for Kids". Cybercast News Service.
- ^ Pearson, Rachel (March 11, 2005). "They're not clothes-minded". The Daily Texan.
- ^ Carolyn Hawkins (2008). "American Association for Nude Recreation:Fact Sheet" (pdf). American Association for Nude Recreation.
- ^ "Minutes of the meeting of the 32nd INF-FNI World Congress... September 2010" (pdf). International Naturist Federation. September 2010.
- ^ "AANR Resigns from INF" (pdf). Solar West. 17 September 2010.
- ^ "Talk About Nudism". 2005-08-03. Retrieved 2006-09-16.
- ^ Brooke, Christopher (2007-01-12). "Group seeks exemption for nude recreation". Galax Gazette. Retrieved 2007-01-12. [dead link]