San Francisco Considers Ban on Public Nudity

San Francisco officials plan to consider a ban on public nudity this week, but the proposal could include a variety of exceptions to the law, according to the Los Angeles Times.

 

City Supervisor Scott Wiener introduced two ordinances regulating public nudity after receiving complaints from a large majority of business owners.

 

“In its traditional form in San Francisco, public nudity was fine. It was fine to have a random [naked] person walking through the neighborhood once in a while. It was fine at public festivals and parades," said Weiner.

 

But complaints about groups of nude individuals congregating in and dominating various public places, particularly in the gay Castro District of the city, has forced a rethinking of the city's liberal naturist laws.

 

But even if the ban passes it will include exceptions. Preschool children for example won't be held accountable for lack of clothing and the fetishists who take part in the annual Folsom Street Fair, the world's largest leather fest, will be exempt during that time as well. The same is true for Dykes on Bikes during the annual Pride Parade, and participants in the annual Breakers run, a costume-optional race through the city.

 

Wiener said his proposals are aimed specifically at a naturist group known as the “Naked Guys,” who began congregating in the Castro District, the heart of gay San Francisco, two years ago.

 

The city has address the issue of public nudity before. The city council, for example, previously banned nudity in restaurants and established seating guidelines in public places outdoors.

 

The naturists are fighting back, however, according to the Times. They held a protest nude-in at city hall last week. And they've filed a federal lawsuit against city officials to protect what they consider is not only a personal lifestyle choice but something unique to San Francisco.