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Cheri
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 Posted - 01/16/2004 : 6:07:49 PM
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Reprinted from a communication from Schuttauf, Executive Director of the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR):
Groundbreaking news on Assateague Beach --- AANR Dues Pays Off
AANR / AANR East Fighting to Free Assateague Beach in Maryland State Legislature
Dear Friend of AANR,
We wanted to take this opportunity to let you know of some very exciting events in efforts to restore a clothing optional section to the Assateague National Seashore in Maryland.
No Nudity! For more than ten years it's been the official policy at Assateague National Seashore. Some folks do try to sneak a skinny dip or sunbathe in remote areas, but they've had to brave the chance of getting a ticket to do it. Seizing on an opportunity that started with a contact made during a legislative show that AANR attended this summer, the Association and its AANR East region have launched an initiative with Maryland officials that could restore a section of Assateague to nudists.
"What we're witnessing is nothing short of historic," said AANR DC Government Affairs representative and past AANR President Turner Stokes. "After Accomac County, Virginia, passed an anti-nudity law we lost the Virginia side. A few years later, the National Park Service began writing tickets citing state indecent exposure laws on the Maryland side, and we lost that too."
For those who have not had the pleasure of visiting the 37 miles of breathtaking natural beauty and may be less familiar with Assateague, the park spans two states. With officials taking anti-nudity stances based on state and local laws, nude recreation is sporadic by those who are willing to keep watching over their shoulder.
Now, with help from an experienced lobbying firm, AANR and its affiliated AANR East region are approaching state lawmakers to see about codifying the existing informal tradition into a law or management plan that makes clear that sunbathing in a specified area along the seashore will not violate Maryland's indecent exposure law. At this time, AANR and AANR-E are awaiting a response from the Attorney General's office and feedback from friendly lawmakers who have been approached about sponsoring legislation.
A Bit More Background
For more than ten years, AANR and affiliated region dues have made it possible to send staff and volunteers to make a powerful impression with lawmakers with booths at the National Council of State Legislatures, The American Legislative Exchange Council, and the National Recreation and Parks Association conferences. Every year we have distributed a different, collectible lapel pin as an incentive to stop by and talk with us. AANR has passed out thousands of back issues of its North American Guide to Nude Recreation (and more recently, our Guide on CD Rom), and other literature.
This year a brief meeting at the ALEC show between Turner Stokes and a Maryland representative in House leadership led to a discussion about Assateague. "Losing your beach wasn't right" she said on leaving. Later, we learned that she expressed her sentiments to other lawmakers plus two former lawmakers now lobbyists who contacted us with some good news:
conditions were ready to move on a proposal to create a section on Assateague!
Thanks to a financial investment from AANR East Region and the AANR Government Affairs donations you make possible, these folks have been working the capital. To read more about the story, we invite you to read an article that broke today in a newspaper serving the Maryland capital, but PLEASE read the rest of the message below before you click!
http://www.gazette.net/200403/weekend/a_section/197595-1.html
What we're doing and what you can do...
The above-referenced article explains much about the current status of this plan. AANR and AANR East have also communicated the current status on Assateague to our friends in the nudist and naturist community including Th
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calmnude
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Posted - 01/18/2004 : 1:40:21 PM
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this is indeed good news cheri. this beautiful area has been a longtime nude recreation area (beach), and it is encouraging to hear we may be getting it back. all tri-state and maryland/virginia people should send support.
its snowing here, but the sun may be shining on us at the beach
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Kimberly
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Posted - 01/18/2004 : 2:50:36 PM
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Thats great news Cheri, thanks for keeping everyone informed.
Kim =^.^=
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melissastarr
Forum Member
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Posted - 01/18/2004 : 6:58:54 PM
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That beach is relatvely close to my home so I made sure to write these guys. It'd be great to have a second nude beach around here! You all can write to them, too.... do it for Melissa :)
Melissa
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"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." -Dr. Seuss
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deanpgriffin
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Posted - 01/18/2004 : 7:16:23 PM
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living only 50 miles away..that is exceptionally great news.
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irishred
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Posted - 01/19/2004 : 09:10:13 AM
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That's great! A step in the right direction.
irishred
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cheef
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Kimberly
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Posted - 01/20/2004 : 05:23:17 AM
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Hope it works out for you guys, seems like it is almost in your back yard.
Kim =^.^=
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Admin
Forum Admin
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Posted - 02/27/2004 : 2:45:24 PM
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From The American Association for Nude Recreation's The Cyber-Bulletin - Volume 4, Issue 2 (02-20-2004)
Poll Shows Maryland Voters Favor Nude Sunbathing
A February poll conducted by Gonzales Research and Marketing Strategies of Annapolis shows strong support for legalization of nude sunbathing at the Assateague National Seashore. The poll asked 818 registered Maryland voters, "If there were sufficient signage posted to notify those who wish to avoid the area, would you favor or oppose allowing nude sunbathing on an isolated area of Assateague Island beach?" Statewide 48% of voters said they would favor nude sunbathing in an isolated area. The Washington suburbs were even more supportive of legalized nudity on Assateague: 62% supported the measure, while just 29% opposed it.
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philzer
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Posted - 03/07/2004 : 10:47:33 AM
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I'm coming in a little late (story of my life!), but this is great news for me too. I grew up on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and I grew up going to the (textile) Assateague beach. The Maryland side where the efforts to set aside a nude section are happening is too far away for me and my family to visit frequently, but not so far away that it wouldn't make a great vacation spot! Please keep us posted.
Philzer
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Groundbreaking news on Assateague Beach
