The City of Key West is considering whether or not to allow nude bathing at one of their beaches. Florida Keys Free Beaches, an organization that has been promoting a nude beach as a way to bring tourists to town, has been pushing for a change in the law that would allow a nude beach in Key West.
Richard Mason, president and spokesperson for the Florida naturists pointed to the success of the designated naturist beach at Haulover Beach Park on Miami Beach. Now in its 18th year, Mason pointed out that the naturist beach attracts 1.4 million visitors annually with over 60% being tourists from outside of Miami-Dade County. The economic impact is large and has been a major contributor in sales taxes, resort taxes and the creation of jobs. Further, Miami-Dade County is the only county in Florida to report an increase in European tourist visits in 2008. Haulover Beach may be the contributing factor in that increase.
For a resort area relying on tourists, Mason stated that “the need in Key West is ‘heads in beds’ and a designated naturist beach is one of the best ways to do that.” He further stated that while tourism to Florida is down, in Cuba 90 miles away they are enjoying increases in the number of tourists. Cuba reports 2.35 million in 2008, up from 500,000 in 1995. Cuba has designated naturist beaches and increased hotel facilities. Source: FKFB
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Key West commissioners have obviously been listening. "Representatives from the group spoke at a July 7 City Commission meeting. They described Haulover Beach, a clothing-optional beach in Miami Beach, and told the commission that the beach is safe, patrolled by its own beach ambassadors and family-friendly". Commissioner Bill Verge is pushing to have the question raised on the city's October 6th ballot. The city currently has a ban on nude sunbathing within the city limits. Source: KeysNews
While there are many nude beaches throughout Florida, there is only one legal nude beach, that being the aforementioned Haulover Beach in North Miami Beach. Their website characterized itself as legal, lovely and laid back.
Haulover Beach is one of the most beautiful and frequently-used clothing-optional beaches in the country, let alone Florida. The beach proudly declares its nude beach status and perimeters with signs. Beautiful, laid back and accepting of everyone, naturists of all genders, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age and physical build visit this beach - don't be surprised to see more than a thousand sunbathers getting all-over tans along the half mile stretch of pure white sand. The beach also includes a gay nude section and a designated area for nude volleyball. Florida Beaches Guide
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There are lots of private clubs that are clothing optional, but a public beach allows those so inclined to practice nude sunbathing without fear of reprisals and/or unfriendly gawkers. It will be interesting to see how much interest there is in Key West. Perhaps current economic conditions will persuade those opposed to the idea to reconsider in the hopes of attracting more tourists to the area. What do you think? Do you think part of a public beach should allow nude bathing? Please share your thoughts.
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Comments
Can't hardly wait to get to the beach!!!...When can I vote???...YES!!!
cheryl can try her new i phone to take pictures
Clothes need a day off too!
Give your clothes a day off!
Life is too short to wear clothes the whole time!
I run around naked and I vote!
Ask me about going naked
Don't be clothes-minded - take them off
No body needs clothes
Every body should be naked
Nude is normal
Like your body? Show it!
Who says there's anything wrong with skin?
Skinful isn't sinful
Turn life skin-side out - go naked
It's time to turn your life skin-side out
Get a whole nude attitude!
Nude is normal
Like your body? Show it!
Who says there's anything wrong with skin?
Skinful isn't sinful
Turn life skin-side out - go naked
It's time to turn your life skin-side out
Enjoy our clothing free lifestyle!
www.naturistspace.org
I think nudity should be de-criminalized period.
What's the difference in wearing a skimpy or even baggy bathing suit that leaves nothing to the imagination and just being nude?
Go for it! Most Key West Hotels, B&B's and resorts allow areas for topless/nude sunbathing anyway. The old Atlantic Shores comes to mind... What Fun!
Ever been to Fantasy Fest?
Yes, definitely add more nude beaches. Personally, I think it odd that we Americans are so prudish in this day and age. Get over it and go skinnydipping -- it's fun and relaxing!
If Cubans designate a nude beach, Why on earth a progressive resort destination in US like Key West struggles to do it? There is nothing like being organic!
Seems to be a natural thing to do why not? No tan lines, no sand in suit, no expensive suit, just seems like we are down sizing in a natural way. Go for it vote yes!
As a local of Key West. I honestly don't know if it is a good idea. In one way , yes it will bring more tourist and in another way it will make more locals, with families feel like moving away. I love Key West. It is my little town. I just don't want us to lose more locals to gain more tourist. Please let's really think about think and not just the funding!
kids should not be subjected to it, pretty soon there will be no appropriate beaches for them left them!
More tourist more money ya got my vote
Odd that so many people are concerned about the kids. Kids are natural naturists. Ever watch your own kids run naked from the bathroom down the hallway with that gleeful smile? Are they curious yes, at first. But like most adults they soon get over the novelty of nudeness and just enjoy the freedom.
A good idea. We set other places aside for things like dog parks and golf courses, so since Key West is a destination for laid back sunning having one of the beaches as clothing optional sounds like a very good idea.
The dual economic success of Miami's Haulover Beach and Key West's (TDB) clothing optional beaches would serve as a tag-team economic coup for South Florida. North American travelers forced to fly to Europe or the Caribbean (see OrientBeach dot com) could now invest those funds stateside. As far as nude people on beaches, who cares. The self-policed nude beach culture is a harmless, relaxing, and fun – a movement that will only grow via getting on more ballots. The secret is to rally voters, comment online and inside newspaper sections like this, and mobilize actual ballot-punching beyond private moral support. Here in South Carolina, the naturist beach- and island-goer population is coming forward. The secret is to designate secluded areas, go easy on the party aspects, and quietly enjoy the sun and the water as nature intended, in the buff. So get out and vote, South Florida, and make Key West's nude beach a positive, profitable, considerate, and respectable example nationwide.
i like open sex
We thought mom would angry when I told he that my twin brother and I wanted to be nudists. We are identical twin boys age 14. We share the same room , but have our own separate beds. We have also slept nude since we were out of diapers. (for some reason I was potty trained almost a year before my twin)
Mom gave us permission to go nude at home and in the back yard. She made us agree to having her apply sun tan lotion so that we would not burn. I'll let you figure out where. Recently our 11 year old sister was granted the same permission. (she and mom also sleep in the nude and share the other bed room)
We would like to go to a nude beach, but that means mom has to join us. I don't know if she is ready to be seen in the nude by any one else except for us.
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