Nudity May Be Banned in San Francisco


San Francisco is a well-known city. One of the things it’s best known for is its public nudity policies. Where some areas across the nation have banned nudity and tagged it as indecent exposure, San Francisco has, over the years, embraced public nudity.

There are three clothing optional beaches within San Francisco city limits, and it’s not uncommon to see nudists going about their daily business even in areas that are not designated clothing optional areas.

In 1972, the California Supreme Court determined that nude sunbathing on an isolated beach was not considered lewd. In the years since then, nudists have thrived on the general understanding that if there is no sexual intent or gratification, they cannot be convicted of criminal charges.

Nudists may be approached and notified that they are violating a city ordinance when in non-nudist designated areas, whereupon they can choose to either clothe or be issued a citation (which takes some effort to get rid of). However, this civil ordinance is pursued rarely at best, and no criminal charges can be pursued from it.

But there has been growing unrest in the nudist community over San Francisco lawmakers’ plan to vote on banning nudity in public areas. The laws would make it illegal for those over the age of five to be publicly nude, except for certain street fairs and events. First-time offenders would be charged up to $100, but if prosecuted fines could reach $500 and a year in jail.

Nudists have already filed a federal lawsuit that argues the laws infringe on their free speech rights. The law is coming through after several complaints of naked men gathering in a plaza in the Castro District. Earlier this year, the city passed a law that required nudists to use a piece of cloth when sitting in public places. Since then, the number of protesters has only increased. 

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