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Like most social movements, the clothes free movement which promotes the acceptance of social nudity has garnered a fair amount of criticism for the alleged failures of its leadership.

See also: Issues in social nudity.

Anti-competition and branding nudism

Lobbying efforts which would exclude and penalize non-AANR activities

When the American Association for Nude Recration (AANR) had an opportunity to insert protecting language in an anti-nudity Senate Bill 224 Municipal Corporations - Regulation of Nudity and Sexual Displays in Maryland, its representatives, including AANR East lobbyist Don Murphy, lobbied to adopt language that would exempt only AANR dues-paying businesses, such as clubs, in Maryland. Otherwise individuals would be subject to six months imprisonment and a $500 fine for allowing nudity without AANR affiliiation. This effectively excluded the other naturist organization in the US, The Naturist Society as well as non-affiliated individuals and organizations that participated in clothing-optional activities or attended free beaches including organized beachgoers, nudist or naturist-friendly businesses, and any nudist or naturist club or event not chartered by AANR. One critic said this amounted to AANR trying to own the "brand" on nudism.

The proposed amendment section (c) said "an ordinance adopted under this section may not apply to any event charted by the American Association for Nude Recreation." The amendment failed by a 23-20 vote.

Edging out the competition for INF referrals

AANR is the sole representative for organized naturism and nudism in the United States with the International Naturist Federation (INF). The result is that only AANR is listed as an International Naturist Federation/Federation Naturiste Internationale (INF/FNI) affiliated federation, effectively excluding the main naturist organization in the US, The Naturist Society as well as other significant organizations such as ClothesFree International. AANR was affiliated long before The Naturist Society came into existence. INF allows only one national organization to be affiliated with it. INF Official Site

Poor to mediocre support for clothes free activism on public lands

Some organizations have little interest in pushing the envelope for new clothing-optional beaches

Because AANR has chosen to focus mainly on revenue-generating opportunites through its dues-paying clubs and dues-paying members, some contend it is not giving proper consideration to clothing-free opportunities on public lands such as free beaches, where there are fewer revenue-generating opportunities for AANR. Daniel Johnson, BFC co-founder, said "The only reason there are so many AANR members is because they are forced to join when they pay their local club dues."

AANR has no known documented efforts of advocating the establishment of new clothing-optional beaches, which many believe should be the primary focus of organized naturist and nudist efforts. AANR's own FAQ says: "The law can be a little fuzzier when it comes to nudity at beaches and public recreation areas. AANR works to protect nude recreation in such places where there is an established tradition for sunbathing." So without a policy saying otherwise, AANR does not advocate for the creation of new clothing-optional beaches.

AANR counters that it has efforts underway to improve established clothing-optional beaches in Oregon, including Sauvie Island (Collins Beach) and Rooster Rock State Park.

Fighting or being indifferent to clothing free activism

Fighting topfree activist member

Clubs are allowed free range in discrimating against members engaging in outside activities, including, ironically enough, topfree advocacy.

In 2003, Buckridge Park moved to terminate membership of Dorene Schumacher for topfree activism in her hometown.

Charles Preston, the Buckridge Park representative, counters, "Do you not feel that we should have the right to protect our investment and business if we feel it is threatened? We did not think it was appropriate to have one of our members hold a top free picnic in the town we were located in. We have worked hard to be accepted as a good business to have in town."

When she announced a topfree picnic for Candor, the park owners cancelled both their memberships. The picnic has not yet been held, although Schumacher has held them in other NY towns. It is legal for women to be topfree in New York State.

It is most odd for a nudist park to criticize someone for holding a legal gathering to promote the right of women to be topfree.

Indifference to public nudity activists

The AANR and British Naturism have given cold receptions to protests and activists involved in The Freedom to be Yourself. As an example, no nudists came out to support Terri Sue Webb during her trial or protests in Bend, Oregon.

Some nudists counter that drawing attention to social nudity issues could result in a backlash of even more stringent laws.

Discrimination

AANR affiliates with some clubs that choose to discriminate based on of inclusion of gays, singles, same-sex couples, and those with tattoos, piercings, body jewelry. From AANR-SW FAQ: "Some clubs have rules addressing such body decorations. The best idea is to call ahead and ask." Ellen Woodall, writer and nudist researcher, says, "The naked truth about the American nudist movement is its failure to live up to the ideal that everyone is treated the same, despite social standing or the shape of their bodies".

The AANR acknowledges that historically AANR member clubs have practiced discrimination, but insists that each club is autonomous and free to make its own decisions and policies as far as admissions are concerned. However, this is beginning to change in favor of singles.

TNS has also said that their affiliated clubs may impose a single male quota if they deem it necessary.

Child sexual abuse

Nikki Craft has researched and published accounts of child molestation and child pornography within the nudist/naturist movement and what she contends is their leaderships failure to address those issues. She contends that AANR and TNS have not done enough to investigate offenders, remove offenders, report offenders to law enforcement, establish even one single national policy, or modify club procedures for dealing with problem behaviors and abuse. An example she cites is William Peckenpaugh, whom she says was a member of both AANR and TNS, who was charged with multiple sex crimes with a child.

While many naturists and nudists acknowledge problems in the community, many believe Nikki Craft seems bent on inciting an unnecessary amount of fear into peoples' minds about what they believe is a safe, family-friendly activity. Her critics contend that many private clubs do check the criminal histories of visitors to make sure they do not have documented histories of criminal activity that would be of concern in a family-oriented community. They also point out that sexual predators are everywhere in society and all must be equally vigilant to making sure that both individuals and organizations take initiative in establishing protections against abuse and exploitation. Craft counters that the fact that sexual predators exist elsewhere in society is no excuse for the fact that nudist/naturist leadership fail to take easy and common sense measures to protect the children in the movement.

Other people and movements opposing and offering criticism

• Mark Foley U.S. Rep from Florida proposed legislation against nudist/naturist youth camps in 2003.
• Ralph Ovadal Pastor, anti-nudity crusader with the Wisconsin Christians United (WCU). Found guilty of criminal disorderly conduct when harassing beachgoers at Mazomanie nude beach.

Pastor Ovadal and his supporters went to the head office of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. They picketed and distributed a flyer titled "Is the Department of Natural Resources a Protector of Perverts and Child Abusers?" .

• Hermann Wilhelm Göring One of the main leaders of Nazi Germany who wrote anti-nudity Göring Decree on March 3, 1933. (However, after all, the FKK-clubs could continue to exist if they would clearly confess for the Nazi regime and, for an improved control, associate themselves to the "Reichsbund für Leibesübungen" ).
• Adolf Hitler Nazi Germany leader who said "Nudity is undignified and an error of taste."

References

1. "Talk About Nudism". 2005-8-03. Retrieved 2006-09-16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
2. "TOPFREEDOM NEWS (April 2001 through June 2005)". Retrieved 2006-09-23. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
3. Keen, Cathy (2001-10-18). "UF Study bares contradictions about American nudists". University of Florida. Retrieved 2006-09-16.
4. "William D. Peckenpaugh". Nudist/Naturist Hall of Shame.
5. "Is Our Pastor a Criminal?". {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
6. "Pastor fined for harassing woman at nude beach". {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
7. "State of Wisconsin Plaintiff-Respondent v. Ralph Ovadal". Findlaw. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

• Nudity