Advocating for Nude Beaches in Michigan

We (meaning me, you, and all clothing optional enthusiasts) need to expand participation in social nudity and increase its legal and societal acceptance so that we no longer have to remain segregated into distant and expensive camps or have to skulk about remote areas ever wary of police harrassment.  Naturists believe that nudists, while nude, have the right to the use of public lands and facilities afforded the rest of the citizenry -- that is, people have the right to be treated as citizens rather than criminals regardless of dress.  No government on this continent has a constitutional right to proscribe dress nor has any government anywhere the moral authority to do so regardless of social norms.  To argue otherwise is to argue that the Taliban's requirement of the burka for women is moral and legitimate.

As naturism is a celebration of the natural, naturists also recognize that preservation of the natural environment is essential to the practice of naturism.  Although not a condition for participation in social nudist activities, involvement in reputable ecology groups is encouraged.

Additionally and importantly, naturists believe in being unbiased toward all, period. So long as you intend no harm to the well being of others, welcome aboard!  By its very nature, the practice of naturism develops an egalitarian spirit amongst us and toward others.  Your participation is welcome regardless of sex, age, race, sexual orientation, handicaps, physical appearance, marital status, creed or philosophy, or employment.  We only ask that at naturist events you behave in a manner that does not jeopardize others or the movement itself.  For those of you new to naturism, please understand that naturism is multi-generational. If you are expecting social nudity to provide some sort of sexual gratification, look elsewhere.  Naturists aren't judgemental, yet naturist events are not meant for "hooking up" or sexual exhibition.   An excellent resource to understand the philosophy of naturism and its attendent etiquette is the "First Visit" page of the Bare Oaks Family Naturist Park (in Ontario).

1. Get every naturist or nudist or like-minded person in the state actively working toward the accomplishment of our mission.  We must bring to the attention of the numerous unconnected clothing-optional enthusiasts the existence of national and local naturist groups, and we must involve them.  We need the help of every naturist, especially you.
2. We need to provide and improve upon mechanisms for individuals to connect with each other and for the various (and yet to be) naturist or nudist groups to network on important issues and to facilitate the coordinating of events. This web site is one small effort toward this.  If you haven't already done so, you are encouraged to join the national organization, The Naturist Society, and also join or form a local naturist group.
3. We need to interest, introduce, and involve current non-nudists to the joys of social nudity.  Providing  safe, inexpensive, and accessible locations and activities will be instrumental in interesting others.  Turtle Lake Resort has proven that providing interesting activities -- music festivals -- that are open to all, gets non-nudists mixing with nudists which creates more nudists and more support for nudists’ rights, for appropriate example is the best persuader.  
4. We need to take political and legal action.  Such action will become much more effective as we become better organized, more knowledgeable, and grow in numbers.  Even now, though, you can take political action merely by letting our public officials hear from you about the need for public, clothing-optional sites.
5. We achieve our mission and become as needed as a male, top-free club.

The goals of the Michigan Nude Beach Advocates are to

• develop more clothing-optional beaches and recreation areas near urban centers as well as remote areas.  These beaches (or pools) can be privately, communally, or (most preferred) publicly run; but must be official, family friendly, accessible, and provide certain minimal amenities.  
• create more local naturist groups.  One of our aims is for every county and every major city in Michigan to have a naturist group so that every naturist in the state has a naturist community nearby with which to participate. This will make it easier to organize activities for the accomplishment of our agenda.

There is no "official" membership in the Michigan Nude Beach Advocates.  All it takes to be a member is to advocate for clothing-optional beaches in Michigan and for naturist rights generally. Do that and you can rightly call yourself a "Michigan Nude Beach Advocate.” You are encouraged to join The Naturist Society and to join (or initiate) and help improve a local naturist group.    Local groups will and do have their own membership requirements.

This site is run by Matthew Kerwin, a member of The Naturist Society as well as founder of the "The Michigan Nude Beach Advocates”.   Additionally, per paragraph three under "Agenda and Beliefs",  I am a member of The Nature Conservancy. For general rights, I am a member of the ACLU.  You are encouraged to contribute site reports, calendar events, and other ideas.