Topless sunning and nudity draw police; 79 arrested

A clash of cultures on Dubai’s beaches

Topless sunning and nudity draw police; 79 arrested

Barbara Surk, Associated Press

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

(07-15) 04:00 PDT Dubai, United Arab Emirates –

Westerners were getting too racy on the beaches of this Persian Gulf tourist haven, and a police crackdown on topless sunbathing, nudity and other indecent behavior has resulted in 79 arrests in recent days.

Undercover officers are strolling the sand while others stand guard in new watchtowers to enforce the social mores of this Muslim city-state, a booming business center that is attracting growing hordes of foreign tourists.

Authorities said they began the decency campaign after police detained a British man and a woman who were allegedly having sex on one of Dubai’s beaches this month.

Over the past two weeks, police have detained a total of 79 people whose behavior was “disturbing families enjoying the beach,” Zuhair Haroun, a spokesman for Dubai’s Criminal Investigation Department, said Monday.

First offenders may be issued a warning, but if caught twice, tourists could be referred to the public prosecutor and face the possibility of criminal charges, authorities said.

Thousands of European and Asian expatriates live and work in Dubai, where native Emiratis make up only about 20 percent of the estimated 1.2 million residents. Shopping malls and fast-food restaurants have replaced traditional Arab houses, and English has overtaken Arabic as the United Arab Emirates’ lingua franca.

Many Emiratis and Arabs visiting from other Persian Gulf countries increasingly feel that Dubai’s ambition to become a cosmopolitan metropolis and tourist destination is overrunning their own traditions and contradict what they feel is culturally acceptable.

Unlike elsewhere in the conservative region, tourists in Dubai are often seen wearing bikinis on public beaches and walking the streets in shorts. Alcohol is freely available in hotel bars and restaurants in this regional businesses and entertainment hub.

Although it is pursuing the police crackdown, Dubai has embarked on a public awareness campaign to remind its Western visitors and foreign residents that the city may have flashy hotels and glitzy skyscrapers, but it also is a Muslim country with traditionally conservative values.

The city is installing signs warning tourists in Arabic, English and several other languages not to sunbathe topless or change clothes in public, said Abdullah Mohammed Rafia, an official with the Dubai Municipality whose office is overseeing the public awareness campaign.

Authorities are “taking action in response to numerous complaints” filed by people who visit the city’s beaches, Rafia said. Complaints have ranged from families “offended by displays of nudity” to female sunbathers who say groups of men stare at them while at the beach.

The police campaign also will target people who harass beachgoers with acts “deemed offensive, immoral or disrespectful,” including loitering and voyeurism, said Dubai’s acting police chief, Maj. Gen. Khamis Mattar al-Mazeina.

Some tourists who were enjoying Dubai’s simmering sun Monday said the new campaign left them confused about what is considered appropriate in Dubai.

“I understand that I have to respect the rules of the country,” said John MacLean, a British tourist on vacation with his girlfriend. But, he added, “I am not sure if I can kiss her or touch her in public.”

 

 

This article appeared on page A – 12 of the San Francisco Chronicle

 

Breaking News

 BREAKING NEWS -

 Caliente removed from American Association for Nude Recreation

 
on July 14 2008
By Marcia Stone
Pasco Naturally Editor

KISSIMMEE – The end of Caliente Resort’s membership in a nationally recognized association came with a brief e-mail from Caliente’s Steve Dorsey: “Please accept this as the official resignation of our charter.”

The $50 million resort had been temporarily suspended during an investigation about its participation or association with swingers’ parties and recreation, including SwingFest 2008.

The American Association for Nude Recreation, the oldest, largest and most credible organization supporting social family nude recreation, has removed Caliente Resort of Land O’ Lakes, from its organization.

This action was taken following the temporary suspension of the club’s charter because of marketing practices inconsistent with AANR’s principles and standards. In a letter to its clubs dated July 11, AANR reaffirmed its expectations of clubs holding an AANR charter. And Caliente responded by relinquishing their affiliation.

The break-off is a troubling one for hundreds of Caliente homeowners, property owners and thousands members and visitors who look to AANR as a seal of approval of established business standards in the nudist world.

Doug Butler, president of the Caliente Homeowners Association, wrote a straightforward President’s Letter that outlined what legal options property owners had to oppose swingers or sexually oriented events that Caliente management might endorse or participate in.

“Your board has been using for the past year and a half: quiet diplomacy. The board does not want litigation nor was that ever the intent when we met with our attorney, nor is it in any of our plans and wishes. We went for advice on how to best handle the ‘lifestyle’ situation at Caliente.”

“We regret that it was necessary to issue the suspension that led to where we are today,” said John Kinman, AANR President. “Caliente is a beautiful resort, and AANR was a strong force behind its initial development and growth. However, no club is more important than the principles we have advocated for over three quarters of a century.”

The Caliente charter came under investigation when the club registered to have a booth at an adult trade show, Swingfest 2008.

“This is entirely counter to AANR’s advocacy of social family nude recreation and its rejection of any attempt to associate its good name and reputation with sexually exploitive purposes. Club management offered some concessions, but their PR Director is still scheduled to lead a workshop advocating co-existence between swingers and nudists,” said an AANR statement.

“As a husband, father of four and an employee of the Association, this is not a message I could accept,” said Erich Schuttauf, AANR’s Executive Director. “AANR clubs represent the best in healthy clothes-free living and recreation, for all ages.”

Response to the removal of Caliente Resort from AANR membership has surprised local nudists:

–Doug Lynch, a Caliente homeowner, said, “Caliente, a jewel of a resort, is unlike anywhere else on earth. Caliente has AANR values in its filings at Pasco County. It’s not about whether the behavior is appropriate or even about sexuality. Residents and Caliente signed papers to this effect. The By Laws of Caliente Master Association Board of Directors filed with Pasco County say, ‘Caliente is a nudist resort and a nudist residential community, wholesome, (with a) friendly atmosphere conducive to nude recreation. We distinguish between nudity and sex and keep the two in their proper perspectives. The nudist aspect shall not be subject to amendment, change or modification,’” he said.

–Paul Brenot, President, PANDAbare.org, says, “I’m sure that such a decision was made after much deliberation by the principals of Caliente, LLC.”

“PANDAbare.org believes in the ideals of AANR. Our mission is to promote our culture and build a responsible network and partnership with the non-naturist residential, business and governmental segments of our beautiful Pasco,” he said.

“Caliente’s decision to leave AANR was made with what Caliente felt was in their best interest. PANDA will not knee-jerk react to this, but we will see what directions Caliente decides to pursue. Caliente’s future actions will speak louder then any rumor or gossip.

“By letting the dust settle, PANDA will then be able to act with clarity. Like I stated before, this was an issue between the national organization and one of its members. Caliente has now decided to go it alone. We wish them well,” he said.

“The residential naturists who own and/or live in Caliente and those naturist members of Caliente Resort who believe in the ideals of AANR and PANDA are welcome to join and participate in PANDA,” he said.

The Pasco Area Nudist Development Association is a grassroots, all volunteer non-profit group to promote nudism for residents and visitors in a wholesome way in Pasco. It was formed early this year.

AANR has been an aggressive advocate for nude recreation rights and a strong promoter of public education. “When we speak to legislators or contribute to positive mainstream media recognition including the New York Times, Today Show, Time Magazine, and others, they know AANR has earned the reputation as the credible voice for nude recreation,” said Schuttauf.

AANR’s mission is to advocate nudity and nude recreation in appropriate settings, and educate and inform society of the value and enjoyment of such through on-going member growth. It is the credible voice of reason, representing the millions of people who enjoy clothes-free recreation and ‘nakationing’ throughout North America.

You can find more information in next week’s Pasco Naturally, delivered by Wednesday, July 23 to all nudist communities and Land O’ Lakes-Lutz area businesses.

For further information on nude recreation and the associations affiliated clubs, contact AANR at 1-800-TRY-NUDE or visit the association’s website at www.aanr.com.

Nudist club swings away from national group

See St. Pete Times article below.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/growth/article699210.ece

————————————–

Nudist club swings away from national group
By Chuin-Wei Yap, Times Staff Writer
In print: Tuesday, July 15, 2008

LAND O’LAKES — Caliente Resort pulled its affiliation late Friday with the American Association for Nude Recreation, after an investigation into sexually charged parties at the club, the association said Monday.

Caliente’s move came after the association sent a letter Friday to its 260 members reminding them of the kind of family values it expects its charter clubs to hold.

The rupture follows two months of rising tension with the association as the club dug in behind its aggressive marketing toward a younger demographic, including advocating for the coexistence of swingers and nudists.

“As a husband, father of four and an employee of the association, this is not a message I could accept,” Erich Schuttauf, the association’s executive director, said Monday. “AANR clubs represent the best in healthy clothes-free living and recreation for all ages.”

Caliente is not just a club but also a full-time home for hundreds of nudists. The disgruntlement with the swinger-oriented marketing had originated with some homeowners.

“We felt that AANR was taking sides with a small number of homeowners as it related to their concerns about Caliente’s aggressive marketing,” Angye Fox, Caliente’s spokeswoman, said Monday. “We felt that AANR is certainly a valid organization in that it does a great job with government relations and lobbying, but quite frankly, there was no factual basis for their concerns.”

The association temporarily suspended Caliente’s membership in May after the club registered to have a booth at an adult trade show, Swingfest 2008. The association singled out Fox’s involvement in “a workshop advocating co-existence between swingers and nudists.”

Fox said Caliente has been “branching out” in its target markets, trying to reach a younger demographic with more imaginative party themes, including an upcoming “Eyes Wide Shut” party featuring masks (and not much else).

“It helps to bring in young 20-, 30-somethings, and we’ve been far more aggressive than AANR in communicating with the younger generation,” Fox said. “AANR hasn’t kept up with the times.”

Fox said she was a guest speaker at Swingfest, which paid for her accommodations. She said she helped educate the audience on how nudist resorts like Caliente handle different market interests, including setting aside special sections for its parties, having people sign agreements when they enter the club and organizing security patrols to enforce rules.

Dropping its membership in the association means Caliente can no longer enjoy 50 percent advertising discounts and free listings on the 260-member association’s promotional literature, including the association’s Web site. But only the club is out of AANR; the association still has about 1,500 individual Caliente members, association spokeswoman Carolyn Hawkins said Monday.

The club also loses the association’s lobbying influence in Tallahassee and Washington D.C., Hawkins said.

Chuin-Wei Yap can be reached at cyap@sptimes.com or  (813) 909-4613 .

Nudists strip off to demand end of nudist beaches in Spain

Nudists strip off to demand end of nudist beaches in Spain

By h.b. – Jul 14, 2008 – 6:44 AM
ALSO SEE : • Alicante nudists unhappy at new local beach bylaw – May 29, 2008 – 8:54 AM

Sunday was the Day Without Bathing Costume in Spain.
Sunday saw the celebration of the Día Sin Bañador, day without the bathing costume, organised by the Spanish Nudist Federation.

The federation is made up of 14 nudist associations from across the country but the day was particularly successful in Asturias and Cataluña where many took off their clothes in demand that nudist and non-nudist beaches no longer be separated.

Article and Video