Naturists are among members of the public who forced a change in attitude by London Underground bosses after a Renaissance nude image of Venus was originally banned from a proposed advert by the Royal Academy. Under pressure, the decision to ban was later overturned.
Transport for London (TfL) declared that the image, painted by Lucas Cranach the Elder in 1532, contravened their rules on sexual content. Naturists are not only baffled that TfL could regard the image as sexual, but also concerned that the ban could set a precedent for misplaced prudery amongst other decision makers.
Representatives of British Naturism requested a meeting with Transport for London managers to “establish mutual understanding about public attitudes and discuss the application of the rules in the future” and explained the mistake.
Malcolm Boura, Research and Liaison Officer for British Naturism (BN), said the censorship was a concern for naturists, as well as “anyone who cares about free speech and basic civil liberties”.
“What is worrying is that this such extreme censorship, reminiscent of the C19, should be seen in our lifetime,” he said. “Even in the repressed 1920s, there was no suggestion that nudity in renaissance art could be offensive.”
“The reason we are taking a stand is that unnecessary and over-zealous prudishness will be seen as a benchmark by others in authority and it could even erode the attitudes which allow ordinary people to enjoy naturism without threat or intimidation.”
“People make these decisions to censor often without knowing why they are doing it – there is often presumed offence when actually no offence is likely to be taken.”
“Most intelligent people are comfortable with the basic dignity and purity of the human form. Most intelligent people also know that nakedness need not be sexual. Many more people are experiencing social nakedness for the first time, especially on holiday, and they are able to appreciate the sort of life-changing sense of freedom that it provides. Some say it’s like becoming human again and others describe it as discovering a fourth dimension.”
“We are speaking on behalf of a lot of people, there are well over a million naturists in the UK and from all professions and backgrounds, from rugby players to nurses to lawyers, journalists and bus drivers, a complete cross-section.”
"We are proud to have contributed to the pressure that resulted in the decision being
reversed."
Contacts:
BN Research & Liaison Officer: Malcolm Boura
07734 964435
rlo@british-naturism.org.uk
BN Commercial Manager: Andrew Welch
01753 481527
07774 955138
commercial.manager@british-naturism.org.uk
Notes for Editors
• British Naturism is the UK’s officially recognised naturist organisation. It exists to support and unite naturists around the UK and celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2004, although previous incarnations have been in existence since the 1930s.
• Amongst the aims of BN are to campaign for more naturist places to be made available and to protect naturists against discrimination and Victorian attitudes to the human body.
• In the UK, there are over 150 sun clubs, swim clubs and holiday resorts and 12 officially designated naturist beaches, with many more being used regularly by naturists. Membership of BN is around 14,000 people.
• 2008 sees a huge number of events for naturists at fantastic public venues, such as Alton Towers, Abbey House Gardens in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, and beaches around the UK coastline. In June BN will be hosting the second annual Nudefest event.
• Naturism is good for you. Naturists report improvements in well-being, stress, chronic illness, self-esteem and body image. It’s also a sensible choice of dress when the weather is warm. Naturists are normal people. The only difference between activities inside and outside of naturism is the dress code. See FAQs about naturism here.
• BN co-produced Bare Britain, with Lifestyle Press in June 2005, a guidebook to naturism and naturist places in the UK. It is available in bookshops up and down the country, a landmark step for a book on this subject, and has become a best-seller.
• YBN (Young British Naturists) has a membership of young men and women between the ages of 16 and 30 who get together at clubs and beaches many weekends. They represented the UK at the International Naturist Federation (INF) Youth Rally held in France in 2005 and hosted the Rally in the UK in May 2007 – see here for details.
• British Naturism have adopted the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) as their President’s Charity of the Year. We are raising funds and awareness and working with them to raise money for their causes. Their website is here.
• For more information on British Naturism, please visit our website here. For the media, there is a dedicated “Media Centre” at see here which contains useful information for those wishing to write about naturism or feature this wonderful world in their publications or programmes, including a downloadable Media Information Pack. There is also a contact page here to ensure that any enquiries are directed to the right person and gain an appropriate and speedy reply.
