Palm Springs nudists react to celebrity censorship
Erwin Hanfield and his wife migrate south every year for the International Skinny Dip, an effort to break the world record for most people skinny dipping at one time.
“Oh it’s just a wonderful time,” he says. “People from all over the world show up. It’s fantastic. Everyone is happy, everyone is having fun.”
Tom Mulhall, owner of nudist resort “Terra Cotta Inn” in Palm Springs, says the resort is nearly at full-occupancy with fellow nudists looking to drop trou — and taboo.
“We’re all built the exact same way, it’s just different shapes, different sizes,” says Mulhall. “What matters the most is the size of your smile, not the size of your other body parts.”
Celebrities have been posting naked photos on Instagram and other social media. From Justin Bieber in the buff to Miley Cyrus supporting the “#FreetheNipple”. The difference between the two? Instagram deleted Miley, Rihanna, and Chrissy Tiegen’s photos, but left up Bieber and even Tiegen’s husband John Legend’s bare behind.
“I think men and women should be shown equally. What’s fair is fair,” says nudist Sharlene, visiting from Chino Hills. “It seems like that for ages. Women have to cover up everything and men can show what they want.”
Instagram allows nudity in the form of sculptures or paintings, but doesn’t say anything about photographic nudity.
Visitor Mike, Sharlene’s husband, says the human body is not always a sexual display, and shouldn’t be treated as such.
“When I was born, nobody bothered me and I was naked when I first came out,” Mike said. “Everybody is, right? Nudity is just our body, you know?”
In 2010, nearly 14,000 people across the world jumped nude into water at one time, setting a skinny dipping world record. If you would like to participate, click this link with the American Association for Nude Recreation’s list of participating places, including the aforementioned Terra Cotta Inn.
