It’s a Tuesday morning, the infinite blue sky of Byron Bay has opened up and the six naturists – four men, two women – have stripped down to their birthday suits for a quick dip in the buff.

This section of beach – an 800-metre stretch along the vast coastline – forms the only legal clothing-optional beach in the shire. Among those taking advantage of the opportunity to be out in the open is Duncan James, vice-president of Northern Rivers Naturists, who is something of an evangelist for “embracing the beach as Mother Nature intended.”

“Many of the beach users have described the clothing-optional beach as their happy place, a place where they can disconnect from modern day stresses, a place they can feel at one with nature,” he says.

There is, however, a metaphorical cloud on the horizon. On Sunday, Tyagarah is set to be stripped of its status as an official clothing-optional beach.

“I guess these values aren’t shared by New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service [NPWS], who are hell-bent on closing one of Byron’s last alternative community hubs and experiences,” James says.

  • girlfreddy@lemmy.caOP
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    5 months ago

    I know lots of kids were/are playing those without parental supervision. Those same parents had/have existential fits if their child sees a penis or breasts in a movie.

    • ASeriesOfPoorChoices@lemmy.world
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      5 months ago

      “why are so many parents bad parents and/or messed up people in general?”

      That’s a big can of worms you’re trying to open, GF.

      • girlfreddy@lemmy.caOP
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        5 months ago

        Just because it’s big doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be opened. Only Sonlight can cleanse the shit that bullshit ‘Christianity’ has wrought.