Two Years Later, Nudists Keep Their Eye On The Prize

Two Years Later, Nudists Keep Their Eye On The Prize

Photo: torbakhopper/Flickr

David-Elijah Nahmod
Published on January 30, 2015

On Sunday, February 1st, San Francisco's urban nudists will disrobe once more at a noon rally to be held at Jane Warner Plaza.

The event will mark the two year anniversary since the Board of Supervisor's passed a ban on public nudity in San Francisco. The ban, introduced by District 8 Supervisor Scott Wiener, came about after the Plaza became the nudists' official hangout, with more than a dozen people lounging around in their birthday suits on any given day.

Many in the neighborhood complained about the nudists, while many others supported them. Both sides in this debate say that a majority of San Franciscans agree with them.

Oxane "Gypsy" Taub has become the unofficial spokesperson for the "Body Freedom" movement. She is one of the plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the City to overturn the nudity ban, and has been a voice of reason for the movement. While other nudists have taken an "I don't care what anyone thinks" attitude, Taub has said that she respects the boundaries of parents who might not want their children to see her in the nude. She also urges parents to teach their children about inappropriate touching and abuse. 

"It is very important that we stand up for what we believe in," Taub told Hoodline. "It's very important to stand up for our rights. Progress comes from people, not from governments."

She explained why she thinks this issue matters. "Body freedom is one of the most basic fundamental human rights," she said. "If we own anything at all in this world, it's our bodies. It is the only material possession we have that is rightfully and unquestionably ours. No one has the right to dictate to us what we should and should not do to our own bodies."

Photo via Gypsy Taub

Taub said that the plaintiffs in the nudity ban lawsuit were not seeking monetary damages from the City. "We just want the City government to learn to respect our constitutional rights," she said. "We want the nudity ban to become embarrassing history." 

The nudity ban is not absolute. Exempt from the ban are certain parades and street fairs such as Pride events. At the heart of the nudists' lawsuit is their claim that SFPD singles them out for enforcement, while allowing others to ignore the ban. 

Taub said that she expected a few dozen supporters to show up at Sunday's rally in the Castro. Besides herself, speakers will include nudist George Davis, who recently ran against incumbent Scott Wiener for the District 8 Board seat. (Wiener slid home to first base with an easy 77 percent of the vote.) Rusty Mills and Taub's husband, Jaymz Smith, are also scheduled to speak. 

Supporters are welcome to attend whether they disrobe or not.

"We plan on dancing to a boom box at the end of the protest if it's not too cold," Taub said. "No live music is planned yet, but you never know. It might happen spontaneously." 

Past protests have ended with many of the nudists being placed under arrest.

The event begins on Sunday at 12pm at Jane Warner Plaza, located at Castro and Market.