Reflections: September, 2018

Today is Friday, September 28, 2018, and this is the date that I publish this month’s Reflections post here on ReNude Pride. It is one day earlier than I usually post this monthly series here but as the Bottom’s-Up! feature posts this Sunday, I decided to allow myself a small “creative pause” rather than post everyday this weekend and then follow-up with another regular publication on Monday. I humbly apologize for any disappointment or inconvenience to all readers.

The primary or “lead” photo (above) features Ton Dou – the professional name of a leading advocate of body freedom and proud bare practitioner, Anthony Lynn Douglas. As I mentioned above, on Sunday, September 2, 2018, (Labor Day weekend) Ton Dou and his fellow bare body freedom advocates and fans publicly demonstrated the harmlessness and wholesomeness of the nonchalantly bare human body in Times Square, New York City, NY, USA.

As it was a holiday weekend, it wasn’t initially a large turnout for the event. But as the program got underway, it began to attract more and more, tourists, the curious as well as bare body freedom enthusiasts and accidental naturists (nudists).

Ton Dou (Anthony Lynn Douglas) opened the festivities at 12 noon, as featured in the above image. This opening ceremony included an explanation of the purpose of the program as well as the philosophy of the Bare Body Freedom movement itself.

Aaron, my spouse, and I seriously considered driving the 5+ hours from Washington, D.C., to New York City for this event. However, last minute schedule adjustments at Aaron’s job meant that he had to work and I simply wasn’t interested in driving to New York alone – especially in all the Labor Day holiday traffic. Not that I wouldn’t have enjoyed being bare in the middle of Manhatten Island, NYC. I just don’t like to drive in the traffic without a “navigator.”

“As we grow more accustomed to seeing the responsible at-will practice of bare body freedom, was as individuals will redevelop the natural instincts we were all born with to accept and appreciate it and this would ultimately result in a physically and psychologically healthier and happier society.” ~ Ton Dou ~

Below is listed the schedule of activities for this Bare Body Freedom event.

Bare Body Freedom Event Schedule

September 2, 2018

12:00 noon – Opening

12:30 p.m. – Press Conference: Ton Dou  Goal, Purpose & Vision

1:00 p.m. – Bare Body Freedom Fitness: Meditation & Yoga

1:30 p.m. – Bare Body Freedom Karaoke Performances

2:00 p.m. – Bare Body Freedom “Open Mic” Speech presentations

2:30 p.m. – Bare Body Freedom Dance Presentations

3:30 p.m. – Bare Body Freedom Music Performances by Ton Dou

4:00 p.m. – Bare Body Freedom Keynote Address by Ton Dou

4:30 – 6:00 p,m. Petition Signing & Closing

 Tony Gholub body paints Ton Dou (Anthony Lynn Douglas)

It was also announced at this event that exactly one year from this day, September 2, 2018, Ton Dou and the Bare Body Freedom would return to this same venue for a one year anniversary observance on September 1, 2019, from 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

In order to legally be nude at this event, an ID bracelet was required to be worn.

Below is the text of the Keynote Speech delivered by Ton Dou:

Hello Everybody,

I am Ton Dou and I have a lot of explaining to do!  I want to thank all of you for your interest in what we are doing here. I am hoping your concerns will be addressed your questions will be answered and you will all walk away understanding and supporting this very important natural human rights cause. 

I am hoping this Ultimate Freedom Concert will effectively demonstrate the integrity of the bare human body in a nonchalant and wholesome state and its harmlessness to any psychologically healthy member of society when observed in public view. 

I do this because I genuinely believe the at-will practice of bare body freedom is an essential part of the natural plan and the solution to many of the issues humans have had with themselves and each other, historically.

I have said, there is a war on simple nudity and that is not a personal problem a few of us have, it is a societal problem we all have and that issues with the bare human body are akin to and a precursor to issues with human diversity. 

I have said, in most communities, no matter who we are, what we are worth or where we are from we are the most suppressed members of society if we seek to responsibly bare at-will in our own backyards. 

I am not suggesting people should be bare in convenience stores or anywhere else there are no provisions for bare body freedom.

I am not suggesting when potentially vulnerable people should practice bare body freedom so carefree that they do it to the degree that they are careless. 

I am not suggesting that peace officers would not be very busy responding to complaints and concerns many of which, no doubt, could be valid. 

I am suggesting bare body freedom should be recognized and protected as a natural human right and that nudity alone should be exempt from penal laws. 

I am not asking people to look the other way and do nothing when clearly peace officers need to be notified of crimes that are being committed against humanity. 

I am asking people to do their part for humanity by sorting out for themselves whether they are witnessing an actual crime or observing the practice of a natural human right. 

I am asking the same of every lawmaker and every law enforcement official when they are in the process of carrying out their civic duties an behalf of all of humanity. 

I have life experiences, as many of us do, that have shown me that nothing good or bad lasts forever and that the simplest of life’s pleasures get us through. 

I made the conscious decision to advocate for this crucial natural human right rather than allow myself to be preoccupied with the nonsense propaganda that suppresses it. 

I want to thank the brave and brilliant people who are helping to make this possible. I am genuinely grateful to you for what you do for this cause and ultimately for all of humanity.

Thank you!

Ton Dou

Speech source: Ultimate Freedom Concert

As bare practitioners, both Aaron and I are very impressed with Ton Dou’s message and his goal for the Bare Body Freedom movement. It is a lofty and worthwhile ideal that we all enjoy the freedom to live as clothes-free as possible without the coercion of the legal system. Choosing what not to wear on any given day should not be regulated any differently that what motivates us to decide what to wear on a particular day. It’s a process known as self-determination.

Author’s Note: Anthony Lynn Douglas (Ton Dou) was arrested by the New York City police while having people sign his petition in favor of bare body freedom. Yesterday (September 27), I received an email on his arrest status. His court date is on November 21, 2018, 9:00 a,m., Midtown Community Court, 314 W 54th Street, New York City, New York, USA 10019.  

Naked hugs!

Roger/ReNude Pride