Woman wants to parade in the buff

[Guest GodfallenPromos]

ASHLAND, Ore. (June 17) - A woman seen frequently in Ashland riding topless on her bicycle says she plans to be in Ashland's Fourth of July parade free and independent of all clothing but a hemp G-string. The Chamber of Commerce says that's contrary to the rules for the family celebration. She says she'll sue if she can't parade as she wishes.

Jen Moss has been known as "The Naked Lady" since she moved to Ashland in May from Ojai, Calif., drawn by the town's nudity laws. They specify only that people must cover their genitalia in a city park or the downtown commercial district, which means Moss need not cover her breasts.

The police in California, she says, harassed her when she rode her bicycle wearing a G-string and pasties.

Moss applied for an entry for the parade, which draws thousands each year.

The Ashland Chamber of Commerce learned of her coverage plans from an online posting. She promised to lead in-line skaters "wearing only a hemp G-string and blowing a conch shell."

"We don't feel that someone in the parade who is topless or nearly naked is appropriate for a family audience," said parade chairman James Kidd.

He said a letter was sent to Moss on Monday and wouldn't speak specifically about the chamber's position until he was certain that she had received the letter.

Kidd did say that parade rules clearly indicate that entries must be appropriate for a family audience. He also said he understood that the Ashland city ordinance allows women to be topless.

"She's welcome on any other day of the year to do that," he said. "But not on the Fourth of July while in the parade."

City Council member Eric Navickas said he's on Moss's side.

If she can't be in the parade, Navickas said, it would be "an interesting commentary on our society that we're willing to tolerate dead bodies through our aggressive foreign policy from the war, but not healthy, naked bodies."

Moss told the Ashland Daily Tidings in an e-mail that if she can't be nearly naked in the parade, she would "run around near naked protesting their unconstitutional(ism) and un-Americanism." And she said, she would ask the American Civil Liberties Union for help in a lawsuit.

[Msterbeau]

Go Jen!!!

[Miranda]

ForJenMossLovers

[Destroit]

Uggghhh....if I lived there I'd be so pissed that I couldn't take my kid to the 4th of July parade...

And THAT...is why I live in Detroit. Sure you gotta deal with some street "crazies" (certain vagrants) and a few homicidal maniacs, but at least I don't have to be assaulted by some naked crazy lady's tits when I walk around downtown. Sorry, but that's just how I feel.

[TygerLili]

Well, according to the town legistlation she can show up and watch the parade topless. Why not just do that instead of fighting for the right to be a complete attention whore when it seems clear that what she wants to do violates the parade rules?

[ttogreh]

How exactly does the naked body offend you, Chernobyl? Everyone has nipples, except for folks with health issues.

Please, explain to me, as clearly as you can, why an unshowered vagrant with whiskey breath getting in your face asking, nay DEMANDING change from your pocket is less offensive than a healthy woman naked save a G-string parading on the anniversary of our nation's independence from tyranny.

Please, for the love of God, tell me that you are playing the devil's advocate.

For if you are not, then I sincerely pity you.

[Goth Brooks]

Uggghhh....if I lived there I'd be so pissed that I couldn't take my kid to the 4th of July parade...

And THAT...is why I live in Detroit. Sure you gotta deal with some street "crazies" (certain vagrants) and a few homicidal maniacs, but at least I don't have to be assaulted by some naked crazy lady's tits when I walk around downtown. Sorry, but that's just how I feel.

Violence = OK

Sex = NOT OK

I love america.

[pheramoans]

Why shelter children from the nude form? I would rather see the next generation growing up open to nudity than to see a generation of the sheltered who think that the nude body is 'offensive' or vulgar in some way. Nudity is completely natural...it's clothing that is unnatural.

[Msterbeau]

Why shelter children from the nude form? I would rather see the next generation growing up open to nudity than to see a generation of the sheltered who think that the nude body is 'offensive' or vulgar in some way. Nudity is completely natural...it's clothing that is unnatural.

+1

With my daughters, I don't treat nudity as some abomination to be covered up. Nudity has been largely demonized or sexualized by many of the worlds societies, mostly because of religious doctrines IMO. Yet another reason that I think most dogmatic religions can take a flying leap.

[sass_in_the_pants]

+1

With my daughters, I don't treat nudity as some abomination to be covered up. Nudity has been largely demonized or sexualized by many of the worlds societies, mostly because of religious doctrines IMO. Yet another reason that I think most dogmatic religions can take a flying leap.

So you wouldn't mind it if your daughter went swimming at a friend's house, and her friend's dad went swimming naked with her? That wouldn't bother you?

[Msterbeau]

So you wouldn't mind it if your daughter went swimming at a friend's house, and her friend's dad went swimming naked with her? That wouldn't bother you?

I'm not sure it would. See... You're starting in with the "OMG a naked adult with my children!!!" crap. My ex-wifes best friend's father used to do exactly the situation you descibe. Her best friend just shrugged it off and the ex did too. And nobody got harmed by his nudity. If nudity... a completely natural state BTW, wasn't thought of as some horror to cover up, we would very likely not be having this discussion nor would people flip out over it. But we are, they do, and it sucks.

Here's a question to you: What do you think is fundamentally so wrong about nudity that we should be covered up in public?

[Rev.Reverence]

Why shelter children from the nude form? I would rather see the next generation growing up open to nudity than to see a generation of the sheltered who think that the nude body is 'offensive' or vulgar in some way. Nudity is completely natural...it's clothing that is unnatural.

Saying anything is "Unnatural" is 'Unnatural' I quote Tones On Tale "No New Tale To Tell"...

"You cannot go against nature

Because when you do

Go against nature

It's part of nature too"

While I can agree that naked is "a more natural state of being"...& should be viewed as beauteous...

I feel like covering my bits...I think it is a NATURAL thing to protect ones "goods" in MANY endeavors...

I'm not saying, "I never run around naked"..But I can not see the intelligent thought process behind ROLLER BLADING or BIKE RIDING naked...

FROM FIRST POST BODY:

If she can't be in the parade, Navickas said, it would be "an interesting commentary on our society that we're willing to tolerate dead bodies through our aggressive foreign policy from the war, but not healthy, naked bodies."

INTERESTING INDEED!

........................

As I am not a Nudist..but a "Free-ist" as in "Do thy Will..."

I am particularly in a tight spot...to have a stance on this...

BETWEEN

Her right to go toppless in a Parade all about Freedom...

VS.

A parents right to shelter their children...(as futile as I see it)..it is a right.

[Msterbeau]

Saying anything is "Unnatural" is 'Unnatural' I quote Tones On Tale "No New Tale To Tell"...

"You cannot go against nature

Because when you do

Go against nature

It's part of nature too"

While I can agree that naked is "a more natural state of being"...& should be viewed as beauteous...

I feel like covering my bits...I think it is a NATURAL thing to protect ones "goods" in MANY endeavors...

I'm not saying, "I never run around naked"..But I can not see the intelligent thought process behind ROLLER BLADING or BIKE RIDING naked...

INTERESTING INDEED!

........................

As I am not a Nudist..but a "Free-ist" as in "Do thy Will..."

I am particularly in a tight spot...to have a stance on this...

BETWEEN

Her right to go toppless in a Parade all about Freedom...

VS.

A parents right to shelter their children...(as futile as I see it)..it is a right.

I think we can all make the distinction between clothing for comfort and protection versus covering up the naughty horrid naked body.... Well. I can anyways.. :-)

[Rev.Reverence]

I'm not sure it would. See... You're starting in with the "OMG a naked adult with my children!!!" crap. My ex-wifes best friend's father used to do exactly the situation you descibe.** Her best friend just shrugged it off and the ex did too. And nobody got harmed by his nudity. If nudity... a completely natural state BTW, wasn't thought of as some horror to cover up, we would very likely not be having this discussion nor would people flip out over it. But we are, they do, and it sucks.

Here's a question to you: What do you think is fundamentally so wrong about nudity that we should be covered up in public?

**

I've seen similar incidences at Pagan/Wiccan Rituals...(where I get guff for wearing a loin cloth...'cause I ain't runnin' around a BONFIRE with my junk bouncing around!)...Good wholesome fun...noone was hurt...sometimes there is a swimmin' hole...I've not seen any lewd conduct at such events..(where as children are involved)...

I've also seen/been in the situation where 2 men in kilts wrestled...that gets LOTS of attention...

[Rev.Reverence]

I think we can all make the distinction between clothing for comfort and protection versus covering up the naughty horrid naked body.... Well. I can anyways.. :-)

I was trying to be REALLY clear.

It serves the point though...

Why does she (Nivickas) want to potentially hazardous activities naked. In public...seems a bad example to me.

Would she ride in a convertible, or on a float..

What would happen to her if she tripped on a bit of gravel?.....

[Msterbeau]

I think the most fundamental issue here is that Americans largely equate nudity with sex. It doesn't, and they shouldn't.

[sass_in_the_pants]

I'm not sure it would. See... You're starting in with the "OMG a naked adult with my children!!!" crap. My ex-wifes best friend's father used to do exactly the situation you descibe. Her best friend just shrugged it off and the ex did too. And nobody got harmed by his nudity. If nudity... a completely natural state BTW, wasn't thought of as some horror to cover up, we would very likely not be having this discussion nor would people flip out over it. But we are, they do, and it sucks.

Here's a question to you: What do you think is fundamentally so wrong about nudity that we should be covered up in public?

You don't see the situation I described as being one in which your daughter might be at some sort of risk? I appreciate that you know one person for whom this situation was perfectly acceptable. Really, I do. But, looking at society as a whole, heck, just looking at the men trolling for young girls on Craigslist, you wouldn't be the least bit worried if a nude man you didn't know was swimming with your daughter?

Absolutely nothing is wrong with the naked human body. It is, unquestionably, the most beautiful creation in the world.

Must something be wrong for it to be covered? When you wrap presents for your children, is it because you are ashamed of the gift?

Have you ever written a letter to your lover, and asked her not to show anyone? Was it because you thought there was something wrong with it?

Edited: cuz i kant spell

[sass_in_the_pants]

I think the most fundamental issue here is that Americans largely equate nudity with sex. It doesn't, and they shouldn't.

I couldn't agree with you more on this statement.

[TygerLili]

I like fashion too much to ever want to parade around naked. Actually I'm only half kidding.

I don't see anything wrong with the naked body in a private setting (i.e. someone's home, a private party, photographs, etc.) and if I did have young children I wouldn't go out of the way to keep them from being exposed to nudity. As I posted in another thread, my parents exposed me to nude art when I was probably only like 5 or 6 years old, and it certainly hasn't scarred me or anything.

I do think it's inappropriate for someone to be walking down the street nude, or almost nude. Parents should be able to choose what level of exposure they want to their children to have. Also, because so many Americans do equate nudity with sex, being nude in public is a dangerous way to attract sexual predators, who believe than any one dressed (or undressed) provocatively is "asking" to be assaulted. Not saying that I agree with that mentality at all, but why put yourself at risk?

[Rev.Reverence]

You don't see the situation I described as being one in which your daughter might be at some sort of risk? I appreciate that you know one person for whom this situation was perfectly acceptable. Really, I do. But, looking at society as a whole, heck, just looking at the men trolling for young girls on Craigslist, you wouldn't be the least bit worried if a nude man you didn't know was swimming with your daughter?

Absolutely nothing is wrong with the naked human body. It is, unquestionably, the most beautiful creation in the world.

Must something be wrong for it to be covered? When you wrap presents for your children, is it because you are ashamed of the gift?

Edited: cuz i kant spell

I have to chime in on this!

WHY..Why...why...would you let your kid go swimming at a friends house and not KNOW the other parents!

I wouldn't be comfortable at all!

[Oh_My_Goth]

Yes naked is natural.....

BUT, most people are not used to seeing topless women in hemp thongs riding around on bikes.....

I am all for a change in this prude society; but can't it be done a bit more tastefully?????

IMO this situation is a bit extreme, and could be disturbing to some children and some elders.....

I mean come on people.....let's be reasonable.....

[sass_in_the_pants]

I have to chime in on this!

WHY..Why...why...would you let your kid go swimming at a friends house and not KNOW the other parents!

I wouldn't be comfortable at all!

It could just as easily be the public pool, too.

I mean, you don't know a single person there.

[sass_in_the_pants]

And why a hemp g-string?

Seriously.

That shit's itchy.

[TygerLili]

And I'm sure I'm opening a can of worms here, but how many people would really be encouraging her to ride a bike in a g-string if she was 70 years old and weighed 300 lbs.?

[Msterbeau]

You don't see the situation I described as being one in which your daughter might be at some sort of risk? I appreciate that you know one person for whom this situation was perfectly acceptable. Really, I do. But, looking at society as a whole, heck, just looking at the men trolling for young girls on Craigslist, you wouldn't be the least bit worried if a nude man you didn't know was swimming with your daughter?

Absolutely nothing is wrong with the naked human body. It is, unquestionably, the most beautiful creation in the world.

Must something be wrong for it to be covered? When you wrap presents for your children, is it because you are ashamed of the gift?

Edited: cuz i kant spell

I would be concerned, which is why I generally don't let them go just anywhere without my checking things out a bit. If they go swimming at a friends, their mom or I have likely met the parents or will go along and meet them. If I get bad vibes about someone (Which I haven't yet) I would do whatever I deem necessary to make the situation safe. But once that's all out of the way... As long as the friend is swimming too and there's no reports of inappropriate touching on my daughter's part, I would probably raise an eyebrow and move on.

And no... it's not wrong to cover things necessarily, but I don't think it's right either that this woman should be made to cover herself up, even for a family. It goes back to the nudity = sex attitude that people are largely raised with.

Not sure your gift analogy is entirely relevant... You wrap for the surprise factor. I do like to "unwrap" a woman from her clothes.... But most purchases are not gift wrapped....