Will cock rings lead to ban on public nudity in San Francisco?

[Walker1]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/14/scott-wiener-san-francisco-public-nudity-ban-cock-ring-_n_1885278.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices

[bigvalboy]

LOL...I have been to SF many times and I have great faith in the good people of that incredible city, that all of this will be worked out. Having my friend point out the "Naked Boys" to me one morning was truly one of the highlights of my trip.

[Xander]

These damn social conservatives are ruining America I tell ya'

 

(/sarcasm)

[+ Lucky]

Some of the naked studs walking SF:

 

 

• http://media.sfweekly.com/8202229.128.jpg
  

[bigvalboy]

Some of the naked studs walking SF:

 

 

• http://media.sfweekly.com/8202229.128.jpg
  

 

LOL....well Lucky, they aren't all pretty, but they are fun....BTW, love the new avatar!

[nate_sf]

Some of the naked studs walking SF:

 

 

• http://media.sfweekly.com/8202229.128.jpg
  

 

The subtext with this story is Jane Warner Plaza at the intersection of Castro/Market/17th St, which the nudists have adopted as "The Buff Stop." (That's where the photo posted by Lucky was taken) The idea has been to have an organized occupation of the plaza by nudists. The plaza is at a busy intersection in the heart of the Castro, and reaction to the nudist occupation is mixed. Some people love it, or are at least tolerant, while others including some merchants are less thrilled. If it were not for the nudist occupation of the plaza, I don't think this would be an issue since there is general tolerance of public nudity elsewhere in town, and to be honest you don't see a whole lot of it other than Jane Warner Plaza and Baker Beach.

 

I have mixed feelings about nudity in the plaza. Because there is a "critical mass" of naked guys in the plaza and they are there for extended periods of time, it shifts the social dynamics of the plaza. While there are regularly clothed people there too sipping their coffees, reading papers, texting, Griding, etc the presence of the naked people impacts things. It's an interesting sociological experiment to see how people react... do they ignore the naked people like they're not there, do they engage with them, or do they embrace them (including having their pictures taken with them)? For many the reaction is to recoil, only because it is unfamiliar. I catch myself recoiling, even though I consider myself very open sexually and have done my own share of exhibitionism in other contexts. Then I ask myself why is this my reaction?

 

It's also interesting because the naked people (predominantly if not entirely men) come in all shapes and sizes. Most are middle aged and in decent shape, though not gym bunnies. A common reaction from some people is that they would feel differently if the men were hotter and buffer, but on the other hand it is a counter to the porn-perfect images we’re used to seeing… this is what average guys look like naked – except many with a lot of sun exposure.

 

Were it not for the occupation of Jane Warner Plaza this probably would not be an issue. There are naked people walking around the Castro and other neighborhoods from time to time, but not in sufficient quantity to cause much of a stir. The other morning I was walking my dogs and a naked guy walked out of his garage and up to his front door… an odd things to see, but no big deal.

 

I jokingly say that “this is the price we pay for being a tolerant city.” But it’s interesting that as the Supervisor Wiener has floated the idea of banning cock rings in public, almost all of the other city leaders have said public nudity is not a concern of theirs and would not support legislation. That’s saying a lot for the city I think!

[+ Lucky]

With the Folsom Street fair tomorrow, nudity in public becomes an issue again. I started to attend the fair years ago, and clearly the guys who got naked got no looks at all, and I mean looks of desire. They were the very guys whom you might advise to stay clothed. Over the years, nudity has become "safer" as more are doing it. And that includes some guys with hot bodies. My attitude is that if we want the guys with hot bodies, we have to take the ones with sagging skin. After all, most of us are thrilled to see a naked young stud, but he'll grow old some day too. Would he then have to get clothed just to please those who don't like his elder look?

[bigvalboy]

Jane Warner Plaza[/url] at the intersection of Castro/Market/17th St, which the nudists have adopted as "The Buff Stop." (That's where the photo posted by Lucky was taken) The idea has been to have an organized occupation of the plaza by nudists. The plaza is at a busy intersection in the heart of the Castro, and reaction to the nudist occupation is mixed. Some people love it, or are at least tolerant, while others including some merchants are less thrilled. If it were not for the nudist occupation of the plaza, I don't think this would be an issue since there is general tolerance of public nudity elsewhere in town, and to be honest you don't see a whole lot of it other than Jane Warner Plaza and Baker Beach.

 

I have mixed feelings about nudity in the plaza. Because there is a "critical mass" of naked guys in the plaza and they are there for extended periods of time, it shifts the social dynamics of the plaza. While there are regularly clothed people there too sipping their coffees, reading papers, texting, Griding, etc the presence of the naked people impacts things. It's an interesting sociological experiment to see how people react... do they ignore the naked people like they're not there, do they engage with them, or do they embrace them (including having their pictures taken with them)? For many the reaction is to recoil, only because it is unfamiliar. I catch myself recoiling, even though I consider myself very open sexually and have done my own share of exhibitionism in other contexts. Then I ask myself why is this my reaction?

 

It's also interesting because the naked people (predominantly if not entirely men) come in all shapes and sizes. Most are middle aged and in decent shape, though not gym bunnies. A common reaction from some people is that they would feel differently if the men were hotter and buffer, but on the other hand it is a counter to the porn-perfect images we’re used to seeing… this is what average guys look like naked – except many with a lot of sun exposure.

 

Were it not for the occupation of Jane Warner Plaza this probably would not be an issue. There are naked people walking around the Castro and other neighborhoods from time to time, but not in sufficient quantity to cause much of a stir. The other morning I was walking my dogs and a naked guy walked out of his garage and up to his front door… an odd things to see, but no big deal.

 

I jokingly say that “this is the price we pay for being a tolerant city.” But it’s interesting that as the Supervisor Wiener has floated the idea of banning cock rings in public, almost all of the other city leaders have said public nudity is not a concern of theirs and would not support legislation. That’s saying a lot for the city I think!

 

Excellent concise analysis. When I first saw this on a recent visit, to probably the most fantastic city on the planet, my enthusiasm was because of the fact that there was a city so tolerant that they actually permitted this. My reaction was not to those that some, not I, would say needed to be clothed, but it was to the whole idea of public nudity that intrigued me. I didn't see or hear anyone on the several occasions that I was present recoil or express any dissatisfaction with what was occurring. As one of those aging, gracefully I might add, I think that we need to embrace everyone. Many lay blame on the gay community for being more ageist than the rest of the population. I am not so sure that is true. I always believed that, we as a community, were more tolerant than everyone else. After joining this forum, I am not so sure, but I think each of us must look at life and others in the best way we know how, and for me that means accepting everyone for who they are. Many in our community talk of tolerance, but you rarely see it in there words or actions. I applaud all of those guys out there on that street corner in the Castro for doing something that I would not have the nerve to do.

 

Now that being said, Nate and lucky, this is a serous question. What to do about the 'naked boys' that stop for a soda or coffee and sit on the same chairs that anyone of us would sit on potentially later. I ask this in all seriousness, as I know that several restaurant owners consider this a health issue. Is it a concern of yours or is it simply not an issue for you?

[bigvalboy]

My attitude is that if we want the guys with hot bodies, we have to take the ones with sagging skin.

 

I completely agree here...Now Lucky the question that comes to mind is, do you partake in public nudity while at the Folsom Street Fair? Enquiring minds want to know...;)

[Diverdan]

I really don't care about public nudity, EXCEPT when occupying space (ie chairs, tables, etc.) that other people are going to sit on. There is a health concern that must be addressed in these situations. There is a reason that most of us wear underwear or at least clothing when dealing with public accomodations. Just as people should not spit on the floor, tables, counters, etc., sitting naked on chairs, on sofas, etc. can also be a health hazard. Most cover their nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing for a reason. I hope that gets addressed at some point, and it would be best if addressed by those who want to be naked in public, especially in places like the square.

[Lookin]

Maybe they could install some nice plastic chairs and a couple of hoses. http://www.maleescortreview.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif

 

 

http://www.net.hr/2008/06/19/0174007.17.jpghttp://www.net.hr/2008/06/19/0174007.17.jpghttp://www.net.hr/2008/06/19/0174007.17.jpg

[Walker1]

I am not sure, I think we seem to have a disconnect about cleanliness in this country. We use public restrooms, that God knows how many others have used. We kiss hot men or women, not knowing where that mouth has been-was it eating, throwing up, rimming somebody or swallowing cum, before us kissing them. We indulge in any number of activities, but naked men sitting in a chair, seems to be a public health incident. Of course that is just me.

[gp0560]

I really don't care about public nudity, EXCEPT when occupying space (ie chairs, tables, etc.) that other people are going to sit on. There is a health concern that must be addressed in these situations. There is a reason that most of us wear underwear or at least clothing when dealing with public accomodations. Just as people should not spit on the floor, tables, counters, etc., sitting naked on chairs, on sofas, etc. can also be a health hazard. Most cover their nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing for a reason. I hope that gets addressed at some point, and it would be best if addressed by those who want to be naked in public, especially in places like the square.

 

A while back, OK, years back, I read that nudists carried a small cloth with them that they put down before sitting on a public chair. Anyone here have any updates on that?

[+ Travis69]

Perhaps this is why Mr. Monk always had Natalie carry hand wipes for him. He did live in San Francisco.

[+ sf westcoaster]

No, public nudity will not be outlawed in San Francisco.

[+ Lucky]

You seem sure of that, SFWestcoaster. Is there no political movement against it? Surely someone opposes it! Maybe if the guys did sit on those pink chairs it might raise some protest...

 

The "Lookin" for Trouble Chair:

 

 

 

 

http://www.net.hr/2008/06/19/0174007.17.jpg