Vermont town bans public nudity after brash displays

[almaty 19]

BRATTLEBORO, Vermont (Reuters) - A Vermont town that is gaining national attention for brash displays of nudity -- from teens in the buff to naked elderly people -- awoke on Wednesday to an emergency ban on nakedness in most public places.

Officials in Brattleboro voted 3 to 2 on Tuesday night for a temporary 30-day ordinance prohibiting people from going about in the nude.

Public nudity made headlines last summer when the weather grew hot and a couple of dozen teens took to holding hula hoop contests, riding bikes and parading past stores wearing only their birthday suits. The disrobing has resumed this summer.

But many locals say it has gone too far. Some cite a case in which a senior citizen from Arizona strolled through the center of town wearing only a waist pack and sandals.

"We've received quite a number of complaints on this," Assistant Town Manager Barbara Sondag said. "This was brought up last summer ... and kind of died down. Then a couple of incidents again this summer have got the issue to resurface."

Vermont has a live-and-let-live tradition, allowing skinny-dipping and nude sunbathing. Brattleboro, the first permanent English settlement in the state in 1724, is home to a community of writers, artists and musicians as well as transplanted entrepreneurs from Boston and New York.

Although skinny-dipping and nude sunbathing will stay legal in the state, doing the "full monty" in the middle of this town has now become taboo. A violation can cost $100.

The topic is hotly debated at Harold & Son's Barbershop, where Heather Birmingham, 30, cuts and colors hair.

"(Nudity) does rub some people the wrong way," she said.

"Some people say 'to each his own'. But some of the older people say 'be respectful'."

She disagrees with the ban. "This whole town is about peace and about being your own person. So if it is, then why isn't nudity accepted?"

Caleb Morris, 15, said he wasn't surprised by the town's tough response because outsiders could find the nudity offensive, but he added that Vermont has always been unique.

"It's a lot more free-spirited than some other states. We don't have a lot of laws banning things here."

The ban covers nudity in the main part of town and near schools and churches and is part of a broader anti-nudity proposal that is likely to be decided next month. Breast feeding in public will still be allowed.

[Emancipation 2]

BRATTLEBORO, Vermont (Reuters) - A Vermont town that is gaining national attention for brash displays of nudity -- from teens in the buff to naked elderly people -- awoke on Wednesday to an emergency ban on nakedness in most public places.

This bit made me laugh outloud... "emergency ban".. I can't wait to see it on CNN!

[Mags 112]

Ack, party poopers.

[mawilson 2,133]

Although skinny-dipping and nude sunbathing will stay legal in the state, doing the "full monty" in the middle of this town has now become taboo. A violation can cost $100.

Yes, a $100 fine is really going to stop them

[almaty 19]

you are right sister mags..i bought a new digital camera for my trip..and a new hula hoop

[Ban Hammer 14,469]

"(Nudity) does rub some people the wrong way," she said.

[Lou Lou 1]

With the kind of sights I've seen around the swimming areas near me, I'm kinda relieved there's a ban. Who wants that dangling around when you're driving down the road? Keep it up, VT.

[maggieNomar 0]

"(Nudity) does rub some people the wrong way," she said.

Maybe they need some instruction Charles.

[GaryC 7]

With the kind of sights I've seen around the swimming areas near me, I'm kinda relieved there's a ban. Who wants that dangling around when you're driving down the road? Keep it up, VT.

Looks like you will need to keep ignoring the nude swimming.

Although skinny-dipping and nude sunbathing will stay legal in the state, doing the "full monty" in the middle of this town has now become taboo. A violation can cost $100.

[maggieNomar 0]

you are right sister mags..i bought a new digital camera for my trip..and a new hula hoop

[Mags 112]

you are right sister mags..i bought a new digital camera for my trip..and a new hula hoop

:lol:

[Lou Lou 1]

With the kind of sights I've seen around the swimming areas near me, I'm kinda relieved there's a ban. Who wants that dangling around when you're driving down the road? Keep it up, VT.

Looks like you will need to keep ignoring the nude swimming.

Although skinny-dipping and nude sunbathing will stay legal in the state, doing the "full monty" in the middle of this town has now become taboo. A violation can cost $100.

I'd love to ignore it, but it's pretty difficult to when they're crossing the road in front of you. I'm no prude, and have partaken in a few times myself in erm, more private areas , but do they really need to poodle around like that allthe time?

[almaty 19]

With the kind of sights I've seen around the swimming areas near me, I'm kinda relieved there's a ban. Who wants that dangling around when you're driving down the road? Keep it up, VT.

Looks like you will need to keep ignoring the nude swimming.

Although skinny-dipping and nude sunbathing will stay legal in the state, doing the "full monty" in the middle of this town has now become taboo. A violation can cost $100.

I'd love to ignore it, but it's pretty difficult to when they're crossing the road in front of you. I'm no prude, and have partaken in a few times myself in erm, more private areas , but do they really need to poodle around like that allthe time?

yes they do

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

With the kind of sights I've seen around the swimming areas near me, I'm kinda relieved there's a ban. Who wants that dangling around when you're driving down the road? Keep it up, VT.

Looks like you will need to keep ignoring the nude swimming.

Although skinny-dipping and nude sunbathing will stay legal in the state, doing the "full monty" in the middle of this town has now become taboo. A violation can cost $100.

I'd love to ignore it, but it's pretty difficult to when they're crossing the road in front of you. I'm no prude, and have partaken in a few times myself in erm, more private areas , but do they really need to poodle around like that allthe time?

Why do you hate America so much?

[almaty 19]

With the kind of sights I've seen around the swimming areas near me, I'm kinda relieved there's a ban. Who wants that dangling around when you're driving down the road? Keep it up, VT.

Looks like you will need to keep ignoring the nude swimming.

Although skinny-dipping and nude sunbathing will stay legal in the state, doing the "full monty" in the middle of this town has now become taboo. A violation can cost $100.

I'd love to ignore it, but it's pretty difficult to when they're crossing the road in front of you. I'm no prude, and have partaken in a few times myself in erm, more private areas , but do they really need to poodle around like that allthe time?

Why do you hate America so much?

and the human body...needs to be enjoyed..and photographed