The Solstice Cyclists in 2005.

Social nudity is somewhat accepted in Seattle and perhaps similarly treated as in other large communities of the West Coast region, such as San Francisco and Los Angeles. There are a few non-sexualized clothing-optional and topfree events, including cycling; as well as a number of beaches where nudity is common, most notably Denny-Blaine Park.

In 2005, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported that "Parks spokeswoman Dewey Potter said the parks department does not consider simply being naked illegal, and she doesn't remember any complaints during the 13 years she's worked for the city about nudity in the parks".[1] Seattle bans indecent exposure if it is "likely to cause reasonable affront or alarm", exempting breastfeeding or expressing breast milk.[2]

History and legality

Social gatherings at beaches in Seattle such as Denny-Blaine Park have been known to have nude beach-goers dating back to at least the 1960s.[3] After decades of mixed enforcement, the city's law criminalizing nudity was struck down in 1990 on First Amendment grounds; the city repealed the law four years later.[4] Washington State still has indecent exposure laws in effect; however, these are limited to conduct that the naked person knows is "likely to cause reasonable affront or alarm."[5]

Examples

  • Seattle Post-Intelligencer Breaks the story of Seattle Parks & Recreation public nudity rule proposal, its relationship to WNBR Seattle. Quotes by Dewey Potter (Parks), Mark Storey (NAC), Daniel Johnson (WNBR). (Editor's Note: This story has been altered. Earlier versions, based on incorrect information from the Seattle Parks and Recreation department, inaccurately described what happened to 23 nude bicyclists during a ride in July.)[6]
  • West Seattle Blog[7]
  • Nude & Natural (N) magazine covered Benham Gallery and Seattle Art Museum visit in issue 28.2, Winter 2008. "Naked Cyclists' Artful Idyll" by Marie Gunn. Pages 61–62. Discussion of Daniel's idea to collaborate with Marita Holdaway of Benham Gallery in Seattle.
  • Nude & Natural (N), Seattle's Solstice Spectacular/Body Positive Creativity Abounds... at the Fremont Summer Solstice Parade by John Cornicello & Daniel Johnson. Also Guerilla Nudity/Wave Makers: Introducing the Body Freedom Collaborative by Mark Storey. Issue 23.1, Autumn 2003.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Muraka, Kery (July 4, 2006). "Nudists share the naked truth". Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
  2. ↑ RCW 9A.88.010
  3. ↑ Toolis, Brittany (November 21, 2023). "Why? That's what residents are wondering as City of Seattle plans for playground next to nude beach". KIRO 7. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  4. ↑ Boiko-Weyrauch, Anna (September 18, 2018). "It's legal to be naked (anywhere) in Seattle". KUOW. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Indecent Exposure". Washington State Legislature. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  6. ↑ Murakami, Kery (November 13, 2008). "City weighs stripping nudists of bike ride". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Two wheels, no clothes: Bicycling protesters in West Seattle". West Seattle Blog... Retrieved December 26, 2022.
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