We Support Trans Inclusivity In All Aspects of Life
Some gay nudist groups have proven themselves transphobic and should be condemned
On the Naked Vermont Website, we recently wrote a blog in support of trans-inclusive policies in nudist groups. It is a really important topic, particularly in the unusually toxic times in which we live, during which our trans brothers and sisters are experiencing profoundly ignorant and hateful discrimination and worse. And, to be clear: It is never OK, in our view, to hate on others just because they are not just like yourself. At times like these, however, when trans people are being targeted in particularly harmful and hateful ways, we feel we need to actively support them, not just sit quiet on the sidelines.
Tragically, transphobia is far too common within the LGBTQ+ community. We have seen it for a while, and even keep a list of queer, yet anti-trans, accounts that we have felt necessary to block on our BlueSky social media feeds because they spew anti-trans hate, for which we have no tolerance. So, when we recently began reading about gay nudist groups banning trans people, we felt it time to speak up.
In addition to the things we have said over here, we felt we needed to add some more context on this blog, in part, because I have taught naked yoga classes in the past for a gay men’s social club that currently bans trans men from participating. When I hosted classes for them, I never really complied with the policy. When I marketed the classes I offered through their club I always said clearly that I welcomed anyone who identified themselves as male. And I did because I thought the policy was wrong-headed, ignorant and hateful. I also feared the damage that would be done to the soul of any trans people turned away simply for being who they are (not to mention the damage to my own soul from excluding them).
It has been quite a while since I offered classes at that club. And, I have to say that in this day and age I would not offer them again with such a group unless the policy changed. After all, the first limb in the eight limbs of yoga is “Yama” which means living an ethical life, that requires not needlessly harming others.
We officially support nudist groups that are inclusive of trans people. We strongly oppose excluding them from LGBTQ+ activities and events. The fact of the matter is that I would be unable to publish this blog were it not for the courage and work of trans people, who have always been at the forefront of the queer civil rights movement.
Queer people today who are willing to erase the “T” from “LGBTQ+” have lost track of their own history and are operating off of ignorance, fear and even stupidity. None of those things are reasonable excuses for hurting others.
If you are a member of a group that excludes trans people, we encourage you to re-think your participation, or that you work to change these out-dated and hurtful policies. We should be focusing our time on having fun, socializing and embracing our similarities, not being hateful jerks.
We hope you will join us in kicking all of the phobes to the curb. Time to be done with all of that.
And, with that, we end this public service announcement. Back to having more fun!
Yes, because policing genitalia is clearly the top issue in the US nudist community.
Some people ha-e way the fuck too much time on their hands.
Great post! I fully support your view. I think many queer people forget that just because trans people have been targeted first it doesn't mean their identity is safe from being the next target. Trans are just the first target and there have been many times when other queer people have been and possibly will be the targets. We need to unite in a time when any queer group is designated as a target, especially for political purposes. Please remember you could be next. Love one another and support each other. :)