SF Supervisor Scott Weiner legislates against nude sitting

An ordinance legislated by Supervisor Scott Wiener earlier this month at the September 6 Board of Supervisors meeting, introduced a measure that may open challenges to the nudist community of San Francisco.

Doused in suntan oil with pecs nearly reflective, Eric Anderson, 44, laments his unemployment and tans while eating a sandwich with a shirtless friend at Jane Warren Plaza in San Francisco. On the corner of 17th Street and Castro Street, many nudists gather to converse and relax.

“We aren’t causing harm. We aren’t flaunting our nakedness. We’re just sitting and talking, or eating lunch,” said Anderson, noting the familiar and understated presence of nudists in San Francisco’s Castro District.

The measure would require urban nudists to cover their “genitals, buttocks anal region” in order to provide a barrier between themselves and chairs in public settings. Walking in and around Jane Warren Plaza, one would think doing otherwise is disrespectful.

“If you’re going to be naked in public, and you’re going to sit down on public seating, you should cover the seating up. We shouldn’t have to legislate about that, but we do,” said Wiener, who considers his ordinance a public health measure.

Perhaps less colorful than usual, Anderson concealed his mohawk with a black hat. He sat on a long dark blue scarf and expressed disdain over the sensationalism of the proposed measure.

“It’s getting anti-nudists all riled up,” Anderson added. “There are so many stories going beyond the issue.”

Angelica March, 54, recounts past incidents that have occurred at the plaza when pedestrians consider the famed “Naked Guys” to be lewd.

“Just the other day a woman called the police on that guy other there. He was just sitting there minding his own business,” she said.

Civilian arrests can only be made if one is aroused or causing a disturbance. The Police Department has held true to what District Attorney spokeswoman Debbie Mesloh said in 2004,“Being nude in San Francisco is not a crime.”

Only restaurant staff or entertainers on duty in a place that sells food or beverages can’t be nude and the proposed measure won’t ban or zone public nudity.

“That is a different debate for a different day,” Wiener said at the meeting.

With upcoming Folsom Street Fair, San Franciscans continually challenging nudist etiquette the heart of this measure focuses on events such as the fair.

“I believe in freedom of expression,” said March. “We’re all born in our birthday suits.”