1. Nude Liberty and Nudism: Opening Site from Leaders of FKK
Upstate NY
Guest Site by: Steve & Susanne, leaders of FKK Upstate NY
Greetings FKK! I'm excited to take this opportunity to introduce Susanne and I as leaders of
the recently founded FKK Upstate New York Chapter. It is hard to express the sense of
enjoyment, privilege, and responsibility we feel about becoming a part of the FKK community
and its awe-inspiring eyesight. So, for now I 'll share the story of how we came to be involved
in naturism and FKK.
Bare Independence and Including Nudism:
Naked independence - Let us begin with a little parable about elephant stakes. When the
elephant is a baby the stake is powerful enough to bind him. The routine is never broken.
Obviously, over time the elephant grows to full stature and power. Amazingly, the full grown
elephant remains jump with exactly the same position used since it was a baby. All the full
grown elephant would need to do is walk from the wooden stake and snap it away. Why does
not the elephant do it? Because, it is not the body which is bound, it is the thoughts.
Until lately our thoughts were bound with respect to completely accepting ourselves and
others. The notion of naturism as an expression of recognition never occurred to us. Running
around naked? Heaven forbid! Our families, society and the Church have instructed us ill
pertaining to body worth, modesty, and shame. Regrettably, most of churchianity is
misguided with respect to God's most beautiful creation the human body. Somehow, from
Eden, they were naked and unashamed, and naked baptisms of the early church, nearly all
modern Christendom could not have grown more wimpy and stodgy when it comes to
experiencing the naked human body.
Naked freedom
So when did things start to change for us? We met and married in Germany and lived there
for a number of years in the 80's and 90's. I was always somewhat shocked about nudity in
European life I never experienced it growing up in the States. This made for occasional
energetic conversations between Susanne and I, or with friends. Seeing nudity so openly
made me interested and I 'd always be the one to raise the topic. Susanne was quite
ambivalent about nudity she had occasionally practiced it on the playa, or as combined
gender showering with her volleyball club. Yet, our light interest in nudity gave way to
churchy taboos as we became more involved in church. Susanne thought about her few bare
encounters as a thing of yesteryear, and eventually I quit talking about it too.>
Years later, after moving to the States, we faced our elephant stakes again. This time it was
more serious than discussions about European nudity. There were growing anxieties in our
marriage and business. I was becoming a miserable and angry man. At exactly the same
time we started realizing Susanne had some pretty serious body image issues originating
from puberty. Although naturist colonies and communities run under varied social
parameters, the one belief that each and every naturist shares is a conviction that the
practice of going with clothing is absolutely acceptable. Some may view naturism as an
important component of their core doctrine about life. Others just enjoy the independence of
being able to congregate, socialise and enjoy activities together without concerns about
clothes. At Naturist Community, we welcome all naturists seeking to enhance their social life

2. with like-minded people. was the ideal storm when it comes to washing out romance. I was
forced to reconsider my company priorities. I had forgotten life is not ultimately about
company, or things, or cash, or success. It's really about people, about loving them. Without
this love, my life was becoming unbearable, and I was becoming unbearable even to my
family. Susanne on the other hand, had to confront the negative body images from her
adolescence that were severely hindering our physical relationship, and causing me a
enormous amount of frustration as well as the company tension I was under.
In the midst of the emotional cauldron we were in, I started to have this unexpected internal
want to get naked to merely let go, be free, to be accepting and accepted. Susanne didn't
share this, and I couldn't clarify it. I was convinced it came in the dark side and I resisted it for
quite a long time. I did not comprehend it was really about elephant positions. Paradoxically,
I'd seek out secluded streams and ponds, expecting to take a naked plunge - but I CAn't
overcome my elephant positions. I could not get naked, especially if other people were
around! My conscience would not let me, irrespective of how much the discouragement and
rage built up within me.
Ultimately, after several of the worst company weeks within my life the simplest things just
seemed to be falling apart - I could endure it no longer. One day, I headed for a pond, and on
the way I thought to myself, I trust there will be someone skinny dipping then I'll have the
courage to join them. Like an unexpected boon, when I arrived there was actually a middle
age couple swimming naked and free! I had never seen anyone skinny dipping there before.
That has been the encouragement I needed. The inner tumult boiled over, I peeled off my
clothes shedding years of anxiety, frustration, rage, and depression. I plunged in the water,
and truly I was being baptized over. My heart and spirit compelled me to take that plunge,
even though my mind was still convinced that it was against my beliefs. In hindsight, I believe
the Lord shoved me to that day, that pond, those fellow skinny dippers. I usually do not want
to think of where I 'd be now had that not happened.
After taking the plunge I told Susanne every detail about my experience, and I asked her to
share it with me I knew the experience would not be whole with no love of my life loving it
with me. Really I cannot envision continuing in it without her. I might have nothing coming
between us, even this liberation. After lots of really patient discussion, and seeing important
changes in me, she finally agreed to give it a try. We went to secluded places, first alone,
then with other naturists present. Her fears gave way to the sheer delight of the encounters,
and today the rest is history, as they say.
Because we now realize that it's biblically sound and spiritually up-building, the experience is
even more delightful. Since taking the plunge Susanne and I 've worked through many body
dilemmas and our relationship has grown. Furthermore, the negative attitudes acquired
through formerly misguided company priorities, have melted away and I am able to love life
again free of fury, frustration, and depression.
After all of these amazing experiences, we are just excited to give back by becoming a part
of FKK so that you can help young people eliminate their elephant positions and learn to
accept themselves, and others. Why wait as long as we did? Jesus said, the best command
is love God with all your heart, and the second is like it, love your neighbor as yourself. Is not
that what God meant back in Eden in the first place?
Hey everyone, it really is about the love, and Felicity and Jordan, thanks for your vision and

3. commitment!
I first told my parents, back when I was a youthful 23, that I wanted to spend the majority of
my time naked. In all honesty they wasn't very surprised, and quite happily accepted that I
spent most of my time in my room or when I understood we wouldn't have visitors nude
around the house. Now I assume this stems back to the "Summer of '76," the year of the
Indian Summer when my parents used to sit me out the front of our family house, naked, in
my buggy. Back then it was not frowned upon to see kids upto the age of 10 jogging about
with very little on. It wasnt until I began swimming lessons at school, and privately, that I
knew what a swimming costume was, to be honest I dont think most kids of my generation
did. of the Mind and Body along with other Naturists and Naturists Sites About Body Image
by Young Naturists and Nudist Portal FKK
Tags: body image, christianity, germany, relationships, skinny dipping
Group: Body Image Blogs, Naked Outside and Naked In Nature, Social Activism, Social
Nudity Websites
About the Author (Author Profile)

5. We are Steve and Susanne, leaders of the FKK Upstate New York Chapter. It is tough to
understand exactly when or where my first bare experience was like except being quite
youthful playing in the water. love the freedom, rest, and healing power of naturism, and are
interested in sharing our experiences with others. Please visit our Facebook page
facebook.com/FKKupstateny to get acquainted or join in any of our actions.