actnc

In these conservative times people often expect a negative reaction to nudism. How do you tell your family and friends thatyou skinny-dip? Do they know you're a nudist? What do they think? Any tips for other about broaching the subject?

A tough one! I've never had a negative reaction, so I'm still waiting. Usually we wait for the subject (or related - body image etc) to come up in conversation, and then throw in the "well, actually...." sort of thing. Either that or brazen it out with dutch courage around the Chrissie dinner table I have had my name in papers and on media a few times and only a few people actually noticed. Having said that I was trying to get up the courage to mention my passtime to my clients, so I could appear on TV/radio for the convention, so I'll open this up a bit: How do you tell clients/workmates???

Interesting question.

I don't tell people in my first sentence but I also don't shy away from it if asked. My family knows and I think Jason's family has a good idea. We don't flaunt it but we don't hide it.

The kids are taught not to go on about nudism but to say simple things like they went to the club and swam. Or to the club for a function. I just think this way it stops a lot of do gooders jumping up and down about the badness of exposing kids to naked bodies.

Almost all of our close family and friends know that we're nudists. Tracy certainly hasn't been backwards in telling her own family - and plans to bring her Mum to the club when she comes to visit (hmmm ... maybe that's why after all these years, they've never made the trip ...).

Only last weekend I finally got around to telling one of my close friends. It's not that I had been trying to avoid telling him, segway opportunities into the topic never seemed to come up, at least not at times when it was convenient to tell him. Nevertheless, while I was helping him move house, he asked the question, "what did you do yesterday?" This gave me the opportunity to tell him. So I told him. His response was, "Really? How should we move this bookcase?" So I think that counts as a positive reaction.

Most friends have given reactions of "yeah, cool". A few have expressed an interest in trying it.

Reactions from my family have been not as positive, but they've come to accept it. I'm glad I told them though ... because I was getting tired of constantly making up lame excuses about what we've been doing, or where we're going.

some of my work colleagues know I'm a nudist (my boss certainly does, and she's not bothered) - and many of my friends also know it.

But then - I also tell them about my other interests like wine, food, cycling, travel ...
Dianne

We've always made it a policy to be sure that as many people as possible know . . . even the kids used to tell their friends . . "Oh that's cool" was usually the answer. Now in their 20's neither are still nudists but have often said they may be again . .

No embarassment if it's known . . i often find people will seek me out at work to tell me of a news item doco they saw or a nice beach they found with nudists on it . . . so maybe they chuckle behind my back . . but do I care

Funny how things work. I was sitting in the Speakers Preparation room of a conference in Sydney last week, chatting to a co-worker about people in general and especially at conferences. He suggested, as a great leveller, that people should be made to strip at the door and be nude as they gave us their AV material. (I think it was a suggestion to keep egos under control).
"A nude convention....." I said "funny you sould say that" and went on to 'out' myself to another co-worker, ans tell him of our convention.
Same reaction: curious interest and acceptance. Bring on all my work associates knowing. It'll make for greater ease explaining where I go for holidays and what *was* I doing on TV the other day????
Who else has a positive story of workplace acceptance?

Pete

And here's another one for middle-think: A few years ago I had, for work reasons, to get a security clearance to 'Secret' level. On the application forms (many, many forms...) they had you list clubs and organisations you belonged to. I listed the ACTNC, (in full, not just the acronym) and nothing was said. I go the clearance and away we went.
The central focus I suppose is to determine if you could be blackmailed into giving away information you were privvy to. My thoughts are; if your family friends and work colleagues know, then there is no blackmail opportunity in nudism.
I know of many people at the ACTNC who are in positions that require clearances well above 'secret', so how did you handle it? Was anything said, Did you disclose?

Thoughts?

Yes, you really should disclose it, and to as many of your referees (and likely referees) as possible. I did, and I got my clearance. I was surprised to be unexpectedly grilled on one or two other things, but not at all on my membership of a nudist club.

I think there are some prospective members in this government town, where practically every second person has a clearance of some sort, who refuses to join or visit the club for fear of being required to declare that they're a nudist. The fear of limiting one's career progression / continuation is quite powerful, and does prevent some people joining.

I've spoken recently with one SES officer who is always honest in his clearance applications, but has cited wanting to avoid 'being forced to lie' as a reason for not joining the club. I told him that, so long as he was open and honest with those around who would ordinarily and reasonably know about his social and spare-time activities (which doesn't include colleagues necessarily, but does include family and friends) then there is nothing at all to fear. I did say that there were members who have clearances at the highest levels. Alas, I'm still waiting for that person to join!

It probably would be useful to seek a statement, on official letterhead, from the security vetting mob, that provides whatever information they can give as to the categories of threat and vulnerability they seek to detect in vetting people, and importantly, advice on things that specifically are not seen to be threats. My understanding is that insofar as nudism is concerned, the vetting people don't take a moral view on it. But they do seek to determine whether you can be embarrased or blackmailed if someone wished to threaten to 'out' you one way or another for whatever purpose. If everyone important to you already knows, then there is no risk.

As far as your employer/manager knowing, they don't get to see the security file which would include all your declarations and anything else they believe they know about you. My understanding is that the delegate within your agency who makes the decision on your clearance simply gets recommended / not recommended advice based on your file, which they either endorse or reject.

There are others in the club who probably know a lot more than I on the topic ... they may wish to correct / expand as appropriate.

Richard.

Richard and all,

I have spoke to many of our military and public servant members and most have included the club in thier list of memberships with no reaction from the vetters.

I know that some of these have had very high clearances and positive vetting which means that each referee and membership is actually checked so maybe they consider us to be a non threatening organisation.

I have been invloved in some checks and have been involved in interviews of others and my experience is they are looking for personal traits that could lead to issues like drinking or gambling problems being naked just does not seem to be a treat to our national security.

I hope this helps and I know in my next review I will be including the club membership.