San Francisco to ban nudity, after public displays in Castro District
City lawmakers to ban public nakedness to curb trend for nudists gathering en masse in gay area
San Francisco's urban nudists have vowed to continue to walk the streets naked, despite a new law ordering them to cover up.
City lawmakers on Tuesday narrowly approved a ban on public nakedness by anyone aged over five, putting aside concerns the measure would undermine the city's reputation as a sanctuary for free expression.
The Board of Supervisors voted 6-5 in favour of a public safety ordinance that prohibits exposed genitals in most public places. The law still must pass a final vote and secure Mayor Edwin Lee's signature to take effect next year.
Supervisor Scott Wiener introduced the ban in response to escalating complaints about a group of men whose bare bodies are on display almost daily in the city's predominantly gay Castro District. "The Castro, and San Francisco in general, is a place of freedom, expression and acceptance. But freedom, expression and acceptance does not mean anything goes under any circumstances," Wiener said Tuesday. "Our public spaces are for everyone, and as a result it's appropriate to have some minimal standards of behaviour."
Lloyd Fishbach, standing naked at the corner of Castro and Market, said it should be his choice to dress as he wants.
"I live in the Castro and I've been doing this since first grade," he said. "This is just a bunch of uptight Americans. But I'll keep doing it and if I see the cops coming I will run and hide."
Castro resident George Davis said there would be a backlash against the law and warned Wiener would face strong opposition in next year's election.