ACTION ALERT: Wisconsin SB 477 and SB 478

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ACTION ALERT: Wisconsin SB 477 and SB 478

On Comments Off on ACTION ALERT: Wisconsin SB 477 and SB 478 in NAC Alert by Jim Dickey

NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE

ACTION ALERT

Wisconsin SB 477 and SB 478

Copyright 2023 by the Naturist Action Committee, which is responsible for its content.

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This is an Action Alert from the Naturist Action Committee (NAC) in collaboration with Planet Nude regarding anti-nudity Wisconsin Senate Bill 477 and Wisconsin Senate Bill 478.

The bills, if passed, would be immensely harmful to naturists,

and would set a very dangerous precedent for other states.

BACKGROUND:

The 13th annual World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR) in Madison was, by all measures, a success. Among the nearly 200 who participated this year was a 10 year old girl and her mother. The mother saw it as an opportunity to teach her daughter valuable lessons — not just about body positivity but also self-empowerment, giving her the option to dress however she chose. The young girl chose to participate nude just like everyone else, a choice respected and supported by her mother and, indeed, aligned with the event’s clothing-optional policy.

Yet the girl’s presence, entirely unremarkable in the international scope of World Naked Bike Rides, has nonetheless ignited a moralistic media controversy that has escalated to the national level. In the latest development of the continuing saga, proposed measures now aim to redefine public decency laws in Wisconsin, sparking a national debate that could jeopardize far more than just WNBR.

For more detailed background information, see the Planet Nude article “Double Standards in Dairyland” at: https://www.planetnude.co/p/double-standards-in-dairyland

This one incident is what was used to justify the introduction of these two bills of concern.

If not defeated, the ramifications will be far reaching to both naturists and non-naturists.

SB 477

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB-3844/4539)

This bill prohibits a person from causing a person who is under the age of 18 to attend an event at which a group of adult participants intentionally expose their genitals, buttocks, or other intimate parts in a public area. The bill also prohibits taking a picture or other representation of a child at such an event if the representation depicts the child’s intentionally exposed genitals, buttocks, or other intimate parts. The bill provides an exception to the second prohibition for a person who takes the picture or other representation with the intention to report to law enforcement a violation that is created under the bill as long as the person reports the violation within 24 hours of taking the picture or representation.

SB 478

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB-3843/4533)

Current law prohibits a person from publicly and indecently exposing genitals or pubic area. A person who violates the prohibition is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. This bill eliminates the element that the exposure be indecent and instead requires that the exposure be intentional.

WHAT IS NAC DOING?

  • NAC has been very actively monitoring and gathering information on the Wisconsin situation since it originated. NAC has a board member in Madison who is in communication with both WNBR organizers (Madison and Milwaukee), with the family at the center of the incident, with many legislators, and multiple other agencies, organizations and individuals. As often is the case in working toward successful results, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes.
  • NAC is closely monitoring anti-nudity Wisconsin Administrative Code changes created and submitted by the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) which can move forward after the bills are passed.
  • NAC is working one-on-one with many concerned individuals, assisting them with the best approaches for taking steps and communicating with pertinent representatives and officials.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

  1. Contact NAC immediately by phone (920-415-2900) or email (info@naturistaction.org) to learn of the many ways you can be a part of making a difference. These may include actions naturists and non-naturists can take both behind the scenes and more public, determining most appropriate contacts to make and how best to connect with them, and best talking points to use based on your particular situation as well as the recipient’s needs to know.
  1. NAC is selectively targeting committee members and other specific legislators at present, but will be requesting help with a wider reach-out soon. Whether you’ve already contacted / written to bill authors or sponsors or legislators or plan to do so in the future, please keep NAC informed and send copies of your correspondence to nac@naturistaction.org 
  1. Plan to attend or register testimony at upcoming public hearings once they are scheduled.  NAC can help you understand the hearing process and help you plan your message points in advance. 
  1. Inform naturist groups and friends — many of which may not be up-to-date on current events — of what’s happening and the importance of their involvement. 
  1. Stay tuned for the next advisory which will be released soon. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Stay informed:

  • If not already, sign up for our mailing list to receive NAC Advisories, Action Alerts and Updates directly. 

Visit naturistaction.org  (click on Alerts and Advisories)  This also signs you up for NAC’s newsletter.

  • If not already, visit Planet Nude to see select published NAC-related alerts & articles along with many other excellent essays, articles and discussions.  Visit www.planetnude.co   (click on Subscribe) 

Thank you for becoming involved.  Together we can make a difference.

Naturally,

Jim Dickey

Secretary / Naturist Action Committee (NAC)

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PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903 – (920) 415-2900 – naturistaction.org