I have wanted to write to this forum and share my insights for some time now. I am currently a single man, who participates in the nudist lifestyle, and I find it incredibly difficult to make meaningful and genuine connections within our community.

Naturism is all about being comfortable with your own body and being around others who feel the same way, without any clothes. It's about feeling free and respecting each other and nature. Yet, on a weekly basis, I encounter negativity and prejudice based on my gender identity.  

When I have tried to join naturist groups on the internet, I often get treated with suspicion. On one occasion, I was rejected access to an online group (local to Australia) and was specifically told it was because I was a single male. To note – I support the notion of gender balance and promoting the nudist lifestyle amongst all communities, but discretion must occur when rejecting someone purely based on their gender identity.

The same thing has happened when I’ve tried to visit places where naturists meet (clubs or retreats). For many locations, there are rules that make it harder for men to get in, like needing to come with a female friend/partner. The idea is to keep everyone safe and comfortable, which is important, but it ends up making men feel like they're not wanted just because of their gender.

I work in HR and often view a situation like this through a “corporate” lens. In Australia, gender and gender identity are protected attributes by law, which means you cannot discriminate against another person based on these attributes. Legislation is very rigid (rightly so), and there are consequences for people/employers who actively engage in a questionable and discriminatory manner.

Given this explanation, I often ponder how life can be so vastly different in the sub-sections of our lives. My experience of “enforcing” the law and ensuring everyone feels safe, welcomed, and celebrated at work brings harmony and unity to a collective. However, while trying to be me in a lifestyle community, I am rejected based on something somewhat out of my control.

I understand the issues of some men taking liberties or making unwanted and uncomfortable advances. This behavior is unacceptable and should be tolerated. But by the same token, I have had unwanted and uncomfortable advances from females, which also challenges the nudist ideation.

Diversity of thought is important, and I cherish it in the world today, but this forum topic sits uncomfortably close to home, and I appreciate the discussion being had. In a world full of so much upheaval and negativity, nudism brings me joy and peace it is just disappointing when gender plays a part in my experiences.

We have a good few single naturists friends who are male, and have spoken out frequently on this issue, because this is discrimination. As you say, no business would be able to get away with this, and we feel it is one of few things within naturism which does a great deal of harm. Segregation is wrong regardless of who it addresses, and this is a way of segregating men. 

We hear all the time that we are part of a "None sexual" lifestyle, and yet, we label men sexual by default, it really is wrong and needs to change, which is why we write and speak out against it.