In naturist speak,
textile or textilist is a non-naturist person, non-naturist behavior or non-naturist facilities, e.g. the textile beach starts at the flag, or
they are a mixed couple – he’s naturist, she’s textile. What are you?
A generalized RL definition of naturism, or nudism, is a cultural
and political movement practicing, advocating and defending social nudity,
most but not all of which takes place on private property. The term may also
refer to a lifestyle based on personal, family and/or social nudism.
a way of life in harmony with nature characterized by the practice of
communal nudity with the intention of encouraging self-respect and respect for
others and for the environment.
As in real life, naturism or nudism is a ‘thing’ in Second
Life.
It would appear
that there are some fundamental differences between nudism and naturism. Nudism is the act of being naked,
while naturism is a lifestyle which at various times embraced
nature, environment, respect for others, self-respect, crafts, healthy eating,
vegetarianism, teetotalism, non-smoking, yoga, physical exercise and pacifism
as well as nudity. Therefore it goes
without saying that it’s nudism that is practiced in SL.
For Second Life
residents interested in social nudity there are a number of clothes free beaches
to choose from and in my opinion one of the most beautiful nudist beaches currently
available in Second Life can be found on Kaiya Islands – Turtle Coast.
The Turtle Coast is
a friendly and welcoming nudist community.
Perfect weather, white sandy beaches, palm trees, the splashing
of waterfalls in the distance... Or sandstone and palm trees, Balinese huts,
romantic hideaways, a grotto and a waterfall complete the perfect jungle
setting. Fancy a dip? The water in the Lagoon is balmy (unless it’s frozen over
as an ice rink in winter) it’s ideal for swimming or just letting your cares
float away.
Kaiya Manbi is the creator and owner of Kaiya Islands which
incorporates the nudist Turtle Beach. I
asked her why she chose to include a nudist beach in her region. She said “In
SL everyone is gorgeous, and deep down inside, all everyone wants to do here is
take their clothes off and show their bods, so I figured that’s what I should
make, a nude beach, and it happened.
I felt that as soon as one
person wears clothing, even if it’s just a bikini, or flip flops, it makes
others feel a little self-conscious, and they end up putting something on and
in no time, half the beach would be clothed.
I felt in order to get everyone to really relax in their nudity, not
allow clothing at all.
Everyone comes to the beach
for different reasons, some come just to hang out and chat, some come to meet
people, some to fall in love, and some, just to get their rocks off. I think
it’s important to respect each person’s individual line that they draw. If members do that, then the beach
works. Because of the group join fees,
we have kept our members a little more above the average game player in SL, and
as a result we tend to get a very respectful crowd most of the time.”
Kaiya continued “Don’t be
scared to take your clothes off, let your personality shine through your avi
and have fun! Oh, and remember behind every cartoon avi in SL is a real person,
sitting alone at his/her computer, full of their own life issues, pain and
experience. Be gentle, be respectful and
be nice. And as Dory from "Finding Nemo" would say, just keep
swimming..."
All you textilist's out there, it's time to shed your clothing and let your inner nudist out.