The naked truth about San Francisco’s nudity ban

This week, Scott Wiener (!) introduced legislation that would ban public nudity city-wide. Nudity activist Gypsy Taub is not impressed:

According to the declaration of independence of the United States, people have unalienable rights, such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Many people in San Francisco believe that body freedom is an unalienable right.

Scott Wiener’s nudity ban violates two constitutional amendments. It violates the first amendment: the right to freedom of speech and self-expression. It also violates the 14th amendment, which guarantees equal protection rights. By making exceptions for a few permitted events, the legislation creates inequality. People who can afford the permits and the costly insurance for such events will be able to host clothing-optional festivals, while others won’t. The legislation also violates California state law, which does not criminalize non-sexual nudity.

Photograph: Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP