Evanston Looks To Dump Nudity Law, Allow Topless Beaches

Let's look at the term "clothing optional" for a moment. It basically means, according to several online sources, that you aren't required to take off your clothes if you're not comfortable with the idea. If you are comfortable, go ahead. If not, keep yourself buttoned-up.

A "nude beach" is different, in that it's expected that you will remove your clothing so that everyone there is on (for lack of a better term) an even playing field.

I guess that no one wants to admit that if several different body-types are all naked, it's still not an even playing field. You know as well as I do that some have been given greater genetic gifts than others (let's use George Costanza as an example).

When You Think "Clothing Optional," Or "Nude Beaches" Chances Are You Don't Think Of The State Of Illinois

Not that it's completely out of the question for the Land of Lincoln. An Illinois nude, or clothing optional beach seems (to me, at least) to be less strange and off-putting than packing up the car and heading to one in Nebraska or Iowa.

But, apparently the citizenry in Evanston, Illinois aren't even slightly bothered by clothing options and nudity in the Midwest, and some folks there are attempting to make what they consider a long-overdue change to the city's clothing requirements.

If The Change Passes, Evanston Would Not Be The First Northshore Community To Allow Topless Beachgoers

According to WGN-TV, Evanston's public nudity ordinance has been in effect since the 1950s and doesn’t allow the exposure of female breasts. Evanston council member Devon Reid hopes the clothing optional idea catches on:

Reid hopes the city of Evanston can follow other North Shore communities such as Skokie and Winnetka, allowing anyone the right to go barechested.

“I think that Evanston could follow suit,” Reid says, “especially since Evanston has been a leader in reparation and other equity issues.”