Western Sunbathing Association
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| Predecessor | International Nudist Conference (INC) American Sunbathing Association (ASA) |
|---|---|
| Established | April 12, 1931 |
| Founders | Kurt Barthel, Ilsley Boone |
| Type | 501(c)(7) |
| Purpose | Naturist advocacy |
| Headquarters | Kissimmee, Florida, United States |
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Region
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United States, Canada, Mexico, French West Indies, Virgin Islands, and St. Martin. |
| Services | Membership organization, newsletter publisher, education/advocacy |
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Membership (2015)
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over 30,000 members and more than 200 clubs |
| Dan Whicker | |
| Slogan | Feel the Freedom |
| Website | www |
The American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) is a naturist organization based in the United States.
The AANR is the largest, longest-established organization of its kind in North America. It was founded in 1931 under its previous name American Sunbathing Association. Approximately 200 nudist resorts, clubs, and businesses choose to affiliate with AANR, and AANR serves over 30,000 members in the United States, Canada, Mexico, French West Indies, Virgin Islands, and St. Martin.
The AANR promotes the benefits of wholesome nude family recreation and works to protect the rights of nudists in appropriate settings, such as sanctioned nude beaches and public lands set aside for that use; as well as homes, private backyards, plus AANR-affiliated clubs, campgrounds and resorts.
The AANR uses a portion of its collected membership fees to be politically active by campaigning and lobbying governments fighting to allow nudism in the US and Canada.
The AANR believes that nudity and nude recreation in appropriate settings is an enhancing and enjoyable experience. Ultimately, the organization wishes to realize societal acceptance of nudity and nude recreation in appropriate settings. The association promotes nudism and nude recreation in appropriate settings, and lobbies various levels of government in the interest of its affiliates and of nudist recreation.
The AANR's purpose includes the following elements:
In 1929 Kurt Barthel started the first American nudist club known as the American League for Physical Culture (ALPC). A couple of years later after continued growth it was renamed and founded as an organization American Sunbathing Association in 1931 with Ilsley Boone being listed as president. During the World War II the nudist movement was disrupted as many went off to war resulting in the closure of several nudist resorts / clubs. After the war by 1946, Boone was seen as controlling and micro-managing the organization resulting in many disastified members. Claims of controlling mailing lists in order to receive enough proxie votes to keep control of elected votes and elected officials. After several years of conflicts, finally in 1951 forced Boone to resign. Boone continued to stay active in the nudist movement by starting the magazine S.U.N. (So/air Union Naturisme).
The organization changed names again in 1995 to its current name of American Association for Nude Recreation.
The AANR was a long standing representative of INF (International Naturist Federation) until its recent withdrawal in September 2010, leaving America with no INF representatives. The AANR also belongs to several other organizations such as: The Naturist Society, FCN (Federation of Canadian Naturists), SFFB (South Florida Free Beaches), ARC (American Recreation Coalition), National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, and others.
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Wikipedia