Naturists blame ‘fragile bigots’ after nude walk cancelled

The West Midlands Naturist Association had planned its naked walk to begin on scenic Queens Park Road in Harborne, Birmingham (Picture: Wikimedia Commons)

An organiser behind a nudist walk planned for a Birmingham suburb has blamed ‘hostility’ and ‘ignorance’ for the cancellation of the event.

The West Midlands Naturist Association, which promotes ‘naturism and clothes-free living’, also said the safety of those taking part was a reason in postponing the outing due take place in Harborne tomorrow. 

The move followed debate on social media, with some commentators raising concerns over indecent exposure at the gathering.

Organiser Leah Crowley told Metro that ‘some people are quick to judge without thinking’ and denied the event had been planned for Queen’s Park.  

She said: ‘Due to the hostility recently from fragile bigots and for the safety of the walkers I’ve made the decision to postpone this walk event.

‘Society is sadly damaged and needs repairing from its rising bigotry and ignorance. It’s quite sad for some people to associate a simple nude body as something offensive when it’s the most natural thing and the same silly comments can happen using the “child and elderly” card.’ 

The naturist denied the walk would have taken place in the park itself, despite the meeting place being advertised as Queen’s Park Road.  

The nudist walk was planned for Harborne in Birmingham but has since been cancelled (Picture: West Midlands Naturist Association, @westmidsnaturistassociation )

She said: ‘It’s the insecurity within some adults which I believe affects. Clothes and attitudes have also made people feel insecure over time.

‘Children will grow up hating and disliking themselves because of the ignorance towards the natural human body in some social circles.

‘And the walk wasn’t in a park. It was blown out of proportion.

‘The car park was the meet-up place.

‘The route was elsewhere and the walk was approved.’ 

Naturists say their hobby is a natural expression which is thriving in modern Britain (Picture: Libary image, Scott Heppell/AFP)

Miss Crowley added: ‘But that’s the thing with social media when some people are quick to judge without thinking.

‘There is a lot of ignorance in all walks of life. There are a lot of naturists in this country and I’m sure we are not a minority because some people feel they can’t come out due to ignorance.

‘Naturism is more accepted today and continues to thrive.

‘More people are rediscovering themselves through the connection to nature and with themselves. It’s the greatest gift we can give to ourselves. Nudity is non-sexual and it’s the attitude and how someone behaves or dresses which can have that affect.  

A view of Queen’s Park from the adjacent road in Harborne, Birmingham (Picture: Google)

‘We are all born without clothes and sadly along the way we lose touch with our connection until we rediscover ourselves again through naturism.’

A flyer for the walk carried the Birmingham City Council logo with the word ‘approved’ but the local authority said while it was aware of the event, it had not been given the green light.  

Cllr Majid Mahmood, cabinet member for environment and transport, told the BBC that the council had liaised with police about the event. 

He said: ‘The council has not approved or endorsed the gathering. 

‘We have advised organisers that this is not an “event” with council backing and they have now agreed to remove our logo from any material.’ 

The association has further events planned for the future, including a free meet and greet with a local naturist.

The event invites people to ‘learn more about naturism and body positivity’, with no date yet scheduled.

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