Vermont: Go Ahead, Drop Those Drawers

Brattleboro, a small town in Vermont, voted on Tuesday to remove its temporary ban on public nudity. When the emergency temporary ordinance expires next month, public nudity will no longer be illegal.

Brattleboro Selectboard which governs the small town of Brattleboro passed a temporary ban on public nudity in its streets last month. On July 17, 2007, it passed an emergency rule by a 3–2 margin "banning nudity on the main roads and within 250 feet of any school or place of worship, among other places" because of a number of complaints they received from the town residents. A national newspaper said about the Brattleboro’s temporary ordinance, “Tolerant town goes intolerant”. However, on Tuesday, the Selectboard decided to vote again whether to make the ban permanent and voted in favor of removing the ban 3-2. This will allow public nudity on Brattleboro streets without threat of being arrested. Canoe.ca reports one board member, Dora Bouboulis, said the U.S. is going down a slippery slope and they wanted to do something about it. She also said the town has no right to dictate others’ rights to dress or undress. Not everyone is happy or favors this removal of the nudity ban. Michael Gauthier got a petition of 967 signatures from people who support the nudity ban and gave them to the Selectboard before the voting took place. Canoe.ca reports Michael Gauthier said:

What is the point, other than shock and awe, that the nudists are trying to make?''

Public nudity is legal in Vermont, though not disrobing in public. In my opinion, they can have some private areas to roam about in nude, but doing it in public places in shopping areas and schools is not a good idea. What do you think? Would you accept this in the area in which you live?