Due to the near-90-degree temperatures at the end of last month, most students were scantily dressed in T-shirts and shorts. But for members of the newly-formed University of Pennsylvania Naturist Student Association, the day was an occasion to not dress at all. The Association -- the first of its kind in the United States, according to president, second year Law student Gons Nachman -- held a one-hour demonstration at the Peace Symbol on College Green to show that "nude is not lewd." As wide-eyed students, faculty and Open Expression Monitors alike looked on, the group of about eight stripped down to complete nakedness. According to the Association's Basic Principles and Philosophy document, the group believes that nudity is "natural, wholesome, and positive," and should not be equated with sexuality. "I started this organization because I wanted to take advantage of the intelligent environment of a college campus to make the philosophy of naturism visible in the community," Nachman announced to a group of about 50 passersby. "We want to show, as you can see, that we feel comfortable with nudity." The event consisted of five brief speeches by Association members, plus a few videos on the naturist movement. Nachman, who said he has studied constitutional and criminal law, maintains "that our behavior is lawful and is protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution because we are trying to communicate a message." Nachman and company have defended that message several times in the past. In April, 1993, after being denied permission to appear nude in a law class because a student was uncomfortable, Nachman stood naked outside the Law School on Sansom Street in silent protest. And last summer, the Association performed in a nude run across campus -- in broad daylight. Pierce College freshman Monica Obiols, who was one of two women to appear nude April 25, said she does not understand why nudity is considered more of a taboo for women than for men. "I guess it's because it's an issue that has been around for many years, so women?don't think about it anymore," she said. "They just do what society wants them to do and just follow the rules." First-year Education graduate student Phillip Tromovitch said he is pleased not only with the turnout of people to watch the event, but with their attitudes as well. "Most of the people here that are in the audience aren't really paying attention," he said. "It's not a big deal -- there's a bunch of naked people up here and people don't really care." Tromovitch, who spends most of his time at home in the nude, said the apparent apathy toward the nude students is good because it means people are accepting of it and that it is seemingly natural. College senior David Abramson, the only University undergraduate to appear in the demonstration, said it is important to differentiate between nudity and sexuality. "Nudity and sexuality are not inextricably intertwined," he said. "They are separable, and this should, if nothing else, demonstrate that." The event continued peacefully for more than an hour, and the once wide-eyed students on College Green went back to eating their lunches. "I think it's great -- I don't think I could do it, but more power to them and I enjoy watching," said first-year Medical student Bill Resnick, who was dining on the Green. "I think the people are actually pretty brave to do what they're doing, and act on their principles."
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