Judge Upholds San Francisco Nudity Ban Ordinance

[Frodo]

San Francisco nudity ban upheld in federal court

By Lisa Leff
Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO -- A federal judge cleared the way Tuesday for the city of San Francisco to ban most displays of public nudity, ruling that an ordinance set to take effect on Feb. 1 does not violate the free speech rights of residents and visitors who like going out in the buff.

U.S. District Court Judge Edward Chen refused to block the ban temporarily or to allow a lawsuit challenging it to proceed.

"In spite of what plaintiffs argue, nudity in and of itself is not inherently expressive," Chen wrote in an 18-page opinion.

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 7-4 last month to prohibit residents and visitors over age 5 from exposing their genitals on public streets, in parks or plazas or while using public transit.

[Likely Voter]

they were fighting for the wrong amendment. If only they were carrying AR15s.

[Frodo]

Of all places, I least expected a ban on nudity in San Francisco. 

[King]

they were fighting for the wrong amendment. If only they were carrying AR15s.

This sounds like a great (hilarious) hippy protest.  Nude marches carrying only AR-15s over their genitals.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

It's not surprising to hear that Californian officials are engaging in a naked power grab.

[DemPGH]

Hmm. Corporate donations are free speech. Packing heat is free speech. Stripping isn't? Eh, I think it should be the other way around.  

[Vosem]

Hmm. Corporate donations are free speech. Packing heat is free speech. Stripping isn't? Eh, I think it should be the other way around.  

They're all free speech

[nclib]

Of all places, I least expected a ban on nudity in San Francisco. 

Probably other places already had a ban and it wasn't challenged. I oppose nudity bans for the most part.

[old timey villain]

Apparently nudity wasn't the sole issue in San Francisco. People were fine with it until many of the male nudists were....getting um...aroused in public. That's why the city council approved the ban IIRC.

[dead0man]

Can people (both sexes) still go topless?  I know women can be topless legally in Ohio, New York and Ontario.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

The law seems to specifically refer to "genitals" only.

[dead0man]

Well then that's good and makes sense.

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

When is the Bay Area going to wake up and smell the coffee when it comes to the fascists within their municipal borders? 

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

When is the Bay Area going to wake up and smell the coffee when it comes to the fascists within their municipal borders? 

It's only a matter of time before they go after the right to bare arms.

[Simfan34]

Of all places, I least expected a ban on nudity in San Francisco. 

Well they'd be the ones who would such a ban, no?