As we move into December and the Solstice events celebrated around the world, I am also celebrating a birthday this month.
I try to take time each year to review what I have done throughout the year, reflect on what I experienced, and what I plan
for the year ahead.
This year is no different, I had a great year celebrating with family and friends. We visited some AANR resorts we haven’t been to
in a few years, as well as return to our local resort, Laguna del Sol (LdS). I enjoyed seeing the changes that have been made at the
resorts since my last visits and I’m looking forward to what we will be seeing in 2026.
My calendar for 2026 is being finalized and the plan now is to participate in the conventions for AANR-West which LdS is hosting
for the first time in many years, and the Annual AANR Convention at the Willamettans, also a place we have not been to in many
years. I’m pleased the members at Willamettans voted to host, and equally thrilled that Wayne and Suzanne Schell stepped
up to support AANR-West with the offer to host at LdS. Summertime at Laguna has grown very busy between Naked Man and
Nudestock, so picking a time to host and working that into the schedule is greatly appreciated by the members of AANR-West.
Looking forward to the legislative year, we see bills prefiled that mirror some bills
from 2025. The ‘Think about the children’ mock concern will pop-up again next year.
Lawmakers feigning concerned that parents do not understand the dangers of the
world facing their children as well as they do. Our efforts are to point out that they
are not the best judge of what is right or wrong for someone else’s family. Nudists are
again faced with the prospect of defending a parent’s right to choose what is best for
their child.
We argue each year that simply seeing nude people is not a traumatic event of
childhood. How often have you seen naked kids running around on a beach or
around a pool joyfully smiling and laughing and enjoying the freedom of simple nudity.
Children have to be taught that nudity is wrong, for it to become a traumatic event. It is
a tragedy that shame of one’s naked body may be taught as a family value. We learn
to be ashamed of ourselves. This is not what we should be teaching and legislating
against. Body freedom should be celebrated in 2026, not legislated against. I see GAT
rallying against these efforts and protecting your rights in the year ahead.
Tim Mullins
AANR Government Affairs Chair
