Male Dominated Online Naturism – What Can We Do?

Gender Imbalance. A person climbing a rocky slope in a natural outdoor setting, wearing sunglasses and sandals, while being completely nude.

It’s something we have noticed time and again while navigating the online naturist world. The noticeable tilt toward male presence. Whether it’s in social media spaces, forums, or nudist photo-sharing platforms, there’s often a striking gender imbalance. And it’s not just numbers. It’s visibility, voice, and tone. We started to ask ourselves: why is that? And more importantly, how can we shift it?

The first thing we want to say is what you see online does not represent the real world of naturism. The online naturist world is predominantly men and many “pay to see more” women’s accounts that don’t represent the reality of naturism. In real life, structured naturist environments prioritize inclusivity and safety, supporting more diverse participation.

Online, the lack of gatekeeping and use of anonymity can attract a disproportionate number of men, including some who may not align with naturist philosophy, skewing the vibe.

Cultural factors also play a role. For many years, women have had to deal with greater social stigma or safety concerns, making them less likely to engage publicly online.

There was a time when Corin had her own account on X (Twitter). She genuinely wanted to engage, connect, and share her perspective as a naturist woman. But it didn’t take long for the experience to turn sour. The daily barrage of sexualized comments and inappropriate DMs wore her down. No matter how clear her intentions were, too many men refused to respect boundaries. Within a year, we deleted the account completely. Out of frustration and for her own well-being.

Now, I act as the buffer. I’m the one who manages the incoming messages, filters out the noise, and shields her from the worst of it.

It shouldn’t have to be this way. No one should be driven off a platform for simply existing online in their natural body. But this is the reality for too many women, especially in spaces where nudity and vulnerability intersect. Even as a couples account, we get at least one DM every day on one of the platforms from a man sexualizing what we do with inappropriate comments. We have NEVER in over five years had a woman do the same thing. That says a lot about our society.

We still believe in showing up and being visible, but we’ve had to adjust how we do it to protect our peace.

The Double Standard In Nudity

While naturism is about freedom, body acceptance, and living without shame, society doesn’t always see it that way. Especially when it comes to women. Women who share images of themselves, even in the most respectful, natural context, often face scrutiny or worse. They’re too often sexualized, criticized, or judged for doing the exact same thing their male counterparts are applauded for.

That creates hesitation. Silence. Absence. The consequences are tangible: online harassment, unwanted advances, or doxxing threats can silence women who might otherwise share their perspectives.

In real-world naturist spaces women may feel hyper-visible. Their presence scrutinized by both participants and outsiders, which can deter attendance at public events or open beaches. This creates a ripple effect. Hesitation to engage, reluctance to be seen, and, ultimately, an absence that skews the visible face of naturism toward men.

The irony is stark: a movement built on equality and universal acceptance is hampered by the very societal judgments it seeks to dismantle. Women, who stand to gain so much from naturism’s promise of body confidence and freedom, are too often pushed to the margins. Their voices muted by fear of reprisal or misunderstanding.

This dynamic not only limits their participation but also impoverishes the naturist community, depriving it of diverse perspectives and reinforcing the perception of male dominance, especially in online spaces where visibility matters most.

Safety Concerns Keep Many Women Away

Let’s be honest… being a woman online is already a minefield, fraught with risks that men rarely encounter at the same intensity. Add nudity, even when it’s non-sexual, natural, and entirely aligned with the principles of naturism, and the vulnerability doesn’t just increase, it skyrockets.

Women who share naturist content, whether on platforms like X, dedicated forums, or private naturist groups, often face a barrage of challenges that can make participation feel like an act of bravery. Harassment is a constant threat: unsolicited comments sexualizing their bodies, objectifying remarks masquerading as compliments, or outright aggressive attacks that shame them for their openness.

Inappropriate messages flood inboxes, ranging from creepy propositions to entitled demands for more content, often ignoring the philosophical or communal intent behind their posts. Worse still, there’s the ever-present risk of stolen content. Images or videos lifted without consent, reposted on unrelated sites, or misused in ways that violate trust and privacy. These aren’t hypothetical fears; countless stories on naturist forums and social media recount women having to lock down accounts, abandon platforms, or painstakingly pursue content removal after breaches.

The emotional toll is compounded by practical concerns: doxxing, where personal details are exposed, can escalate online harassment into real-world threats. It’s not hard to see why many women, weighing these risks, would rather step back than step forward into these spaces.

For many women, the choice to disengage isn’t about lacking courage. It’s a rational response to a digital landscape that too often punishes their authenticity.

Platform Moderation Is Biased

The lack of robust moderation on some platforms, coupled with societal attitudes that disproportionately judge female nudity as provocative, creates an environment where women feel exposed in ways their male counterparts rarely do. This dynamic stifles their voices, limiting their contributions to a movement that thrives on inclusivity and shared vulnerability. While the community loses the richness of their perspectives.

Social platforms often treat male and female-presenting nudity differently. Just look at META rules. A male chest is rarely flagged. A female one? Almost always. These inconsistencies don’t just frustrate, they push women out. Even when the content is clearly artistic or naturist in intention, algorithms (and sometimes community reporting) erase it, often without explanation.

A Culture That Sexualizes Women’s Nudity

We unfortunately reside among a Western Culture that is deep-rooted in a combination of puritanical morality and capitalist objectification. Women’s bodies are simultaneously censored with social media bans on female nipples and commercialized taboo nudity through advertising and pornography.

Female nudity is heavily commodified. Women’s bodies are used to sell everything from perfume to fast food. But this nudity is almost always curated, sexualized, and presented through a male gaze. It’s not about freedom or authenticity, it’s about performance and profit. Women are expected to be sexy, but on terms dictated by commercial media.

The result is nudity becomes something women perform, not something they own. It is created for male consumption, rather than a neutral state of being.

Our society has long shamed women for showing their bodies. This extends from religious teachings to school dress codes to online behavior. Even when women express comfort in their own skin, they’re often labeled attention-seeking or inappropriate.

Women then internalize the idea that their bodies are public property subject to judgment, control, or even harassment.

Visibility Doesn’t Equal Interest

It’s crucial to emphasize this: women are not disinterested in naturism. Far from it. Many women are deeply drawn to its principles of body positivity, freedom from societal judgment, and connection with nature, embracing it with profound sincerity and joy. They participate in naturist retreats, visit clothing-optional beaches, or practice nude living in the privacy of their homes, finding in these acts a powerful affirmation of self-acceptance and liberation.

Yet, their engagement often unfolds in ways that are less visible to the broader public, shaped by the unique challenges they face. Many women choose private spaces, exclusive naturist clubs, women-only events, or trusted offline communities where they can express themselves without the scrutiny or risks that come with public exposure.

Online, where visibility amplifies vulnerability, they may opt for discretion, sharing content through joint accounts where a partner, often male, becomes the public face, shielding them from harassment or unwanted attention. Others contribute to closed groups or forums with strict moderation, where they can connect authentically without fear of their words or images being misused. This preference for quieter, safer avenues doesn’t diminish their commitment; it reflects a strategic response to a world that disproportionately judges and sexualizes female nudity.

Their presence may not be as loud or immediately apparent as that of men, who often face fewer barriers to public participation, but it is no less real or meaningful. These women are writing blogs, organizing events, and supporting communities in ways that prioritize safety and comfort over visibility.

The misconception that women are less involved stems from their underrepresentation in public-facing spaces, particularly online, where male voices and images dominate. This skewed perception risks overshadowing the vibrant, albeit more discreet, contributions of women, whose passion for naturism is just as authentic.

Recognizing their participation, not just in numbers but in the depth of their engagement is essential to understanding the true diversity of the naturist community and challenging the narrative of male dominance.

How Men Can Influence Other Men

The gender imbalance in naturism, particularly in online spaces, isn’t a problem women should be expected to solve alone. If the digital naturist community appears male-dominated, it falls on men within that community to take responsibility for shifting the tone and creating an environment where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered to participate. This isn’t about grand heroics but about consistent, intentional actions that reshape the culture, one interaction at a time.

First and foremost, men must actively call out inappropriate behavior when they see it, whether it’s in public comments, group threads, or private DMs. This means challenging remarks that sexualize or objectify, even if they’re framed as “jokes” or “compliments.” It means stepping in when discussions veer into voyeuristic territory, gently but firmly redirecting the focus to naturism’s core values: body acceptance, freedom, and respect for all. For example, if a forum post fixates on someone’s appearance rather than their message, men can respond by highlighting the post’s intent or sharing their own non-sexualized perspective. In private, they can confront peers who send unsolicited messages or misuse content, making it clear that such actions undermine the community’s ethos. This kind of accountability sets a standard and signals to others, especially newcomers, that naturism is not a free-for-all but a principled movement.

Men can also lead by example, modeling what respectful nudity looks like. This means sharing content, whether photos, stories, or reflections, that emphasizes the joy of naturism as a lifestyle, not a spectacle. By posting about their own experiences with authenticity and vulnerability, men can demonstrate that naturism is about being, not performing. They can reinforce this by engaging thoughtfully with others’ posts, asking questions about shared values or experiences rather than focusing on physicality. For instance, commenting on the serenity of a naturist hike or the community spirit of an event, rather than someone’s body, keeps the conversation aligned with naturism’s purpose.

Men can also educate others, especially those new to the community, about its philosophy, gently correcting misconceptions that naturism is inherently sexual or exhibitionistic.

Creating space for diverse voices is another critical step. Men can amplify women’s and non-binary individuals’ contributions by sharing their posts, endorsing their ideas, or inviting them into discussions. In group settings, they can ensure that these voices aren’t drowned out by louder, often male, participants.

For couples who share joint accounts, men can celebrate their partner’s involvement, making it clear that the account reflects a shared journey in a way comfortable for both partners. This can help challenge the assumption that naturism is primarily a male domain.

Men can also advocate for practical changes, like pushing for stronger moderation policies on platforms or supporting women-only spaces within the community, recognizing that these measures help build trust and encourage broader participation.

Discouraging voyeurism is essential, and men can play a pivotal role here. They can challenge the “looker” culture by reframing nudity as a natural state, not an invitation for scrutiny. This might mean posting reminders in forums about the importance of consent. Whether for photography, sharing images, or even commenting on someone’s content.

Men can also model consent in their own behavior, asking permission before engaging with someone’s post in a personal way or checking their own impulses to comment on appearances.

By normalizing these practices, they help create a culture where everyone’s boundaries are respected, reducing the risks that deter women from participating.

Using your power, position, or privilege to uplift others

Allyship in naturism doesn’t always require bold gestures. Often, it’s the small, deliberate choices that matter most. Men can reflect on their own intentions before posting or commenting, asking themselves: Is this about connecting with the community, or is it more about my own ego? Holding back when a response feels self-serving, or redirecting a conversation to focus on shared values, can make a significant difference.

Men can also educate themselves by listening to women’s experiences. Whether through posts, discussions, or direct conversations and using those insights to inform their actions. Supporting initiatives like naturist blogs, podcasts, or events led by women and non-binary individuals is another way to show solidarity and broaden the community’s narrative.

Ultimately, creating a respectful culture requires men to hold themselves and each other accountable. This means supporting open dialogue about gender dynamics, challenging toxic masculinity that might creep into naturist spaces, and encouraging other men to do the same. It’s about building a digital space where women and non-binary individuals don’t just feel tolerated but actively welcomed and celebrated.

By taking these steps, calling out harm, modeling respect, amplifying voices, and prioritizing consent, men can help transform the online naturist community into one that reflects the movement’s true spirit: a shared, equitable celebration of humanity in its most natural form.

Rebalancing the Digital Nudity Narrative

If we want naturism to reflect balance, sincerity, and respect, the digital spaces where we express it need to follow suit. That means challenging biases. Ours and others’.

It means listening more, assuming less, and remembering that not everyone feels as safe as we do in showing up bare.

At the same time, many women in Western culture are pushing back. They are using art, social media, naturism, and body-positive movements to reclaim their bodies on their terms. This effort to desexualize female nudity is often met with resistance, precisely because it challenges deep-rooted cultural narratives. The result is female nudity becomes a site of conflict between empowerment and objectification, freedom and control.

Naturism isn’t about who’s louder or more visible. It’s about being fully human, without shame or pretense. And that should be something everyone feels welcome to share in… equally.

Let’s build that kind of space together.


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26 Comments

  1. Very well written, Kevin. Hopefully, we can do better in the future. Unfortunately, the people who need to read and understand the points you make, probably won’t invest their time to read this or make efforts to change their behavior.


  2. Excellent food for thought. I am unintentionally guilty of cloaking comments as compliments. I will be far more aware in the future.


  3. Excellent food for thought. I am unintentionally guilty of cloaking comments as compliments. I will be far more aware in the future.

  4. A very good and interesting blog as usual Kevin. A bit of a bleak reminder that a lot of men don’t know how to behave on social media, hiding their identities and being aggressive towards women.

    I didn’t even know that Corin had her own account on twitter.

    1. It was up for a year. We mentioned it in our ournaturistlife profile on X but didn’t promote it very much as it received over 1000 followers within days. And things went downhill from there.

  5. Another Thank you good read. Everytime I read an article by the two of you ,Im challenged in a good way. To think twice before responding. I hope we can keep women involved and treat them fairly,with respect.

  6. This is an excellent piece, Kevin, and a topic that I’ve been interested in and researching for some time now. Apart from your apparent belief in non-binary gender ideology, I pretty much agree with everything you’ve said. I have had lengthy conversations with a number of female friends about this and their various experiences are exactly as you’ve presented.

    The interesting thing is, however, that this seems to be an issue in naturist and nudist environments – both physical and online – far more than in other organisations and events where nudity is accepted but not the key focus. For example, I have attended Kiwiburn (New Zealand’s regional Burning Man Festival) for two years now as part of a theme camp promoting the acceptability and benefits of clothes-optional living. Nudity is commonplace at the festival as a means of radical self-expression, and there is no noticeable difference between the number of males and females that go naked. Some are happy to wander around the paddock naked at any time, while others go naked just at the swimming hole. There is a strong culture of respect and consent and, with very few exceptions, people feel safe. But it’s not a nudist event or a naturist event. It’s Kiwiburn, and while nudity is acceptable and welcome, it’s not the focus as it is within nudism / naturism.

    Another example is the World Naked Bike Ride. The focus of this event is to promote cycling as a healthy and environmentally friendly alternative to our “car culture”. While nudity is a big part of it, its motto is “Bare as you dare” – i.e. clothing optional. Women seem to have no problem taking part naked in this event.

    Males are visually stimulated, and while we’d like to see all males in naturist circles watch their behaviour, any organisation advertising nudity and making nudity the focus of their existence is going to attract the “wrong crowd”. I’m now looking at better ways to promote the freedom and the right to choose what, if any, clothes a person might wear by shifting the focus away from nudity.

    1. The reason we don’t discuss non-binary gender ideology in our topics is it would be disingenuous of us to speak from their perspectives. We can only speak from our own which is male and female. The purpose of our website is discussing our own life and experiences in naturism. 😊😊

      1. I agree! (Which is why I personally wouldn’t have even alluded to it).

        Another thing I forgot to mention about women’s apparent lack of presence, which some have mentioned to me, is the problem of judgement – not only men judging women’s bodies, but also judgement from other women, which is suprisingly prevalent and cutting. Women are bombarded constantly with articles, photos, media advice and adverts that drive the image of the “perfect body” and that it’s imperative to attain and keep such a mythical body to succeed in life. And women can be their own worst critics – both of themselves and each other.

        There is also the myth that naturist communities are non-judgmental. While that’s the ideal, it’s just not true. Sure, naturists have learned not to comment on other people’s bodies and to behave in a welcoming and accepting way to all people. But it’s totally naive to think that the vast majority don’t silently judge without vocalising it. And women know that.

      2. Are they, though? That’s your opinion, based (as I said) on your belief in non-binary gender ideology, which is a highly contentious issue. My opinion, based on biological science, is that while a tiny proportion of people are born with a DSD (look it up), they are still either male or female and will be so for life. But, as you say, this is another topic and not relevant to your own experiences of naturism.

      3. Yes. They are. I appreciate that you have strong views on this topic, but I think it’s important to clarify a few things. Your comment reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of both biology and gender identity. Especially when invoking “biological science.”

        First, gender and sex are not the same. Sex involves chromosomes, hormones, and anatomy, and even that isn’t strictly binary. Intersex people (those with Differences of Sex Development, or DSDs) are living proof of that. They are not anomalies to be dismissed. These variations are natural and occur more often than many people realize. About the same percentage as people with red hair. Reducing them to “still male or female” oversimplifies complex realities and erases their lived experience.

        Second, gender is a social and psychological construct. How someone identifies, expresses themselves, and experiences the world. This isn’t “ideology”. It’s supported by major medical and psychological organizations, including the APA and WHO. Dismissing non-binary identities as belief-based, while presenting a binary view as “scientific fact,” isn’t an objective stance. It’s just your opinion.

        Ultimately, the human experience is diverse. Recognizing that doesn’t deny biology. It just acknowledges that people are more complex than a binary label. Denying someone’s identity because it doesn’t fit your framework doesn’t make you scientifically informed. It just makes you dismissive. Respecting how someone identifies is about empathy and accuracy, not political correctness.

      4. Thanks for clarifying your position on this matter, Kevin. Yes, I’ve heard all those tired old arguments many times before, promulgated by the “woke” trans community who are hell bent on convincing our kids that if they don’t like being a boy or a girl they can easily get on a pathway to “change sex” – a biological impossibility. So we will have to agree to disagree on this matter as I don’t intend to get into a lengthy debate with you about it – particularly as you yourself said “we don’t discuss non-binary gender ideology in our topics”. So please don’t try to lecture me on biology and genetics – it’s an area I am well versed in for reasons that I don’t need to go into here.

        It is rather interesting, though, that you chose to respond to my comments only in regard to this issue, rather than what I offered in support of the actual topic of your otherwise very well written article. For the record, I have enjoyed all your articles thus far.

      5. Thanks for your reply and for your earlier kind words about our article. Since you’ve now mentioned it twice, I feel it’s important to address this directly.

        Let’s not lose sight of how this started: your very first comment praised our work, then immediately questioned our “apparent belief in non-binary gender ideology.” That was your choice to use one word from our artiicle to bring that topic into the conversation, not ours. We responded not to start a debate, but to clarify and correct a misconception presented as “science.”

        We don’t include non-binary identity issues in our content. Not because we dismiss them, but because we don’t write from experiences we haven’t lived. Just like we don’t speak from the perspective of single naturists, parents of young children, or other groups we don’t belong to. That’s about authenticity and respect… not evasion.

        But when someone brings a topic like gender identity into our space, couples it with dismissive language, and implies that caring about marginalized people is some kind of dangerous “wokeness,” we will absolutely respond. Not to argue endlessly, but because we care about setting the tone in our own website.

        If “woke” means aware, compassionate, and open to scientific and social progress, then yes! We are proudly woke.

        We’re happy to leave it here. Disagreement is fine. But calling it a “lecture” when we respond to your unsolicited comment on our supposed beliefs is disingenuous, and frankly, a bit unfair.

        Again, we’re glad you’ve enjoyed our work, and you’re welcome to keep engaging. But let’s keep it grounded in respect for both people’s lived experiences and the facts.

      6. No problem, Kevin. You have your understanding of the facts – I have mine. Let’s leave it there and move on. Cheers!

  7. !00% agree with this Kevin, a well writen, balanced article. We can all do our bit to be more respectful online.

  8. I enjoyed this article! I am aware, of course, of how society sexualizes nudity, and uses (mostly) women’s bodies to sell almost everything. I am aware of how many men who are naturists, if married, have wives reluctant to join in. I remember when it was almost impossible for a single man, or a married man whose wife would not be with him, to join a nudist park.
    But this article goes into depth about the challenges women fnudists ace when they try to tell others the benefits of the naturist lifestyle. I can’t imagine why a woman would not want to be a naturist when she finds out that she doesn’t have to wear makeup if she doesn’t want to. I apologize if that sounds like a put-down, but many women stress out about their appearance. I truly do not mean that as an insult.
    The author tells about his wife’s experiences with a blog about her life as a nudist, how she received immoral messages, and had to shut it down. It shows just how deeply ingrained the non-nudist world is, to inseparably linking nudity with sexual immorality. One of the positive things about this is that it appears to me that the author and his wife have a wonderful relationship; the author did what any husband who loves and values his wife – he stood squarely between her and the idiots who wanted to exploit her, and, facing them, gave them a definite “THOU SHALT BACK OFF!” death stare. The author then lists several things we men can do to help women feel safe. In this, the author brings up a problem, and offers a solution.
    The first part of the article tells us about how men vastly outnumber women in naturism. It’s well know that men are visually oriented. I did a search, entering, “What does it mean that men are visually oriented?” Within seconds I got listings for 5 articles, and surprisingly, one said it was nonsense (www.modernintimacy.com “Men Are Visual Creatures – Is That True?”) The next four said men ARE. Belky.net has an article (“Why Are Men Visual Creatures?) claiming scientific proof that refutes what Modern Intimacy says. Both can’t be correct.
    But I’d like to add one thing about men being visually oriented. While it’s true that som men express interest in naturism so they can see naked women, I think almost all men, regardless of their sexual orientation, are curious as to what other MEN look like, naked, as well. Until recently, men’s locker rooms were designed to facilitate nudity – one shower room with 5 or 6 nozzles on the wall, and NO dividers or any kind. Men walked to and from the showers with their towels around their NECKS. It wasn’t a sexual atmosphere; it was an opportunity for men to bond with other men in ways that can only be had through physical nudity.

    I’m looking forward to the next article!

    1. I think saying “men are just visual” is often used to justify objectifying behavior or dismiss emotional intelligence. That’s not only inaccurate, it’s harmful.

      The idea is partly true, but it’s also oversimplified and often misused. Boys and men are often socialized to value visual appearance, especially in the context of attraction and sexuality. Media heavily emphasizes the visual appeal of women, reinforcing this trait.

      Women are also visual. Many studies show that women respond to visual stimuli too, though social conditioning might influence how openly they express it.

      Men are not “only” visual. Emotional, verbal, tactile, and situational cues also play a role in attraction and arousal for both sexes.

      I think a better statement is “Men may be more visually responsive on average, but humans are complex, and attraction involves much more than just what we see.”

  9. Thank you, Kevin for this very informative and insightful post on male dominance in naturism. So many points covered and so spot on. As a woman nudist, I have felt the pressure in my early years in nudism. With Gary’s help and being by my side, I gained confidence about myself and my body. Over time and connecting with other women and men of true naturist values, I could enjoy myself and not think otherwise. Jan👍😊❤️

  10. I’ve only discovered your blog recently. I wish I’d discovered it sooner. I do, sometimes, engage in discussion where comments seem to come from a nudity equals sex perspective. I try to be polite, but the normal world view needs to be challenged.

    I am a Christian who grew up with the common view of the naked body. Because of my faith, my usual response caused me a lot of guilt and shame. I was convinced that my response was due to the way my male brain was wired and that all I could do was fight the urges and try to put in place thought habits which would stop me from seeing things which would cause me to go looking.

    Then my wife and I went on a camping trip to central Queensland, to a place which I found out, too late, had nudist camping sites hidden in the bush at the back of the property. I didn’t see anyone, but the thought messed with my head. It started a search which ended up with the discovery that the Bible didn’t say what I thought it said about nudity. Since the Victorian era, the western english speaking world’s negative attitude to nudity has become so strong that we’re convinced that it’s an absolute truth and we can’t see anything else. The change of mind caused my compulsions to evaporate almost overnight. You mentioned puritanical views in your article. I’m not sure the Puritans would totally agree with you. Though they were strict, I don’t think they were against necessary nudity and I’m sure that in tiny homes with lots of kids, it would be pointless to hide.

    Eventually I came to a place where I knew that if I believed something to be true, I had to live it. I’m a naturist, not in spite of the Bible, but because of it.

    1. Puritanism began with religion but now floats freely through secular culture, like a moral ghost still haunting everything from dress codes to social media bans. A non-religious person might oppose public nudity or sexual expression because they see it as “indecent” or “inappropriate”. Not because of religious belief, but due to societal conditioning, upbringing, or internalized shame.

      1. I think it’s a 2 edged sword. Victorian era saw clothing as a sign of civilization. When they started colonizing it was a case of civilizing the savages in a sense. The church’s problem is that we don’t always see society’s issues as issues. Particularly when they creep up on us like this one has. Societies have issues with whatever body parts that are commanded to be covered. I’m told that there are countries where a woman could wear clothes which leave her breasts visible, but if men see her ankles they will lust.

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