November 20, 2012 | Sex & Society

Final days for walking around naked in San Fran?

Today, San Francisco city lawmakers will decide whether people will still be allowed to walk around the streets nude. They will vote on a new ordinance that would prohibit public nudity in most places.

Supervisor Scott Wiener (insert snicker here) is behind the proposal. Anyone over 5 would be banned from exposing "his or her genitals, perineum or anal region on any public street, sidewalk, street median, parklet or plaza" or on public transit.

The first offense would result in a $100 fine. A third offense could mean a $500 fine and a year in jail. Exemptions would be provided for certain festivals, such as the city's gay pride event and the Folsom Street Fair.

"I don't think having some guys taking their clothes off and hanging out seven days a week at Castro and Market Street is really what San Francisco is about. I think it's a caricature of what San Francisco is about," Wiener said.

"A few lewd exhibitionists are really ruining it for the rest of us," countered nudist McCray Winpsett. "It's my time to come out now to present myself in a light and show what true nudity is all about so people can separate the difference between what a nudist is and an exhibitionist is."

Maybe they should consider a nudity license, granting special permission to those whose nudity is deemed, well, less offensive than others. The only problem: without pockets, would be where to keep your permit?

Public Nudity Ban Eyed in Fed of San Francisco [AP]