Keep the Pressure on Mohonk Preserve

Dear Supporters,

I have visited Split Rock Downstream once since Mohonk Preserve banned nudity, and the energy there was completely different. It made me sad. We must let management know that we will not be renewing our memberships or contributing to any fundraising until they reverse the nudity ban, and meantime, we can still visit the space wearing the minimum required clothing.

Does Mohonk Preserve need our money or not? One of our group phoned Mohonk Preserve to say they wouldn't be renewing their membership, and the response they got was that management wasn't concerned because membership was higher than ever. Simultaneously, emails to management have generated auto-replies stating that the recipient had been furloughed and would be out of the office.

Mohonk Preserve is sending members renewal notices and requests for donations. I will mail mine back with notes telling them that I will not be renewing my membership or donating to the Preserve while the ban on nudity remains in place. My group and I request that you do the same.

Some of the members I'm working with spoke with Chip Reid, the Director of Land Stewardship. They report that he told them the clothing-optional area was closed down because NY State law bans nudity in public places. This response makes no sense because Mohonk Preserve is private land. These members also reported that he became defensive when they mentioned the effect of the ban on the LGBTQ community, and pushed back that this is not an LGBTQ issue. As my petition states, this ban has eliminated one of the few places that gay men, LGBTQ people, and their allies in the Hudson Valley gathered as we knew it.

You can still visit Split Rock Downstream partially nude. It is legal in NY State for women to go topless anywhere that men can, so we encourage women to do so at Split Rock Downstream. Mr. Reid confirmed to one of the women in our group that she could be topless. He told her husband that as long as anyone's genitals are covered, they comply with the policy. I have heard that some of our women allies who go rock climbing at the Preserve have done so while topless in solidarity and men are sunbathing in string jockstraps. We thank everyone for their support.

The Preserve is struggling financially, whether or not they want to admit it. Our immediate next steps will be letting them know in writing that we will not be renewing our membership or contributing to any fundraising because of the nudity ban, and visiting the area as nude as possible to keep claim on this beautiful spot. Let's keep the pressure on so we can get Split Rock Downstream back next summer.

Best,

Joe

PS: My last update included a Reddit post that stated the Naturist Action Committee (NAC) was working on the nudity ban at Split Rock with the Mohonk Preserve trustees and asked that people interact with them. I and others have reached out by email to Susan Rothberg, the point person, and one member met with her. Meanwhile, our group will continue to move ahead with our strategy and join the NAC efforts if that opportunity arises.