We, the undersigned, call upon Governor Tony Evers to veto the bills SB 477, SB 478, AB 504, and AB 503. These bills, recently passed by the Wisconsin State Senate and soon to be passed by the State Assembly, pose a significant threat to the freedoms of expression and body freedom, core values of our community and state. This legislation not only undermines the values of Wisconsin but sets a dangerous national precedent, potentially influencing other states to adopt similarly restrictive laws.

SB 477 and AB 504 aim to regulate parental decisions at events “at which a group of adult participants intentionally expose their genitals, buttocks, or other intimate parts in a public area”—potentially criminalizing parents for bringing their children to venues where any form of nudity occurs, even unintentionally. This could presumably include a sports match where a cheerleader wears a revealing outfit, or a concert where a performer’s attire might be considered too risqué, or at beaches where thong bikinis are worn. 

Similarly, SB 478 and AB 503 redefine public indecency laws by shifting from 'indecent exposure' to 'intentional exposure.' This change could have wide-ranging implications, such as criminalizing a fisherman urinating in the woods. The bills represent a substantial encroachment on personal freedoms, drastically altering the landscape of civil liberties in everyday situations.

While media coverage often frames these bills as an attack on the World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR), this narrative is misleadingly narrow. In reality, these bills constitute a broad assault on the basic human freedoms that Wisconsinites have long cherished. They extend far beyond a single event, jeopardizing a wide range of personal liberties and everyday activities, reflecting a draconian shift in policy that could ripple across the nation. 

This legislation was sparked by a moral panic over a mother and her daughter's participation in the WNBR in Madison, a peaceful, empowering event promoting body positivity. 

The mother, expressing her right to educate her child about body positivity and community engagement, now finds her choices at the risk of criminalization. As she testified in writing before the Wisconsin Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety:

“As a parent, it is my responsibility to prepare my daughter to be a thoughtful adult who is engaged with her community. The World Naked Bike Ride is a place of empowerment for my daughter and I, we have participated several times because it is a rare situation where we can exercise freedom over our own bodies and be naked of liability for the behavior of others towards our bodies. I would like to believe that our community values, freedom of speech, self expression and the right to protest. Those bills would do harm to those freedoms, and as a parent, I must try to preserve those freedoms so that my daughter may continue to enjoy them.” 

The proposed laws not only misrepresent this innocent act but also set a dangerous precedent for eroding parental rights and personal freedoms. This issue transcends state boundaries, impacting fundamental American principles of freedom and expression. 

By signing this petition, you are standing up for the principles of body positivity, personal freedom, and expression. Let Governor Evers know that the naturist community and supporters of civil liberties in Wisconsin and beyond oppose these restrictive measures. Together, we can protect our right to #KeepBodiesFree.

More ways to get involved:

• Sign the petition.
• Contact the Naturist Action Committee (NAC) immediately at 920-415-2900.
• If you'd like to donate to the cause, please donate directly to NAC. 
  • Donating directly to the organization helps much more than through the petition website.   
• Follow our Wisconsin anti-nudity bill reporting on Planet Nude.