Turner V. Stokes, (1927-2018) advocated for nudists’ ability to go about without clothing. As a child went skinny dipping with his cousin in the Chesapeake Bay. He encountered organized nudism when he bought a copy of the magazine called Sunshine and Health as a teen. 1 Wear Nothing But A Smile: Prominent Nude Activist Turner V. Stokes Dies At 90
At 50 years old, Stokes and his wife visited a Pennsylvania nudist camp. Stokes embraced a life spent in the buff quickly. He became a part of several nudist organizations. He was president of the American Association for Nude Recreation in the 80s and started National Capital Naturists. He viewed naturism as a civil right. 2 The Man Who Believed Nudity Should Be a Civil Right
Stokes enjoyed going to the beach according to friends and established a nude beach on Assateague Island in Maryland. When a local ordinance shit down the beach Stokes unsuccessfully fought against it in court. He financed the legal costs in part by selling tshirts. 3 The Man Who Believed Nudity Should Be a Civil Right Stokes thought of himself as a naturist rather than nudist according to reports.
Naturists preferred to be nude in nature — not confined to a camp or resort like nudists. 4 Wear Nothing But A Smile: Prominent Nude Activist Turner V. Stokes Dies At 90
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