A Yankee at TNT!MEN's Start

I was happy to act as an official observer at the official launch of TNT!MEN on March 1st. As a US citizen, I was intrigued by the idea of Canadians meeting to establish a more democratic and collegial governance, but I tactfully suppressed any allusions to my country's overthrow of despotic, royalist rule two centuries ago. Instead, I listened to the reading of the well-reasoned draft constitution that was then ratified by TNT's membership.

I enjoyed talking to the men at the party- exchanging views about naturism, and collecting tips about my upcoming trip to Florida. I even helped clean up afterward. The launch party was even more fabulous because of the marvelously eclectic and funky environment that Peter and SpIke have made of their Toronto home.

I wore less

The new group isn't the only point of interest for gay naturists in Toronto-as I found out at the Toolbox, where every Thursday night is Naked Night. I checked my clothes and got a free drink! On Sunday we visited the Barn for the Underwear-or-Less tea dance. . . and I wore less. Because it was past my bedtime, I never even got to the Black Eagle for their Sunday night Naked Party.

I was flabbergasted by the opportunity of all these weekly venues for getting naked, dancing, and socialising. I must say that Toronto's men are a lot friendlier that we Bostonians and they're a lot more forward as well. I definitely had a good time not just in the bars but also strolling around Toronto's gay village on Church Street, a very agreeable collection of shops and cafes where the city's gay men congregate.

"I just feel like being naked"

My visit did have a serious side, however, as we attended a public meeting of the Federation of Canadian Naturists. This group is organising to establish a free beach on the shores of Lake Ontario in Scarborough and it is also defending the rights of naturists in Canada. As I understand it, the law prohibits anyone from being naked in a public place or in a private place within view of others without a lawful excuse. Apparently the excuse of "I don't know, I just feel like being naked and free" is not a lawful one. The TNT!MEN founders announced the formation of their new group and were well received by the officers of the Federation. With luck, they'll all be naked together on the beach this summer.

I hadn't been to Toronto in 25 years and I was impressed by the civility and politicial awareness that my hosts and their guests demonstrated. The streets were clean, the men were hot and I had a good time. Thank you, Peter and SpIke, for your hospitality and thank you, TNT!MEN, for being so fine.