In early October, a group of celebrities (including Amy Schumer, Tiffany Haddish, Chris Rock, and Mark Ruffalo) made waves when they appeared naked in a viral YouTube video produced by non-partisan organization RepresentUs, urging Americans to be careful with their mail-in ballot for the presidential election.
Many headlines were derisive (the country being not yet over the tone-deaf Gal Gadot-spearheaded clip of several well-intentioned celebrities singing lines from John Lennon’s “Imagine” at the start of the pandemic), but that was beside the point — the nakedness of Ruffalo and company created much media buzz, thus drawing a lot of attention to their political objective.
Nudity has long been a tactic used to generate attention, in both politics and protest. One of the most famous incidents, Lady Godiva’s nude protest on horseback, is over 1,000 years old. Here in Canada, in the early 20th century, the Doukhobors protested religious persecution and demonstrated their humbleness by marching nude — men, women, and children. Their tenacity resulted in the criminal code being amended in 1931 to outlaw nudity. As a result, over 600 were arrested and sent to prison for being nude.
Some forms of this kind of protest have had astounding longevity. PETA’s “I’d rather go naked” antifur campaign, which featured celebrities posing nude, finally ended in February after 30 years of using nudity to push their animal-friendly agenda. The World Naked Bike Ride protesting our reliance on fossil fuels has been an annual event in dozens of major cities around the world since 2003.
Nudity as a protest tactic has been having a moment during the latter half of this challenging year. In Portland, Ore., during recent Black Lives Matter protests, a woman stripped down and confronted riot police. Dubbed the “Naked Athena,” her nudity may appear to have made her vulnerable, yet she was effective in stopping the police.
In fact, her nakedness was so effective in garnering attention that some have criticized that the protests have become a “white spectacle.” In late October, FEMEN protested nude against Poland’s latest anti-abortion law. It was the latest protest by the Ukrainian group that has been using nudity for over a decade to fight against sexism, sex trafficking, homophobia, and more.
One might think that we naturists are so comfortable with nudity that we would be unfazed by these protests. But to the contrary, we are fascinated by the actions taken by these brave people. That’s because we understand better than most the shame, embarrassment, and offence that have been arbitrarily imposed on our bodies by society.
Of course, we would very much like to stop the hyper-sexualization and objectification of the human body; to return it to where people accept it in its natural state. But that is an enormous challenge, and until then nudity will retain its ability to shock and bring attention to political and social issues.
It is interesting to consider that there are many different types of nudity. Most people associate it with sexuality and pornography. But in the doctor’s office, it is clinical. For naturists, nudity is a tool to achieve body acceptance and the return to living a more natural life. If depicted in certain contexts, it is art. It can even have religious and ritualistic connotations.
But when forced upon people, nudity is oppression through humiliation, and when intentional on the part of the participant, it can also be a powerful form of expression.
While using nudity to expose injustice or promote a cause may seem cheap or exploitative to some, there’s no doubt that when one believes it’s worth it to be bare down to their toes in service of creating change, it’s bound to make headlines.
Stéphane Deschênes is the owner of Bare Oaks Family Naturist Park and has taught a course about nudity at the University of Toronto. He has been hosting the The Naturist Living Show podcast since 2008.
New Brunswick voters have elected a Liberal majority government, tossing out the incumbent Progressive Conservatives after six years in power and handing the reins to the first woman ever to lead the province. Liberal Leader Susan Holt spent much of the campaign rolling out proposed fixes for a health-care system racked by a doctor shortage, overcrowded emergency rooms and long wait-times. She promised to open 30 community health clinics across the province by 2028. (Oct. 22, 2024)
Susan Holt has made history in New Brunswick by becoming the first woman to serve as the leader of the province’s Liberal Party, a significant milestone in the province’s political landscape. Holt’s leadership victory signals a new era of representation, gender equality, and change in the region, which has long been dominated by male politicians.
Holt’s journey to the top has been one of perseverance and dedication. Before entering politics, she built a distinguished career in the private sector, where she held numerous leadership positions. Her experience in business development and public policy has equipped her with the skills needed to navigate the complex world of politics.
In a province where women have historically been underrepresented in politics, Holt’s election represents a watershed moment. Women’s involvement in leadership roles has been steadily increasing nationwide, but New Brunswick, like many parts of Canada, has seen slower progress in achieving gender parity. Holt’s rise to the top of the Liberal Party not only shatters a glass ceiling but also serves as an inspiration for future generations of women aiming for political leadership.
As the leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Party, Holt has laid out a vision of inclusivity and progress. Her policies focus on economic development, healthcare reform, environmental sustainability, and addressing social issues that have plagued the province. She has also emphasized the importance of transparent governance and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities, making her platform both modern and forward-thinking.
Holt’s leadership arrives at a time when many voters are calling for change, especially in the face of challenges like economic uncertainty and the need for healthcare improvements. She aims to bring fresh ideas to tackle these issues while ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their background, have a voice in government decisions.
Susan Holt joins the ranks of other trailblazing women across Canada who have led provincial parties and governments. Women like former Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and Ontario’s Kathleen Wynne have paved the way, and now Holt is contributing to this growing legacy of female political leadership in Canada.
Her achievement highlights not only the growing number of women entering politics but also the demand for leaders who can bring diverse perspectives to the table. In a field often dominated by entrenched traditions, Holt’s election is a step toward a more inclusive and representative political landscape in New Brunswick.
Holt’s leadership signals a broader shift in Canadian politics, where more women and diverse voices are gaining prominence. For young women across the country, her rise serves as a powerful reminder that leadership roles are within reach, even in traditionally male-dominated spheres.
With her election, Susan Holt has proven that perseverance, skill, and a vision for change can break even the toughest barriers. Her leadership will not only reshape New Brunswick’s political future but also inspire others across Canada to pursue leadership positions and continue to challenge the status quo.
NDP Leader Carla Beck has two planned campaign events today, starting the day with an availability in Moose Jaw and then later this evening attending an event in the capital with the Regina Medical Staff Association.
Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe, meanwhile, will speak in Prince Albert at the start of Voting Week in the province.
Saskatchewan residents can vote for five days starting today in the lead-up to next week’s provincial election, although polls won’t be open Sunday.
The NDP and the Saskatchewan Party are urging voters to cast their ballots early.
Voters can find their polling stations on their information cards or by visiting the Elections Saskatchewan website.
Chief electoral officer Michael Boda says there are about 810,000 registered voters in Saskatchewan.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2024.
