Maryland Nudists Lobby Congress For Access To Beaches, Parks WASHINGTON, D.C. (wypr) - Ray Simpson, a plumbing contractor in Prince George's County, has been practicing nudism for forty years.

"It's freedom, relaxation, enjoying life naturally. If God would have wanted you to be naked you would have been born that way."

Simpson visited the offices of both Maryland Senators asking them to keep public lands open to everyone - and reserve a special place for the clothing-optional crowd. He says nudists are a family-friendly bunch. He never brought his kids to a nudist event but he thinks it's great that others do.

"It's a family oriented thing, they'd be more safer there than walking down Pennsylvania Avenue."

There are no nude beaches in Maryland. People used to sunbathe nude at Assateague Island but now park officials fine those who get caught. Many area nudists have to travel as far as Sandy Hook, New Jersey to skinny dip. There are several nudist resorts and clubs in the area, like the Baltimore Jaybirds.

I'm Tanya Snyder reporting in Washington for Capitol News Connection on 88-1, WYPR
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