Va. Teen Nudist Law Challenge Reinstated
 

(submitted by gekkogecko)

By LARRY O'DELL, Associated Press Writer




RICHMOND, Va. - A federal appeals court Tuesday
reinstated a lawsuit challenging a 2004 Virginia law
requiring parental supervision at a nudist camp for
juveniles.

A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of
Appeals ruled the American Association for Nude
Recreation can pursue its claim that the law violates
its free speech rights, crimping its ability to spread
its nudism philosophy.

The organization claims it had to cancel last summer's
camp because only 11 of the 35 youths who signed up
would have been able to bring a parent.

"A regulation that reduces the size of a speaker's
audience can constitute an invasion of a legally
protected interest," Judge William B. Traxler Jr.
wrote in the unanimous ruling.

A lower court judge ruled last August the lawsuit was
moot because organizers of the camp at White Tail Park
surrendered their permit after the state law took
effect.

Emily Lucier, spokeswoman for the Virginia attorney
general's office, said prosecutors were disappointed
"but we expect to win at trial."

The 2003 summer nudist camp for children 11 through 17
was the first in Virginia — and only the third in the
country, according to its sponsors.