Steve (Stephen) Gough: Naked Rambler
SKIN FREEDOM
views on Steve Gough.
Recently the Rambler has been in the news, therefore it is pertinent
to set the record straight.
Formerly I managed a naked rights discussion group called "Stop
Segregation", upon which, back in the year 2003, I discussed the
transformation from The Freedom To Be Yourself into Stop Racist Human
Skin Phobia. Steve and others such as Richard Collins (a naturist who
previously rode his bicycle naked around Cambridge) were very critical
when I expressed "naked rights" in racial terms. Often I would compare
myself to Rosa Parks http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosa_Parks but Steve
and others said such comparisons were offensive to black people. I
insisted the battle for Skin Freedom is equally serious and perhaps
more serious than the emancipation of Black people. Almost everyone at
the time on the Stop Seg discussion group was hostile towards my
viewpoint. They said comparing Skin Freedom to Black Freedom was
unjustified and offensive, and they said Skin Freedom is not a racial
issue.
I found the hostility and lack of support towards my views very
dismaying and very sad.
Imagine my perplexity regarding recent news reports where Steve Gough
is now comparing himself to Rosa Parks. The next thing you know will
be that Steve is claiming he invented SRHSP. I despise hypocrisy and I
despise thieves who steal my ideas for personal aggrandisement.
Despite initially condemning my ideas Steve has now stolen my ideas.
Previously Steve made reference to the slogan The Freedom To Be
Yourself without referencing the campaign, which resulted in at least
one journalist thinking Steve founded TFTBY
Steve doesn't have seriousness and dedication at heart regarding
matters of Skin Freedom thus he cannot invent his own slogans and
ideas; he simply parrots what I have said.
Anyone who takes their clothes of in public in a peaceful and non-
sexual manner should not be arrested, this is obvious. Steve shouldn't
be arrested but I don't support him because I believe his goal is fame
and fortune instead of Skin Freedom for every-BODY. He reminds me of a
typical conman. The police are definitely not justified arresting
Steve but I definitely do not support Steve.
What is his reason for insisting upon staying in Scottish jails where
the Scots are less tolerant of nakedness? If Steve actually lived in
Scotland I could understand his motives but before his naked walk
began Steve's home was not Scotland. Steve could advance the cause of
Skin Freedom to a greater degree, more successfully, if he focused on
England where I've made great progress gaining two not guilty
verdicts. I strongly suspect advancing Skin Freedom is not Steve's
true motive, I suspect he is trying to build himself into a pseudo-
martyr for the purpose of becoming famous. I have heard Steve refuses
to appeal against his convictions. If Steve did appeal against his
convictions, and if he was successful which is likely, then the
Scottish arrests would stop but I suspect Steve doesn't actually want
to stop his imprisonment in Scotland.
If Steve really wants to address highly repressive attitudes to Skin
Freedom then he should move his focus from Scotland to Afghanistan or
Iran because those places are not Steve's home either. Focusing on
Scotland is idiotic, if you want to advance the cause of Skin Freedom,
although having said this I must note Steve has generated a lot of
publicity and he has highlighted the great prejudice towards human
skin. My point, however, is that if Steve focused on England where
arrests are less likely and not guilty verdicts very possible then the
publicity would be more positive and more likely to encourage other
people to strip off... NOW THIS IS THE CRUCIAL POINT... if more people
stripped-off then Steve would be less likely to be famous, which I
strongly believe is Steve's prime motive therefore he focuses on
Scotland where he can become a martyr. Steve's desire for fame will
ultimately damage Skin Freedom for the human race, therefore people
who support Steve are against Stop Racist Human Skin Phobia because
the issue of Skin Freedom, for the human race, is a much bigger issue
than one individual.
Vincent Bethell
PS: Steve has formerly taken part in a fashion shoot to publicise the
sale of clothing.
http://stop-racist-human-skin-phobia.org/steve-gough-naked-rambler.html