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Florida County Seeks Ban on Beach Bums

Law would force thong, G-string flashers to adopt wider coverage

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 13, 2009 3:34 AM CST
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(Newser) – Florida's Pinellas County is seeking a crackdown on exposed backsides, the St. Petersburg Times reports. The county, citing complaints from visitors dismayed to find men and women nearly nude at area beaches, wants to protect the region's image as a family destination by banning skimpy thongs and G-strings in favor of swimwear that involves wider coverage.

Nudists who have long campaigned for a clothing-optional beach in the area say the proposed law is a step in the wrong direction that will actually drive tourists away. “It’s certainly going to have a negative impact because it’s going to turn people away who want to wear less bathing suit than their grandmother does," said a spokesman for Tampa Area Naturists.

Officials in Pinellas County say they have received complaints from tourists dismayed to find too much flesh on display at local beaches.
Officials in Pinellas County say they have received complaints from tourists dismayed to find too much flesh on display at local beaches.   (©robertpaulyoung)
The proposed law will drive away tourists who want to wear less bathing suit than their grandmother does, grumbled a local naturist.
The proposed law will drive away tourists "who want to wear less bathing suit than their grandmother does," grumbled a local naturist.   (Shutter Stock)
Florida's Pinellas county is seeking to ban swimsuits that leave too much backside exposed.
Florida's Pinellas county is seeking to ban swimsuits that leave too much backside exposed.   (Shutter Stock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Guest
Jan 13, 2009 5:57 AM CST
Honestly! You should take a trip to Rio de Janeiro one day, how do you expect to attract tourists, especially in this tough economic climate while imposing these antiquated rules.
Michael_CT
Jan 13, 2009 5:21 AM CST
the body is beautiful. celebrate it!
Guest
Jan 13, 2009 4:20 AM CST
If only those thong wearers all looked like the girl in the third image, but alas, whales in thongs should be pushed back into the sea so that they can go beach somewhere else, out of sight.

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