Helen talks to transgender female naturist Leah Crowley
Q: What got you into naturism/nudism?
A: During weekends I would go to stay at my grandparents caravan in Worcestershire and the surrounding area was outstanding natural beauty. I was about seven years old and I would wander into the nearby fields and woodland. I felt an inner peace and comfort. This would be my escape on a regular basis. The weather was surprisingly warm at this time and it just felt natural to unclothe and lay on the grass. I never knew what the term naturism was until much later.
Q: Is there a difference between the two labels?
A: Personally, I believe naturism is more rooted into Mother Nature and the environment and nudism is a term used by people who just enjoy being naked.
Q: How does naturism impact your life on a day-to-day basis?
A: By the time I reached my teens my body confidence was up and down. I didn’t like how I looked without clothes on and I would often try to find faults about me. This was the time I began to have gender dysphoria. I would often look in catalogues or glimpse at a beautiful female television presenter and I’d imagine I looked like her. I felt suffocated inside but I pushed it to the back of my mind and I tried to fit in with other “boys” but inside I wanted to be one of the girls. My love of makeup started from about five. Growing up in the Eighties I loved the glamour and styles of red lipstick and heels. As time went on I didn’t like my body even more. I felt incredibly trapped inside and I wanted to break out but I didn’t know how. In the early days people called it sex change and I wanted this from the age of 14 but again I kept trying to fit into how others wanted to see me due to lack of awareness and unknown fear. When I was in my late teens I came across an advert mentioning Health & Efficiency Naturist magazine and I was curious because it looked like a ticket to natural healing and liberation. I contacted the magazine and I asked them if they could send me details about the magazine and they kindly sent me a free sample copy which I then came across listings of many naturist clubs and it got me thinking back to my childhood of Worcestershire visits. I was more curious and I made contact with Telford Naturist Club and I visited there for a day visit. Naturism has helped me learn to cope with daily struggles of gender dysphoria and body wellness. Being a transsexual woman It has given me more freedom to be myself without judgement or discrimination. Prior to this I couldn’t look at myself in the mirror without feeling very uncomfortable and I tried harming myself. I still have moments of gender dysphoria but naturism has embraced me with a healing and coping mechanism. Eventually I will still have lower surgery but for now and today I am a more confident and a free spirit of a woman. Body freedom has given me empowerment and positivity towards now and the future. I smile more than before and I feel less suffocated by social conditions. Naturism for me is like taking the heavy chains from a wounded Angel to evolve and spread my wings into a joyous escape and freedom.
Q: How can we encourage more women to try it?
A: It’s a simple philosophy and lifestyle which can seem daunting to somebody who has never experienced it. Naturism is the sunshine through the grey clouds. Five minutes within a naturist friend’s company or five minutes researching Naturism can have a positive impact.
Q: How can women help in desexualising nudity?
A: I’ve noticed through social media that more women are openly discussing body image subjects and posting non filter photos. The media for years has been conditioned that all females should look and be a certain way which Is ridiculous and these were attitudes created from a male perspective. More and more women are speaking out today. Still there’s more equal rights which need to be done but there’s progress.
Q: How can we encourage body positivity and acceptance?
A: Word of mouth, literature, film, social media promoting and events and the media. They’re extensions to our voices and to aid more awareness.
Q: What drives your passion in promoting naturism?
A: Communication via Social media such as Twitter has been proving to be positive but it comes down to keep getting the right message out there towards the positive channels and groups.
Q: Is your family supportive?
A: I think so. It’s never been something which has been in a conversation.
Q: Has naturism changed since you first got involved?
A: I’m seeing more acceptance and awareness than before which I guess is also due to the evolving social networking and national events. I’m seeing more women from all walks of life discovering the benefits of naturism.
Q: How do you see the future of naturism?
A: I believe naturism will continue evolving and gaining further acceptance.
