Can nudists and swingers live side by side? That’s the debate in Florida’s Pasco County, where a a well-known “clothing optional” resort has parted ways with a nudist organization that has accredited it for years.
The Stanley Kubrick thriller “Eyes Wide Shut” starring Tom Cruise revealed a bizarre underworld of masquerade sex parties. Borrowing from the movie, the upscale Caliente Resort is holding an “Eyes Wide Shut” party of its own this weekend. It’s a party that event promoter Aahz Party Lifestyle Group promises on its website will promote an “explosive sexual atmosphere”.
Caliente Resorts spokeswoman Angye Fox says the theme parties are helping Caliente redefine itself for a younger generation. “There’s a big difference between ’sex sells’, but sexy really sells and there’s a line that cannot be crossed,” Fox said.
Luring a younger crowd comes with a price. For years the American Association for Nude Recreation gave its blessing to the upscale resort as a place where naturalists could shed their clothes in what was supposed to be a family-friendly environment. Now Caliente has given up its membership after the association temporarily suspended its charter amid rumors of sex parties at the resort.
Fox says the parties are being misunderstood, and security guards remain on duty enforcing the ‘no contact’ rule in common areas. “We have a very strict policy with regard to public displays of affection,” Fox said. “What they would do if they wanted to go back to hotel room or rented home they had, that’s up to them. This is America.”
Catering to a younger audience appears to be working for Caliente. The resort says revenue is up 120 percent.
WFLA-TV Tampa Bay, FL
Filed under: Clothing Optional, Nudity, naturists, nude resorts, nude vacations, nudist vacations | Tagged: nudist, Lifestyles, naturists, Swinger, swinging, AANR
The idea that you have to turn to sex parties in order to attract a younger generation to nudism is preposterous. Plenty of younger people have the intellectual ability to separate nudity from sex, even in this country. Besides, what these parties are about has nothing to do with nudism in the first place. Resorts catering to swingers should not lie to people about their true intentions. Their contention that nudism is a subset of swinging, or vice-versa, is an outright lie they’ve invented to justify their actions.
Mark,
“Eyes Wide Shut” is simply a theme for a masquerade party at Caliente. It should not be construed as the club throwing a sex party. Caliente does not and will not participate in sex parties of any type, and they never have in the past. You’re swayed by the media slant on the whole thing. To them any thought of “sex” sells.
Frankly I commend Caliente for trying to bring younger people into the fold. Looking at nearly all the pictures of any edition of the ANNR Bulletin should support that theory.
Mark,
We were lucky to attend the 1st Eyes Wide Shut party in August 2007. We were there by chance and it was the first Aahz party thrown. We are NOT “swingers” and did not see any wild sex activitiy. We did see a lot of young people dressed in fabulous costumes at the party and saw them having a great deal of fun around and in the pool (normal fun – tho naked :-0 ). Having been to Caliente on a number of occasions in the past several years I can say (again as a non-swinger) the energy brought to the club by the younger set was great! Caliente is (and I’m sure will) enforcing their normal club rules as far as sexual activity is concerned. Now as far as what went on behind closed doors – I can’t say!
OH NO! People enjoy sex!! WHO KNEW??