Naturists bare all on UTV 'Show' premiere

Penn Naturist Student Association members appeared completely naked on the UTV13 season premiere of College sophomore Dan Kay's The Show last night. The Naturists appeared nude because they wanted to demonstrate how one can reach a higher understanding and acceptance of the human body, club members said. Association President and third-year Law student Gons Nachman said he hopes to eradicate American sexual repression and "religious myths." During the show, Kay questioned Nachman about indecent exposure and the legality of public nudity. Nachman said he recognizes a fine line exists between indecent exposure and his club's activities, thus reiterating that his club's actions are legal. "If there's no sexual conduct, there's no rationale [for legal action]," Nachman said. Well aware of the laws regarding public nudity, Nachman added that "There's no rational basis for preventing nudity." "It helps us to get over the emphasis society places on looks," he said. Kay said he wanted to have Nachman and his group on The Show because the University community is curious about the Naturists. "A lot of people are interested in seeing what they're about," Kay said. "They should have every right to be shown." Joining Nachman on stage was his friend Monica Obiols, a Pierce College student who said she shares many of his philosophies regarding nudity. "[The program] showed how comfortable people can be in the nude," she said. Nachman said the television show's light-hearted and easygoing atmosphere "legitimized their performance" and heightened public acceptance of their principles. But UTV13 Station Manager Todd Donovan, an Engineering senior, said he held some reservations about the Naturists' exposure prior to the taping. He said he ordered that the cameras be strategically angled to prevent any undesired controversy. "While we are not under the auspices of the [Federal Communications Commission], we try to hold ourselves within their guidelines," Donovan said. Philip Tromovich, an Education graduate student, appeared nude alongside Obiols and Nachman on The Show. "It was a fun experience," he said. "I hope some will reconsider their 'streaks' and do them at noon instead of seven in the morning." While all three Naturists seemed to enjoy the publicity, Tromovich said he suffered an undesirable measure of physical discomfort. "The lights were hotter than I thought they would be," he said.