UMeN celebrates its 25th anniversary

In the late 1970s, a group called Utah Men Enjoying Naturism, more commonly known as UMEN, was formed. It continued, with varying degrees of success, until late 1999. By the late 1990s, the group had become increasingly sexualized, featuring a playroom and largely ignoring overt sexual activity during events. It was also widely understood that shortly after the official end time, gatherings routinely shifted into explicitly sexual territory.

According to members, newer and younger attendees were often pressured by older participants to enter the playroom. Many of those younger men eventually stopped coming, and once they were gone, participation from older members declined as well.

I rarely attended events myself, but I served as the group’s self-appointed webmaster after purchasing the domain name umen.org.

In the spring of 2001, I decided to revive the group following a year-long absence. I intentionally waited to create distance between the former incarnation and what I wanted to build anew. Because I already owned the website, I kept it and renamed the organization Utah Male Naturists, explaining that the “e” was borrowed from the word male. It may be a bit silly, but I went with it.

My goal was to create a genuinely nonsexual naturist group—one rooted in what I consider the long-established principles of naturism. I organized a naked lunch and clearly outlined my expectations for anyone interested in participating. I also made it clear that those seeking a group centered on sexual activity were free to start their own. My belief was that there were already plenty of sex-focused groups in the valley, but no true nonsexual naturist option.

Sixteen people attended that first event, which felt like a strong showing for a midweek afternoon. From there, the group grew into what it is today, soon to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

Today, the group has grown to more than 200 active members. I am deeply thankful to each of them for helping create such an incredible community organization—one that celebrates naturism, mutual respect, and a sense of belonging for all.

What Naturism means to me:

Utah Male Naturists celebrates a lifestyle of social nudity, promoting body positivity, self-acceptance, health (physical and mental), and a closer connection to nature by removing clothing barriers to foster naturism, freedom, and community in a non-sexualized environment. It emphasizes harmony with nature, stress relief, and equality, removing social distinctions often highlighted by clothes, and is linked to environmental awareness and healthy living. 

Key Celebrated Aspects:

• Body Positivity & Acceptance: Embraces all body types, sizes, and shapes, combating unrealistic beauty standards.
• Freedom & Authenticity: Offers freedom from societal expectations and the stigma of nudity, fostering genuine self-expression.
• Connection to Nature: Promotes living in harmony with the natural world, often alongside healthy habits like exercise and fresh air.
• Mental & Physical Well-being: Believes social nudity reduces stress, improves self-esteem, and promotes overall relaxation.
• Community & Equality: Creates inclusive environments where social barriers (like class) diminish, fostering connection.
• Simplicity: A return to natural simplicity, rejecting materialism and artificiality often associated with clothing. 

Thank you again for participating. I look forward to another 25 years.