June 30, 2004
By Sabine C. Hirschauer
Hampton Roads Daily Press
The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday in Richmond challenging the constitutionality of a new state law that prohibits juveniles from attending nudist camps without their parents or legal guardians. The law, passed this year by the General Assembly, will take effect Thursday.
"Government should not interfere with how parents raise their children," said Rebecca Glenberg, ACLU's legal director. "This is a law based on prejudice and misunderstanding."
The ACLU will seek a preliminary injunction from the court to prevent the state from blocking a juvenile camp planned in July at White Tail Park, a nudist resort in Ivor, which is in Southampton County just over the Isle of Wight County line.
Del. John S. "Jack" Reid, R-Henrico, introduced a bill earlier this year, saying he received a flood of calls about teenagers attending the camp last year without parental supervision.
Owners of White Tail Park, one of three nude teen camps nationwide, would not comment.
According to an ACLU statement, the law violates the constitutional rights of privacy and association, and the right of parents to "direct the upbringing of their children."
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