- A “children’s playground” was being considered for Denny Blaine Park, home to Lake Washington’s nude beach for decades
- Nudity is not illegal in Washington state, but the law states that nudity becomes illegal if it “transgresses into something obscene.”
- Members of the LGBTQ+ community expressed concerns that the playground would take away their space
Plans for a children's playground are scrapped after protests from local LGBTQ citizens because it is near a nude beach considered a “safe space” for the queer community.
A so-called “children's playground” was being considered for Denny Blaine Park, which has been home to Lake Washington's nude beach for swimmers, sunbathers and exhibitionists for decades, with more than $500,000 in funding from a private donor.
Nudity is not illegal in Washington state, but the law states that nudity becomes illegal if it “transgresses into something obscene.”
At a public forum, members of Seattle's LGBTQ+ community expressed concern that not only would the playground take away their space, but that families would use obscenity laws against them if the playground was near the beach.
“It's always been a place for the strange and wonderful, and that's one of the reasons Seattle is such a wonderful place: the weird,” said local attorney Colleen Kimseylove.
A playground intended for children is being demolished after protests from local LGBTQ citizens because it is near a nude beach considered a “safe place” for the queer community
The beach at the park is not officially recognized as a nudist beach, which the community would now like to see happen after the park's rejection.
“While this area of our city still lacks accessible play equipment for children and families, we understand the feedback that this particular park is not the best location and will explore other location alternatives,” a city spokesperson told KING5.
Seattle officials claimed there was no place within a 10- to 15-minute walk where a playground could be built.
A movement calling itself Save Denny Blaine has posted literature online, including a map showing four different locations where a children's playground could be built while maintaining distance from the beach.
In a later open speech they made their demands clear.
“Queer and transgender people are fundamental to Seattle’s history and culture,” they wrote.
“We are your constituents and were recently concerned to hear that Seattle Parks and Recreation was considering adding a children’s playground to the northwest portion of Denny Blaine Park.”
“Denny Blaine Park is an area often used as a nude beach by the queer community here in Seattle and is not the right area to build a children's playground,” they added.
“We support finding a place in the area to build a playground, but we believe there are better locations than Denny-Blaine.”
What was described as a “children's playground” was being considered for Denny Blaine Park, home to Lake Washington's nude beach for swimmers, sunbathers and exhibitionists for decades
At a public forum, members of Seattle's LGBTQ+ community expressed concern that not only would the playground take away their space, but that families would use obscenity laws against them if the playground were nearby
The beach at the park is not officially recognized as a nudist beach, which the municipality would like to see after the park's rejection
A movement calling itself Save Denny Blaine has posted literature online, including a map showing four different locations where a children's playground could be built while maintaining distance from the beach
The group provided space for testimonials from people sharing what the beach and park meant to their community.
Many in the community are now curious about the private donor who wanted to fund the project with $550,000.
“It is simply essential to recognize the fact that a donor can influence our society and shut down a safe space at will by donating half a million dollars.” “It's disgusting,” said Jesse Miranda.
The goal for the local LGBT+ community from now on is to “officially designate this location as a clothing-optional beach and potentially acknowledge its history as a queer safe space,” says Sophie Amity Debs.
The Seattle Parks Service wrote that they “plan to meet with leaders of the LGBTQIA+ community to better understand the importance of this beach to the community and hopes for future uses.”