Have you been spotted in social medias by others who know yo

[hoborob]

There was a case brought up in the Federal Court system here in the US many years ago where a photographer for a newspaper was involved with taking some photos of private property and was being sued by the owner of said property. The photographer was standing on a public sidewalk at the time he took the aforementioned photograph. In the end the court ruled that anything visible from public property may be photographed without the need for asking for permission unless a specific sign has been posted banning photography. Thus if you go out in public you have given implied permission to be photographed so long as you are visible from public property. Thusly you may not require that someone delete any photographs that they may have taken of you while you are out in the public realm. Now if you are in a closed in facility that is not open to the public the photographers must get your written permission to take photographs that you might be in.

In essence if you are comfortable in what you wear you should also be prepared for the fact that you might be photographed and in fact with all the cameras that are in use you are in fact having pictures and or video of you bein taken in many places that you may be. Just look around and its likely anymore that there is a camera of some sort within your viewing range even though you may not see it. This is particularly true the larger the town you are in. I'm not pointing this out to cause fear and intimidation but just to make everyone aware that you are in a video or picture somewhere that could 'expose' you at some point. As long as you are comfortable with that then do not be ashamed and people will likely be OK with it, if you act furtively then it presents an image of shame and insecurity which will likely receive negative comments. Ii know for myself that it is difficult to be bold and to act secure in what you are wearing but the more you get out there and wear what you want the easier it becomes. As Moonshadow pointed out, it's not a matter of if someone you know will see you in some form, it's a matter of when, if you are prepared before hand for the event you will handle it just fine and the other person will accept you for who you are. In the long run if they are a friend they will let you be and continue to be a friend, if they reject you then they weren't really a friend to begin with. Real friends will stand with you no matter what, The other kind of friend isn't worth having.

[Fred in Skirts]

Real friends will stand with you no matter what, The other kind of friend isn't worth having.

AMEN TO THAT

Fred

[Sinned]

I have a farcebook page but haven't visited it for months. I am generally very antisocial electronically so if there are any pictures out there of me I have no real inclination to find out and wouldn't be bothered anyway. I am open about my skirt wearing and any hesitation I have is only because of MOH's antagonism. I am not aware of anyone explicitly taking a photo of me by camera or phone. If anyone here finds any then by all means let me know but I won't be gong looking.

[denimini]

Now that the weather is cooling off, the tourists are starting to return (opposite to most places but most people don't like holidaying in 40C).
I was doing some renovation work next to the old Bond Store, still warm enough to be wearing my 14" charcoal, frayed denim mini. A touring couple came up to the gate enquiring about some 1890's rowing skulls that they had been infromed were in there. It was true and I showed then in and they took some pics. On departing he asked if he could take a pic of me standing in front of the doorway. I said yes, so who knows where that might turn up.

[bobmoore]

Sure. I'm at the age where I could not care less who knows what about me. I'm me, not someone else's idea of who I should be. Too bad if some people can't deal with it: its their problem. Heck, even one or two here, in a very open and tolerant forum, let their closed mindedness show through now and then.

I'm all the time posting men's skirt stuff on my FB page for the continuing edification of the people. I am a Ruling Elder in a very conservative church, and even they have no problem with my preferences. Perhaps that is because we are careful, as the scripture says, to "not go beyond what is written", and nothing is said on this subject. We put it this way: in the essentials, unity, in the non essentials, charity.

[moonshadow]

I'm all the time posting men's skirt stuff on my FB page for the continuing edification of the people. I am a Ruling Elder in a very conservative church, and even they have no problem with my preferences. Perhaps that is because we are careful, as the scripture says, to "not go beyond what is written", and nothing is said on this subject. We put it this way: in the essentials, unity, in the non essentials, charity.

Interesting, there are a few conservatives in my life that don't care much for my skirt wearing at all. It always seems to boil down to a biblical issue. Mom in particular seems to take great issue with it. As a conservative (I assume), how do you manage this?

In regards to open minds... it seems everyone has one, until you mention something their mind hadn't thought of, them it seems they all sham shut at the onset of a new idea.

[Kilted_John]

Over here and in my experience over the past 14 years or so, it seems that the liberals are the ones who are closed-minded. Surprisingly, it seems that those who usually are considered more tolerant will be more likely to either want to look the other way or will have a disdainful look on their face. Yet, those on the right seem to be more willing to accept my sartorial choices. Case in point, quite a few of my friends (both in person and on FB) know that I am not a trousered guy. One buddy was aghast when posted some pics of me wearing the Old Navy ruffled skirts I have. He's someone who you'd expect to be very tolerant and accepting of alternative lifestyles, having a lesbian mother and sister, plus being a democrat. Yet, he was taken aback by it. Other friends didn't mind it at all and thought that it was cool that I was willing to do what I wanted. Most of those were conservative/libertarian, politically. People who seem to want small government and figured that I'm not hurting myself, so, why complain about it.

As per usual, YMMV. Everyone's experiences will be different.

-J

[moonshadow]

Over here and in my experience over the past 14 years or so, it seems that the liberals are the ones who are closed-minded. Surprisingly, it seems that those who usually are considered more tolerant will be more likely to either want to look the other way or will have a disdainful look on their face. Yet, those on the right seem to be more willing to accept my sartorial choices. Case in point, quite a few of my friends (both in person and on FB) know that I am not a trousered guy. One buddy was aghast when posted some pics of me wearing the Old Navy ruffled skirts I have. He's someone who you'd expect to be very tolerant and accepting of alternative lifestyles, having a lesbian mother and sister, plus being a democrat. Yet, he was taken aback by it. Other friends didn't mind it at all and thought that it was cool that I was willing to do what I wanted. Most of those were conservative/libertarian, politically. People who seem to want small government and figured that I'm not hurting myself, so, why complain about it.

As per usual, YMMV. Everyone's experiences will be different.

-J

My experience has been (around here) that the far right promotes the interest of right wing religious zealots, and the far left promotes the interest of left wing non-religious radicals. Both sides, to me anyway seem to be more and more guilty of denying civil liberties to groups that fall outside of their circle of supporters.

I have to continuously remind myself that most people, for everyone's imperfections are "middle of the road". Still, the news that dominates the paper's tend to be one side or the other.

An actual example of this can be seen simply by wearing a feminine skirt. As many of the skirts you own John, in addition to mine may be considered of the more taboo "feminine" variety, you no doubt witness the same results that I do... that most people just don't care what we're wearing. Many are still just as friendly as you would be had you have been wearing trousers. Even in this area, which is known to be conservative, most people don't bother to even give a dirty look. Double takes? Sure. But that's the be expected, after all, a man in a skirt is not something you see every day.

The dirty looks, belong to faces that are no doubt highly fundamental make up a relatively small number of people, I'd say on average, I register a dirty look about once every other skirt outing. In such outing I am probably exposed to around 1,000 people. Granted, not everyone's face I can see, nor am I really trying, but even being very conservative (pardon the pun) with my numbers, even if only one out of a hundred had a deeply rooted issue with it, that still only amounts of 1% of the populous. In contrast, most people (99%) treat me as they would on any other trousered day.

So my question to Bob wasn't trying to attack conservatives, and I tried to word it carefully so as not to come off as such, but is of a genuine nature. Not because I really concern myself with what conservative strangers think of me, but the few conservatives in my life that I care about, case in point... my mother. I would really like to win her over on this once and for all, and I thought I would pick the brain of a church going conservative skirt wearer, to see how he reconciles this issue, so I might give it a try with Mom, without attacking her beliefs.

If that makes any sense...

[skirtingtoday]

I have not seen any pics of me skirted on any website or forum, though some years ago I was "spotted" and on another forum (and I am sure photographed as well) whilst I was wearing a skirt http://www.skirtcafe.org/forums/viewtop ... it=spotted

On another occasion, some years later, I am sure I was snapped by a fellow on the train sitting across from me - his phone definitely "flashed" confirming he did indeed take a pic - never seen that pic either.

I know there is a pic of me taken after a Breast Cancer Charity walk a few years ago, wearing a denim miniskirt, which I think is still there in the aether!

I wouldn't be bothered if a pic did appear somewhere.

[bobmoore]

I am a Ruling Elder in a very conservative church, and even they have no problem with my preferences. Perhaps that is because we are careful, as the scripture says, to "not go beyond what is written", and nothing is said on this subject. We put it this way: in the essentials, unity, in the non essentials, charity.

Interesting, there are a few conservatives in my life that don't care much for my skirt wearing at all. It always seems to boil down to a biblical issue. Mom in particular seems to take great issue with it. As a conservative (I assume), how do you manage this?

In regards to open minds... it seems everyone has one, until you mention something their mind hadn't thought of, them it seems they all sham shut at the onset of a new idea.

It is a sad truth that many people who appeal to scripture do so from a position of ignorance. In general terms, what is prohibited is effiminacy. From the beginning skirts have been worn by both sexes therefor the skirt can not be a problem biblically. But the matter of culture has to be considered as well. For example, when Paul wrote about long hair on men his reference was to feminine style, not length per se. The same principle applies to skirts.

I am well aware that some people demand the freedom to go to whatever extremes they want. That is the way of the world, but the world does not, and can not, receive the scripture. See 1 Corinthians 2:14. But naturally that does not prevent the world from trying to make the text say something it doesn't. In the same book, 4:6 forbids us to "go beyond what is written". It is precisely because we are conservative that we recognize both our freedoms, and our limitations.

Your comment on open minds is a bulls eye!

[Jim]

I posted a Facebook album this week about my wife and I enjoying a walk in the woods. Mostly pictures of flowers and edible greens. I included this picture and got several comments, none of which mentioned the skirt.

DSCF8451.JPG

[dillon]

I am a Ruling Elder in a very conservative church, and even they have no problem with my preferences. Perhaps that is because we are careful, as the scripture says, to "not go beyond what is written", and nothing is said on this subject. We put it this way: in the essentials, unity, in the non essentials, charity.

Interesting, there are a few conservatives in my life that don't care much for my skirt wearing at all. It always seems to boil down to a biblical issue. Mom in particular seems to take great issue with it. As a conservative (I assume), how do you manage this?

In regards to open minds... it seems everyone has one, until you mention something their mind hadn't thought of, them it seems they all sham shut at the onset of a new idea.

It is a sad truth that many people who appeal to scripture do so from a position of ignorance. In general terms, what is prohibited is effiminacy. From the beginning skirts have been worn by both sexes therefor the skirt can not be a problem biblically. But the matter of culture has to be considered as well. For example, when Paul wrote about long hair on men his reference was to feminine style, not length per se. The same principle applies to skirts.

I am well aware that some people demand the freedom to go to whatever extremes they want. That is the way of the world, but the world does not, and can not, receive the scripture. See 1 Corinthians 2:14. But naturally that does not prevent the world from trying to make the text say something it doesn't. In the same book, 4:6 forbids us to "go beyond what is written". It is precisely because we are conservative that we recognize both our freedoms, and our limitations.

Your comment on open minds is a bulls eye!

There is a lot of variability among individuals. I lean to the left on some issues and the center on others. I have as many disputes with arch liberals as I do with arch conservatives, since each tries to silence the other. Relationships become most difficult not when people vigorously defend their beliefs, but rather when their beliefs are doctrinal and dogmatic and locked in the figurative vault of infallibility. I can share a lot of kinship with the faithful, but little with the theological.

Literalism, in all things - not just scripturally, is the death-knell for human relations, in my personal experience, but in particular, scriptural literalism seems the most harmful. I can't get my head around the scriptural literalist attitude which so often seems to regard empiricism, reason, critical thinking, and rational interpretation as sin. I view intellect as God's most unique gift to humanity, and that which set us apart from other species, as implied in the verses giving man dominion over creation. I believe we are mandated to employ it compassionately, in the example of Christ. By my heartfelt interpretation, dominion means stewardship and caretaking, including of each other, since we too are creations. Some would call that overreach, yet have no issue with exploitation of the gifts when it serves their own comfort, i.e. wealth and influence. I can easily embrace anyone who accepts that life is seldom black and white, but most usually shades of grey that compels both intellect and compassion to navigate, and doesn't require the abandonment of either as a license for faith.

I would add that liberals can frequently be as ruthless and as blindered as conservatives appear to be, each in their zeal to impose rules for human existence. I reject the dogma of both extremes. Let people be who and what they will be. Control your own life, lead your own family, and let others do the same. If their ways disturb you, try talking and understanding before legislating. Most of the issues we now wrangle with in law and politics could be reconciled if we just talked to each other first, figuratively checking both absolutism and unyieldingness at the door. Compromise is not a sin; compassion is not a weakness.

[crfriend]

Well put, Dillon, but recall that actually living an ethical and compassionate lifestyle places one at a very distinct disadvantage in today's society where ethics and compassion are become rare oddities. I know -- I do the best I can to live such a life, seem to be respected for that, but can routinely wind up on the losing side of things unless I decide to play by their rules (i.e. compromise ethics and toss compassion to the wind) instead of mine. I very much dislike what society has become in the past 35 years -- very much.

I do not wish for a "return to the 'good old days" (which when one looks beneath the covers finds that they weren't good at all, just different), but long for a world where ethics and compassion are valued traits, not disadvantages.

Note that I use the terms "ethics" and "compassion", and not "religion" or even "faith". If one looks closely, if one lives his life in an ethical and compassionate way -- even if he is bereft of gods -- he finds himself strikingly close to being a "good {fill-in-the-faith-here}". I have been called a "good {fill-in-the-religion-here}" many times, and when I mention that I behave the way I do out of conscious choice, and not fear of retribution in some "afterlife" folks tend to be stunned. Sometimes, if they're shallow, they walk away in disgust and I'm glad to see them go; however, sometimes some very rich and rewarding conversations can be had -- so long as dogma doesn't get in the way.

However, we're a very long way off topic at this point, so I'll quiet down.

[bobmoore]

Dillon, you put it quite nicely, as did our friend Friend. But you might think about one thing. In your opening remarks you mentioned having more in common with "the faithful" than with "the theological". Theology is simply the study of God. One can have faith in many things, but faith without knowledge is not faith at all because it has no basis outside the individual. Profession of faith, and possession of it are wildly different things. One can glue hubcaps on ones butt and live in a garage, but that doesn't make one an automobile. That is a pretty good picture if the culturally driven church: it isn't what it professes to be. Without the knowledge of God, as he reveals himself in scripture, anything goes because the preferences and desires of men are the focus rather than obedience to the scripture. As Jesus said, "Why do you call me Lord, and not do what I say?"

[moonshadow]

The last five post were some of the most beautiful pieces of writing I've seen on this website, in addition to many other prints.

I admit I may have been unfairly harsh on Christians over the last few years. It is difficult for me, as I don't proclaim myself to be one [Christian], therefore I look at the stories in the paper "from the outside looking in", and I see a picture completely vile and full of hate. Yet at the same time, I know many here are men of the Christian faith, and despite our few minor differences, we all not only tolerate one another, but even respect one another.

On the internet, and in my house I tend to rant and rave, but in person, in the real world, I am in fact, generally as kind to strangers as they are to me, regardless of their religious views. Over the last few weeks I have had some very uplifting conversations with people of various Christian creeds.

The more I put the paper down, and talk to real people, the more I realize that the world, for all it's imperfections is not full of wicked people, but people who generally try to do the right thing, even if they fall short on occasion. In short, provided people don't attempt to forcibly re-wire my soul, and are respectful in nature, I generally endevour to return that courtesy.

Case in point, I had a very friendly conversation with an older women today at our local Christian thrift store. This marked the first time I had been in there since I have been wearing skirts. Sadly, they didn't have many skirts believe it or not, maybe 15 total. But I still found three that I liked. I went up to the counter, I was already wearing many skirts (it's blasted COLD today), a slip, mouseworks, and blue Macabi all at once, along with thermal shirt, sweat shirt, tee-shirt over that, and a hoodie (yeah I was warm), and my hillbilly hat. My purse cord shared space with my pentacle necklace. As she rung up the sale, I made small talk with her, and we discussed the stores mission, that being that every dollar that went into the till went to buy food for the food pantry up the road. The discussion continued into how hard times have gotten for many local families.

She never said a word about anything I was wearing, or what I was buying (three skirts), and a part of me almost expected a problem, what with all the "religious freedom" nonsense going on now in regards to businesses. Everything rang up to $5.00 total.

I gave her a twenty ($20), told her to keep the change for their mission. She thanked me, I told her to have a blessed day, and she returned the kindness.

The whole ordeal was very good for this old boys increasingly bitter outlook.

As I walked away with a sense that not all Christians are bad, hopefully she saw me leave with a similar notion that not all male skirt wearing Pagans are bad either. I like to think that little things like that will someday bridge the gaps between people, clear the air of hatred and misunderstanding, and maybe eventually.... set us free.