Controversy Over Photos of Teenage Girl in 'Naked Bicycle Race'... US Moves to Ban Public Nudity

Controversy Over Distribution of Photos of Minor Participants at Event Held in Wisconsin, USA

Amid the event where about 150 people participated in this year's World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR) Madison event, a photo of a teenage girl who participated in the event has been widely circulated, causing a major controversy. Notably, one girl who took part in the event was seen wearing nothing but shoes and a helmet.

As controversy over the WNBR event spreads, Republican politicians in Wisconsin, USA, are pushing legislation to ban public nudity regardless of the reason.

According to local media and the Associated Press on the 5th (local time), the Republican-majority Wisconsin State Senate created two bills to ban public nudity and held a public hearing that day.

The main bill discussed at the hearing punishes public nudity as a misdemeanor regardless of the reason. Under current law, public exposure is only considered a crime if it is obscene.

This bill was proposed by Republican state senators following the 13th World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR) held in Madison, the capital of Wisconsin, in June.

During the WNBR event, some citizens reported to authorities that minors participated, but the county prosecutor's office ruled that "the participation of minors in the event does not violate state law."

Additionally, the Madison Police Department interpreted that the photo in question was not inherently obscene, so state laws regarding child pornography could not be applied, nor could laws related to harmful exposure of children.

In response, Congressman Tom Tiffany asked U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland at a congressional hearing held in September whether there were any measures to address such issues.

Chris Kapenga, the Republican state senator who proposed the bill, urged support, saying, "This is not something to be taken lightly. We must not allow the exposure of genitals in public. Children should not be allowed to roam the streets naked, nor should photos of such scenes be taken."

However, Democrats oppose the regulation, arguing that it could make it difficult to host performances and events.

Another bill discussed at the hearing makes it illegal to allow minors under 18 to participate in or watch events where adults intentionally appear naked, such as the naked bike ride. Except for reporting to the police, photographing naked children is also illegal.

Violations of this bill can result in up to 9 months imprisonment and a fine of $10,000 (approximately 13.5 million KRW).

The World Naked Bike Ride has been held in various cities worldwide for over 20 years. In Wisconsin, the first event was held 13 years ago in 2010.

After the first event, Madison police issued 10 warnings to some participants for "disorderly conduct," but a year later, the Madison City Council passed an ordinance allowing nudity as a legitimate form of "political protest."

The organizing committee describes the event as "promoting positive body image and encouraging environmentally friendly transportation by riding bicycles without using fossil fuels."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.