[1] In the early 1980s, a number of unaffiliated local clubs for gay naturists began independently springing up in major metropolitan areas of the United States and Canada.
Among the oldest and largest of the clubs that are still extant are Males au Naturel (MAN) in New York,[2] Los Angeles Nude Guys (LANG),[3] San Francisco Kindred Nudists (SKiNS),[4] and the Greater Atlanta Naturist Group (GANG).
In 1992, the group reorganized, with two key changes: it became an independent entity (no longer a SIG of TNS); and it was renamed Gay Naturists International (GNI).
[citation needed] In 1994, there was a schism in GNI due to a legal dispute over records and money with respect to the paid employee.
The website Spike's Naked Planet[8] lists over 100 gay naturist clubs in the United States, about half a dozen in Canada and a scattering in other places across the world.
The East Coast Gathering, sponsored by the Philadelphia Area Naked Guys,[11] is held each May in rural eastern Maryland.
Key West's Bone Island Bare It All Weekend[13] is held each July and December, attracting between 300 and 500 men.
In the United States, Palm Springs, California[14] and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida[15] have emerged as the leading vacation destinations for gay naturists.
Additionally there are spots up and down Puglia's coast where nude bathing coincides with predominantly, but not exclusively, gay and gay-friendly locals.
[citation needed] The book Naked Places, A Guide for Gay Men to Nude Recreation and Travel [24] was first published in 1997 and is in its fifth edition as of 2006.