Castro Theatre Manager Freaks Out Public Nudists, Journalist (Video)

By Erin Sherbert Mon., Sep. 24 2012 at 1:10 PM

The naked truth

A local journalist says he filed a police report this weekend, claiming his attempt to interview public nudists outside the Castro Theatre were cock-blocked by the theater's general manager.

Mike Skiff, a journalist with Third Rail Media, posted his video and explained what happened on Saturday as he interviewed two naked dudes outside the Castro Theatre:

The debate over public nudity heats up in San Francisco. Several nudists, including [a] former SF mayoral [candidate] celebrating Park(ing) Day by turning a parking space into the Garden of Eden beneath the iconic Castro Theatre marquee. The Castro's livid general manager, Keith Arnold, interrupted interviews by repeatedly striking a news cameraman with a clip board (at 2:25) and forcing the law-biding nudists to move one store front down Castro street. In answer to the question, "Are you tolerant of public nudism?" Mr. Arnold says in the video, "I'm tolerant of kids not having cocks in their faces."

Watch the video:

See Also: Nudists to Supervisor Scott Wiener: Banning Naked People Is "Totally Un-San Franciscan"

We put in a call to Arnold to get his side of the story, but have not been able to reach him. We've also contacted SFPD to learn more about this purported police report that's been filed.

In any event, that's the latest news on those freely flapping penises in the Castro.

Follow us on Twitter at @TheSnitchSF and @SFWeekly

Tags:

Castro Theater, Keith Arnold, Mike Skiff, naked men, public nudists

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CastroResident

I'm more concerned with the homeless camped out at Castro Station throwing garbage all over every day. Anyone want to take a stab at managing that situation?

Fedup.

Isn't it ironic that the "press person" blurs out the penises in his piece about freedom of expression. Gee if he was so up in arms about changing rules about public nudity why didn't he upload the video "as is" without the blurring. See how far that gets him. And asking the manager if he was gay is offensive. As a gay man in the neighborhood I'm fed up with this situation, and know many more that are as well. If the politicians can't do anything about this, time to vote. I'd place a large bet on which side would win that battle.

CoverItUp

There is a time and place for public nudity - nudist beaches, nudist colonies, nudist events (where it's EXPECTED) or in the privacy of ones own yard. THIS kind of display of their "short-comings" in public spaces, where there are sometimes children present is unacceptable. I am a gay man, and I find this disgusting and in no way a representation of the community. It has made me start avoiding the area, and avoiding taking visitors to the area, which means loss of revenue for businesses. It has nothing to do with "tolerance". These nudist activists are no different than groups like the Westboro Baptist church, who try to FORCE their beliefs on everyone else, which feels more an assault. They should be arrested.

CastroResident

They are breaking NO laws and you trying to take away their freedom seems a lot like Westboro Baptist church. If you don't agree with something it should be illegal? WTF dude. @CoverItUp

Lamdba

Sounds like a bit of an over-reaction.

HowardEpstein

Good for Mr. Arnold. No business wants these degenerates camping out in front of their businesses. It's time the Mayor and Supervisors outlaw public nudity. If not it will end up on the ballot within a few years.

Mike Basham

...it's bad for business. if i didn't have a livelihood to earn, i'd be hangin out all day naked too -

Mike Basham

not sure i'd call that freaking out. i live and work within a block of market/castro (in fact, adjacent to the plaza where the nudists hang), and if they congregated directly in front of my storefront i'd have a much more aggressive and totally justified reaction.