I would also like to add that at Brighton, we try to keep the snappers away from the bodypainting area, as people feel more exposed there. These guys (pretty much
100% UK born I would say) seem to treat as some kind of 'ritual' of bravado to get as many close up shots as possible.
When asked to respect the people they are snapping (often just a matter of asking for a photo, I know I do it myself), they usually respond about it being a
'free country' or a
'public space' and they can do as they want!
I 100% agree that to take photos is OK (I have to be careful now
) but it is the manner in which they crowd (London seems much worse) the girls, who they seem to think of as a bit of an 'easy' type of girl (I would say the opposite is in fact true) that is there for the purpose of proving how much a man they are!
Some right wing Christian and Muslim groups (
together, see what it takes to unite these two odd bedfellows!!!) tried very hard (including a public petition) to get a new ride stopped in the UK, I find it ironic that when a ride happens, some of these people are seemingly at the front of the queue for getting some photos!
I know of only one female rider (the cat/blue/tiger lady of Southampton in 2008,2010 and 2011)) who I know is from a muslim country, but have seen quite a few from south asia (Indian origin), both male and female naked riders, but I assume they are of hindu origins.