Responding to outraged Fort De Soto visitors who have come across men and women enjoying the beach in states of near total nudity, Pinellas County may toughen its swimwear rules.

Skimpy thongs and G-strings that offer only superficial coverage of the backside will be banned in favor of bottom wear with more stopping power.

Officials said that after getting complaints from dismayed visitors for years, it’s time to take action and protect Fort De Soto’s image as a family vacation destination.

But nudists who have lobbied for a clothing optional beach at Fort DeSoto say the move is misguided. Among their arguments: The new rules could hurt tourism, which drives much of the local economy.

“It’s certainly going to have a negative impact,” said Ken Kushman, 62, secretary of Tampa Area Naturists, “because it’s going to turn people away who who want to wear less bathing suit than their grandmother does.”
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