A Conversation with Lucinda Yang

[Danielle]

PN Interview #001: A Conversation with Lucinda Yang – Embracing the Permanent Nude Lifestyle, Challenging Perceptions, and Redefining Freedom

By Addie Fry

Before I begin, let me introduce myself. I’m Addie Fry, and this is the first installment of Voices Unbound, a website dedicated to exploring the lives and stories of individuals who are living outside societal norms. In this interview series, we will dive into the lives of fascinating people who have chosen or found themselves in the unique world of permanent nudity. Whether by personal choice, the circumstances they’ve faced, or a combination of many other factors, this series aims to spark conversation about body autonomy, societal norms, and the diverse reasons why people choose to live without clothing.

Over the past several years, there has been a slow but noticeable shift in both federal and local attitudes toward those living this lifestyle, commonly referred to as Permanently Nude (PN). The acceptance of PNs, while still not universally widespread, has gradually expanded, and the people I’ll be interviewing throughout this series are on the frontlines of this shift.

To kick off this conversation, I had the privilege of sitting down with Lucinda Yang, a woman whose journey into permanent nudity challenges societal taboos and opens up new discussions about vulnerability, identity, and freedom. Lucinda’s story is one of strength and transformation, and I am excited to share it with you.

The Café Encounter

On a sunlit afternoon, I met Lucinda at a vibrant café, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee and pastries filling the air. As she entered, it was immediately clear that she carried herself with a quiet but undeniable confidence. Her presence was magnetic, not in the traditional sense of seeking attention, but in the sense of someone comfortable in their skin, embodying a powerful self-assuredness that seemed to radiate from within.

After we exchanged pleasantries and settled in, I asked her what surprised her most about living in a permanent state of nudity. She paused, her almond-shaped eyes reflecting both amusement and a trace of contemplation before answering.

“It’s not just the attention I get from others,” she began, taking a deliberate sip of her coffee. “It’s the assumptions people project onto me. From unsolicited sexual propositions to random comments about my body, and even judgments about my sexuality—people often feel entitled to weigh in on my life without knowing anything about me. I expected the stares, but what caught me off guard was just how much others feel they can insert themselves into my reality.”

Her words hung in the air, and I was curious to know more. “What kind of assumptions are you referring to specifically?” I asked.

Lucinda sighed, swirling her coffee slowly as she spoke. “For one, there’s the immediate hypersexualization. Some men approach me, assuming that by being naked, I must be trying to seduce or attract attention. At the same time, others criticize me for being ‘too visible,’ for ‘flaunting’ my body. You’d think that in a society so obsessed with body image, being naked would be a natural expression of freedom. But it isn’t. There’s this idea that my body has to be either perfectly toned or hidden away, and since I don’t fit into that narrow definition of beauty—because I have curves, stretch marks, cellulite—people see me as either ‘brave’ or ‘inappropriate.’”

Before I could respond, a group of suited women at a nearby table exchanged whispers and shifted uncomfortably. After a few moments, one of them walked over to our table. Her expression seemed a mix of irritation and embarrassment.

“Excuse me,” she said, her voice hesitant but firm, “Would you mind sitting... differently? It’s a bit distracting.”

Lucinda put her coffee down calmly and raised an eyebrow, her composure unshaken. “Distracting for whom?” she asked, her tone even but piercing.

The woman hesitated. “For... me. And for others, I imagine.”

Lucinda leaned back in her chair with an air of quiet authority. “I see. Do you ask clothed people to adjust their posture too, or is it just my nudity that’s a problem?”

The woman fumbled for a response, muttering something about ‘consideration’ before walking away. Lucinda shook her head slightly, a wry smile crossing her lips.

“That happens more often than you’d think,” she continued, turning back to me. “It’s frustrating, but it’s a reminder of how deeply ingrained body shame is in our society. People are more comfortable when I hide my body as if that somehow makes everyone else feel safer.”

Redefining Norms

The conversation shifted, and I asked Lucinda whether her bisexuality added another layer to the way people reacted to her lifestyle.

“Absolutely,” she responded without hesitation. “There’s this assumption that my nudity is tied to my sexuality. As though I’m trying to make a statement about my sexual orientation or prove something to the world. But the truth is, my lifestyle and my sexual identity aren’t up for validation. I was pushed into exploring both after a deeply painful divorce. That experience left me questioning everything about myself—my freedom, my desires, my authenticity. It’s not about what others think; it’s about reclaiming my narrative and finding peace with who I am. But still, people expect me to justify my choices. It’s frustrating, especially when they tie it all back to sexuality in a way that oversimplifies everything.”

I wondered if such scrutiny ever wore her down. “Does it ever get to you?” I asked gently.

Lucinda paused for a moment, her gaze distant but resolute. “Sometimes,” she admitted. “There are days when the constant judgments and assumptions weigh heavily on me. But then I remind myself why I chose this path in the first place. It’s about more than just nudity—it’s about vulnerability, freedom, and breaking free from these arbitrary, suffocating norms. If I can make even one person question their beliefs, if I can challenge one person to think differently, then I know it’s worth it.”

A Journey of Transformation

Curious about the origins of her bold lifestyle choice, I asked Lucinda how she came to be permanently nude.

She smiled wryly as if the story still surprised her. “It wasn’t exactly planned,” she said, leaning back in her chair. “At the end of my marriage to my high school sweetheart, things had fallen apart. My ex-husband and I made a strange agreement: I signed away my right to wear clothes for an entire year as a condition of our marriage. I know it sounds odd, but I was in a place where I felt desperate, and I agreed. But the marriage didn’t last, and when it ended, I found myself with no clothes, no money, and a new reality where my nudity had become permanent. It wasn’t what I expected, but at that point, I had no choice.”

Her voice softened, a mix of reflection and quiet strength. “At first, it was terrifying. I felt exposed and vulnerable in ways I had never imagined. But as time went on, I started to see it not as a punishment, but as an opportunity to challenge societal constraints. I realized I had the power to redefine what freedom meant to me. It wasn’t just about not wearing clothes—it was about shedding all the layers of expectation, shame, and judgment that society had placed on me. I started to embrace my new life fully, not as a loss, but as a personal revolution.”

Lucinda’s story is one of transformation, of reclaiming her body, her identity, and her autonomy in the face of societal resistance. It is a poignant reminder that true freedom comes not from conforming to society’s expectations, but from embracing one’s authentic self—no matter how unconventional that may seem.

The Road Ahead: Redefining Freedom and Challenging Society

As our conversation continued, I asked Lucinda about her hopes for the future and how she sees her role in the broader movement of individuals living in permanent nudity. She leaned forward, her eyes bright with purpose.

"I hope that by living this way, I can open people's minds," Lucinda explained. "I think one of the most powerful things we can do is to challenge society’s norms and to show that freedom doesn't come in a one-size-fits-all package. For me, freedom means being able to exist without judgment, without the societal pressure to fit a certain mold—whether that's physically, mentally, or emotionally. If I can do that for myself, I hope others can feel the same way, no matter how they choose to express their identity."

She paused, reflecting for a moment before continuing. "There’s so much work left to do, especially in terms of how the world views nudity. We need to separate the idea of nudity from sexuality in people’s minds. Just because I am nude doesn’t mean I’m inviting anything or that I am an object to be judged or desired. It’s about autonomy over my body, not about someone else’s interpretation of it. If anything, living this way is more about connection—connection to myself, to others, and the world around me."

Lucinda’s words echoed the central theme of the interview—freedom through vulnerability. Her journey is not just a personal one, but a social statement challenging the way society teaches us to think about clothing, bodies, and identity. She is working, in her way, to dismantle the layers of judgment that so often cloud people’s perceptions of others who don’t conform to conventional standards.

The Perceptions of Permanent Nudity

I asked Lucinda how she deals with the moments of vulnerability when she encounters negative reactions from others, and whether she ever feels overwhelmed by the scrutiny.

"At the beginning, yes, it was hard. There are days when people’s reactions get to me," Lucinda admitted. "But over time, I’ve realized that the discomfort others feel says more about them than it does about me. It’s not easy to unlearn years of societal conditioning, especially when it comes to something as intimate as our bodies. But I’ve learned to find strength in my vulnerability. That’s really what this lifestyle is about—embracing the discomfort, both mine and others and showing that I can stand firm in my truth."

She paused again, her gaze thoughtful as she added, “But there’s a deeper layer to all of this, something that many people don’t understand. Nudity, in its purest form, can be a reclamation of power. When we strip away the trappings of clothing, we are left with who we truly are. We can’t hide behind our outfits or appearance, and that can be terrifying. But for me, it's been one of the most liberating experiences of my life."

A Personal Revolution: Nudity as a Symbol of Liberation

Lucinda's story is a powerful reminder that what we wear—or don’t wear—often holds more meaning than we realize. Her permanent nudity is not just an aesthetic choice, but an act of resistance against the ways society attempts to control and judge bodies.

"I didn’t choose to live without clothes because I wanted attention, or because I thought it would be some sort of statement. I chose it because it’s how I could live authentically," she explained. "So much of our lives are dictated by what others think we should do, how we should look, and who we should be. I didn’t want that anymore. I wanted to live in a way that felt true to me, even if it made other people uncomfortable."

Her journey is a testament to the power of reclaiming one's narrative. Lucinda has taken control of her body and her identity, navigating a world that often feels quick to judge and label. She has found strength in her vulnerability, using her experience to challenge others to think about their relationship with their bodies, nudity, and the freedom that comes with self-acceptance.

Lucinda’s path toward permanent nudity is, in many ways, a journey of self-discovery, and it serves as an invitation to all of us to reconsider the societal pressures that shape our perceptions of the body. Whether it’s through clothing, body image, or identity, we all wear layers—some physical, others emotional—and perhaps it’s time we started peeling them away.

A Final Thought on Body Autonomy

As our interview came to a close, I asked Lucinda if she had any final thoughts on what it means to live a life free from the constraints of societal norms.

"Body autonomy is so important," she replied softly. "Living in a world that constantly tells you how to look, how to act, what to wear—it can make you lose sight of who you are. For me, this journey has been about rediscovering myself and learning to be comfortable in my skin. I hope that one day, people can embrace their bodies, their lives, and their choices without fear or shame. Because when we do, we open up a world of freedom, not just for ourselves, but for everyone."

Her words resonated deeply, encapsulating the essence of what it means to truly live freely. Lucinda's story isn’t just about living without clothes—it's about living without the shackles of societal expectations and embracing the vulnerability and power that comes with being unapologetically yourself.

* - *

[Fixitman8267]

Interesting but a bit dry. The idea of an interview is not new. I think your story would look better if it was formatted to look like an interview rather than a story. Even though the woman isn't a journalist, the scene has the appearance of someone interviewing someone else.

For example,

Interviewer: Question.

Interviewee: Answer

I think it would have a better look. As it is your headers blend in with the rest of the story. They should stand out, so the reader knows that something different is next. Such as the next question.

Just a suggestion.

[EddieDavidson]

I agree with Fixitman.

Perhaps this is the prelude.

"Can you tell us how you arrived at the conclusion to make this controversial decision?"

and then we begin the flashback.

"It was around the time the universal laws were passed to allow for nudity in public.."

or if it's not socially acceptable/legal, perhaps we get some context on how this woman gets her groceries.

"I had just been laid off at my job at Google, and had some money saved up. I was living with my boyfriend, Aunt, and her son."

and go into the conversations with them, that led to the decision, and how perhaps by accident she stumbled upon ordering from a grocery delivery service and answered the door in the nude, and the guy was starstruck but otherwise non-concerned, and from there it leads to a decision to do everything, drive, work from home, shop from home, sunbathe, in the nude...

I think even just Q and A, would be okay, but I'd rather a story about some T and A.