Male torso getting bumped from Miami Beach City Hall
BY RICHARD BRAND AND JENNIFER MALONEY, MIAMI HERALD

Miami Beach officials say it's the naked truth.

A sketch depicting a male torso is being replaced today by a plaque because it's the best place for it, not because several city employees complained about the ink-and-paper picture.

''I don't censor art,'' City Manager Jorge Gonzalez said.

The sketch depicts a man from nose to pubic area.

At least two female employees have complained about the sketch since it went up Monday as part of a heritage month exhibit featuring local Hispanic artists, Inguanzo said.

Commissioner Luis Garcia Jr. says the nude belongs in an art gallery (``where you'd expect to find controversial art''), not in a City Hall lounge.

''People bring their kids here,'' Garcia said. ``It can be offensive. It's a public building, and you have to be sensitive.''