Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Although I’m not Irish, it is very difficult to live in today’s world and not be aware that this is the day when all Irishmen consider the rest of the world as Irish, also! Today is St. Patrick’s Day, the feast day of the patron saint of Ireland. St. Patrick is the man attributed with driving the snakes out of Ireland and converting many of the indigenous people there to the Roman Catholic faith. It’s also a day where Irishmen everywhere celebrate their heritage and its many legends and heroes.

I’m uncertain as to the truth of the stories of St. Patrick but I do know better than to even attempt to argue them with anyone who has one ounce of Irish blood flowing through his veins. There are some topics best left alone and unchallenged.

Some may find this St. Patrick’s Day post insensitive as the image depicts a nude man immersed in a glass of clear liquid (gin? vodka?). No, I am not implying that all Irishmen are alcoholics. That affliction knows no boundary of ethnicity or race. It does convey the message that the vast majority of us, whether intended or not, have celebrated an occasion, once in our lives, where we have indulged in too much drinking and not enough moderation. Although I am Greek, I have been known to overindulge my alcohol limits at one time or another. The same holds true for my husband, Aaron, who is African-American.

I chose this image because of the universality of the situation. Most of us have suffered the consequences of enjoying the excesses of alcohol and paying the price afterwards. It’s not who we are, Catholic or not, Irish or not, but it is instead what we do, drinking too much, that leads us into the pains of an alcohol hang-over. Woe to all the wicked!

Most of us are familiar with the Irish myth that if you capture a leprechaun and follow his rainbow, he’ll lead you to a pot of gold. Similarly. many of us are aware that the rainbow flag is the symbol for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) equality and freedom. Alessio, a gay artist, created the above cartoon in celebration of the St. Patrick’s Day holiday. I imagine he wants us all to have a very gay and very bare St. Patrick’s Day!

So, regardless of your ethnic or racial heritage, have a happy and safe St. Patrick’s Day!

Naked hugs!

Roger/ReNude Pride