Reflections: End of February, 2019

This is one of the monthly features here on ReNude Pride where I share with those reading here progress in my attempts to offer the best in the world of bare practitioners (naturist/nudist) and in the world of same gender loving (gay) and bisexuals. I started this feature as a tool to keep readers aware and informed. So much happens in our world today that it is almost impossible to stay current.

There is a series of gif. images that I want to share with you now. It is a “coming out” vignette to illustrate my thoughts here. They are presented below:

I’m not advocating that anyone ever “come out” (disclose) either as gay or as a naturist/nudist (or both) during the middle of surgery. There’s a time and a place better suited to revealing ourselves to others than in the midst of even routine surgery. But I trust all of you understand my message here.

Even today, many people don’t realize that they know someone who’s same gender loving (gay or GLBTQ), a bare practitioner (naturist or nudist) or both. The reason for their lack of awareness is that some people fail to recognize the importance of “coming out.” The result is although they do indeed know someone who is gay, bisexual or a nudist, they are unaware of this aspect of that individual’s life.

The “coming out” process – self disclosure – is nothing more than an act of love. It is reaffirming our commitment to the person that we’re disclosing to of not only our love but also our trust. It is our sharing with that person an aspect of ourselves that isn’t readily available to all nor visible to all.

For some, the act of self-disclosure is political and impacts in a way that goes beyond the personal. For the vast majority of us, it is a private matter between ourselves and the individual with whom we are confiding. The ramifications, under normal circumstances are generally small and unlikely to affect public policy or create any earth-shattering changes outside of our immediate family and friends.

“Coming out of the darkness into the light of day!”

In some ways, all of our “coming out” acts do have a political dynamic, even if the process involves sharing with just one other individual. When confronted with a homophobic ballot initiative on election day, our coming out hopefully will ensure that this individual will think twice about the anti-gay ordinance and wonder about its influence on our lives.

Listening to a joke that disparages GLBTQ people or naturist people and not commenting on how offensive we find that lack of humor alerts others that insensitivity isn’t always acceptable behavior. By sharing our discomfort we encourage others who feel the same to do the same. Changing hearts is also changing attitudes and in doing so can have positive repercussions not only in our lives but our communities as well.

No one should be coerced or forced to self-disclose against their will or if doing so makes them uncomfortable or endangers their life. It is, after all, a voluntary act of freedom and love. Openly acknowledging our sexuality and/or nudity with our family and friends provides them with an insight into our personality and our pleasures that permit them to truly respect who we are.

Naked hugs!

Roger/ReNude Pride