P*R*I*D*E*!

Pride: the sense of achievement, confidence, determination, dignity, pleasure, satisfaction and value. The term “pride” was used primarily to instill acceptance and self-respect within the early same gender loving culture after thousands of years of bias, discrimination, exclusion and worse.

Due to the reactions to police harassment at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, USA, on a hot and humid Friday evening/Saturday morning in June, 1969, the entire month of June is now widely regarded as Pride month around the world. The reference to “pride” specifically implicating the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer + (GLBTQ+) cultural and community identity. In the street vernacular: gay pride. The same gender loving (SGL) population supports the alphabetized identity whereas the remainder of the entire world either hates/loves/supports or otherwise is completely indifferent towards us.

The emergence of June as GLBTQ+ “Pride Month” was the unplanned result of the law enforcement actions during the Stonewall Inn Riots (SIR). One year later, the growing community of sexual minorities organized a march (parade) to commemorate the anniversary. This unofficial and loosely cohesive event constituted what has now become a gala event celebrated worldwide.

We bare practitioners are both SGL and have a preference for body and clothes freedom (naked/nude). We are also a confident component of the GLBTQ+ culture as well as the naturist/nudist culture. However, often, neither of those dominant social groupings embrace our identification and/or membership with them.

We are the proverbial “stepchild” often left outside public acknowledgment and approval. Our sexuality and textile (clothing) status is obviously not conducive to total acceptance within those two cultures. The result being that many times we are on the “fringes” (edge) of inclusion within either one or both of those communities.

As we progress through our daily rituals and routines, our attitudes, beliefs, expectations, failures, gratifications, judgments, knowledge and successes may or may not change, develop. explode, grow, regress and/or stagnate. Based on our life experiences, some of us continue to move forward and some of us remain the same. We evolve in a variety of patterns and circumstances.

What we, collectively and/or individually, once viewed as a challenge we may now see as boring. What we initially felt was inspiration we now feel is lackluster and routine. What was exciting and energetic is now dull and indifferent. The proverbial adage: “familiarity breeds contempt” holds true as we journey through life. There is no guarantee of our reaction being identical for everyone.

Empowerment, enablement, enlightenment, enrichment, and enticement occur under a diversity of conditions, settings, and situations. They are also available when least expected and/or necessary. That’s one of the determining reasons for the existence of our GLBTQ+ Pride Month, 2025! events and occasions. It allows us all the opportunity and option to advance, experience and renew (ReNude) ourselves, our community and our culture!

Focus:

The primary focus here on ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! during this Pride month, 2025, will be on the spirit and topic of GLBTQ+ community and culture confidence, controversy and pride. Our sense of ourselves – both as a collective group and as an individual – and our identity and standing within our society. We also hope to offer new ideas and perspectives for development and expansion.

We’ll also offer suggestions for addressing controversy and failures. All social movements have challenges and issues that sometimes hinder progress and disappoint people and/or populations. In examining these weaknesses, we hope to offer continuance and encouragement.

The focus of confidence and pride does not guarantee exclusivity. Other subjects are worthy of attention and exploration so postings here during this month will provide both opportunities and options. As always, comments, criticisms and suggestions are encouraged and welcome!

SGL is one of the essentials of our identification as bare practitioners. The often indifferent general society in which we live frequently only recognizes our love only when it is convenient for their interests. Our inclusion of our attractions and our nakedness as a part of our self-identity affords us with resources often overlooked for previous generations.

Our Progress Flag identity:

This current version of the original Rainbow Pride Flag was developed by Daniel Quasar in 2018 and adopted by the GLBTQ+ international community and culture the same year. The inspiration for the redesign was to celebrate the distinct diversity of our community and our culture with the inserted arrow to represent the expansion our growth and development and as a visible reminder of our inclusive process of forward progress towards complete equality. Quasar first published his one proposed design on social media on 6 June, 2018, and when he awoke the following morning, he learned that his posting had gone viral. In under 24 hours, it was recognized as the new flag of our global culture!

The arrow design of the addition represents the progress we’ve made thus far and our need to continue in this direction. The black and the brown colours represent persons of colour and the light blue; pink and white colours represent non-binary persons and the transgender peoples.

Of course, Aaron and I, as dedicated bare practitioners, are appreciative of your involvement and strive to always share our fraternal and friendly love!

Happy Pride Month, 2025! and many naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, June 6, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Bare*Ability!”

No posting tomorrow because of today officially beginning Pride Month, 2025!