The Bare/Dare Series, 2025! #2

An Examination of Our Community and Our Culture of Same Gender Loving Nakedness! #2

Introduction:

As bare practitioners, we are same-gender loving (SGL). We are bisexual, gay, or transgender. We are emotionally, mentally, physically, and sexually attracted to others who are of identical attraction and persuasion. We are, for the most part, content, peaceful, and relaxed among those we perceive as most like ourselves. We are advocates and enthusiasts of our nakedness, our state of being body and clothes free.

As bare practitioners, we are advocates, disciples and enthusiasts of nakedness. We cherish and enjoy our lives without any concealment and/or covering. Not having to be bothered or worried about hiding beneath layers of clothing/disguise and/or falsification!

As bare practitioners, we enrich, explore, fulfill, preserve and satisfy our happiness and our lives as well as our community and culture of bare practitioners through development, education, example, kindness resourcefulness and support of ourselves and others. We embrace and welcome others into our community and culture and into our way of happiness, hope and life!

Levels of Comfort 2:

Within the community and culture of bare practitioners, there are those among us who are comfortable with situational nakedness or the label situational nudes. Their comfort level with clothes freedom (bare) is not based on embarrassment, guilt or shame – it is instead based on the amount and/or level of exposure of their personal nakedness and the immediate situation of being. They have no issues with their sexual orientation.

There are multiple situations in which we may find ourselves experiencing our bodies without clothing or any type of covering. These may be planned in advance, or they may be spontaneous. They may happen when we’re alone and with others we may not are familiar or among a crowd of friends and/or peers.

The spontaneity of being revealed bare often is considered in humour and is not of anyone’s control. It is rarely planned and is synonymous with “accident.” For this reason, it is not determined to be a matter that requires a particular level or stage of comfort. The surprise element of the unplanned nakedness seems to somehow erase the need for any additional attention in these situations.

As there are those who prefer to be nude alone, there are likewise those who embrace with enthusiasm all the advantages of social nudity or communal body and clothes freedom. The activities and gatherings of these individuals have created the path that has encouraged the establishment of many same gender loving oriented clubs and organizations specifically designed to address these needs.

These social groupings began appearing in this country during the later years of the 19th century. The primary purpose was to create environments for communal and social nudity free from the legal and puritanical judgments of others. They offered comfortable opportunities for clothes freedom and an environment to introduce the life of nakedness to offspring. They were ideally “family friendly” and welcoming.

In June, 1969, the Stonewall Inn Riots in Greenwich Village, New York City, USA, opened the closet doors to positive recognition of same gender loving (SGL) communities in the USA and throughout the world. Eventually, the emerging SGL movement acknowledged the existence of body and clothes freedom enthusiasts among their population.

As the awareness and recognition of the significance of the SGL body and clothes freedom community increased, the need for social inclusion was perceived. In the larger metropolitan areas on both coasts, this led to the formation of specific clubs to address those needs. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, bisexual and gay exclusive groups emerged into the growing number of interest-specific organizations serving the expanding SGL community and culture.

The Males au Naturel (MEN) of New York City, Los Angeles Nude Guys (LANG) of Los Angeles, San Francisco Kindred Nudists (SKINS) of San Francisco/Oakland, Greater Atlanta Naturist Group (GANG) of Atlanta, Georgia, and Lambda Soleil of metropolitan Washington, D.C. were among some of the earliest nakedness focused social groups organized along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Please note: these early social nudist clubs are not listed in chronological order.

The SGL designated clothes freedom movement arose because the prominent naturist/nudist movement refused to admit SGL persons as members nor as patrons. This discrimination continued until the arrival of the 21st century and in many areas and instances still exists even today. This has created a major problem within the discriminating community as many commercial resorts and destinations are suffering financially due to the fast-growing SGL affiliated facilities catering to the bare practitioner communities and culture are making the competition between the two divergent groupings into a financial nightmare.

This resulted in the development of many facilities catering specifically towards the marginalized population. These facilities were newly constructed, efficient and modern in both appearance and amenities, appliances and audiences. The popularity was overwhelming as many were also attracted by the “clothing optional” policy in place which broadened their commercial base. This expanded target made these properties receptive to both the bare and textile (clothes-wearing) populations.

The irony is the discriminatory establishment (primarily heterosexual) was the initiator of the marginalization of the bare practitioner communities. They have suffered the loss of the GLBTQ+ community and their finances. The properties offered as destinations are now secondary to the newer facilities afforded by the body and clothes freedom culture. Their revenues are decreasing as prices and costs are soaring.

The resulting fact is that they, the mainstream naturist/nudist movement, are now the ones suffering from their own bias and prejudice. There’s no one to blame but themselves.

Curiosity:

One of the simplest yet predominant reasons people offer for exploring nakedness is the experience itself. Being completely and totally clothes free and unconcerned about the situation. Intentionally ignoring the reality that everyone else is attired (dressed) the same as yourself! Oblivious to the fact that all around, all are bare yet no one seems to care.

Upon observing the crowd, some are actually amazed with the reality that no one is even giving anyone else a serious stare as to their nakedness. It is as if everyone, everywhere, is actually supposed to be that way- naturally!

Advice:

Most “first-time” social nude explorers will feel some nervous anxiety on their first venture into communal nudity. This is perfectly natural. Take a deep breath and proceed. Visually focus on eye contact with others. Shaking hands is acceptable personal contact, as are naked hugs (non sensual). It is recommended to limit physical contact initially. Introduce yourself to others and let them know that this is your first social nude event. Almost everyone you meet will remember their “first time” and will make you feel comfortable.

Spirit of Adventure:

Tired of the repetitive social scene wearing garments and looking for a new social setting? Many seek a bare (nude) adventure to refresh their social calendar/involvement. This reason isn’t as obscure or as unusual as it may appear. Similar to Curiosity addressed above, the same advice is applicable in this situation. Relax and be as honest as you are comfortable while meeting new persons on your bare adventure – especially without clothing!

Once again, we refer you to utilize the Advice posted above. It remains applicable here, too!

Footnote #1: Some SGL social clubs permit the “newbies” (newcomers) to wear underwear for their first several visits. We recommend no clothing whatsoever. It is is indeed to ne a new adventure, then be as adventurous as possible! You’ll never know if you like it until you experience it!

Familiarity:

There are among us numerous bare practitioners who began to examine and explore nakedness due to having family and/or friends who enjoy body and clothes freedom. These persons may or may not accompany the “explorer” to their initial naked encounter. If your family or friend are with you, they will guide you through the function and procedures. If you’re “on-your-own” (alone or solo), then refer to the Advice offered above for Curiosity and/or Adventure. Be prepared to identify your family or friend to those you meet at the social activity. It may inspire them to offer to help you through the experience and they may introduce others within the same social circle/crowd.

Feel free to share with others that you meet on these occasions any previous experiences – one-on-one and/or social – related to nakedness. One memory revealed may open doors to the same in others.

Conditional/Situational Nudity:

There are persons who are comfortable and relaxed in their nakedness yet have discomfort or issues in displaying their genitalia (male sexual organs, specifically the penis and the testicles) in an unknown environment. There are even SGL professional pornography actors who have problems with this complete, full, total exposure of their anatomy.

For some, this conditional/situational nudity is merely one phase or sequence in their developing level of comfort. Others accept it as their total way of life. As bare practitioners, we acknowledge that each person is different and this is determined by each one of us in whatever situation we confront. Our level of comfort is as varied as our number within our community and culture as well as our divergent life experiences.

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Sunday, August 31, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Bottoms-Up! August, 2025!”