It is now what is known to many as the “season of the passion!” The week in the month of February of each year that includes the designated day of the kiss: St. Valentine’s Day! Not officially observed as a public holiday in any country, it is a day recognized by multitudes as a day of bromance (same gender romance) and love!
A day for us to celebrate being together and to enjoy the camaraderie of sharing ourselves with one another and without any fear, guilt or shame!
Not only was the same gender affection and bromance deemed offensive and criminal, the fact of physical interaction between two persons of different races was actually illegal in a total of seventeen (17) states and the District of Columbia.
Prior to SIR, it was considered illegal for two individuals of the same gender to show affection for one another in public. Holding hands was grounds for arrest. Kissing was viewed as degrading, immoral and worse!
Fondling and/or any intimacy with a person of the same gender was seen as indecent and obscene in 49 of the 50 states. Illinois was the “progressive” (permissive) state!
In private clubs and private homes, same gender love was a perversion and those engaging in the activity were publicly ridiculed as known perverts!
The sky offers a natural background for a couple showing their passion as the above men are doing. Such a scene would be considered as pornographic until the Stonewall Inn Riots and the explosion of our movement for the determination and freedom of our right to be same gender loving (SGL)!
As we make plans and preparations to celebrate the St. Valentine’s Day this year, we need to recall the efforts of those who came before us and helped to create the way for our freedom to be ourselves!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, February 13, 2026, and the proposed topic is: “Bare Celebrity Role Models #6: Identity!”
ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! 