a penny for my thoughts – Page 5 – ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!

USA: GLBTQ+ History Month!

Website GLBTQ+ Icon, 2024!

The Observance:

The USA observance of a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer+ (GLBTQ+) history month was founded in 1994 by a Missouri secondary (high school) history teacher named Rodney Wilson. This happened as the 25th anniversary year of the Stonewall Inn Riots was in process. The original riot occurred at the Stonewall Inn in New York City early in the morning of 28 June, 1969. His intent was to provide role models to guide, to build community and to provide a civil rights statement of the achievements and the efforts of the GLBTQ+ community and culture.

The month of October was chosen for the observance as it was already the month of Coming Out Day, first observed in 1988. The two events, both historical, were thought to be a perfect match as they were related in character and theme.

A gay and lesbian history month website was created and posted online in 2006. Click the website’s name below to link:

http://lgbthistorymonth.com

Very early on, the GLBTQ+ History Month movement was endorsed by Gay Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the National Education Association (NEA), Gay Lesbian Students Educators Network (GLSEN) and other prominent US national organizations.

Equality Forum maintains the website and hosts the nominations for recognition. Equality Forum coordinates GLBTQ+ History Month, produces documentary films, sponsors high impact social initiatives and offers an annual GLBTQ+ civil rights conference.

Our original GLBTQ+ flag!

The Legacy:

One of the best, exciting and superb purposes of any facet of herstory/history is the knowledge and the reality it grants, instills and provides all of us. Our story is one of the most recent “stories” that is underway. It is gaining acceptance and recognition throughout the world while we are reading what is published here now.

For an endless amount of time, what is currently identified as the GLBTQ+ community and culture was obscure and unrecognized due to the fact that our forebearers, being what and who they were, were judged by society, most religions and all governments as being outcasts and perverts. Our people were determined by society in general to be less and lower than sub-human and we were deliberately, historically and intentionally excluded, ignored and overlooked.

Thus, being classified as “not human,” we had no story to share. Our existence was eliminated as often as were our lives. If and when we were ever publicly acknowledged, it was simply for the reason to condemn and to expel.

When Rodney Wilson witnessed the first of what is now known as GLBTQ+ history month observance in 1994, the focus was on the contemporary examples the lives of accomplishment and achievement within our specific community and culture. Rightly so as the earliest steps in acceptance and recognition needed to identify exactly “where” and “who” we were. Now, we are developing beyond that limited scope and can now include those from our past! Our growth is in our appreciation, accepting, knowing, learning and understanding our story, our past.

Then, we can advance to explore where we need to go in our future!

A representation of the Stonewall First Anniversary!

Celebrating Our Story and Our Time and Our People!

A champion and achiever!

GLBTQ+ 2024 History Month Honourees:

Equality Forum is currently seeking nominations for GLBTQ+ 2025 History Month honourees. To submit your nomination offering, visit the website at:

GLBTQ+ history month.com

This year’s recipients are listed below. There are 31 honourees, one for each and every day of the month of October. The day of the month that each one is featured on the website is the numerical order presented. Click on the above link to learn of their accomplishment!

2024 Honorees:

Ron Ansin activist and philanthropist
Laphonza Butler, first out Black U.S. senator
Maki Carrousel, Japanese transgender actor
Desmond Child, award winning songwriter
Margaret Chung, first female Chines American doctor
Christian Cooper, writer and New York City birder
River Gallo, intersex filmmaker and activist
Robert Garcia, U.S. congressman
Rob Halford, heavy metal musician
Jeanne Hoff, transgender trailblazer
Susan Love, breast-health pioneer
George Michael, pop superstar
Kevin Naff, Washington Blade editor
Fabian Nelson, Mississippi state representative
Yannick Nezet-Seguin, conductor
Robin Ochs, bisexual activist
Pat Parker, poet activist
Mark Pocan, U. S. congressman
Herb Ritts, photographer
Beth Robinson, U. S. Court of Appeals judge
Richard Schneider, editor and publisher
Robt Martin Seda-Schreiber, social justice activist
Jackie Shane, transgender singer
Ari Shapiro, NPR host and performer
Sam Smith, singer and songwriter
William Dorsey Swann, pioneering drag queen
Peter Tutchell, human rights activist
Diana Taurasi, WNBA superstar
Colton Underwood, athlete and TV personality
Luther Vandross, Grammy-winning singer
Joel Wachs, Warhol Foundation president

Congratulations to all of the GLBTQ+ 2024 History Month Honourees! Thank you for all of your efforts!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, October 4, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Historical Questions!”

Sticky Note!

Sticky: the texture of the syrup!

Background:

The title of today’s post entry here on ReNude Pride refers to the adhesive texture of the syrup overflowing down the buttocks of the header! The texture is what is “sticky.”

Here on ReNude Pride, our habit is to avoid the customary New Year’s resolutions and to implement our resolutions on the first day of Spring, annually. Aaron, my spouse, and I both feel that behaviour change is more effective in the springtime instead of the dreary days of winter. Spring encourages optimism, a renewal of self and a brighter and livelier attitude. A mindset more conducive to adapting more efficient and new practices as part of our routine.

A “post-it” note is a pad of small “sticky notes” that people use to make notations on documents, items that need attention and/or other brief messages. I’ve sometimes arrived at my university office and discovered my door covered from top-to-bottom in “sticky notes” left to me by fellow faculty colleagues and students! Thankfully – thus far – no confidential messages have been left in this manner!

A selfie image!

In an effort to aid everyone in the development of their goals and objectives for the upcoming “season of resolutions” (whether as part of the traditional new year or as a promise for Spring, 2025), our “sticky-notation” for today is to encourage readers to take a selfie image of themselves to use in creating a resolution. In making a photo, it is helpful in being the point of reference when considering if any specific need is necessary for personal physical improvement. Often, when trying to decide what is worthwhile, especially in the season of the winter holidays, too many of us are unable to conceive of possibilities.

Serious selfie!

If people are uncomfortable in selfies, asking the assistance of a trusted friend or partner to recommend suggestions may alleviate the task. They also can be resourceful in creating a photographic sticky-note! At times, a spontaneous picture, taken by another and not posed, helps in relaxing the anxious reality of a selfie image!

Our own spokes-model, Phoenix Fellington, clowns for his photographer!

Another sticky (adhesive) notation to offer today is that as it is now early in the Autumn season, outdoor nakedness remains an option for the majority of our Northern Hemisphere residents. When available, the middle-of-the-day timeframe offers the best sunlight and comfortable temperatures. The soon to arrive foliage, especially in the tree leaves, provide some very colourful backgrounds.

Indoor naked companionship!

A probably needless reminder is that as summer fades away, our opportunities for bare practitioner antics and camaraderie conveniently move inside where weather conditions and extremities have a profoundly reduced impact on us all!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, September 27, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Autumn Road Trip!”

End of Summer, 2024!

An embracing farewell to Summer, 2024!

In the Northern Hemisphere, Summer, 2024, officially ends – local date and time – 22 September, 2024, at 8:44 a.m. The season of Autumn follows immediately thereafter!

Looking towards a new season!

Personally, for almost my entire life, I dreaded the transition from summer into autumn. The change of the seasons meant the return of colder weather – accompanied by ice, snow and misery! As I have written here repeatedly, I am a “heat and humidity” man! As temperatures drop, so do my spirits!

I have matured over the past years, and the passing of the seasons is no longer as traumatic as it once was. Aging may have finally enabled me to become somewhat more tolerant of cooler weather, although I remain discomforted by the freezing extremes of winter-time!

The transition from the glorious summertime into Autumn has eased with the presence of my spouse, Aaron. He is as much of a fan of the summers as me, but the Autumn season arrival was not as depressing for him as it often was for me. His attitude is more along the lines of “one-day-at-a-time” instead of my “here-it-is-disaster-approaches!”

Sunset to Summer, 2024!

Our plans for this upcoming weekend are to be outside as much as possible, and as bare as possible! There’s nothing special or unique in those assignments. We’re joining with two other bare practitioner couples on Saturday (weather cooperating) for a riverside hike hike, picnic and skinny-dip into the river. Sunday is a lazy day with no concrete plans (at the moment). It is, after all, the arrival of the autumn!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, September 23, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Sticky-Note!”

A Calamity of Souls!

Reading while sunbathing, poolside!

Book Review: A Calamity of Souls

Introduction:

Today’s post entry here on ReNude Pride is the title of the most recent novel from Virginia-native author, David Baldacci. The first edition of A Calamity of Souls was published by Grand Central Publishing in April, 2024. For more than two decades, David Baldacci has been among my favourite contemporary authors. Up until Papa’s death in 2018, whenever a new hardback by Baldacci was released, I always purchased two copies: one for me and the other for Papa. Baldacci, like Aaron and myself, still resides in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Background on A Calamity of Souls:

In my twenty years of reading David Baldacci’s books, I was aware of his Virginia birth and residency but was totally clueless that he grew up in the City of Richmond during the 1960s and 1970s. When my parents and oldest brother emigrated from Greece in the early 1970s, they purchased our family home in the Stonewall neighborhood, located in south Richmond between Semmes Avenue and the James River. The neighborhood where we grew up in was a primarily African-American area and one of the few in Richmond that accepted arriving emigrants. In A Calamity of Souls Baldacci acknowledges that with a “foreign” surname (Italian), Richmond was not a very welcoming municipality. We share that similarity. Same city. Different timeframe.

Richmond, Virginia, has the distinction of being the capital city of the failed Confederacy during the American Civil War over the future of slavery. Up until the arrival of the 21st Century, this fact was blatantly obvious. The undertones of racial inequality and and segregation based on skin colour were broadcast rather than hidden. The inability of the Virginia lawyer, Jack Lee, in A Calamity of Souls to comprehend the extent of the bigotry and hatred evident in 1968 in understood through the experienced eyes of the author, David Baldacci, and through his personal life experiences.

Synopsis:

Set in the tumultuous year of 1968 in southern Virginia, a racially charged murder case sets a duo of Black and White lawyers against a deeply unfair legal system as they work to defend their wrongfully accused Black defendants in this courtroom drama. The two are professionally joined by chance without any prior legal connection.

Jack Lee is a White attorney from Freeman County, Virginia (fictional), who has never done anything to push back against racism until he decides to represent Jerome Washington, a Black man charged with brutally killing an elderly and wealthy White couple. Doubting his decision, Lee fears that his professional skills may not be enough to prevail in a case where the odds are already piling up against both himself and his client. He soon recognizes that he is far removed not only from his expertise but also from his obligation to best portray his client as innocent from the verdict in a murder trial.

Desiree DuBose is a Black attorney from Chicago, Illinois, who has dedicated her professional focus in advancing the causes of equality and justice for everyone, no matter their gender and/or race. She comes to Freeman County in rural southwest Virginia and joins with Jack Lee in a fractious and unwieldly partnership in an escalating legal conflict with the best and popular prosecutor in the Commonwealth of Virginia: the duly elected Attorney General. DuBose is cognizant of the reality that powerful archconservative alliances outside the state are uniting to counter the achievements and progress attained by the civil rights movement.

Lee and DuBose are practically exact opposites. Neither one of them alone can halt the official prosecutorial direction towards a guilty verdict and the death penalty. Yet combining together they forge forth towards a balanced and fair trial with the ultimate goal of true justice.

One of my Hellenic (Greek) comrades, a noted New York Times bestselling author himself, offered this comment on Baldacci’s A Calamity of Souls: “An instant classic. Not just a great American crime story this is a great American novel.” ~ Alex Michaelides ~

I’ve read the entire book – twice; as has Aaron, my spouse. The second reading brought forth details not captured in the initial exploration of the book. Aaron insists that I add here that the ending of the novel is absolutely not the ending anticipated or expected!

One of the aspects of Baldacci’s writing that is very impressive is his use of the interactions of the two attorneys, Jack Lee and Desiree DuBose, to illustrate the subtle use of conversation and the two different views of racism inferred from the same dialogue. Bias and racism are based upon personal experience. Thus, the situation will present different connotations and meanings to all the individuals involved.

Summary: A fitting irony

In his opening Author’s Note, Baldacci writes briefly of Richmond’s infamous Monument Avenue where Confederate celebrities were featured statues. When Richmond native international tennis legend Arthur Ashe, an African-American, died from an AIDS transfusion, a major controversy erupted when plans were announced to erect a statue in his memory along Monument Avenue. The conflict focused that Monument Avenue memorials featured White Confederate images. Ashe was Black even though he was actually born and grew up inside of the City of Richmond! Evidently, he was too “coloured” for the Confederacy!

Following the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement in early 2020, the City removed all the Confederate statuary. Today, Arthur Ashe’s statue is the only remaining one an all of Monument Avenue. A commitment to justice served! Obviously, the others were too White to be featured in the city!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Saturday, August 31, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Bottoms-Up! August, 2024!”

Flying High!

Awaiting departure!

The reality isn’t as it appears in the above image. Despite dreams and fantasies, it isn’t always possible for bare practitioners to actually transport themselves in the body and clothes freedom style. In a private airplane, perhaps but there are exceptions for every possibility. The pilot may not require garments but the airport probably does. So erase the myth that Aaron and I are travelling with our nakedness unimpeded!

In order to reach our destination, we have to comply with the law. Unfortunately, what we decide is best for the both of us but it doesn’t always please the remainder of the passengers. The ultimate goal of today’s post entry here is to travel from “Point A” (the Washington, D.C., USA, National Airport) to “Point B” (the landing facility near my mother’s house). Her home is located on the island of Skyros, Greece. This has been the paternal heritage of my family for centuries. The purpose of this trip? A long overdue visit to spend quality time with Mama and the remainder of my family – immediate and extended – in residence there.

My spouse, Aaron, and I depart later today and hopefully will safely arrive on Skyros and accomplish our mission. The visit is only for eight days of refreshing renewal Mama, my brothers and family. The “header” image (above) shows a fellow traveler seated on his luggage in a departure terminal. As both Aaron and I are ardent and loyal bare practitioners, allow me to assure everyone that we are not so totally foolish as to even attempt today’s journey in our nakedness. Admittedly, our dream may be to one day undergo the adventure in complete body and clothes freedom, we both understand that undertaking isn’t happening today!

Underway to terminal!

Also, the title of this posting is Flying High! Patience, please, and permit me to clarify the fact that neither one of us is under the influence of any mind-altering substance of any kind. If we’re unable to travel in our natural state then why bother to even think of trying to do so mentally altered?

More than likely, no one else made the assumption of us contemplating to take the trip nude. We confirm our fantasy of preferring to do so but reality doeto composes occasionally grasp our attention and influence our behaviour!

The absurdity and brevity of this topic reflects the anxious attitudes in preparation of departure. It is much easier and simpler to compose and publish humour than to even attempting present a serious idea and then fail miserably! Plus, the accompanying pictures were available and convenient!

Interracial bare practitioner couple representing us!

Additionally, this is the day after our actual ninth wedding anniversary! Another reason to celebrate with Mama and the rest of the family.

I’ll also go to the cemetery and spend time at Papa’s grave. Whenever I return to Skyros, I always include quiet time there – alone. We’ve had some convenient conversations together since he was interred there. While I’m there, this gives Aaron and Mama their “time” together, without me being around!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, August 19, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Familiar Comfort!”

Aaron & Roger: 9!

An interracial couple representing us!

Aaron, my spouse, and I live in the Commonwealth of Virginia, USA. Our home is Arlington, Virginia, approximately four miles south of Washington, D.C. The both of us are employed in the city of Washington, which is also this nation’s capital. Since 6 October, 2014, marriage equality has been legal within this state when the U.S. Supreme Court refused to entertain an appeal of the decision of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold Bostic vs. Schaefer, a lower court’s decision to overturn a state law banning same gender marriages.

On 1 July, 2024, (this year), a law went into effect that formally and officially repealed the state ban on same gender marriages within the Commonwealth. This repeal was enacted to guarantee that should a future U.S. Supreme Court decide to hear an appeal on marriage equality and reverse the legality of same gender unions (marriages), the now repealed ban could not automatically be reinstated. The need for this protection was partially caused when the current Supreme Court overturned the Roe vs. Wade decision which permitted abortion.

Marriage equality proponents – including the both of us – felt the need for this legislative repeal in order to hinder any future court action to disenfranchise our culture of our long overdue equality. We all need to be aware of all and any possibility of discrimination and restriction, especially considering the instability of politics today. The position of a justice on the Supreme Court is a political decision, determined by the party in power at the time. This action prevents any future enactment of bias and marginalization from being a simple political undertaking by fundamentalists.

A bromantic kiss!

Once marriage equality arrived here in Virginia, Aaron and I were inundated with pressure from both our pairs of parents to pursue a legal ceremony (we had lived together since 2010). Since living together, we had discussed marriage but hadn’t finalized any plans. Once our families became obsessed with the idea and the need, our hesitation rapidly proved futile. Our delay in making arrangements for matrimony was based primarily on religious considerations. Aaron and his family are Roman Catholic and my faith background is Greek Orthodox. Neither of the two churches sanction same gender marriages.

We resolved the situation by having a civil marriage. It was performed on 15 August, 2015, to the delight of parents, family and friends. We were satisfied to relieve the pressure and to finally have the freedom to be ourselves in this world. Even today, our churches fail to recognize the legitimacy and the sanctity of our lives together, however, that is a problem that belongs to the faith and doesn’t really involve us.

The both of us understand that not everyone is fortunate in living is an environment that legally recognizes the marriages of same gender loving persons. There are many that live within families that frown upon or are unsupportive of our relationships. We want to share to all our encouragement of all the challenges faced and wish to all our best. Hopefully, someday soon this world we live in will achieve equality and perfection for all of us.

Together!

This upcoming Thursday, 15 August, 2024, we celebrate our 9th Anniversary! Amazingly, we both appreciate the significance of this date in our lives as every year passes. There are no immediate plans for any special activities for this day. We depart for a visit to Greece the following day in order to spend some time with my mother and my family before settling back into my professional routine of returning to the classroom for the Autumn semester.

Do we recommend marriage? If both partners agree, yes we do!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, August 16, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Flying High!”

USA: Father’s Day!

Preparing breakfast for his children!

In the USA, Father’s Day is held the third Sunday in June, annually!

The responsibilities of guardianship and parenthood don’t disappear due to the celebration. Fathers are the reason for the observance, but the duties are far from finished!

Athletic parenting!

Fathers enjoy games, sports and love to have fun, especially with the young whom they call their own! Happy Father’s Day regardless of where they live!

Blowing a kiss to communicate his love!

There are numerous ways to experience fatherhood/guardianship outside the biological means. Bisexual and gay men are all too well aware of this. So everyone, Happy Father’s Day!

Enjoy the day!

Our Day!

Aaron, my spouse, and I will spend the Father’s Day with his family at their Virginia home in the city of Roanoke, located in the western part of the state. The plans are to give his father a “surprise” luncheon with all his family in attendance. It won’t be a complete surprise as it is the family’s tradition! He’s a good man and deserves to have everyone celebrating with him!

This year is my sixth without Papa being alive. It has been a difficult one as many days I wake and am amazed at how much I still miss him. However, I do have my memories and those serve me well!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, June 17, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Summer Related!”

Pride, 2024: Why?

Why?

For many years now, there has been and endless amount of questioning, from both outside and from within the GLBTQ+ movement as for the necessity of Pride events. This argument, minimally, supports the existence of a marginalization and of a prejudice against us all from a broad spectrum of the general population. It may not be as blatant and as prevalent as it once was, however, it remains present. even into the 21st century! As long as these biases are evident and felt, then, yes; pride observances are most definitely needed!

Until our communities and cultures as GLBTQ+ peoples receive the same amount of consideration and respect as shown to others, no matter their race, ethnicity, ability, gender, age or heritage, yes; pride activities are needed. Distrust is a serious detriment to equality acceptance and respect.

The determination that a certain action and/or behaviour is illegal by legislative or parliamentary procedure or even a royal proclamation doesn’t immediately eliminate or erase the offence out of existence. .A behaviour or a belief isn’t innate, it is learned – from parents, teachers, clergy, adult authority figures, et al. A learned behaviour is among the most difficult to eradicate from memory and practice.

A learned behaviour is a prejudice, plain and simple. It is not based on concrete knowledge or scientific fact. It is solely and usually based on the unsupported opinions of others, more often than not substantiated by fear, hate, myth, rumour or a combination of all. As such, it is almost impossible to refute with reasoning and any alternate proposition generally only increases its intensity.

The persistence of marginalization (setting aside of the perceived “normal”) and prejudice based on a person’s sexual attraction is often illegal in a growing number of countries globally but frequently remains inside people’s minds (and their hearts). The learned behaviour that has never been completely discarded or removed. Thus, their actions nominally are based on other aspects beyond sexual orientation in order to circumvent the judging of their negativity as being prejudicial. This type of “cover-up” has repeatedly happened throughout the various societies in the world, especially in the USA.

This situation justifies the existence and observation of pride events and their continuation. Among humanity, everyone deserves a chance to develop and grow in happiness, security and tolerance.

On a communal/social level, some societies are developed, liberal and progressive. Then there are others that are conservative, traditional and unyielding. There remain other social orders that are isolated from development and are stagnant. They keep closed to those of different beliefs, creeds and values. They are intolerant to all concepts and persons outside of their nature. These circumstances justify pride experiences. As in individual cases, inherited values are learned values and these, likewise, are the most difficult to alter or to change.

Contemplation!

In composing this post entry, my spouse, Aaron, and I have had numerous discussions about the various reasons for the continued hosting of pride-related activities for our communities and cultures. We even held talks with friends on a person-to-person basis. Ideas and thoughts were shared and the above represents a summary of what appears to be the most popular argument in favour of the ongoing necessity of our pride heritage.

There are remaining GLBTQ+ persons who have very limited knowledge of our culture and the diversity of our community and the many facets offered. They seek information and many times just the contact with another person who is seeking the same or has actually experienced the same. A pride occasion is an opportunity for them to socialize, become acquainted and to observe as well as seek answers. Some travel distances for such contact. No matter where we live, there are always those for whatever reason benefit from the casual opportunity to mingle with others who may help provide them “the way.” Sometimes, merely being in an accepting environment is rewarding in and of itself.

As to persons who are active within our culture, an informative pride event allows us to assimilate with others of our lifestyle that we would otherwise never encounter. It is also an invaluable tool that permits us to stay abreast of current news, trends and emerging information. This hopefully keeps us “in the know” so we’re better qualified to determine what is beneficial not only in our own lives but also to those we hold dear.

Pride functions as an enabler that keeps us current as to the latest legal, political and social challenges and issues that we may confront, in our personal lives as well as a community. We not only remain informed on topics but we are also able to learn of different opportunities of involvement in order to share our cares and concerns with others.

As a summary for the benefits of pride for us all, Aaron and I see it as an important tool that we, as a culture need, so as to prevent any of us from being alienated/isolated from those around us. We are a minority within a broader culture and society. In keeping ourselves connected to others, we can make a difference not only in our own lives but also in the lives of those around us.

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, June 10, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “A Seasonal Disguise!”

Bare Pride, 2024!

A Photo-Essay Gallery honouring Bare Pride!

Body painting is an amazing and awesome tool to demonstrate the confidence and pride we as bare practitioners have in ourselves and in our bodies! It is also an ideal way to communicate with others the messages we wish to convey. Above, a World Naked Bike Rider has body-painted his same gender love status onto his chest as he boldly travels the streets of London, United Kingdom! He chose the Progress Pride flag design as the visual to share this with others!

The back and buttocks shown here feature a bold streak in the colours of the Rainbow Pride flag with his bare friend! This rainbow pattern was the emblem of the GLBTQ+ culture from 1978-2018.

A clear and concise message that the human body deserves no fear from any of us! In demonstrating his fearlessness, our messenger also shows us his bare pride!

Let’s make our bare practitioner status legal everywhere! A political and social message we can all promote! Modeling his politics, our man above also uses exceptional penmanship!

Heart-shaped hands!

His heart-shaped hands and welcoming smile deliver his message visually along with his bare confident body: he loves his nakedness! As bare practitioners, so do we!

Soliciting!

The message on this body is colourful as well as explicit! He invites all of us to celebrate his nakedness and provide him with a kiss. A very deliberate way to join in the thrill of being clothes free while in good company!

Natural in nature!

The beauty of our natural surroundings enhanced by our very own natural physical being often encourages the experiencing of the happiness of being a bare practitioner!

Tattoos!

The current popularity of tattoos enables people to become creative in having them decorating their bodies. Our example above includes him having “unashamed” tattooed above his pubic hairline. Obviously, his being seen nude is no shameful act for him!

Pride tattoo!

Having the notification of pride tattooed at the base of his neck leaves no doubt in anyone’s mind as to his feelings of his nakedness and his sexuality!

Sound advice for us all!

Words of wisdom from bare practitioners!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, June 7, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Pride 2024: Why?”

Pride, 2024!

GLBTQ+ Pride Month, 2024!

Introduction:

The gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer+ (GLBTQ+) community and culture in the USA observes the month of June, annually, as its traditional Pride Month. An entire month to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Inn riots that initiated the modern, ongoing GLBTQ+ equality movement within this country and to celebrate all of us simply for being us: what and who we naturally are! There are only thirty days in the month of June, so let’s get the festivities underway now!

The idea or the notion of “pride” represents a variety of connotations and/or definitions that overlap and vary from person to person. It doesn’t often mean the same belief or concept to every individual all of the time. The importance and value that we place on pride does change throughout the course of our lifetime. This fluctuation is beneficial and good as it encourages us to keep abreast of current affairs, events and trends. Understanding the what and the who we are empowers us to be accepting and inclusive.

The Progress banner of our GLBTQ+ community!

Pride is real:

Pride is a noun that references a positive emotion or feeling meaning a sense of one’s own proper dignity and/or value; self-respect; pleasure or satisfaction taken in one’s work, achievements or possessions. It also denotes self-esteem.

Pride also has a negative connotation as an excessively high opinion of oneself; arrogance and/or conceit. The consideration or personification of this condition or the first of the proverbial seven cardinal sins.

The Progress Flag raised in Nottingham!

“The Progress Flag:”

The current GLBTQ+ international community banner.

The Progress flag was designed and developed by non-binary (outside of the gender binary: female or male) artist Daniel Quasar in 2018. Based on Gilbert Baker’s original 1978 Rainbow Pride flag, Quasar’s redesign was unfurled 40 years later celebrating the expanding and still growing diversity of the global GLBTQ+ community and culture and at the same time encouraging a more inclusive general society. The redesign has increased the overall representation of discriminated minority identities covered under the GLBTQ+ umbrella.

Quasar’s creation includes the original six stripes flag made by Gilbert Baker and his volunteers, all with the incorporation of the colours of the natural rainbow and the ideals they symbolize. Quasar has added an arrow to the left of the Rainbow Pride that is pointing to the right. This arrow includes both black and brown stripes (representing peoples of colour) and light blue, pink and white stripes (representing transgender and non-binary persons).

Gilbert Baker’s original Rainbow Pride flag and what the colours mean!

In Daniel Quasar’s description “…the arrow points to the right in order to show forward movement and illustrates that progress towards inclusivity still needs to be made.” The black stripe has a double meaning as it is also intended for “those living with HIV/AIDS and the stigma and prejudice surrounding them and all those who have been lost to the disease.”

The Progress flag was an immediate success. On the evening of 6 June, 2018, he posted the flag on social media and woke up the next day to find that globally it had gone viral!

Personal observations:

Both Aaron, my spouse, and I remain grateful and impressed by Gilbert Baker’s original Rainbow Pride flag and the work of his friends and volunteers: Lynn Segerblum, James McNamara, Glenne McElhinney, Joe Duran and Paul Langlotz. Their efforts will retain their work in the archive and hearts of our global GLBTQ+ community and culture.

We also appreciate and are equally impressed with Daniel Quasar’s incorporation of the colourful and historic Rainbow Pride flag in his affirmative and inclusive design of the Progress flag. Forty years after the Rainbow Pride design first appeared, Daniel Quasar publicly credited and preserved the Rainbow’s basic intent as we continue to strive towards equality and inclusion!

Aaron and I commend and salute Gilbert Baker and his friends and Daniel Quasar for their remarkable achievement in the honouring of our GLBTQ+ community and culture!

Covered by the original Rainbow Pride flag!

Awareness:

Our pride events, fairs, festivals and related celebrations not only bring many of us together as a community and culture, it also affords us an occasion to renew with acquaintances and long-lost friends. It helps us to remain connected with those we otherwise would remain estranged for a very lengthy period of time. It reminds us of our common and shared experiences that have enabled us to become exactly the person that we are currently.

It also enables us to explore the many opportunities that evolve in our shared environment. As the individuals within our community and culture expand and grow, we all benefit from remaining current and focused on the challenges and the needs of our peers and the changing world in which we live.

Since the Stonewall Inn riots (SIR) in the early morning hours of 28 June, 1969, we, the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer+ people have energized, galvanized and organized a vibrant global movement for change, enhancement and equality that continues on, even today. Our efforts have produced drastic results in some areas, minor adjustments in other areas and minimal (if any) difference in yet other areas. However, our struggle remains alive and underway as even a small change helps to generate and inspire hope for success in our future!

A recommendation:

A challenge for everyone: this year, invite an acquaintance to attend a pride-related event with you this year. This is a non-threatening opportunity for all of us give to someone an understanding on the importance of our community and culture within today’s world. It also enhances the life of your acquaintance as they can see the similarity between our lives and their own.

Best wishes for a very happy and productive pride month, 2024 to everyone!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, June 3, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Bare Pride, 2024!”