A special birthday wish for my fellow blogger, friend and Kenyan brother. He’s the author of the site, Random Thoughts here on wordpress.
To visit his site, please use the link following this encouragement: Random Thoughts
I sincerely apologize to Makagutu for failing to include his celebration in my recent post entry of Winter Holidays!
Have a great birthday month!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
It makes very little difference exactly where we live, either the Northern or the Southern Hemispheres, the month of December affords to the overwhelming majority of us a festive occasion to celebrate our cultural and social heritage!
In selecting a title for today’s post entry here on ReNude Pride, I am once again sensitive that a general, generic title is almost impossible. No matter how it is constructed, someone, somewhere will undoubtedly be offended. For many, avoiding the label “Christmas” is publicly repudiating Christians everywhere. Even though a significant number of persons living on this planet are not actually of the Christian belief system.
Winter holidays is another useless term as not everyone resides in the Northern Hemisphere where the winter season is fast approaching. Season’s greetings is equally unacceptable as summer enthusiasts who live in the Northern Hemisphere, such as my spouse, Aaron, and myself are in no way pleasantly receptive to any season that hinders or restricts our outdoor expressions of our joy of nakedness!
I’m certain that there are those who live in the Southern Hemisphere who prefer the “thrill of the chill” (cooler, if not even colder) outside air temperatures than what is about to encompass them! Perhaps December holidays is an appropriate title for today’s composition, even though I’m certain that more than likely is considered rude and thoughtless by some.
Then again, I am cognizant of the fact that being same gender loving (SGL) and clothes free is also offensive to many! Therefore, in an attempt to be as inclusive as possible, Aaron and I offer to everyone here as complete an attachment as currently available that acknowledges the multitude of seasonal festivities observed during the month of December! We also recognize that one holiday, happens on 1 January, annually. An entirely different month and year. Please allow us another year to creatively address and explore that issue!
There are additional celebrations, events, feasts, observances that were not included in the above listing. No offence is intended!
In the meantime, enjoy this month of December, 2024!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, December 9, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Semester Outing!”
For some phenomenal reason, the distinctly American holiday of Thanksgiving is observed on the final Thursday of the month of November, annually. Why a Thursday is bestowed this honour, I have no idea. The three-day holiday weekend would justify either a Friday or else a Monday celebration, but a Thursday? One day to feast and then back to the daily grind. Hardly a reason to be festive!
Fortunately, this year for the “feasting holiday” (Thanksgiving), my spouse, Aaron, and I have been invited to dinner with some friends. Aaron is to make the desserts! This is my very favourite of the aspects of any meal: desserts!
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Saturday, November 30, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Bottoms-Up! November, 2024!”
It’s the month of November. We’re almost through yet another year and then, we get to repeat the process all over again. One of the November features is the review of pictures acquired throughout the year and filing them accordingly. A November Monday, following a depraved election outcome, we can sit and reflect on others who prefer being fashionably bare!
A couple at home (above). On the right is gay porn actor, J.C. Carter, in the late 1980s. This was prior to his habit of shaving his head as well as his chest and pubic hairs. J.C. was a popular co-star with Bobby Blake especially early in the1990s. He retired from films in the late 1990s!
November is the last full month of the Autumn season. Next month, the season of winter begins and the temperatures tend to discourage outdoor nudity for the majority of us. One of the advantages of this month is the occurrence of unseasonably moderate days when nakedness remains possible in a natural setting!
When the weather isn’t quite as cooperative, we always enjoy the option of staying at home and letting the outside world deal with itself while we stay comfortable and cuddle with the one we love! Body and clothes freedom is often a just reward!
With the arrival of the cooler temperatures outside, the shifting of activities inside provides opportunities to invite friends to explore the wonders of social nakedness. This not only expands their life experiences but also acquaints them with a growing group of new friends and social opportunities!
Hardly words of wisdom but when asked for a statement, sometimes we just have to “go with what we know!” Sometimes, we all use the clothing issue to obscure ourselves from the accusations against us as being deceitful and promiscuous.
For those of us who are serious bare practitioners, laundry day (for the cleaning of clothes) is not the major task that others regularly encounter. Our engagement in clothes freedom reduces the amount of clothes that need washing! A job that others do weekly we generally only have once a month! Another advantage for the body and clothes freedom advocates!
Of course, our personal bathing/showering habits and routines take a higher priority than the needs of dirty clothes! We are, after all, primarily a very social species! As bare practitioners, we all want to look our best!
Our photographer for today’s photo-essay is very serious for us to not only look our best but to also be confident and proud bare practitioners! Our nakedness is an essential part of who we are and what makes us unique!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, November 22, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “JFK, Jr.!”
Background:
It has been quite some time – at least three years – since I have referenced my bare and gay modeling job and/or the two years that I was involved with it. I have no embarrassment, guilt or shame over that fact/reality. After all, it was an enormous milestone in my life that contributed to the publication of ReNude Pride (this site). Credit should go where it is due!
While earning and learning my baccalaureate degree at my university, I was an active member of the Lavender Club. This was the student club for bisexuals, gays and lesbians. At that time, those three were the sole identities professed by our community and our membership. The overwhelming majority of us considered ourselves gay.
The second largest component group identified as bisexual and was predominantly male followed by the third grouping: lesbian. To our knowledge, there was no census, survey or research done to uncover the discrepancy in numerical memberships. The unofficial reasoning that circulated among us students was that none of the women wanted to be known as a “lavender lesbian!” This observation was often repeated in jest!
As a student member of the Lavender Club (please make a note of: lavender), our faculty advisor was Dr. Rose (please note: rose). He also was the coordinator of the university’s programme of using graduate students, if interested, as nude models for the art and/or photography classes. Lavender? Rose? Were the university administrators attempting to organize a “rainbow” of surnames for the bisexual, gay and lesbian students?
Bare Professional:
As referenced above, Dr. Rose was the sole coordinator for the university’s naked models for the School of Art and he was the one who interviewed all prospective candidates. My situation was different from the others as he was aware of my comfort and familiarity with nudity as well as membership in several Washington, D.C. area clothes free social clubs. He approached me into joining his group of bare models. Of course I agreed! My first assignment as a naked model was to pose for a photography class interacting with fallen leaves the autumn after my graduation. Interacting with a pile of Autumn leaves while the students photographed me? Really?
A simple task that was a nightmare of a challenge. How “creative” could I be with a pile of leaves? Dr. Rose repeatedly emphasized to my modeling partner and myself that the project entailed both our nudity and nature (the leaves). Using the leaves to cover our anatomy was absolutely not an option. Little did he know that was never considered as a possibility by me! My goal: naked, front and center!
As for my modeling partner, he was obsessed with the wearing of a facial Halloween mask for the project. When I asked: why? He answered that he didn’t want his family or friends to know that he was posing nude. I convinced him that this was a project for the photography students, not creating pictures for an art gallery.
Once the project began and working with the leaves developed a pattern, the job became somewhat easier. It was no longer a tedious task. The camera (photography) students started to interact with us and we performed, danced, showered and countless other methods of socialization with the leaves ensued! The class became enthusiastic about the assignment and the focus evolved into having fun!
I realized how fortunate I was. An openly (out-of-the-closet) gay man who was being paid for having fun being naked! The center of attention of this group of photography students as we manually communicated (using ASL) suggestions and ideas as to what to attempt next! A very cool situation considering the fact that we were outside and it was already late October!
While posing, I began to fancy myself as a performer (actor) in the gay porn industry! Naked with all cameras and everyone’s attention focused on my every move and every whim with no one judging or shocked by my body and clothes freedom or the obvious fact that my man-to-man attraction was not a “taboo” (forbidden) subject! An ideal career aspiration for a 21-year-old man!
Author’s note: imagine me, nude and gay, entertaining the world with my talents! Unlimited financial success due to my superlative relationship with leaves!
While posing, I began to notice that the sunlight seemed to fade and then return. Dizziness one minute and then disappearing the next. Suddenly, after gasping for air, I lost my sense of connection with reality. I felt as though I were floating on waves. The next cognizant thought I had I was on a gurney in the back of a trauma vehicle on the way to a local hospital. I had fainted!
I had lost consciousness and stopped breathing while labouring among the leaves! I had never experienced such an episode in my life! I was kept in hospital for two days and informed that I was allergic to pollen from my co-stars – the leaves! My identical twin brother, Alex, nor I had ever experienced any allergy reactions before! This was actually a first for the both of us as well as all of our brothers!
This incident brought an immediate termination of my exceptional career in pornography with leaves! I continued to work as a bare model for the university’s School of Art and Photography for the remainder of that scholastic year and the next. Henceforth, I restricted my assignments to avoid contact with fallen leaf pollen!
My diagnosis with an allergy served notice to my parents and siblings to undergo testing. Growing up, there were no serious or urgent health issues for any of us. Fortunately, only Twin (the familiar name Alex and I use in referring to one another) and I were the only ones determined to be susceptible to pollen. Another amazing distinction to being identical twins: Deaf, gay, nudists and now allergy sufferers. Our unique notoriety qualifications listing continued to grow!
Upon being informed of his pollen allergy, Twin immediately asked the doctor if he was certain his allergy was to pollen and not to our shared preference for nakedness! Our physician assured him that it was solely a pollen allergy. Even today, we continue to laugh over his concern as to the cause of our allergy! In his defence, he reminds us that we were “only” 21 years old at the time!
As a footnote to the allergy theme here, in our paternal family we do indeed have a cousin, Michael, who is also a Deaf and an active bare practitioner. Within our family, his own “claim-to-fame” is that he does not suffer a pollen allergy!
Another footnote to my career as a bare model, I was relieved of any consideration for any future leaf responsibilities! However, in response to my incident, no engagements involving leaves was ever taken again by the School of Art! No one affiliated with the now School of Media wanted a repetition of my reaction and hospitalization. Evidently, once was quite enough!
A humourous closing note, shortly after my return to graduate studies at my university, a notice was anonymously posted on campus: “Warning! Roger does not play well with leaves!”
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, November 11, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Armistice Day/Remembrance Day!”
The explosion of violence in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January, 2021, remains with both Aaron (my spouse) and myself as though it happened only yesterday. The eruption of anarchy and lawlessness by cohorts and followers of a person sworn to protect and defend the constitution of this country has irreparably damaged and destroyed a reputation of freedom and democracy. Voting and accepting the will of the electorate is the decent and respectful method for change. Not acting like a pre-adolescent unable to have his way!
Today, Aaron and I encourage and endorse Ms. Kamala Harris in her efforts to return democratic tradition, decency, equality, fairness, honesty and justice in our national government. A peaceful and respectful nature needs to be restored not only to our government but also to the entire nation.
If you have not already voted, we both invite you to join us in casting our votes for Kamala Harris as the next president! An orderly and progressive restoration of government is needed for us all!
Naked hugs!
Aaron Michael Peterson-Poladopoulos
Roger Peterson-Poladopoulos
ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday. November 4, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Vote Tuesday!”
It is now Springtime in the Southern Hemisphere! While too cool for beaches in the Northern Hemisphere, Brazilian-born Felipe Ferreira can absorb all the sand he wants while on shore-patrol in the South Atlantic Ocean.
The rest of us, in the Northern Hemisphere, have little alternative except to retreat inside out of the autumn chills and tease one another with our bottoms-up! antics!
Now that the Autumn season is officially here, a residual tan-line remains visible on the buttocks of many regardless of the amount of sunshine absorbed this past summer!
The comfort of our bed becomes more important and noticeable as we all tend to linger longer before rising to begin our daily routine!
With an imminent national election, a flag draped pair of tan-lined buttocks is an appropriate offering!
Finally, a seasonal selection for our conclusion: Happy Halloween!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for tomorrow, Friday, November 1, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “November: Vote!”
Background and Introduction:
As the month of October, 2024, fast approaches closing, a tribute to our celebration of GLBTQ+ History Month is worthy of a final notation. Why? First and foremost, it helps all of us as we continue to build (construct, develop) an even greater sense and understanding of our very own story: our herstory/history/ourstory! There are extremely few, if any, references to nakedness in any commemoration – official or unofficial – throughout our collective community and culture.
Secondly, as a distinct minority within the GLBTQ+ population, bare practitioner ourstory (bare practitioner herstory/history) has a very justifiable and viable consideration to be explored and shared. Not only for us bare practitioners, but for all body and clothes freedom enthusiasts no matter their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
Thirdly and primarily is the fact that I owe to everyone here – at least – an apology and brief explanation for the announced and scheduled posting of: “Our History: No Briefs!” for Friday, 18 October, 2024. My seasonal pollen allergies caused a serious disruption of my health and myself for that day. I sincerely apologize to all for any confusion and inconvenience!
Ourstory: Definition:
Ourstory is simply an all gender inclusive description – not herstory nor history – that defines our experiences and lives as same gender loving (SGL) and body and clothes freedom humans. Being gender neutral, the intention is to be recognized and understood as being accepting us all in a respectful manner, regardless of our gender identity.
Ourstory, as a word, was initially introduced to me by my spouse, Aaron. He’s unable to identify or recall any source for the term except himself!
The Danish Trio:
Today’s heading (opening image above) depicts a photograph of the confident and proud gay artist, Ainor Bagner, (himself nude), painting a naked man reading a book on the coast of Denmark. The artist himself is obviously comfortable with his nudity. The same is true of the subject posing for him (the reader). Bagner’s photographer is visually mysterious, however, Bagner later confirmed that he was also a gay naked man. In the lower right-hand corner of the picture image is etched “1910.”
One common trait apparent in the above vintage photo is the comfort and confidence of both the known same gender loving artist, Ainor Bagner, and his artistic subject (the reader) have being photographed in their nakedness. Keep in mind the notation of “1910” in the lower right-hand corner of the picture. More than a century ago – long before the Stonewall Inn riots of 1969! Another bonus: their photographer joined them in their clothes freedom, too!
Personal:
I encountered this picture in the early days of my online exploration. It’s very nature and vintage captured my immediate appreciation and attention due to the nude subjects and their interaction. I remember thinking this is an important visual artifact of gay and nude history! Upon remembering the date the picture was inscribed, my theory on the historical was confirmed! Throughout all these years, it has remained one of my all-time favourites due to it being a classic example of nakedness and same gender love not being a contemporary novelty but instead being a lasting artistic tradition!
The emergence of the bare practitioner community and culture within the mainstream GLBTQ+ movement is a product of the 21st century. This picture is an integral part of ourstory!
Camaraderie:
During a time when there was limited and rare acceptance, tolerance and understanding of what we now refer to as same gender love (SGL), the two young men featured in this series of photographs here interact in harmony with one another. Totally out of character and in direct conflict with social norms for both their time (early 1960s) and their type: one being Black and the other being White. Physically, besides their obvious nakedness, they are both in fitness and good health.
Racial equality was practically non-existent during this time period. Segregation (separation by race) was legally mandated throughout most of the country and was considered the “normal” routine. Photographs depicting or suggesting camaraderie and/or friendship between the two races were not permitted and attracted unwanted attention.
Their body and clothes-free appearance – together – would be viewed by the overwhelming majority of people as despicable, illegal, immoral and offensive. Any hint of any type of intimacy (touching) between the two young men was disgraceful and repulsive and condemned by church, society and state. During this time period, few would promote their camaraderie as admirable and progressive. Then-president Harry Truman was strongly criticized by many for having integrated the U. S. armed forces by executive order in 1948.
The fact that these two young men were actually touching one another in the initial image (under the subtitle above) and the one below would have caused an uproar!
This series of pictures represents an effort by the photographer in a subtle delivery of a message of artistic expression of equality. The photographer is unknown to us as is his clothing status (bare or clothed). No information is available on the two young men in the photos.
As bare practitioners, the ourstorical (historical) expression of the majesty of our nakedness is our artistic contribution!
Personal:
This photograph series on no way implies or suggests that the concept or ideal of racial equality is exclusive to us as bare practitioners. I’m certain of the existence of segregationists of both races. However, Aaron and I both believe our nakedness does make us inclined to greater acceptance of equality for all!
Heritage:
The inclusion of this visual series serves as a reminder of the human heritage that we all share: nakedness. None of us were born with garments to wear. All of us were born bare, natural, or nude. Body and clothes freedom is the original “state of being” of us all!
Taking advantage of our natural (from nature) resources, our ancestors created colors and designs to adorn, decorate, and distinguish our bare bodies. The purpose of this was not to conceal or hide but rather to embellish and enrich ourselves. Please note the natural “club” (stick) here is representative of “protection” (preservation) of our nakedness!
Our shared ouristorical heritage is both majestic and noble. Be confident and be proud!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Thursday, October 31, 2014, and the proposed topic is: “Bottoms-Up! October, 2024!”
Halloween is a festive day here in the USA that often involves the wearing of a costume and children roaming their neighbourhoods at night seeking sweet treats from their terrified neighbours! Many adults use the occasion to dress up in costumes and to enjoy socializing. Frequently bare practitioners, in spirit with the occasion, body paint themselves rather than engage in the boring, mundane custom of actually wearing some type of costume! To each their own!
Halloween is observed annually on 31 October. As this is the weekend prior to the observance, for many adult enthusiasts, it is often the occasion for many Halloween parties!
This body painted person reflects the biblical legend concerning the temptation of Adam and Eve with the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden. People opt for total body painting to reflect popular characters of films, social media and television shows. Others utilize images from books or tales of horror.
There are some who prefer abstract designs painted on their body. Perhaps these denote the concept of a “human canvas?”
Covered faces conceal personal identity from neighbours as frolicking “trick or treat” (knocking on doors to obtain a special “Halloween treat” go from house-to-house to gather as many sweet treats as possible!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, October 28, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Bare Practitioners: Ourstories!”
How is history made? Through the eyes, hearts and minds of the people who live their lives as completely and as fully as they indeed are able!
Who share what they have with all others to expand the goodness of life and the wonders of our world!
ReNude Pride: Our Offertory, Our Story!
Today, Aaron (my spouse) and I offer a gallery of our exploration of visual images that hopefully render to everyone a glimpse into the culture and the community of bare practitioners throughout the world. Here on ReNude Pride, we extol ourselves as accepting advocates and proponents of not only our same gender loving capacity but also of our nakedness! Now, during the 2024 celebration of our GLBTQ+ History Month, we seek to share with everyone here a festive and inspirational reality of what we indeed are: ourselves!
Bare practitioners are sometimes misinterpreted as militants about their nakedness. While this may be true for some, our belief and support of body and clothes freedom is in no way a fair and just assumption of all of us. Here on ReNude Pride, Aaron and I encourage us all to enjoy our ability to freely engage in our nudity to our individual levels of comfort. Some are satisfied with limited and/or occasional forays while without any covering, such as our gentleman (above) resting while visibly exposing his tan-line buttocks. Obviously, he’s bare when he wants to be!
Whereas others, such as this site’s unofficial representative, Phoenix Fellington, (above) is gloriously naked and completely unashamed whenever the opportunity is available! Publicly, he has no qualms in acknowledging his “I love being naked in nature!” status to all those within any audience available and interested. At this time, it is appropriate to remind everyone here of his professional qualification as a same gender loving (SGL) actor in the gay porn industry.
Posing for others provides many of us with a chance to attain greater comfort and confidence in ourselves and our nakedness. It affords us the opportunity to examine ourselves as we appear through the eyes of others. Many take advantage of these opportunities to determine exactly how they feel about sharing their genitalia with those they may not know.
Others, realizing their comfort-level isn’t as bold, may opt to pose discretely and with modesty. It is an individual choice based on personal comfort, confidence and preference!
Happy GLBTQ+ History Month!
Naked hugs!
Aaron Michael Peterson-Poladopoulos
and
Roger Peterson-Poladopoulos
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, October 25, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Colourful Club-Man!”
ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! 