Bare/Dare Series, 2025! #3

Identical siblings!

An Examination and Exploration of Our Community and Our Culture of Same Gender Loving Nakedness! #3

Identical Twins: Double the Nakedness, Double the Fun!

Preliminary:

As promised at the beginning of this series, this final offering for this publication was guaranteed prior to the end of the summer season as my personal perspective. Just a reminder that this post entry also includes that of my own identical twin brother, Alex. Sometimes, the sharing of our ideas, inspirations, memories, reactions, recollections, thoughts, etc., become blurred and riddled with questions. However, the experiences are shared and together as they involve us both – guilty and innocence – together!

We, Alex (Twin) and I, are identical; our births barely two hours apart. Therefore, we share our personal experiences in nakedness – the comfort, joy, and preference for living, as much as possible, our lives without the burden, duty and/or obligation of clothing/concealment!

Footnote: For this series, I use pictures of identical twins from online. Our brothers prefer I not use any from our childhood.

Identical and Serious: together!

Introduction:

Our family name is Poladopoulos and we are identical twin brothers born almost two hours apart. Alex – the “first-born” – is also Deaf, same gender loving (SGL) or gay and frequently confused with me, Roger, the author of this blog and the “second-born” of this twin team!

Our parents were born in the Kingdom of Greece during the time of the German invasion and occupation during World War II. They married and began their family there before immigrating to this country in the early 1950s. Neither of them became citizens here and they returned to Greece in the 1990s. We (Twin and I) have three (3) older brothers and three (3) younger brothers. That makes the both of us the exact “middle-child” in our family.

Our family household being predominantly male has caused many to assume our nakedness wasn’t a major issue.

A very false and unreal assumption!

Our infancy and early childhood progressed along the same pattern as that of our older siblings with the exception of our diagnosis of being Deaf. Otherwise, we were “normal” until our parents and older siblings decided to teach us to properly adorn (wear clothes) ourselves. Our “moment” to establish our true identity! Our joint (shared) “declaration of independence” was upon us!

Bottoms-up! to yardwork!

Reality:

Our initial opportunity to proclaim our self-determination (identity) happened when the decision was made to instruct us on the process of how to dress – put on clothes. At last, a chance to demonstrate (show) precisely who we really are! Twin and I are unable to exactly recall the experience, so this episode is best described by our surviving parent (mother) and older siblings.

The miraculous fascination that Twin (our familiar reference name for ourselves) and I had for learning how to decorate our bodies with clothes was that it also gave us the knowledge of how easy and simple it now became for us to remove (discard) our clothing!

The proverbial adage, “practice makes perfect” was the result of this lesson. Easy to put on, easy to take off! Our parents were amazed at the both of us getting dressed in garments and then removing them immediately! The essence and introduction into our world of “guys without boxers!” No underwear equals no clothes!

Needless to elaborate, but this basic logistic created an enormous amount of frustration within our family household. Our desire for freedom from clothes soon reached epic proportions that continued throughout our childhood. This conflict in nudity versus textile (clothes wearing) was compounded by a communication issue: our being Deaf against the fact that everyone else was verbal (hearing). At the time, the tensions in our family, along with the births of our younger brothers, made happiness and tranquility seem impossible!

Luckily, Twin and I shared a bedroom. Perhaps “identical” is synonymous with “shared!” Soon, our parents conceived of a compromise: we could be naked inside our bedroom if we agreed to wear clothes while elsewhere in our home. Our older siblings joined in this project, and while some awkward occurrences happened, tranquility returned to the Poladopoulos residence.

Footnote: Now, today, as a family, we all laugh when remembering this drama in our lives!

Calm and peaceful!

As we matured, our late Father eventually acknowledged to us all that the “bedroom nudity compromise” was initially considered only a temporary adjustment. Both parents believed we would grow away from this behaviour and the nude insistence was a developmental “phase” of our lives that would eventually disappear.

Our oldest sibling, Nick, (who “came out” as gay while at university), readily admitted to our family that at his young age, he briefly thought Twin and I were “double trouble!” At the time of this incident, he viewed our being Deaf as synonymous with our penchant for nakedness!

Sometimes, a “temporary” compromise affords a very rewarding and significant solution!

A doorway of twins!

As to the communication concern: our family all learned to manually share (sign language) – both in English and Greek! A process that remains underway still today with the addition of in-laws (sibling marriages), nieces and nephews!

Summary:

Life experiences provided Twin and I with an opportunity to explore, firsthand, the world of nakedness. It afforded us a chance to examine and explore our perspectives, reactions and involvement! These same life experiences reinforced, both internally and in reality, our identical appreciation and commitment to nakedness that we both share!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, September 22, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Autumn Adaptability!”

Bare*Ability!

Same gender bromance!

Bare Practitioner: same gender loving and embracing nakedness as both community and culture. An enthusiastic advocate of the right to love and of body and clothes freedom.

Body and clothes freedom!

Naked is defined as without clothing on the body. Without addition, concealment, disguise or embellishment. Nude.

Nude is defined as without clothing or naked. The condition of being unclothed.

Introduction:

Mutual body and clothes freedom!

Bare! Body! Clothes free! Naked! Natural! Naturist! Nude! Nudity! Nudist! All of these terms/words refer to the fact that we are uncovered (without clothing)! We are completely visible without even a single thread concealing any part of our natural body. Identical to the state of our birth. Not a single one of us were born wearing anything! Hallelujah!

Yours truly at a local park in Arlington, Virginia, USA!

My name is Roger Peterson-Poladopoulos. As many of you already know, I am the co-author and the creator of this site: ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! I am a same gender loving (SGL) man – gay – Deaf and of direct Greek heritage (both of my parents were born in the Kingdom of Greece).

Aaron, my spouse!

This is Aaron M. Peterson-Poladopoulos, my spouse. He is also the co-author and photographer of this site. Obviously, he is also SGL and is of African-Canadian descent. Aaron’s family is of the Yoruba ethnic tribe from the city of Ibadan, located in western Nigeria. Both Canada and Nigeria are Commonwealth entities. We have been legally married since 2015, a year after marriage equality was officially adopted here in the USA, our country of residence.

The both of us are confidently and proudly bare practitioners (SGL and naturist/nudist). We wear clothes when necessary but both of us prefer being without any garment whatsoever! As enthusiastic bare practitioner advocates, we are equally responsible for the theme of today’s post entry here.

Honest and simple advice!

We sincerely encourage all of you here today to join with us in nakedness and pride whenever possible!

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Bare Practitioners:

Bare practitioners!

As an integral component grouping of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer+ community and culture, bare practitioners often encounter awkward and discomforting situations not only because of our SGL status, but also due to our textile (clothing) – or our lack thereof. We are neither forcing nor intimidating anyone into our body and clothes freedom world, instead we are celebrating the enablement to just be ourselves: SGL and nakedness!

Progress Pride Flag body painted on himself!

Our man in the above photograph is very confident and proud of his bare practitioner identity. He has our SGL Progress Pride rainbow flag body painted on his nakedness while he’s participating in the London, UK, World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR)! His smile demonstrates his comfort and joy in being honest and open about his body freedom and his sexuality! Both Aaron and I salute his brotherhood, reality and sincerity! Take care and stay bare, our friend!

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Our Confidence Is Evident:

Bare under the bridge!

Our man in this series of pictures here is not only proud of his sexuality, he’s also assured and bold in sharing publicly his bare practitioner affiliation!

Submerged bare practitioner pride!

He combines his SGL nature and his body and clothes freedom preference and skinny dips (swims naked) without a care in the world!

His rainbow pride colours raised high!

He confidently flaunts both his bare body and his sexuality while posing and promoting his message: “I am my own man without guilt and/or shame!”

Bottoms-up! near the underwater bottom!

A philosophy that many of us who are bare practitioners endorse and proclaim wholeheartedly!

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Confidence and Pride!

Compatibility!

Being a bare practitioner isn’t an obligation to publicly reveal one’s personal character and identity. Each person determines their own comfort level in presenting themselves to others. The majority of us, bare practitioners or otherwise, are more amenable to others who we perceive as most like us and similar to ourselves. This is a human instinct that most of us believe, feel, nurture and share among ourselves.

Our bare practitioner affinity and appreciation aren’t based on or defined solely by our willingness to allow others to interpret or judge our nakedness and/or our sexuality. Our being what and who we are is determined completely by our private discretion, personal emotional capacity, and self-acceptance. If we need to confide in another, it is our choice, and we need to engage in the dialogue when we are comfortable. Otherwise, we await on our respective decision to proceed.

For everyone!

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Poetic Justice:

An important message inked on his genital area!

Reign is the stage name of our bare practitioner brother welcoming us here. Just above his pubic hairline, he has “unashamed” tattooed on his skin. His meaning is obviously visible for all. There is no embarrassment, guilt or shame associated with either his nakedness and/or his sexuality!

He prefers nakedness over clothing and has no issue in publicly endorsing both body and clothes freedom and his exclusive same gender loving sexuality. Reign is a very honest and open man who lives his life being himself and “unashamed!”

My Naked Life

by Roger Poladopoulos

I am naked and I am me.

I am the man the man I want to be.

When I am naked, I am nude,

Living life with a positive attitude.

I am naked and I am me.

I am the man I want to be.

When I am nude, I am also proud,

Whether alone or among a crowd.

I am naked and I am me.

I am the man I want to be.

When I am nude, I am living free,

I know that clothes are not for me.

I am naked and I am me.

I am the man I want to be.

When I am nude, I clear my mind,

Gone are the clothes that hide and bind.

I am naked and I am me.

I am the man I want to be.

The End. Composed on 5 July, 2011 at a clothes free beach.

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Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, June 9, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Swinging It All: Bat and Buttocks!”

ReNude-A-Thon!

A photographer doing his job!

The header (opening photograph, above) is being used here in order to capture the attention of followers, readers and visitors. If I had placed my initial image here as the header, the majority would have “rolled their eyes” or “shrugged their shoulders” while thinking: “What, again?”

Now, the camera gets the attention as everyone prepares to pose. But the attention is what is desired as this posting is a notice of changes here on this site. Innovations that both Aaron, my spouse, and I hope you’ll appreciate! The intended purpose/goal/function of this post entry was originally to announce and introduce a completed, new Home page here for ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! The intention was confronted by reality, time restraints and the facts that ability and creativity are not always compatible according to dreams and plans.

Some of the changes covered here have already happened. Others may be modified and implemented gradually over the next two weeks. Hopefully, the entire ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! renovation will be complete by the end of April, 2025!

Almost all the text below was written before my “surprise” birthday event this past weekend. Rather than update and recompose the entire post entry, I am improvising, inserting and asking for your patience and tolerance.

ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!

No, I am absolutely not losing my mind and becoming overly redundant! There is a very specific reason for intentionally publishing the above picture of Daniel Shoneye (left) and his friend/partner with their arms interlocked around the trunk of a palm tree. This particular photo is now incorporated here on ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers as representing my spouse, Aaron and myself.

Why? First, because Aaron and I are a biracial couple – he’s African-Canadian and I’m Greek. Second, I previously explained the reality of a Deaf person “linking arms” as opposed the communication restriction of “holding hands.” Most Deaf people “talk” manually instead of vocally. In this image, their arms are linked so their communication isn’t impaired.

Third, we’re both bare practitioners – same gender loving and our preference is our nakedness. The same is evidently true for the couple under the palm tree above! Fourth, we are a “tropical” couple: better a palm tree rather than a fir tree or a barren one! Sunshine and no snow!

Addendum: 9 April, 2025: Another discussion between the both of us has brought us to the decision that the below photograph will now be our “official” representative image for this site. Aaron had “second” and “third” thoughts about the proposed replacement (above). He convinced me to his ideas. We both admit to being aquatic-oriented as opposed to tree focused!

Dress code compliance: bare nakedness!

The title here is another change that has already occurred. We are now (officially): ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! My first blog was named A Guy Without Boxers. Now that we are legally married, in deference to our legacy, we have reclaimed not only commando status (no boxers) but some ownership of our history. Also note that we are now a plural identity, “guys” as opposed to singular “guy.”

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The Gravatar

ReNude Pride gravatar!

Above is the current gravatar (signature image) for ReNude Pride. It was designed by Aaron (my spouse) and has been in use continuously since January, 2017. The triangular rainbow (GLBTQ+) outline which was based on the concentration camp badges the Nazis forced the homosexual inmates to wear. The buttocks aptly represent nakedness. The theme for this site has always been same gender loving nakedness.

A Guy Without Boxers gravatar!

The emblem above was the gravatar used for my first blog here on wordpress.com, A Guy Without Boxers. It is visually explanatory as no boxers, thus no underwear, was allowed. Underwear, the first item of clothing adorn, hence without it, one was bare, nude, naked!

As to the emblem that will best reflect the new title for this site: ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! , Aaron and I are still debating. Initially, we were both inclined to abandon the concentration camp symbolism due to the Palestinian Genocide and Holocaust committed by the zionists in Gaza, Jerusalem and the West Bank. However, friends of ours, both Jewish, have argued that the brutalities are the acts by the civil government and not approved by all Jews.

Aaron and I continue to discuss changing the gravatar. We both agree that if we do revise, we’ll revert to the original A Guy Without Boxers design rather than create a new one.

One idea is to post both the gravatars together from now until the end of summer, 2025. On that date, delete the triangle and utilize the “no boxers” exclusively. At the very least, we’re publicly sharing that likelihood to all now.

Addendum: 10 April, 2025: As of this moment, we have agreed to now retain the gravatar for the ReNude Pride site. We’ll continue to utilize both images whenever necessary.

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Deletions

We’re deleting the secondary listings page and the recent posts listings sections. The secondary pages section and the recent posts are rarely used throughout the year. The Home page layout automatically shows the five (5) most recent entries and this elimination deletes duplications and opens “extra” space.

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Photo album similarity!

Unfortunately, our Home page has acquired a very striking similarity to a featured photograph album since January, 2017. The majority of the images are random and unrelated except for depicting clothes freedom and same gender love. A few pictures and/or graphics convey the identical messages and/or themes without appearing too gaudy!

Hopefully, implementing these changes will significantly reduce confusion and congestion here on ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! Our goal is to present an orderly and organised appearance that is both attractive and colourful.

Seasonal Adjustment Addition:

The final (last) widget featured on the left side of the Home Page here on ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers will be a seasonal graphic/photograph reflective of a life of nakedness and pride in the Northern Hemisphere. The first one represents: Spring!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, April 14, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Posing Bare #4!”

Commando? None For Me!

Commando! = No underwear!

A Guy Without Boxers!

Background:

Today’s post entry here on ReNude Pride serves two important purposes. First and foremost, as a parody (nonjudgmental ridicule) of the commando (no underwear) lifestyle. It is intended for fun rather than factual information.

The second purpose is of a personal experience. Shared with my identical twin brother, Alex, when we began our first year at the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind (VSDB), a residential school operated by the Commonwealth of Virginia for students who are Deaf from level 4 (primary) through secondary school.

The .gif image introducing the Personal Experience segment here depicts a man ripping (tearing) off his boxer style underwear rather than trimming (cutting) off the waistband. The use of “artistic literary license” here! Naked hugs!

The Chain of Command Demands No Underwear!

Now, in the interests of reality, the “chain of command” demanding a no underwear policy is a very bold new move that offers one essential truth: there will now be quite a number of young men – who modelled underwear – now wandering about completely naked! Their nakedness, being involuntary and sudden, has created a bare, confused and clueless crowd of men parading and running around with their hands covering their genitalia and totally unsure of exactly where they are supposed to go!

Our man (above) give us a clear image of excessive modesty when caught unaware of the chain of command demand! No underwear = exposed penis = mindless alternative = modesty = human suffering. No! Wait! Look at the picture (below) of the twins, the Shoneye pair! Look at the muscle tone of their carefully maintained bodies. The only human suffering depicted here are the overworked hands allowing us a full view of their male anatomy!

The Shoneye Twins!

The relaxed Shoneye twins in truth are proud public bare practitioners! They’re Nigerians living in London (King Charles III and the Commonwealth) they’re both same gender loving and they’re both committed naturists/nudists! They could care less who looks at their identical genitalia! The result? The chain of command demand has minimal impact on either one of them! Eliminate the Poladopoulos twins from that consideration, too! Alex and I are also bare practitioners so identical twins are immune to the chain of command demand on the broad encompassing underwear issue.

Obviously, those persons who normally do wear undergarments are affected by the CoCD (chain of command demand) but a problem remains to be solved. If everyone is wearing pants or shorts, how can we determine if they’re following orders? If all of us are compelled to wear no underwear, then obeying the demand makes all of us body and clothes free! How can the disobedient be identified and punished?

If the failure to adhere to the law (no underwear) is the actual wearing of underwear, then how do we enforce the law? Force people to wear underwear? Isn’t that how they got into trouble initially? Ignoring the no underwear restriction? So what becomes the appropriate justifiable punishment? This can easily become and endless and repetitive cycle of events!

Commando profile: Buttocks-to-Buttocks!

Every culture has at least one “origin of underwear” legend/myth//story/tale that offers the reason for the need for underwear. Most cultures have multiple explanations as to the absolute necessity for what we now know as undergarments. Legends and myths merge with historic reality that provide us with the cause of this fashion tradition.

In all fairness, not everyone recognized the actual need for underwear. For example, in ancient Rome, no one wore boxers or briefs under their togas! That alone would have made the wearing of a toga ridiculous! In Scotland, even to this day, undergarments (no matter what style) is not permitted to be worn under a kilt! Otherwise, men would abandon the kilt altogether and cover themselves with long pants!

Kilted duo!

Therefore, in gratitude to togas and kilts and all other forms of men’s fashion that are not underwear compatible, the commando custom/habit/tradition evolved into being. The preference for the wearing of a male garment (pants, shorts, shirt, etc.) without underwear appeared – or, the the case of underwear itself – disappeared!

The wearing of underwear became optional. It was no longer considered an essential item of clothing for the “best dressed!” Now, the choice was individual by nature and could be arbitrary – underwear during the day, none during the night or vice versa.

Becoming commando!

A Personal Experience:

Alex, my identical twin brother, is 74 minutes older than me. When we reached Level 4 in primary school, we were sent to the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind (VSDB) in Staunton, Virginia, as residential students (dormitory living). It was during our second semester there (Spring) that we both learned on commando (underwear free) living. Twin (shrewd Alex) devised a way to observe the lifestyle and avoid discovery. He took scissors and cut of all of his boxer shorts below the waistband!

Every morning, while donning our required uniform, he dutifully wore the waistband only. Instant boxer freedom!

Miraculously commando! Now, when our teacher required us to line-up for “underwear inspection,” all he had to do was show his waistband! Excellent opportunity for several weeks until one of our classmates confessed to our teacher. From that moment on, we all had to unleash our belts and pull our pants down to our knees!

A foiled fowl play!

Dominic Santos (left) demonstrates a commando benefit!

Educational Demonstration: Adorning Jeans: Commando Style:

Align jeans top with legs!
Step into jeans, one at a time!
Mount jeans up to waist!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

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

Posing Bare: Part 2!

Arm-in-Arm biracial couple posing!

Alternate Title:

Be Bold! Be Brave! Be You!

Introduction:

One of the complaints/excuses/reasons that many offer for not having pictures of their nudity is they lack experience in posing as a bare practitioner! My normal response to that statement is usually a simple question back to them: “What does a bare practitioner do?” A very basic inquiry that is more often than not answered with either a blank stare, a shrug of the shoulders and/or a combination of both!

Sadly, even if I rephrased my initial question into “What do naked people do?” the reaction would probably be identical. Beyond comprehension! Even if I asked this of seasoned bare practitioners, their reply, more often than not, would be consistent: no idea. Clueless! Apparently, the concept and/or the question is just too difficult for people to understand.

A unipod selfie poser!

Unsure of what to do? Take it easy and slow. Make a selfie! If you’re baffled. just strip off (remove) all your clothes – if you’re even wearing any – and pose for a photograph of yourself an no one else. Suggestion: A full frontal pose (like the above picture) is highly recommended. Regardless of one’s naked experience, most men are awkward posing with their penis visible. It’s best to deal with the most difficult task and then move on! So, go ahead and take your selfie now!

There, in one basic action you have met and satisfied the complete alternate title for this post! You were bold in taking off all your clothes, You were brave by posing front-facing and completely nude and you were your natural person by being solo (alone)!

Congratulations! You have now completed your first assignment! Remember this process! Now, if you’re ever asked: “What do naked people do?” you already have an answer. “We take selfies of our nakedness!” You now have proof: a picture of yourself posing bare!

Regrettably, we all know that the creation of one self-image does not qualify us for identity as an experienced model, but it does – at the very least – present us the notion that posing bare isn’t as foreign as it may seem. Maybe this project is a possibility after all!

A seated pose!

Assignment:

Set aside a specific day and time to shoot additional solo selfies of yourself. Try a variety of poses and some need to be full frontal so your penis doesn’t become “camera-shy!” This gives you the idea of how to appear (look) nude while helping to build camera-comfort and camera-confidence.

A kneeling pose!

Repetition! Repetition! Repetition! The more we repeat an action, the easier it becomes. Changing the location of the camera and/or the position you’re using (seated, kneeling, standing) offers a variety of pictures as a resource and it prevents boredom. This enables your harshest critic (yourself) to decide which pose looks/works best and which to discard or erase.

A standing pose showing modesty!

Perform these solo selfie undertakings on a daily or weekly basis, whichever is convenient for you. Keep in mind that you are the judge of what’s acceptable and what is not. No one else needs to know what you’re doing or why you’re doing it! You decide who views the results and/or makes recommendations! Be you! You pose! You make the image! You decide!

Michael Ealy: reading interest!

Share you:

During your convenient “camera-comfort” and “camera-confident” times, rather than let your mind wander aimlessly, carefully consider any subtle messages to include in your pictures (selfies). Some examples are hobbies, special interests, sports, etc. Anything that conveys to a viewer an aspect that you appreciate about or in your life.

In the photo (above), Hollywood actor Michael Ealy nonchalantly poses bare with a pile of books. He’s suggesting his pleasure in reading during his leisure (free) time time as well as his comfort with his nakedness. A replication of this image by you relays the same. If books and/or reading holds no value for you, consider something that does.

Athletics and sports significant? Grab a basketball or a tennis racquet! Swimming? Put on a pair of goggles and pose in imitation of taking a dive into a pool. Creativity has no limits – after all, we are posing bare! It’s common knowledge that all observations are focused on the nudity of the subject and not the objects featured!

Basketball fan!

Subtle messages:

In concluding this second segment of the “Posing Bare” series here on ReNude Pride, please return your attention to the header (first photograph) offered of the two men pictured with full frontal nudity. Both my spouse, Aaron and I are a proud biracial couple. He’s African-Canadian and I’m Greek. This fact is implied in the selection of this particular photo. We’re both bare practitioners, our skin is simply a different colour.

Also, we’re depicted “arm-in-arm;” not holding hands or embracing. As a profoundly Deaf man since birth, I communicate manually (sign language). Therefore, holding hands is just not convenient or practical for me. Aaron accepts, supports and understands this reality. If we’re walking holding hands, how would we communicate with one another?

Remember the adage: “Every picture tells many stories?” More truth than you can ever imagine!

Notation: The next segment of this series, “Posing Bare: Part 3!” will be published on Monday, 10 February, 2025!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, January 27, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Towel Dilemma!”

Autumn Twist!

The Twister game being played in a park!

Background:

Before I create any confusion and/or misunderstanding, this post entry for ReNude Pride is most definitely not a cocktail (mixed drink) recipe. The “twist” in the title above is involved in a popular social game – actual title “Twister” – so there is no twist of a citrus fruit necessary to be added to alcohol!

The Game:

Twister is not a convenient board game that is undertaken while seated at a table. It is an active challenge requiring minimal equipment: a chart that is unfolded on the floor or ground and a spin device that denotes particular colours (either red, blue, green or yellow). A spin of the device indicates the colour that the players must physically connect with using either their hands and/or feet.

Originally geared primarily for children, the activity soon became popular with young adults. As the number of clothes free enthusiasts grew, so did the “fun-to-play-naked” fans. The close proximity of the audience and the curious and sometimes compromising positions the players endured added to the excitement of involvement in the game of Twister! Among the bare and same gender loving population, the Twister engagement was astronomical!

As the game progresses, bodies – while nude – often become entangled which provides interesting and unusual encounters with the bodies of others, either a close friend, a casual acquaintance or a complete stranger! A very roundabout way to “break-the-ice” (introduce) oneself to others in a fun and non-threatening (uncomfortable) manner! The results can create lasting friendships or episodes of awkward familiarity!

The fun entailed with Twister is best experienced rather than explained! There are indeed some things that words just are unable to describe! Fortunately, the activity is suitable for play both inside a dwelling or outside in nature as a bare practitioner or clothed.

A pair of identical twins!

If and when a pair of identical twins are entered into the Twister situation, the contortions as well as the game itself can occasionally create unexpected consequences! For two devious minds, in particular, my spouse, Aaron, and my identical sibling, Alex, the opportunity is simply too rich to ignore!

The Devious Duo: Aaron and Alex

The situation that I am referencing took place back in 2010, the year that Aaron and I initiated our relationship. We had met one another that Spring and by that Autumn we were introducing ourselves to acquaintances, family and friends – a somewhat lengthy and involved process that is, at times, very time consuming!

Aaron’s oldest brother, Paul, was undergoing the “coming out” stage of his life and uncertain as to his status, whether he was a bisexual man or a gay man. Aaron and Alex had the idea that the four of us spend a weekend together, especially as I had never before met Paul. The details were arranged by the “devious duo” (Aaron and Alex), the date arrived – early October – and the weekend was underway!

Paul, aware of his attraction to men, remained in limbo (confused) as to whether he is a gay man (male attraction only) or if he is a bisexual man (attracted to both men and women). Aaron and Alex adopted the idea of a weekend “exploratory” gathering in order to provide Paul the chance to determine his status in the SGL world. I thought this a nice gesture and was honestly surprised that they conceived of this idea! Neither one of them were quite that perceptive!

Confused!

Aaron had invited me to his family over the winter holidays – our first together – so I was eager to meet Paul. We had exchanged emails, and I believed that as this was a crucial time in his life, I could offer advice and help in any way possible. I imagined it would allow us to build a bonding together.

I also knew that Aaron and Alex were conspiring some sort of “initiation” for Paul into the “world of twins!” They were both insisting on my collaboration, but I was adamantly refusing to be a co-conspirator in this episode. Aaron had already let Twin and I know that Paul’s American Sign Language (ASL) skills were not as advanced as his plus his confusion over his sexual identity and if that wasn’t enough, he was spending a weekend with identical twins! Give the man some breathing room! No type of “initiation” required!

The “devious duo” despicable plan was to create confusion for Paul involving Alex and I and our identical buttocks! They thought it would be funny, innocent and engage Paul through humour! I appreciated the humourous aspect but remained firmly opposed to any complicity in their conspiracy! My intention was to meet and assist Paul, not to embarrass him! I knew for a fact that Twin (Alex) could manage that reality solo!

Identical twin buttocks!

Just prior to our weekend gathering, Paul sent to me a confidential email and asking my help. Before this planned gathering, we’d exchanged emails but never met. He had overheard two of his sisters gossiping about our approaching weekend. They had shared that Aaron (their brother), and my Twin were planning a surprise episode and that I had declined to be involved. This prompted his request for my assistance.

My response to his message was a negative. I had refused to cooperate with our brothers in their plot to embarrass him (Paul), therefore, I couldn’t, in clear conscious, collaborate in his scheme. I did assure him that I had not violated Aaron and Twin’s trust in me and that I would respect his need for confidentiality.

Realizing that I now had two conspiring forces vying for my attention, I knew that I needed to proceed with care and caution. The planned weekend arrived. Aaron and I had readied our apartment for our guests, my brother Alex and his brother, Paul.

Twister game competition!

Being aware of the probability of some sort of competitive contest between Paul and Aaron and Alex, I reached a decision to try to avoid any resentment and/or conflict. I knew that we planned our meals out in local restaurants which limited our time together to basically Saturday afternoon/early evening and then again early Sunday afternoon. Not too much “free” time but enough for a possible problem to occur.

If there’s one lesson that I remember from my undergraduate education, it is to plan ahead to keep the students busy and involved. No matter what age or level of education, this lesson is applicable to almost everyone. To ease my self-appointed role as “peace-maker,” I had a Twister game available so that we would have an introductory game and then had a secondary activity, body painting, in place so that we could engage either separately or combine them both together. If we needed a third, I figured we could use charades. A last resort was our selection of dvds.

If we needed the dvd option, then I concluded that the entire weekend was a failure and let everyone fend for themselves! We were all supposed to be adults!

The weekend was fun and successful! Twister was a dynamic twist for all! Body painting was postponed until Halloween!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, November 18, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Through the Eyes of Another!”

Bare + Gay = Pay!

A bed of leaves!

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:

Autumn posing!

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!

Leaves everywhere!

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!

Carpet of leaves!

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!

Landscaping!

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!”

October’s Bright Blue Weather!

October’s Bright Blue Weather

by Helen Hunt Jackson

O suns and skies and clouds of June,

And flowers of June together,

Ye cannot rival for one hour

October’s bright blue weather.

When loud the bumblebee makes haste,

Belated, thriftless vagrant,

And goldenrod is dying fast,

And lanes with grapes are fragrant;

When gentians roll their fringes tight

To save them for the morning,

And chestnuts fall from satin burrs

Without a sound of warning;

When on the ground red apples lie

In piles like jewels shining,

And redder still on old stone walls

Are leaves of woodbine twining;

When all the lovely wayside things

Their white-winged seeds are sowing,

And in the fields still green and fair,

Late aftermaths are growing;

When springs run low, and on the brooks,

In idle golden freighting,

Bright leaves sink noiseless in the hush

Of woods, for winter waiting;

When comrades seek sweet country haunts,

By twos and twos together,

And count like misers, hour by hour,

October’s bright blue weather.

O suns and skies and clouds of June,

Count all your boasts together,

Love loveth best of all the year,

October’s bright blue weather.

One of the purposes for us as students in a state-maintained residential school for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing to learn and memorize poetry was to help us gain an appreciation, knowledge and understanding of the English language. American Sign Language (ASL) and English are two distinctly different languages that may share a vocabulary (words) and little else. Twin and I can remember this poem as it was one of the first we had to commit to memory but it was also a major challenge.

The references to all of the varieties of flowering growth was not something easy for us to deal with. None of the plants were familiar to us, either in Virginia or in Greece. In order to finger-spell the names of all the different types, we had to first learn how to properly spell the actual name. We both recall the relief and satisfaction we both felt once this task was finished and we performed our assigned recital, in front of our class. Over and done!

Neither one of us have any particular attachment, appreciation, attraction or desire for anything related to the month of October! It’s another month, one out of twelve annually!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, October 11, 2014, and the proposed topic is: “Coming Out/Awareness Day!”

An Unashamed Tale!

Reign!

Introduction:

The “header” (opening image) of this post entry here on ReNude Pride today is of Reign, one of my current favorite actors. Yes, he is a “star” in pornography and yes (again) he is openly and proudly a same gender loving (SGL) exclusively gay man. Now, what captured my attention about him – before I ever watched him perform – is the fact that he has “unashamed” tattooed just above his pubic hairline.

I readily admit that any man who is that blatant, bold and brave will automatically capture my eye! I’ll also be the first to acknowledge that the person who showed me today’s header is my spouse, Aaron. This sharing happened a couple of years ago, before even he – Aaron – watched a Reign DVD. For any man to have an “unashamed” tattoo anywhere near his genital area will gain notoriety. No questions asked!

Needless to add here, with his comfort and proud nakedness and his sexuality, Reign has obviously earned his place in our bare practitioner community and culture! Welcome home from all of us, Reign! I am so glad to have your bare and unashamed body to post here today!

A riverfront pose!

My Bare Practitioner Day Plans:

This past weekend offered us bare practitioners back-to-back days to commemorate: International Skinny-Dipping Day on Saturday, July 13, (which was accomplished despite several different rain-showers) and Bare Practitioner’s Day on Sunday, July 14. Aaron’s older brother, Paul, and his partner, Sudhir, were with us for the International Skinny-Dipping Day outing that we undertook in Richmond, Virginia. Aaron had to work Sunday; Paul and Sudhir had plans for the Smithsonian Museums in Washington, D.C., which left me solo and free for Bare Practitioner’s Day.

With everyone occupied, I decided to make Sunday a blogging excursion and let all know that I was going to a privately-owned waterfront cottage to compile my Monday posting for “Sex-on-The-Beach.” I’d already shared with everyone that “Sex-on-The-Beach” was the name of the cocktail I would feature as the Bare Beverage.

I settled into a calm and relaxed mood. With two couples sharing one condo for a busy weekend of nakedness, there was no tension. We spent Saturday bare and together and everyone had their own plans for Sunday, no matter if they were naked or clothed. By Sunday evening, we’d all four be bare again and together again! Family (even in-laws) can be fun!

Another July weekend, another summertime success! Who could ask for anything more?

A loving mother could and probably would!

The Scenario:

Aaron is my spouse and Paul is his older brother. Paul also knows my mother and she knows him. After I had left Sunday morning, she calls from Greece via my TTY (old school: teletype telephone for the Deaf) for some routine reason that mother’s are known for and Paul answers her call. They converse with pleasantries and she asks if I’m available. Paul responds with the reality that Aaron and I are both unavailable, I’m out at the waterfront and Aaron is at work.

She then asks if he knows where I am and Paul informs her that I’m at the riverfront working on “sex on the beach” at that Aaron is at his job. They talk a little longer and then end the connection.

Author’s Note: Knowing my mother as well as I do, English is not her first (nor her second) language. I’m positive that it took her between 30 minutes and a full hour to mentally absorb her conversation with Paul. Once that happened, she would need to communicate exclusively in Greek. The international repercussions of the earlier dialogue between her and Paul escalated disproportionally!

My bare buttocks!

About the time that I’m baring my buttocks on Bare Practitioner’s Day, I receive a text message from one of my older brothers, Leo. He’s frantic and very terse. Our mother called him upset because I was out having sex on some beach while Aaron was at work! Thankfully, all six of our brothers know that Alex (my identical twin) and I are both SGL and practice nakedness! This background knowledge eliminated more than half of a potentially lengthy detailed explanation necessary to placate Leo, of all my brothers, who also happens to be our most “less tolerant” sibling.

Author’s Note: Thank you, Reign, for your conveniently located tattoo, “unashamed!” Alex and I were both taught by our parents not to be ashamed of who we are! At long last, I am able to identify the purpose of you as the header (opening image) of today’s post entry!

Leo and I were able to share emoji laughter at the end of our texting exchange. He was confident about restoring calm and comprehension to our mother. I alerted Alex as to what had transpired so that he was prepared for any questions. When we shared online connections later that evening, all of us thoroughly enjoyed the “comedy of errors!” created by Paul and our beloved mother!

And Aaron? He is my beloved and my spouse. Paul is his older brother and my brother-in-law. After Sunday evening’s comedy review, none of us could welcome sleep. Families! What else should we expect?

And importantly to Reign! A toast to you and your inspirational and notorious tattoo: “unashamed!”

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, July 22, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “July’s Jewels!”

A suggested reference!

Author’s Recommendation: Michael, a fellow blogger here on wordpress publishes a site that I have followed ever since returning here. My Secret Journey is the title of his site which chronicles his life, his canines and his views. I urge everyone who is concerned about the November elections to read one of his recent posts: “M.A.G.A.” To visit the posting, please click here.

SIR: Legacy!

10th Anniversary, Stonewall Inn Riots, 1979: “Taking A Break”

Stonewall Inn Riots: Legacy!

The actual date, 28 June, 1969, may not be etched mentally for everyone, but for a majority of GLBTQ+ community and culture, the familiar phrase, Stonewall Inn Riots (SIR), instantly beats the drum and blows the trumpet! The early hours of this morning heralded the commencement of the movement that initiated the struggle to end bias, condemnation, marginalization and oppression. It began the attainment of the goals of equality, fairness, freedom and respect deserving of all peoples, no matter where they live! Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer+ (GLBTQ+) rights are human rights progress inaugurated!

The rioting that followed the planned raid on the unlicensed Stonewall Inn bar, catering almost exclusively to a “homosexual” (derogatory designation for same gender loving persons) customer base, erupted into a totally unexpected riot against police brutality and harassment. The law enforcers were completely unprepared for this reaction and were overwhelmed by the results. The “homosexual” community was always considered docile and effeminate, not capable of any type of masculine action!

Contemporary Stonewall Inn Historic Site!

The Stonewall National Monument is a fairly new national park unit located in Christopher Park in New York City’s lower Manhattan neighborhood of Greenwich Village. It is the very first U.S. national monument dedicated to GLBTQ+ rights and history; indeed, to the entire community and culture. Then-President Barack Obama designated it as a national monument on June 24, 2016!

The Stonewall Inn, 1969

“Stonewall will be our first national monument to tell the story of the struggle for LGBT rights. I believe our national parks should reflect the full story of our country, the richness and diversity and uniquely American spirit that has always defined us. That we are stronger together. Out of many, we are one.” ~ President Barack Obama ~ Dedication of Stonewall National Monument ~ 24 June, 2016

“There was no gay pride before Stonewall. Only gay fear and gay isolation and gay distrust and gay self-hatred.” ~ Edmund White ~ Stonewall Inn patron and gay author

“The police weren’t letting us dance. If there’s one place in the world where you can dance and feel yourself fully as a person and that’s threatened with being taken away, those words are fighting words.” ~ Tommy Lanigen-Schmidt ~ Stonewall Inn patron and riot participant

“You could hear screaming outside, a lot of noise from the protestors and it was a good sound. It was a real good sound that, you know, you had a lot of people out there pulling for you.” ~ Raymond Castro ~ Stonewall Inn patron who was detained inside the bar during the riot

The Stonewall Inn Riots (SIR), 1969

In 1966, the Stonewall Inn Restaurant, which had been in business at that location since the 1950s, closed for remodeling following a fire that had devastated the restaurant. The restaurant re-opened as a commercial tavern (bar) on 18 March, 1967, under the ownership of the Genovese Mafia family. The tavern was in business illegally (no license to serve liquor) and one officer of the New York Police Department was accepting monthly bribe payments allowing the business to operate. The targeted consumer base for the tavern were “homosexuals.”

On Friday evening, 27 June, 1969, the police held a raid upon the Stonewall Inn tavern for two specific violations, operating a “homosexual” related business and for selling alcohol without a license. The customers, by now angry over repeated harassment, rioted against the police. The protesters soon numbered in the thousands and marked the first time any law enforcement received any defiance and/or resistance from the “homosexual” population. This represented the same gender loving (SGL) community organizing against oppression and the police were bewildered and clueless.

No one in the New York Police Department had anticipated the “homosexuals,” always believed to be meek and mild, to fight back. The years of abuse, oppression and ridicule had taken its toll, and the frustration now became revolution and the time for retribution was at hand. Unfortunately for the police, the pent-up anger with law enforcement was now being released and returned in kind. The police who initiated the raid were now isolated prisoners inside the Stonewall Inn.

The early morning hours of 28 June, 1969, became history. The discrimination against people who loved their own gender soon faded away to be replaced by the movement for gay power, gay equality and gay rights. This, in turn, became known as the GLBTQ+ movement (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer+). The journey was not easy, peaceful nor was it bloodless. However, the journey itself was historic. Unfortunately, the history remains to be completed, even into now, the 21st Century!

Christopher Park GLBTQ+ statues!

In the 1970s, a local volunteer group, the Friends of Christopher Park, was organized in order to oversee the park’s maintenance and upkeep. In 1983, the New York City Parks agency began a three-year project to restore the park to its original condition under the guidance of Phil Winslow.

In 1992, the “Gay Liberation” statue by George Segal was placed in Christopher Park. The statue consists of four figures (two standing men, two seated women) in natural and neutral poses. The park also has two other statues both related to the civil war that were created in 1936. In 2023, a move to remove the statue of General Phil Sheridan because he had led a massacre of Indigenous (Native American) people.

On 29 June, 1999, the Stonewall Inn building, Christopher Park and nearby streets were recognized as official by the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The same area was declared a National Historic Landmark on February 16, 2000.

The statues, decorated in celebration!

On 23 June, 2015, the City of New York determined the Stonewall Inn to be an official City landmark. This inspired the other Greenwich Village residents to pursue both The Stonewall Inn and the Christopher Park to be labeled a national monument. This happened when then-President Barack Obama officially determined the Stonewall Inn and Christopher Park as national monuments on 24 June, 2016.

Welcome to all!

Our history and our story are still ongoing. To those who are planning to visit New York city, a visit to this national monument is highly recommended in order to help define and perpetuate our community and culture!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Sunday, June 30, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Bottoms-Up! Pride Month, 2024!”