Practically every spoken (verbal) language has it’s very own manual sign language used by it’s Deaf (primarily) and other speech-challenged populations to communicate. There exists, as of this moment, no “global” or “universal” signed language familiar and understood by all persons who converse and interact manually. There are some “word signs” that are universally recognized and utilized but each language culture has it’s own particular and predominant signed language.
Some of the larger (geographic) countries and multilingual nations have variations based upon regional and linguistic traditions, very similar to oral (spoken) fluctuations known as “accents” that are usually comprehended by all respective users.
For example, the body-painted man (above) in today’s header (title photograph) is using his hand to transmit the the concept/message/phrase “I love you.” This is one of the manual signs that is widely understood by almost every manual communicator no matter their predominant sign language. Similarly, a smile and a wave of a hand is a method of conveying a friendly greeting.
Some of these internationally recognized signs are understood based on centuries of use. Others are representative of a geographically dominant signed language and/or interaction and practice. It is important to note here that every Deaf / speech challenged person has their own specific experience with signed language, no matter where they live. The reasoning will vary as many times as the total number of individuals involved!
It is also essential to appreciate and comprehend that each particular Deaf Culture evolved. There is no magical formula that was engaged to ensure compliance. Each signed language (American Sign Language, British Sign Language, Greek Sign Language, Arabic Sign Language, Yoruba Sign Language, etc.) developed on it’s own intensity and standard.
Gratitude!
Our man above, with no body paint whatsoever, is signing another concept/message/phrase conveying “gratitude/thank you” to us all for taking a few moments to manually communicate!
Naked hugs!.
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, April 19, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Earth Day!”
While researching and composing this post entry, I encountered this word: exogamy. To my knowledge, I have never I have seen it before, not have I ever fingerspelled it manually. The definition is: exogamy: marrying outside the family, tribe, clan, culture or other social unit.
A Week of Love:
Exogamy essentially describes and/or identifies my marriage. Aaron, my spouse, is Black, I am White (race). He is Canadian, I am Greek (nationality). He is hearing, I am Deaf (differing ability). He is Roman Catholic, I am Greek Orthodox (religion).
On a positive notation, we are both very much proud bare practitioners. Also, we are both very much in love with one another. Sometimes, love works best when there’s at least one shared aspect! We both are dedicated to the sharing of our nakedness! Hence, the existence of both our marriage and this site, ReNude Pride.
This year, Valentine’s Day is middle-of-the week, a Wednesday. This inspired me to create this post entry in honour of A Week of Love. After all, since my spouse and I are both exogamists (finally, I utilized my new vocabulary discovery)! We can take the entire week to commemorate our new classification label!
Very much love!
Despite all the abuse, hatred, killing and violence happening all too often in our world, we can take advantage of this Week of Love to remind ourselves and others that bromance (love between two men) exists! Therefore, all hope is not lost forever! Please join with us as we celebrate love!
Regardless of our exogamy status, Aaron and I share our love together. We both hope and wish the same for all of you!
“Love” can mean many things to different people. It is an ambiguous word that encompasses familial love (loce between members of the same family); it also includes bromantic love or intimate love (love that involves physical contact: groping/touching, kissing and/or sexual union) and platonic love (strong affection and caring between friends). We also need to keep in mind that there are varying degrees (levels) of love within each distinct category. It is usually very different and very unique in almost every situation.
Loving together!
With all the variations of love available, A Week of Love offers the majority of us an opportunity to share some aspect of kindness and/or love with at least one other person. We have the entire week to do this simple task. It can include just giving a smile to the person standing beside you on the subway platform or a kiss-on-the-cheek to an elderly aunt. The little acts of kindness that we share can range from the picking up of a soft toy a child may have inadvertently dropped to the help we give an elderly neighbor in scraping the ice/snow off his automobiles rear window. The effort and gesture are our deserved reward.
Chances are, more than likely, you’ll feel better about yourself! As a special gift, someone else will feel good bout you, too!
Rendering a love tap!
The image above exemplifies three distinct classification of love. The first one is familial love (as in egocentric or self-focused). Both men are comfortable being bare with one another. The second is platonic love (love between friends). It is obvious that as friends, they share affection and respect for each other. The third exemplification is bromantic or intimate love. The proximity of their nakedness together is very suggestive of this happening in the either the pre-intercourse or the post-intercourse moment.
Please enjoy your very own Week of Love!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Wednesday, February 14, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Valentine’s Day!”
In 1999, alarmed over the statistics reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the effects of HIV/AIDS on the African-American community, the CDC and the U.S. Public Health Service convened a meeting with representatives of organizations serving Black Americans and persons of faith to address concerns over rising infection rates. Other organizations participating included Concerned Black Men- Philadelphia, Health Watch Information and Promotion Services, Jackson State University, Mississippi Urban Research Center, National Black Alcoholism and Addiction Council and the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS along with the heads of several African-American communities of faith. The National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was conceived by these organizations and the official name agreed upon.
February 7, annually, was decided as the date of observance and the very first observance was announced for the following year: February 7, 2000. The event would be sponsored by the Strategic Leadership Council (SLC) – created specifically for this event – and the membership was determined and terms of office set.
The popularity of the Red Ribbon for the efforts towards HIV/AIDS awareness was noted by the SLC. At the time, awareness ribbons for a multitude of charitable causes were very important in focusing attention to the cause represented and to encourage support. This inspired the creation of an awareness ribbon for the purpose of support of the National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day efforts.
NBHAAD Awareness ribbon!
Four Key Components of the NBHAAD Campaign:
The SLC of the NBHAAD campaign mandates four (4) key elements for an inclusive and successful campaign. Each component is designed to build both individual and community strengths in combatting HIV/AIDS for all people.
The four elements and a brief summation are as follows:
Geteducated: Know the facts about transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS.
Getinvolved: Learn about opportunities available in individual and community prevention efforts and become an active part of those efforts.
Gettested: Know your status and encourage others to do the same.
Gettreated: Receive proper healthcare and support to successfully live with HIV.
Dedication!
Analysis proves that people learn and retain knowledge most effectively from people they perceive as most like themselves. NBHAAD is an African-American focused organization, based within the community, to provide direction, guidance and information to the Black population specifically but not exclusively. It represents a resource that is both accessible, authentic and dependable.
Explore your options (choices)! Take back the control of your life!
An important message to share with others!
If your viral load (amount of HIV in your blood) is undetected, then sexually, your HIV is untransmittable!
This message is vital as it advises everyone of the significant benefits of not only getting tested for HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) also for seeking treatment for living with HIV. This enables persons to experience a healthier, longer and more productive life.
Knowledge is power!
HIV/AIDS Basic Facts:
HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.
AIDS is a result of HIV infection.
HIV is not spread through everyday casual contact.
Only a doctor can diagnose AIDS.
Arthur Ashe, Wimbledon Tennis Champion and AIDS educator!
Throughout the year, NBHAAD has sponsored innumerable locally-oriented activities and events to provide information and involvement on community issues and needs. This level of action increased general awareness and support for both prevention and treatment of the disease.
Personal Involvement:
I served both the City of Alexandria, Virginia Chapter of the Red Cross and the Arlington Red Cross Chapter as a volunteer (not paid) instructor trainer in three HIV/AIDS curriculums: Basic, African-American and Workplace. My responsibility was to teach others how to conduct community prevention education sessions within the curriculum they had elected to enroll. As a Greek man, I always had an African-American co-instructor with me. As a Deaf man, I always had a sign language interpreter with me.
Each class that I taught involved 36 hours of training and a passing score of 85 % on the final examination. Upon completion of each class, a certification was given to each student in recognition of becoming a Red Cross instructor.
Personalities:
Importantly – and fortunately – there are among all of our cultures many who are bold and brave enough to act and think for themselves. Their individual uniqueness is one aspect among the qualities that make life bearable (bare-able) for those of us who live around them or are influenced by them. Ideally, their insight and worldview makes a difference in the lives of others.
The two persons presented here I met through my volunteer position with the Red Cross African-American prevention education curriculum. Both of them are/were same gender loving men and African-American.
RodneyLofton
Rodney Lofton!
A native of Richmond, Virginia, and a student of mine who also became a volunteer with the Red Cross. We taught a teen peer education weekend-long seminar together three consecutive years. Rodney was the first Black deputy director of the GLBTQ+ community advocacy group: Diversity Richmond. In 2015, he received the Equality Virginia OUTstanding Virginian Award. For many years he served on the organizing committee of the NBHAAD function with the City of Richmond. He was the author of two books on growing up both Black and gay in the City: The Day I Stopped Being Pretty: A Memoir (published 2007) and No More Tomorrow: Two Lives, Two Stories, One Love (published 2009). He died in March, 2022, and is survived by his husband, Faron Niles. Rodney was first diagnosed as HIV+ in 1993.
Rodney’s first book!
*************************
KoryMitchell
Kory Mitchell
A mixed-race man born in Germany of an African-American father in the military service and a German mother. He grew up and attended schools in both Germany and the USA. As a young adult he achieved the role of actor within the gay pornography industry and starred in more than three dozen films. He was diagnosed as HIV+ in the early 1990s. When he learned of his status, he became a student of the Red Cross African-American curriculum and after receiving his certification he began teaching HIV/AIDS prevention education to others working in the gay porn industry. He appears at numerous NBHAAD campaign benefits and events and is affectionately known as the unofficial “Magic Johnson of gay porn!” When he became a celebrity, he had “blessed” tattooed across his shoulder and a cross tattooed on his abdomen to remind fans that he is a Christian. Shortly after his HIV+ diagnosis, he had the message “hope” tattooed on his neck. Instead of the letter “o” in hope, he had the red AIDS awareness ribbon placed there.
Kory’s “Blessed” shoulder and neck of “hope!”
Remember, it’s not who we are but it’s what we do that puts us at risk for HIV/AIDS!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next planned post entry here is planned for Friday, February 9, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “S’Naked Simply!”
In the USA, the entire month of February, annually, is observed as Black History Month (now referred to as African-American History Month). It was started in 1926, when the noted Black historian, Carter G. Woodson (now remembered as the “Father of Black History Month) and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) jointly announced the second week of February to be Negro History Week. This particular week was chosen because it contained the birthday (February 12) of the late president, Abraham Lincoln, who issued the Emancipation Proclamation that freed the slaves held in the rebellious south during this country’s civil war. It also contained the birthday of Frederick Douglass, the noted Black abolitionist and influential leader (February 14).
Carter G. Woodson,“Father of Black History Month!”
The very first commemoration of Negro History Week was featured in segregated public schools in three states (Delaware, North Carolina and West Virginia) and the Black schools in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Frederick Douglass, Abolitionist and Black leader
Up until the commencement of Negro History Week, throughout this country, the most that anyone was aware of African-American history was when the topic of slavery was discussed. Otherwise, there was practically no mention of any achievement or contribution of any Black person in the history of the USA. Black people were largely viewed as nothing more than “second-class” citizens throughout this nation. Discrimination and segregation were practiced everywhere and severely hindered the recognition of any notable African-American leadership.
Black History Month encourages honouring persons of the African Diaspora!
Black educators and Black United Students at Kent State University in Ohio first proposed a month-long celebration for Black History Month in February, 1969. It was approved and first observed from January 2, 1970 through February 28, 1970.
President Gerald Ford first recognized Black History Month in 1976 during the USA bicentennial. He urged people to “seize the opportunity to honour the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavour throughout our history. He may have been the first president not elected for the job but he became the first one to publicly recognize the Black History Month celebration.
Looking for his past!
Personal Recollections:
As a child of Greek immigrants, I have very limited knowledge of what it was like to grow up in what was perceived by many to be a White man’s world. I do have some insight into the most definite deficiency of historical information concerning African-American history.
When my parents arrived in Richmond, Virginia, during the second presidential term of Eisenhower, the only home they could purchase was in a primarily Black neighborhood. The city was the capital city of the Confederacy during the Civil War and “old habits die hard (they were, after all, immigrants). Fine. The street that we lived on had a Greek Orthodox Church on one end, an Armenian Church in the middle and an African Methodist Episcopal Church on the other end. A celestial highway!
My oldest brother remembers the controversy surrounding the televised release of Alex Haley’s Roots. For many die-hard Confederate descendants, it was absurd and unforgiveable that White Confederate characters and their offspring were shown as evil, dishonest and violent. I imagine the truth does sometimes hurt.
Alex, my identical twin brother, and I are both Deaf but that didn’t prevent us from having Black friends in our neighborhood. Children don’t need an official interpreter to communicate between Deaf and hearing. We had several Black friends who shared with us in our nakedness (with enthusiasm).
Our motto!
Our neighborhood bordered the south side of the James River in Richmond. As we grew into our teenage years, Twin and I and our neighborhood friends frequented the James River during our summer school holidays. On one of those excursions, we discovered an area within the park very popular with the local same gender loving (SGL) people who were also active nudists. This resulted into an entirely different educational and enlightening world for all of us! The doors to bare practitioner manhood were opened – at last – and remain opened until this very day!
One of my neighborhood friends is named Paul Turner. We have become lifelong friends and have kept in contact with each other since our early teen years. He’s three years older than me and is also gay and a self-admitted bare practitioner co-founder and cohort! We jointly enjoyed and explored the SGL naked area of the James River Park almost daily. We continue to exchange laughter and memories of those summer “retreats” into our nakedness, our SGL identity and all the adventures and pleasures we had while maturing together! This past summer, we took a reminiscent hike to the riverfront park and our “classroom” of education into reality.
Paul and his partner have been a live-in couple for twenty-two years now. They’re both active in Richmond’s Black gay community and are very good friends to my spouse, Aaron, and myself. The four of us are exploring and negotiating the collective composition of a perspective of bare practitioner in today’s world. Our goal is a 2025 publishing.
Nudist friends are the best friends!
Black History
Happy Black History month to everyone! Enjoy the time that we all share together!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for tomorrow, Friday, February 2, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “A Dream Comes True!”
The Pentagon City Fashion Centreis a popular shopping mall/tourist attraction in Arlington, Virginia, located near The Pentagon and just south of the Potomac River which separates the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C., from the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is located very near the condominium where Aaron (my spouse) and I reside.
The incidentdescribed below happened almost a full year after I began publishing ReNudePride back in 2017. We were both shopping in the mall during the winter holiday season. In reality, it was winter and we were both fully clothed in outerwear and our casual garments!
Aaronrecalled this situation about a week ago and encouraged it as a “seasonal” topic to post here during this year’s holiday tradition!
I am using pictures of my fellow blogger, Adimu and myself to illustrate this posting as this was our very first time spent together when we took these images using a telephoto lens and adapter.
Adimu and Roger, riverside!
The truth is…
Early December, 2017 – it was a Saturday and Aaron (my h-u-s-b-a-n-d) – both legally and officially – and I exited the Metro Blue Line at the Pentagon City subway station. We entered the Pentagon City shopping mall for a particular item of clothing. What that was is as unimportant as the cost of a pair of sunglasses is to Rudolph (the red-nosed reindeer)!
Then, as now, we were both honest and open about our being bare practitioners (same gender loving naturists/nudists). We were probably publicly holding onto one another’s hands or walking arm-in-arm. President Obama had served his second term the previous January and his successor was now in office so we were most definitely in physical contact and completely clothed!
The winter holiday shopping frenzy was underway as we patiently progressed through the four shopping levels. We had all day and had ridden the subway; there was no need or reason to hurry. The only pressing item on our agenda for the day was to get home and return to our usual state of nakedness!
Somewhere along the way to wherever, Aaron stopped as he had been approached by another man – presumably alone. My spouse released my hand and immediately began using American Sign Language (ASL) as this man was addressing him orally. At the very least, I would be able to follow their conversation.
Adimu and I embrace!
From what we both recall from this encounter, the conversation began quite amicable, decent and friendly – initially. This man admitted to regularly reading ReNude Pride. He looked me “in the eye” as he complimented me on writing this blog and on our relationship (marriage). This wasn’t the first time someone had acknowledged our interracial gay status nor our being open concerning our preference for nakedness.
Suddenly, the conversation changed from pleasant to one of hostility. This man – name unknown – became increasingly emotional and he specifically accused us both as being insensitive to the fact that being gay was totally incompatible with being nudists!
Both Aaron and I remember his closing argument: “There is noway a gay man can be comfortable being naked among complete strangers!”
I was shocked and surprised! I couldn’t grasp his reasoning behind this exclamation! What triggered this exclamation? I was unable to even think of any response!
Fortunately, Aaron wasn’t in the same type of mental wasteland. He answered, calmly and simply: “Better to be naked with strangers than to be in costume among friends!”
He then grabbed my hand and led me away!
“A moment’s insight is sometimes worth a life’s experience.” ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes ~ American jurist
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is for Friday, December 15, 2023, and the proposed topic is: “Schedule!”
Once again, we globally acknowledge the impact that HIV/AIDS has inflicted upon our people; we recognize that education is vital in combatting HIV/AIDS; we understand that responsibility is essential in preventing HIV/AIDS; and we remember those who have died from HIV/AIDS and those who have fought the battle against HIV/AIDS.
Even though we are all living with the consequences of yet another pandemic, coronavirus COVID-19 and all the variants, we continue to struggle against HIV/AIDS. We understand the necessity of efforts to identify and establish a cure from HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. We share the hope that our awareness of HIV/AIDS brings an end to this disease in the very near future.
Observation against HIV/AIDS by the late Princess Diana.
BackgroundObservation:
In the early 1980’s – even before there was an official name for it – health officials and medical doctors noted cases of a new infection that fatally compromised (weakened) then destroyed the immune systems of patients. A significant number of those suffering from this infection were same gender loving men (also derogatorily referred to as “homosexuals”). Soon, the unofficial name for this affliction became “gay cancer” or the “gay plague.” Later, the name for the infecting virus became human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the disease it caused was named acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Due to the overall stigma attached to the same gender loving populations, it was several years before sufficient monies were appropriated for fighting against this disease. As a result, many lives were lost and many rumours and misinformation abounded.
Blame/Forgiveness:
Fundamentalist and radical clergypersons and prejudiced politicians joined in the growing hysterical outcry against the “homosexual” community for the rapidly rising numbers of HIV infected persons. In churches throughout the USA, countless clergy regularly and repeatedly condemned the “homosexuals” for their ungodly living. Political aspirants, not to be left out of the hate-fest, raged against the sexual deviants and their un-American way of life.
The majority of the clergy and the politicians who denounced the same gender loving people falsely believed that the fatality of HIV/AIDS fully justified their homophobia and marginalization of the affected community and the infected people. Fortunately, this hatred was only widely practiced within the USA. The rest of the world reacted without the extreme hatred and prejudice present in the USA.
Later, as the facts concerning HIV/AIDS became common knowledge, no clergy or politician apologized for their blame, condemnation, or hate of the same-gender-loving people. No one ever asked for forgiveness for their unfounded hatred and their hypocrisy.
The bigoted and discriminatory clergy and politicians needed someone to blame for the HIV/AIDS situation. We, the same-gender loving community and culture, were awarded the honor. We were condemned, judged, and vilified. The disease is still here.
Robert Craig, Adrian Hart and Sean Zevran!
“For all of us, as same gender loving men, we must remember that we constitute a distinct minority community and culture. As such, it is incumbent on us to recognize that our pride in ourselves is based on our self-acceptance and self-confidence of both what and who we are. Guilt and shame have no place in our lives. We need to let them go and move forward in patience, tolerance and understanding for all, even those who despise us and wish harm upon us. Love and respect are the keys we need. Hate and ignorance are not.” ~ Roger Poladopoulos ~ Deaf AIDS Action address, 16 June, 2023
Jason Collins, NBA Brooklyn Nets!
“Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it’s a good place to start.” ~ Jason Collins ~ first openly gay professional basketball star, NBA, Brooklyn Nets team
“It’s not who we are but rather it’s what we do that puts us at risk for HIV infection.” ~ American Red Cross ~ Basic HIV/AIDS Prevention Education curriculum
Knowledge = Power!
HIV/AIDS:TheBasicFacts
1. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.
2. AIDS is a result of HIV infection.
AIDS is not transferred or transmitted from one person to another. HIV is the virus that is shared. HIV may live within a person for many years before the infection is discovered (detected). That is why HIV tests are important so that treatment may begin.
3. HIV is spread through blood, semen, vaginal fluid and breast milk.
The above listing contains the four body fluids that carry the virus from one person to another. HIV is not contained in enough quantity in tears, sweat and saliva to transmit (spread).
4. Only a physician can diagnose AIDS.
Certain criteria (conditions must be met before an AIDS determination can be made. Physicians (medical doctors) are the only internationally recognized professionals allowed to make this decision.
Infection:
Untreated (without medical attention) HIV infection weakens the body’s immune system (ability to fight off diseases) and eventually destroys it. Medical treatment can and often does strengthen the immune system and enables people to live longer with healthy and productive lives.
There is currently no known cure for HIV/AIDS but there are numerous testing strategies internationally to develop a cure for the disease.
A red ribbon painted on his face!
World AIDS Day:
World AIDS Day was first envisioned in August, 1987, by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter, two public information officers for the Global Programme on AIDS at the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland. They delivered their concept to Dr. Jonathan Mann, Director of the Global Programme on AIDS (now known as UNAIDS). Dr. Mann endorsed the idea and agreed with the recommendation for the first observance to be 1 December, 1988.
The Red Ribbon for HIV/AIDS awareness!
The Red Ribbon Campaign:
Showing us all that he is aware!
The red ribbon was selected to wear over the heart on World AIDS Day. It allowed those persons wearing it to let others see that they were aware of HIV/AIDS and the health crisis that it was creating. It also was worn in memory of a loved one who had died from the disease.
Encouraging support!
I have been buying red ribbon and small safety pins since 1988, and making red ribbons on my own. I have a special basket that I carry to work with me and invite faculty, staff and students at my university to join me in supporting the fight against HIV/AIDS. To date, I have never had any ribbons leftover to take home with me.
It is a small effort on my part to remind us all that HIV/AIDS remains a threat against us all!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, December 4, 2023. and the proposed topic is: “Salutations South!”
Notation: I’m certain there are some beaches on our planet where it’s conducive to skinny-dip during the month of October!
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 bumble-bee makes haste,
Belated, thriftless, vagrant,
And golden-rod 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 counts like misers, hour by hour,
October’s bright blue weather.
O suns and skies and flowers of June,
Count all your boasts together,
Love loveth best of all the year
October’s bright blue weather.
End
********************
While my identical twin brother, Alex, and I were students at the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind residential school, we had several teachers who had us memorize poetry and then recite the poems using American Sign Language (ASL) in front of our class. Fine. Memorizing wasn’t impossible but the order of the grammar the poets used and the sense it did not make was confusing. Delightful students that we were, we simply committed the poems to our memory and put comprehension to the wayside. After all, our task was simple: complete the job and move on to the next level.
Our teachers always explained to us students and to our parents that this lesson of us reciting poetry helped us to develop comprehension of English as a language, as opposed to ASL. That may have appeared as a valid reasoning for a few but we students understood it for exactly what it was intended to be: busy work! Keep us occupied!
October foliage!
Our teacher who required us to commit this poem, “October’s Bright Blue Weather” was one of my personal favourites of my primary school years. This happened to be the very first of nine poems she assigned us. Even today, I am still able to recall the first opening lines of the poem, without hesitation.
Enjoy “October’s Bright Blue Weather!”
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, October 30, 2023, and the proposed topic is: “The Boys In The Band!”
There are some surprises in life that always make me pause, question and wonder! The major reason for the inability to comprehend this phenomenon is that the scenario/situation – often repeated – never becomes one of acceptance and/or indifference. It truly baffles and befuddles me! It makes me question my own personal sense of awareness and, of course, my own sanity.
No sun shone here!
As we transition the passing of one season into another – especially the summer to the autumn – I am amazed when at one of the first social events of autumn and the (thankfully) lingering weather conditions of the former. We’re all carefree, happy to be reunited, and socializing – resplendent in our communal nakedness – when discrepancies appear. Some of our esteemed cohorts, well-known for their body and clothes freedom enthusiasm, suddenly enter the scene: indecently!
The naked truth!
Have they collectively forgotten all of our efforts on behalf of our bare practitioner community and culture? Are they all suffering from dementia? This disregard for the rest of us is totally unacceptable and inexplicable! Their indecency doesn’t involve them attending this socially nude function wearing clothing. It is much worse!
Thong induced tan-line!
They have a well-defined tan-line! They must have been textile (clothed) for a good part of the summer! I am indeed shocked! Have they no sense of what is right and what is wrong?
Author’s notation: I am also motionless! As a Deaf man, my communication tool is manual (sign language). My hands are unable to respond to this vision!
What happened here? What caused this calamity? How did they they enter into this blatant disregard for the sanctity of our nudity? Their body is physical proof (criminal evidence) that they flagrantly abandoned their rightfully earned positions as advocates and defenders of our inalienable right to be body and clothes free whenever it is possible! How dare they shun their duty of our right to be bare!
Tan-line and proud?
They publicly have turned their backs on our sense of what is an innate human right to be our natural selves! They insult both our community and our culture and then boldly dishonour us by this display of their gross indecency of wearing a disguise of their naked selves! Where the hell is their feeling of pride?
Tan-lined buttocks!
It appears as though they are actually comfortably confident and proud of their tan-lines! The audacity! Have they no sensation of disgrace and shame? What the hell happened?
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, September 18, 2023, and the proposed topic is: “Finale For Summer, 2023!”
Frequently, the question is raised in the media as to why we, the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer+ (GLBTQ+) communities and cultures have the need for a pride celebration. This concern is not only presented in the media networks focused primarily on the general populations but also on those geared towards our own featured community and culture. Many feel we have enjoyed all we can of our different lives. Why even bother to continue?
A pose of pride!
Another question often expressed by my spouse, Aaron, and I between ourselves and when in the company of our friends is: of all the communities and cultures present in this country today, why is the question insistently raised concerning our community and culture specifically? If the issue is of the concern of others, why isn’t the same question asked of others? We’re not the only ones to have a month dedicated to celebrating and saluting our own.
Bare happiness and fun!
Fortunately, not everyone is aware of the fact that we here on ReNude Pride endorse not only GLBTQ+ Pride but we also include the bare practitioners within our observance. Thankfully, this aspect remains beyond the realm of appreciation and comprehension for many of those who are critical of our inclusiveness!
Among us bare practitioners, when the question of Why pride? is imposed, very often the response is delivered as Why not? One question deserves more than the reply with another interrogation. However, the inquiry does warrant some investigation.
Teaser!
The endless questioning of the continuance of the necessity of pride by our community and culture supports the existence of prejudice against us all. It may not be as blatant and prevalent as it once was, however, it remains present. As long as this discrimination is evident and felt, yes, pride is needed. Until we communally and culturally receive the same amount of consideration and respect as shown to others, no matter their race, ethnicity, ability, gender, age or heritage, yes, pride is needed! Distrust is a detriment to acceptance and equality.
The determination that a certain action or behaviour is illegal by legislative or parliamentary approval or even a royal proclamation doesn’t immediately erase the behaviour out of existence. It isn’t innate – it is learned – from parents, teachers, clergy, et al. A learned behaviour is the most difficult to eliminate.
Siblings with pride!
A learned behaviour is a prejudice, plain and simple. It is not based on concrete knowledge or scientific fact. It is solely attributed on the often unsupported opinion of others, usually substantiated by myth or rumour. As such, it is virtually impossible to eradicate and generally increases in intensity.
The persistence of prejudice thus acquired ensures the continuation of prejudice. An act of parliament may outlaw the prejudice but it doesn’t eliminate it.
The reality of someone, questioning their emotional and physical feelings, experiencing confusion, turmoil and confrontation with prejudice. This person, alone or in the company of others, justifies the celebration and observation of pride. Everyone deserves the chance to develop and grow in happiness, security and pride!
Pride!
On a global/international scale, some countries and/or societies are developed and progressive and others are conservative, slower and still a few remain isolated and stagnant. Each nation and society pursues the course according beliefs, needs and traditions – of the power structure (politics) or of the population in general. Hence the diversity of cultures, religions, values, etc. As in individual cases, inherited values are the same as learned behaviours. These are likewise the most difficult to alter or to change. For this reason, deviation from the custom or tradition evolves slowly and tediously. Progress, especially to new ideals and philosophies, is very cautious and relaxed.
In my humble opinion, as long as there is – at the very least – one person who benefits from the observance of a pride event, then yes, it remains necessary and valid. I understand those who feel that pride has become too redundant and too repetitive. I only want to encourage them to get involved in planning the next activity and to offer creativity and variety into the format.
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for tomorrow, June 27, 2023, and the proposed topic is “HIV Testing Day!”On Wednesday, the anniversary of Stonewall, “Pride: SIR!” is planned for posting.
Daymin Voss: Openly bare practitioner and gay pornographic star!
The purpose of today’s post entry originally was to endorse Daymin Voss (pictured above) as the personification of this site. About a year ago, I published a tribute to him extolling his bare practitioner attributes as well as his dedication to social nudity and his proud representation of his maschalagnia (hairy armpit obsession). My fascination with Daymin Voss has by no means subsided, but in composing this post entry, I have altered the focus from one individual to a collection of aspects of commendable admiration that I feel are equally important to our community and our culture. Hence, an expansion of the personification theme!
Personification!
Regardless of the multitude of characteristics of our personality, there are certain “truths” that very few – if any – of us are able to conceal. The above “header” (image) is a prime example. One of the purposes of ReNude Pride is to offer some semblance of guidance and inspiration to fellow bare practitioners everywhere. Since one of the identifying qualities of being a bare practitioner is same gender loving (gay, lesbian or bisexual), the above opening becomes self-explained. I’m a same gender loving man (gay). Honestly, I doubt that anyone here ever needed that detail published.
Roger and the rainbow flag!
I’ll readily own the fact that now I’m fast approaching redundancy here. The above picture confirms my same gender attraction (gay rainbow flag) and my body and clothes freedom nature (naturist/nudist). It’s also a photo that my spouse, Aaron, (photo below) took of me several years ago before the Progress rainbow flag was adopted. Also, Aaron and I were legally married in 2015. And yes, we are both committed bare practitioners.
My spouse, Aaron!
Another aspect to share is that I am a very amateur photographer. Although I enjoy using a camera and personally captured the above of Aaron, my skills in this art are, at best, non-existent. Usually, I decapitate my subject – photo-wise only!
Kory Mitchell, tats and underarm fur!
I freely acknowledge my maschalagnia! The more than 700+ post entries here are evidence of this fact as is the picture of my spouse shared previously. While we’re on the subject of body hair and nakedness, here is a quote from my beloved:
“Body hair and nakedness are compatible and natural. They compliment one another; like a rose blooming an a bush.” ~ Aaron Michael Peterson-Poladopoulos ~ March 28, 2022
“I love you” International Sign Language and body art!
I was born profoundly Deaf. My identical twin brother and I attended Deaf schools our entire lives. Aaron learned American Sign Language (ASL) because of a Deaf cousin (before we met). His proficiency in that skill has expanded since we’ve been together and he is now fluent (manually) in Greek Sign Language (my first language). This situation has introduced us both into increased advocacy and awareness for equality for all persons with differing abilities (disabilities). Physical, emotional and mental challenges are no reason to deny anyone equality or human rights.
Interracial bromance!
As an interracial couple – in particular, a bare practitioner interracial couple – we have experienced first-hand and personally the discrepancies in behaviour and reactions that others have endured. Likewise, we have also had very courteous treatment where it was least expected. Not just here, but also abroad (overseas).
The USA most definitely needs to seriously adjust and improve the treatment it offers the communities of people with differing abilities. If one espouses equality then one should practice equality. Simple “lip-service” to a concept or ideal in no way combats bigotry and prejudice.
A textile minority!
As advocates and proponents of bare practitioners and equality, we both, Aaron and myself, accept and acknowledge that there are persons who, for whatever the reason, are genuinely unclear and uncomfortable with a unique situation – especially one that puts them in the minority status, be it race, same gender love, nudity, differing ability, communication, equality, heritage, etc. Whatever the insecurity, it causes an anxious response. In this environment, patience, tolerance and understanding help to reduce anxiety and calm the involvement. Discomfort is a natural reaction that produces anger, distrust and resentment.
Happiness!
Sharing happiness is one of my personal Spring resolutions, 2023! One of the available tools is through ReNude Pride. Thank you all for providing me this opportunity!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for Friday, April 7, 2023, and the proposed topic is: “Environment!”
ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! 