discrimination – Page 2 – ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!

USA: Black History Month, 2025!

USA: The month of February, annually!

Prologue:

The use of the Liberation Tricolour (above) is appropriate for this post entry here on ReNude Pride. Today, 1 February, marks the first day of Black History Month in the USA. I am legally married to a Black man, Aaron, who is African-Canadian. His heritage is with the Yoruba Tribe of west Africa. As my spouse, we are both co-administrators of this site.

We both reside here in the USA and have dual citizenships and passports: Aaron/Canada and myself/Greece. We both celebrate Black History Month not just during February but throughout the entire year. We cordially invite you to join with us!

Introduction: Black History Month, 2025

The USA’ s Black History Month represents the bold and brave official determination and recognition of a concept and ideal that historically evolved from the racial community and culture which it honours: African-American.

Carter G. Woodson, “Father of Black History Month, USA”

The founder of this occasion, Carter G. Woodson, was himself an inspired, insightful, and proud Black man. When first initiated, it was a new, provocative and radical concept. At that time, all of the entire continent of Africa, with the exception of Ethiopia and Liberia, was under colonial rule. The United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Portugal, Spain and Italy controlled the land, the people and their destinies.

In the USA, Black people lived and worked under segregation (separateness), second-class citizenship and worse. There were no Black pride, Black lives matter nor Black civil rights movements. Discrimination and marginalization were in effect without recourse, nationwide, of the then 48 states by law. It was also practiced nationally (by social custom) until the very late 1950s.

African heritage!

Despite the practically universal global policy of being marginalized (set aside as inferior) and oppressed (dominated), the history of the Black people’s accomplishments and achievements in the USA exceeded and surpassed imaginations. From enslavement to triumphant, African-Americans have not only survived, they have thrived to become a remarkable example of glory, integrity and success.

Black History Month is a time of reflection and rejoicing due to the dreams, efforts and ideals of Carter G. Woodson, affectionately and respectfully known as the “Father of Black History.” Through his dedication and tireless promotion, the foundations (seeds) of history and knowledge were planted and nourished within the minds of old and young, poor and rich throughout the USA. Because of him, Black history is now synonymous with American history and the two are now united.

Carter Godwin Woodson, later in life!

Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson was an African-American author, historian, journalist and the founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASAALH). He was among the first scholars to to study the African diaspora, especially African-American experiences and history.

Carter Godwin Woodson

Born: December 19, 1875

Birthplace: New Canton, Virginia, USA

Died: April 3, 1950

Deathplace: Shaw neighbourhood, Washington, D.C., USA

Education: Harvard University, Berea College, University of Chicago

Organizations founded: Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASAALH)

Aware of pre-existing commemorations of Black history, organized locally by primarily Black churches and schools, Woodson created Negro History Week around traditional days of honouring the Black American past, the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and Frederick Douglass (February 14). He encouraged people to extend their focused study of African-American history, not to create a new tradition. Woodson believed that history was made by the people, not simply or primarily by great men.

“Sankofa” Adinkra symbol!

The Sankofa Adinkra symbol is an appropriate conclusion for this posting, “Black History Month, 2025!” We are indeed wise to learn from our past, as often as necessary, in order to face our future!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, February 3, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Phoenix: Our Man!”

Cultural Imagery!

After SIR, 1969: gay begins to appear!

Emergence of Gay:

For numerous decades, the term “homosexual” was used to describe same gender loving people as both a definition and as a term synonymous with despicable and/or perverted. The late 1950s and early 1960s marked the transition of the meaning of the word “gay” from that of being “carefree and happy” to that meaning “homosexual” in British usage. The British interpretation slowly began to make its way into American language. By the time of the Stonewall Inn riots (SIR) of 1969, the British term was embraced by the same gender loving rioters and other protesters. For far too long and for too many, “homosexual” was too degrading and too prejudicial.

Vintage buttons proclaiming “gay!”

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Lambda!

Lambda:

The Greek alphabet letter “lambda” was designated in December, 1969, by the graphic artist of the Gay Activist Alliance (GAA), founding member Tom Doerr. Doerr chose it because in chemistry it was the sign for “catalyst.” In this context, Doerr offered that the lambda involved the complete exchange of energy. Tom Doerr also felt that the Greek lambda was symbolic of self-identification, unity and pride. Others argue that lambda denotes synergy of the growing gay movement: the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

In 1970, the lambda was adopted by New York City’s GAA as the emblem of their growing movement for gay liberation. In 1974, it was subsequently proclaimed by the International Gay Rights Congress at their meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, as their symbol for gay and lesbian civil rights. Following their designation, lambda became internationally popular and recognized globally with the same gender loving community.

Unfortunately, many women viewed the lambda symbol as relevant for males only.

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The Pink Triangle!

The Pink Triangle:

Just as the Nazi’s forced Jewish people to wear a yellow star of David, they forced men they identified as homosexual to wear an inverted pink triangle (die Rosa-Winkel) to identify their male gender preference. Those forced to do so were treated as the “lowest of the low in the concentration camp hierarchy.” It is estimated that 65% of those incarcerated as homosexuals died in captivity. Adolph Hitler perceived gay men as an impediment to purify Germany and as a serious threat to Aryan superiority.

After the concentration camps were liberated at the end of World War II, men imprisoned for homosexuality remained locked up. East Germany (communist) didn’t rescind the criminality of homosexuals until 1968. West Germany (democracy) didn’t repeal Nazi laws against homosexuality until 1969. Reunited Germany removed the illegality of homosexuality in 1994.

In 2002, the German government issued an official apology to all gay men who were imprisoned during the war. Rudolph Brazda, the last known concentration camp survivor who wore a pink triangle, died on August 3, 2011, at the age of 98.

Notation: The inverted Pink Triangle, located inside a green circle, is frequently used today to designate “safe” (protected) environments, facilities and spaces for GLBTQ+ persons.

A designated comfort zone for GLBTQ+ persons!

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The Rainbow Pride Flag!

Notation: The Rainbow Pride flag consists of six rainbow stripes. The colours are red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple. The red stripe is always the top, the purple the bottom. When first flown, it held eight stripes but was soon revised to six stripes only. The colours represent the ideals below:

The Rainbow Pride Flag:

This flag was first publicly raised on June 25, 1978, in San Francisco, California, USA. It was unfurled over the city’s United Nations Plaza in honour of gay pride at the 1978 San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade. The original flag contained eight coloured stripes and was designed for the event and the occasion by Gilbert Baker. The initial banner was hand-stitched and dyed by Baker with the help of volunteers and friends Lynn Segerblum, James McNamara, Glenne McElhinney, Joe Duran and Paul Langlotz.

The original flag was reconfigured after the unveiling as the banner soared in popularity and the demand became widespread. The new design featured six stripes matching the natural rainbow. The flag discontinued the stripes pink (symbolizing “sex”) and turquoise (“art and magic”) as those two colours were unavailable in flag fabric.

Gilbert Baker conceived the flag would “empower his tribe” (the growing GLBTQ+ community) into a “rainbow of humanity.” The motif represented the movement’s diversity.

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The new Progress Flag among Rainbow Pride Flags!

Evolution: Pride to Progress:

Forty years after the appearance of the Rainbow Pride flag, the Progress Flag debuted as the new banner of the worldwide GLBTQ+ community and culture. The Progress flag incorporated the six stripes of the Rainbow Pride flag along with colours and designs that depict our movement as we march together into the future.

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The Progress Flag!

The Progress Flag of the GLBTQ+ Community and Culture

The Progress Pride flag was developed by non-binary (not conforming gender identity) artist and designer Daniel Quasar in 2018, forty years after the initiation of the Rainbow Pride flag. Based on the six stripes of Gilbert Baker’s 1978 Rainbow Pride flag, Quasar’s redesign celebrates the expanded diversity of today’s GLBTQ+ community and culture and encourages a more inclusive general society. The banner has increased the representation of discriminated minority identities covered by the GLBTQ+ umbrella.

Quasar’s creation placing black and brown stripes (emblems representing peoples of colour) and light blue, pink and white stripes (representing transgender and non-binary persons) in the shape of an arrow on the left of the Progress Pride flag. In Daniel Quasar’s own words “…the arrow points to the right to show forward movement and illustrates that progress towards inclusivity still needs to be made.”

In the Progress Pride flag, the black stripe has a double meaning as it, in Quasar’s intent, to represent not only the African race and their descendants but also “those living with HIV/AIDS and the stigma and prejudice surrounding them as well as all those who have succumbed to the disease.”

On the evening of June 6, 2018, Quasar posted the design for the Progress Pride flag on social media. When he woke up the following day, he discovered that the posting had gone viral. It was an immediate success!

Progress Pride flying over the University of Nottingham!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Thursday, October 17, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Spirit: Stop Bullying Day!”

Coming Out/Awareness Day!

Coming Out Day!

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer+ Awareness Day!

October 11, annually!

Introduction:

Coming Out Day was first observed in 1988 during the critical and tragic years of the onset of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. For far too many men, their diagnosis with the disease often was their “official coming out” of the proverbial closet to family, friends and co-workers. Unfortunately, the beginning of their coming out process was also the fatal and sad beginning of their farewell process.

National Coming Out Day was scheduled on the very first anniversary of the 1987 National March on Washington for Gay and Lesbian Civil Rights. It was also the occasion of the first complete public display of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt.

Origins of the Phrase:

For centuries, persons who today constitute the GLBTQ+ community and culture were intentionally and legally marginalized (set aside) and segregated (separated) from the remainder of society. They were condemned and judged by church, clerics, government, law, legal enforcement, etc. as “homosexuals,” “perverts,” “queers,” and “sexual deviants.” These were among the more acceptable social labels.

Closets are for clothes only!

Many of “our kind” lived their entire lives without ever sharing exactly what and who they really and truly were with anyone. Some even led a life that was totally false, they married and raised families without revealing their honest identity. This anonymous, concealed, obscure and secretive way of living was colloquially referenced as “being closeted” or as “living in the closet.” The closet being behind closed doors, thus hidden and unavailable for others to see or witness.

Purpose:

Coming out day was the signal for the post Stonewall Inn Riot (SIR) folks to openly and proudly accept, acknowledge and own their identity, their sexual orientation, the what and the who they indeed are. To step “out of the closet and into their life!” As previously mentioned, regrettably, the HIV/AIDS crisis was happening simultaneously.

“Closets are for clothes” was an expression used by body and clothes freedom enthusiasts who were also same gender loving (SGL) – bare practitioners today – to encourage and empower our community and culture in recognizing ourselves for being ourselves; there’s nothing wrong with us!

Artist Keith Haring created this art for the first Coming Out Day, October 11, 1988!

The late world renown artist, Keith Haring, himself an openly gay man living with AIDS, designed the above artwork in honour of the occasion. It remains prominent today as the globally recognized symbol for bravely, confidently, openly and proudly coming out about individual sexuality and for us bare practitioners, our position on body and clothes freedom.

The original concept for Coming Out Day was to combine the personal notification of sexuality with the political message that individual sexual preference was no longer a secret admission of disgrace and shame. There was nothing degrading about sexuality and consequently, there is nothing abnormal or guilty concerning nakedness. In reality, it’s okay for me to be me!

The emphasis on making the personal act of coming out into a political statement is a basic form of activism. Openly coming out (self identification) to family, friends and colleagues and then living life as a confident person publicly refuting bias and marginalization was in the eyes and minds of many as an extension of the SIR. The fact that homophobia (fear of same gender lovers) thrives in an atmosphere or environment of silence and/or ignorance was reality. Once people realize they either know or are related to someone who is indeed GLBTQ+ they are less than willing to remain with discriminatory, hateful and repressive individuals. “Familiarity breeds the seeds of tolerance.”

Coming out of the closet!

Coming Out Day was extensively reported in the media of the 1980’s (broadcast and press). Keith Haring’s art created attention and notice; overall, the response was well received and several noted celebrities did indeed “come out” themselves and/or encouraged their fans and followers to do the same. However, it did not reach the projected multitudes as hoped. The HIV/AIDS dilemma continued to devastate and even mainline Christian fundamentalist clergy began to involve themselves and their faithful in disease care, education and protection efforts. Slowly and hesitantly, the GLBTQ+ population began to identify with the necessity of the campaign to step forward and to “come out!”

Opening doors!

Evolution:

Since the very first National Coming Out Day on 11 October, 1988, so much has happened in our world, specifically in the attainment of GLBTQ+ civil rights, equality and freedoms. In the USA, the removal of the military ban/restriction on service, marriage equality and broad non-discrimination policies and protocols (just to name a few). There is now an almost general acceptance and acknowledgment of our existence and our humanity.

The struggle against HIV/AIDS is no longer seen as an absolute fatality. With proper treatment and care, it is now widely interpreted as a now “manageable” condition. It is not necessary for avoidance and/or isolation.

The purpose of National Coming Out Day has, in keeping with the progress, evolved into a GLBTQ+ awareness day, reminding our general society that we’re still here and yes, we’re still queer! Our sexuality no longer forces us to remain anonymous, invisible and obscure. We have the freedom and the right to be exactly what and who we truly are! The days of guilt and shame are in the past, gone but not forgotten!

For us bare practitioners, our next step forward is that our proclivity for our nakedness is no longer a concern nor a judgment to be determined by others. As long as we respect others, we should expect the equal and same respect for ourselves! Equality works both ways for everyone!

Out and proud!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, October 14, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Cultural Imagery!”

USA: GLBTQ+ History Month!

Website GLBTQ+ Icon, 2024!

The Observance:

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

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

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

http://lgbthistorymonth.com

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

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

Our original GLBTQ+ flag!

The Legacy:

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

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

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

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

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

A representation of the Stonewall First Anniversary!

Celebrating Our Story and Our Time and Our People!

A champion and achiever!

GLBTQ+ 2024 History Month Honourees:

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

GLBTQ+ history month.com

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

2024 Honorees:

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

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

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

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

A Calamity of Souls!

Reading while sunbathing, poolside!

Book Review: A Calamity of Souls

Introduction:

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

Background on A Calamity of Souls:

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

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

Synopsis:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Summary: A fitting irony

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

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

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

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

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!”

Pride, 2024: Why?

Why?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Contemplation!

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

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

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

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

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

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

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

Pride, 2024!

GLBTQ+ Pride Month, 2024!

Introduction:

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

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

The Progress banner of our GLBTQ+ community!

Pride is real:

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

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

The Progress Flag raised in Nottingham!

“The Progress Flag:”

The current GLBTQ+ international community banner.

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

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

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

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

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

Personal observations:

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

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

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

Covered by the original Rainbow Pride flag!

Awareness:

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

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

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

A recommendation:

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

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

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

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

Race: Race’s POV!

Race Cooper!

“Racism takes many forms and our thoughts on racism, sexuality and nudity need to change.” ~ Joseph Ross Anderson ~ aka Race Cooper The Pink News SGL News Service London, UK 10 June, 2020

Prologue:

The examination and exploration of the topic of race extends beyond the limited concepts of just Black people and White people. It includes all of us, no matter our skin tone, ethnicity or racial heritage. Race, unfortunately, is also aligned with community, culture, politics, religion and value systems.

Regrettably, racism (racial discrimination and/or hatred based on skin tone) is often a “learned” behaviour – usually passed from one generation to the next – without any basis of proof or scientific fact. Unchallenged, it is frequently misunderstood as the “norm” – the routine standard.

ReNude Pride published a post entry here, Race On Race, last year on March 6, 2023. Click on the title to link. My spouse, Aaron, and I both offer this expanded version of the topic in the hope of overcoming our need to be reminded of the importance of this reality in our daily lives. This is the reason, among others, that we do not restrict this issue or topic exclusively to the period of Black History Month.

Race Cooper: tunnel of experience and knowledge!

Race Cooper is the stage name of Joseph Ross Anderson, a talented and thoughtful star of same gender loving (SGL) – bisexual and gay – pornography and outspoken advocate for bare (naked/nudist) rights, sexuality rights and racial equality. He was born and grew up in Toronto, Canada on December 5, 1973. Amazing, he didn’t begin his film career (porn) until 2009 – he was 36 years old! An age when most openly gay porn actors are ready to retire from performing live!

In the same year that he launched his film debut, he started blogging about the porn industry on blogger.com and swiftly acquired notoriety as “a-man-who-tells-it-all!” Race’s blog was a popular favourite as he kept no secrets from his readers. He consistently posted of his experiences with his fellow actors, both complimentary and flattering and…honest and real. His descriptions and observations of their intimate abilities and anatomical attributes made his blog a success for many and a regular “must-read” for both his followers and his peers in the film studios! His writing skills hastened to dispel the stereotype of the gay porn actor as egotistical, “flaky,” and self-obsessed.

He also began to publicly encourage and endorse the expansion of the alpha-man (top-man) and the beta-man (bottom-man) sexual identities to include versatility (preference to engaging in either sexual position or fluidity)!

Additional facts on Race Cooper are listed below:

Name: Joseph Ross Anderson

Height: 6′ (183 cm)

Weight: 180 lbs. (82 kg)

Hair: head (shaved) body (armpit, pubic)

Penis: 7.9″ (20 cm) circumcised

Sexuality: gay exclusive

Sexual position: versatile (preference: bottom)

Clothing status: bare

Film career: 2009 – 2014

“I’m an African-Canadian. Growing up in Toronto, I got to see how lots of White Americans reacted to Black people. Working in gay pornography in the USA, I personally saw how Black men were treated by White men with no difference between gay or straight.” ~ Race Cooper ~ The Pink News 10 June, 2020

Race Cooper: serious!

Race Cooper, based on his own experience in the SGL porn industry, views racism as “a daily constant in the USA.” He initially began working as a casting director for the exclusively SGL studios – Raging Stallion – before he moved to performing in front of the camera. He acknowledges that he was paid considerably less than his White peers and regularly and repeatedly had his work ethic and his intelligence questioned. He honestly believes that he was only hired initially in order for the studio to appear “less racist.”

“Homophobia and racism in the USA is the reasoning for discrimination and prejudice. It is part of the legacy of slavery. In Canada, race is just a difference. You shave your pubic hair, I let mine grow naturally. We’re both gay men, we’re just different in some ways.” ~ Race Cooper ~ The Pink News 10 June, 2020

Canada had slavery in the 1600s only. It was never a permanent institution like in the USA. As a slave, you were bought, you worked a couple of years, earned your freedom and then you moved on. Similar to an indentured servant. Enslavement was never a source of distrust and hatred. You worked, earned freedom and then became a neighbour – equal – not inferiour or subserviant.

Playful Race Cooper!

“As a Black gay man, I know and have witnessed bias, hatred and prejudice because of nudity, race and sexual orientation. It is unfair and unjust. It is wrong. As a performer in the porn industry, I’ve never experienced criticism for being publicly or for being socially naked. But I do know of fellow gay nudists who are judged because of their nudity. Clothes freedom is part of who we are. Just like race and sexuality, we don’t have a choice.” ~ Race Cooper ~ The Pink News 10 June, 2020

Race Cooper was interviewed by The Pink News, a GLBTQ+ news service in London, England, United Kingdom, on 10 June, 2020, for his thoughts on racial inequality in the SGL porn industry in the USA in light of the killing of the late George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement. He also wants the porn studios to openly admit that many White men – straight – have been cast into roles, intended for Black gay men. Many of these substitutions were in films catering to primarily SGL African-American audiences.

As a path forward, he’d like to see the studios hire and utilize “diversity mentors” to help casting and hopefully these very same mentors could advance the careers of actors of colour and other minority qualifications. He also advocates the ending of “gay-for-pay” and the immediate end to the shunning of HIV+ porn actors.

Race Cooper: bald head and buttocks!

In the conclusion of his interview with The Pink News, Race Cooper offered – in my humble opinion – his most daring and profound argument against bigotry, discrimination and judgment based on not only just race but sexual orientation and nakedness as well. This declaration was made on his own initiative and observation. Proof positive that Joseph Ross Anderson (Race Cooper) is – heart and soul – a brother bare practitioner and all of us welcome and embrace him in complete nudity and pride into our community and culture! True equality is a basic human right for us all!

“I’ve made numerous naked appearance at gay studio social events. The newcomers to our profession are often intimidated by us older professionals. Usually, fellow Black new actors are gathered, made to strip out of their apparel and paraded through the White guests who are fully or partially clothed only to be ridiculed, teased and tormented and not allowed to get dressed until the social is done.” ~ Race Cooper ~ The Pink News 10 June, 2020

Great observations, Race Cooper! We are grateful for your honesty!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, February 26, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Bonus: +24!”

Bare! Black! SGL!

The Triumvirate: Bare! Black! SGL!

The Magic and the Myth!

Often, the mythology lies around, dormant. After all, it’s an old myth that no one really considers important. It’s also an old myth that we have all probably seen refuted by reality. It simply is nothing earth-shattering or shocking. It’s not detrimental or explosive. All it does is just lie there.

Then, one day when we least expect it, it raises up and punches us in our face! We are so caught by surprise that there are few words that would adequately describe our reaction.

The overwhelming majority of us have been so involved with our everyday lives – handling our own business – that we never saw this coming our way! That’s the reason we’re so dumbfounded and numb.

We never saw “it” coming toward us! Suddenly and unexpectedly there “it” is! Right, directly, in front of us!

Bare! Black! SGL!

The “it” we never saw coming toward us? The mythology that was simply lying around: dormant. It was an old myth that none of us considered important. It was so completely and totally dormant that we had – intentionally or not – simply forgotten that “it” was “out” there. So irrelevant and useless that most of us never gave it any thought at all!

That old myth is this: Black people aren’t gay and they aren’t naked! White people are that way and they are “teaching” our people how to act and to be like that!

Believe it or not, like it or not, that old myth remains among us and with us. Another overwhelming majority of us may know it to be no more than what it really is: an old myth. A meaningless and useless thought left behind by hatred and homophobia. But wait! “It” is still with us.

Bare! Black! SGL! Continuation!

We do indeed live in the 21st Century. And yes, reality – real life – does afford us all with a multitude of opportunities to see examples and reminders of same gender love (SGL) as we go about our everyday lives handling our business. That’s just how this world is supposed to work.

We are all free to be ourselves. To be what and who we truly are. We should all remember that we are free to expect this from others as long as we show the same respect of freedom to all others! We all live in the same world, therefore, we all share the same world.

Nakedness and same gender love (SGL) may or may not be something that is essential or important to everyone and that is good. It is likewise good that we all accept and recognize that for some of us these aspects are crucial, vital and paramount in our lives. The same holds true for interracial couples and marriages – irregardless of the gender. The days of the iron-clad formula that Black should be with Black or that White should be with White are now long past.

Free to be themselves!

All of this I can share from personal experience. Following the arrival of marriage equality here during President Barack Obama’s second term in office, my then-partner, Aaron, and I took the path forward and became legally married (after incessant urgings from both of our sets of parents). My spouse is African-Canadian. I am Greek. An interracial union of two SGL men who prefer bare rather than textile (clothed). Ever since our wedding, we’ve both received an endless amount of comments from numerous casual acquaintances and/or co-workers about our “relationship.”

Kissing!

For some unimaginable reason, people – SGL couples included – have an issue or a problem when referring to a “marriage” between same gender partners. Is it our gender or is it our skin colour? Or is it a combination of the two?

Now back to the mysterious “it” that was creeping upon us earlier. “It” remains with us and will somehow prevail. Aaron and a multitude of others are actual breathing, living proof that the old myth is unfounded and untrue. There are Black men who are confident being bisexual or gay and who also enjoy and are proud being naked.

Pride!

The awesome reality of this predicament is that no one, Pink, Green, Blue or White had to “teach” him anything. He was born this way and has no shame of being who he is. He has no guilt in being who he is!

Enjoy the remainder of Black History Month, 2024!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

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