National Coming Out Day is a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer+ (GLBTQ+) awareness day that is observed annually on October 11. Since the inception in 1988, it encourages all GLBTQ+ to take steps on this occasion to “come out” of the closet and not to be ashamed of who and what you are. The original concept was to make the personal acknowledgement into a political statement in support of GLBTQ+ civil rights.
The emphasis of this day is on the basic form of activism which is being openly and proudly who you are and sharing this reality with family, friends and colleagues. The goal is to live your life as a confident bisexual, gay or lesbian person without any guilt or retribution. Those of us who are bare practitioners have supplemented this qualification with being an “out” naturist/nudist.
The term “in the closet” refers to the custom or habit of life before the Stonewall Inn riots of 1969, when practically all GLBTQ+ people lived “in the closet” (secretive) lives in order to keep their jobs, the love of their family and their social place in general society.
Brock Bradley: openly “out” – gay and naked!
What inspired the first observation of Coming Out Day is the fact that homophobia thrives in an atmosphere of bigotry, ignorance and silence. Once people realize that they have a loved one or an acquaintance who is bisexual, gay or lesbian, they are less willing to remain with homophobic or repressive inclinations. That’s reason for encouraging people to “come out of the closet” and let the world know your true identity. There is simply “no shame” in being who we are!
The October 11, date was selected because it was the anniversary of the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. This was the first national gathering in support of GLBTQ+ equality observed in the USA.
National Coming Out Day!
The early events of Coming Out Day often coincided with celebrities and/or other persons of note openly and publicly acknowledging their GLBTQ+ identity. Later, the practice of the tabloid media disclosing a person as being bisexual, gay or lesbian – often without their permission. This publicly “outing” someone was very controversial and usually accompanied by negative attacks on the disclosing media.
The involuntary coming out process was short-lived as the rapidly expanding HIV/AIDS crisis soon replaced the newsworthiness of sexual orientation exposure. For many, an AIDS diagnosis was synonymous with the the coming out announcement.
Today, the observance is another day of proudly reminding others of both what and who we essentially are. There is no longer the absolute necessity to remain “closeted” throughout much of the world.
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, October 14, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Breaking Bare-iers #3!”
The headline photograph is the current Progress version of the GLBTQ+ pride flag that represents our community and our culture. Despite our novelty among the numerous movements in the civil rights world, we do have a history of different banners and what they symbolize waving above us. This “first Friday” of the 2022 GLBTQ+ History Month will examine and share images of these and briefly offer a story of the respective flag.
The Pink Triangle Flag:
The Pink Triangle flag!
The downward-pointing pink triangle was used by Nazi Germany as a badge of shame. It was sewn onto the shirts of homosexual (gay) men in concentration camps to identify and dehumanize them.
Homosexuality was made illegal in Germany in 1871, but it was rarely enforced. When the Nazi Party assumed control in 1933, it was made a priority in order to culturally and racially “purify” Germany. The Nazis arrested tens of thousands of GLBTQ+ individuals, the majority whom were homosexual men, whom they viewed as degenerate.
The early 1970s was when the gay rights movement began to emerge worldwide (after the 1969 Stonewall Inn riots) and various organizations reclaimed the pink triangle as an empowering symbol. It also serves as a reminder to remember the past – and to recognize the persecution GLBTQ+ people continue to suffer around the world.
The Lambda Flag:
Greek letter Lambda flag!
The Greek letter, lambda, was first chosen as a gay symbol when, in 1970, for the first anniversary of the Stonewall Inn Riots (SIR), it was adopted by New York City’s local chapter of Gay Activist Alliance as the emblem of their growing movement of gay liberation. Some identified the Greek letter with the representation of the word “liberation.”
In 1974, lambda was subsequently adopted by the International Gay Rights Congress meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, as their official symbol designating gay, bisexual and lesbian civil rights. Following this selection, lambda became internationally popular and recognized as representing the growing movement for civil rights for all people, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation.
Lambda was first designated in December, 1969, as representative of the new gay liberation movement by the graphic artist and one of the Gay Activist Alliance’s founding members, Tom Doerr. Doerr chose the letter because in chemistry it was a sign for catalyst. Others argue that lambda denoted the synergy of the growing gay movement: the idea of the whole being greater than the sum of all its parts.
Some view the lambda as being synonymous with males exclusively.
The Rainbow Flag:
The Rainbow flag!
First publicly raised on June 25, 1978, in San Francisco, California, USA, the flag flew over the United Nations Plaza in honour of then-gay pride at the 1978 San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade. The original flag consisted of eight coloured stripes and was designed by Gilbert Baker and hand-stitched and dyed with the help of friends and volunteers Lynn Segerblom, James McNamara, Glenne McElhinney, Joe Duran, and Paul Langlotz.
The eight-stripe original rainbow flag was soon revised to six stripes with pink (symbolizing “sex”) and turquoise (symbolizing “art and magic”) eliminated as the colours and dyes were unavailable in flag fabric. Baker conceived the flag would empower his “tribe” and a “rainbow of humanity” motif would represent the movement’s diversity.
The six stripes and what the colours represent:
Rainbow flag and symbolic colours!
The six stripes on the revised rainbow flag symbolize values held dear and not the various people comprising the community and culture.
The Progress Pride Flag:
The Progress Pride flag!
The Progress Pride flag was developed by non-binary artist and designer Daniel Quasar in 2018. Based on Gilbert Baker’s 1978 Rainbow flag, Quasar’s redesign celebrates the diversity of the GLBTQ+ community and culture worldwide and encourages a more inclusive general society. The redesigned banner has increased the representation of discriminated minority identities covered by the GLBTQ+ umbrella.
Quasar’s creation placed black and brown stripes (emblems representing peoples of colour) and light blue, pink and white stripes (representing transgender, non-binary and intersex persons) in the shape of an arrow on the left of the Progress Pride flag. In Daniel Quasar’s words “…the arrow points to the right 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 those who have died from the disease.”
Progress Pride body painted design!
The Progress Pride flag has been immediately an international success. On the evening of June 6, 2018, Quasar posted the design on social media and woke up the next morning to find that it had gone viral. It has been enthusiastically received by the GLBTQ+ community and culture all around the globe!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, October 10, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Coming Out Day!”
In the USA, the month of October, annually, is designated gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer+ (GLBTQ+) history month. A time to focus attention on the accomplishments, achievements and actions of members of the GLBTQ+ communities and culture that have made a constructive and positive difference not only in the USA but also in the world around us.
The concept of GLBTQ+ history month is a recent phenomenon that is both conflicting and controversial. It is opposed by many as being a recruiting tool for a lifestyle that is objectionable based on moral, philosophical and religious reasonings. Centuries of oppression and oversight have resulted in a mainstream general society that continues to ignore a specific segment of the population that it supposedly serves.
The purpose of this post entry for ReNude Pride is to introduce and examine this topic, explain the reasoning for endorsing a GLBTQ+ history month observance and offer resources and references. Hopefully, an unknown aspect of GLBTQ+ history is acquired by all reading/visiting here.
A skinny-dipping pool party, circa mid-1950’s!
Development:
In theory, at least, GLBTQ+ history is as old as the human race and has existed in parallel to society in general. Due to religious and social prejudices, this particular community was regularly oppressed and outlawed (illegal). On a regular basis, this population was ignored and intentionally forgotten. This predicament created a serious paucity of documentation of historical accomplishments and achievements regarding this culture.
Stonewall riots memorabilia!
The enthusiasm and excitement following the Stonewall Inn riots (SIR) on June 28, 1969, convinced some that documentation of events needed to happen. Too often, communities were denied essential elements of their heritage because the society in which they existed made no acknowledgment of any accomplishments of note. Of the emerging gay and lesbian populations, there came individuals who were dedicated to creating archives of what was now happening. Fledgling movements towards historical accumulation began among those witnessing firsthand the growing gay and lesbian freedom and honesty.
Protest power to the people!
In order to have complete equality within our broader society, appreciation and understanding of others must be created. Knowledge must be instilled so future generations can acknowledge and comprehend diversity. This creates an environment of awareness and encourages cultural acceptance and tolerance for all groups.
This is crucial because it celebrates and honours self-affirmation and self-actualization. It strengthens individualism as it increases nonconformity and uniqueness. It promotes social progress through educating people regarding negative social conditions which existed in the past but have since improved. It also directs it is currently necessary to empower equality and development. History is basically the story of the evolution and progress of a community or a culture.
1969 gay rights protest photo!
The USA observance was founded in 1994, by a Missouri high-school (secondary) history teacher named Rodney Wilson. His intent was to provide role models, build community and provide a civil rights statement of the efforts and accomplishments of the GLBTQ+ community and culture. In addition, he sought to establish a space where other educators could use as a resource for instructing youth concerning GLBTQ+ culture, history and community. He realized from his own, experience the serious lack of any available information on the historical accomplishments and contributions of this segment of the population.
Along with Rodney Wilson, the first coordinating committee for the 1994 GLBTQ+ History Month observance included Kevin Jennings of the Gay, Lesbian and Student Educators Network (GLSEN), Kevin Bayer of the Gerber/Hart of the Gay and Lesbian Archives in Chicago, Illinois, Paul Varnell, a journalist with the Windy Times also in Chicago, Torey Wilson, a Chicago area teacher, Johnda Boyce, a women’s studies major at Columbus University in Ohio, and Jessea Greenman of the University of California – Berkeley.
In the USA, GLBTQ+ History Month is endorsed/supported by GLAAD (Gay Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the National Education Association (NEA), GLSEN (Gay Lesbian Student and Educators Network) and other national organizations.
A GLBTQ+ website was launched in 2006 and is maintained by Equality Forum. Equality Forum is a national GLBTQ+ civil rights organization with a strong educational focus. In addition to GLBTQ+ History Month, it also produces documentary films, sponsors high impact social initiatives and hosts an annual GLBTQ+ civil rights conference.
Logo: 2022 GLBTQ+ History Month!
The website created by the Equality Forum is linked GLBTQ+ History Month. This site features 31 honoured recipients for every year since 2006. Some of the 2022 selected ones are pictured above and all 31 are listed below on the date that they are featured. The website offers a page of information for each one. The site also contains information on ideas for discussion and activities concerning GLBTQ+ culture and history and serves as an excellent resource for educators and others seeking to inform the public about the significance of the GLBTQ+ community.
2022 Featured Recipients:
Hans Christian Anderson, Danish fairy tales author
Robina Asti, transgender rights plaintiff
Richard Avedon, prominent photographer
Ninia Baehr and Genora Dancel, marriage equality pioneers
Sue Bird, WNBA superstar
Victor Blackwell, CNN news anchor
Matt Bomer, actor
Raphael Bostic, Federal Reserve Bank CEO
Jennifer Finney Boylan, author and transgender activist
Kate Brown, Governor of State of Oregon
Nancy Carderas, Mexican writer and activist
Kitty Cone, disability rights activist
Robert Cutler, national security advisor
Andre` de Shields, actor and singer
Lea DeLaria, actor and comedian
Anna Elizabeth Dickinson, 19th century orator
Masha Gessen, Russian-American journalist
Ron Gold, gay pioneer
Radclyffe Hall, British author
Bell Hooks, author and feminist
Jazz Jennings, transgender youth activist
Mondaire Jones, first openly gay African-American congressman
Stephen Lachs, world’s first openly gay judge
Lawrence of Arabia, British military officer
Lance Loud, first openly gay reality TV star
James Merrill, Pulitzer Prize winner poet
Rudolf Nureyev, international ballet star
J. Paul Oetken, openly gay Federal judge
Amy Schneider, Jeopardy game show champion
Amy Walter, political analyst
Alice Wu, film director
Congratulations to all those above for their contributions to our community and culture. Keep with the good work!
Boxer freedom = gay and nude!
Bare Practitioner Encouragement:
It is vitally important for all of us to remember that we are a part of our community and culture’s history. Without our experiences and memories, there would be very little of our shared lives to recount to others coming after us. Whenever possible, let others know of your chapters in our story! Bare practitioners matter!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, October 3, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Bare Icon!”
The term “Friday Footnote” confuses some people. Please don’t be misled. I am not endorsing a “foot fetish” obsession – nor am I condemning one! A “footnote” is a brief notice or explanation for clarification. To enhance comprehension and understanding of the subject material. Our man above is ReNude Pride’s visual indication of a footnote.
The latest updates…!
In my posting earlier this month, September: New Beginnings, (click title to view) I presumed that everyone understood the correlation between January 1, and September 1. A “new beginning” isn’t really happening just because it is the start of another month and another calendar season. However, as early as we are into the current month, “new” has already enveloped us. The most obvious being the ascension of Charles III as the Head of Commonwealth on the death of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Another event happened to me, personally, just this past week! A most welcome occurrence!
Friends reunited!
Role-model reunion:
Returning to my classroom after the Labor Day holiday (Monday, September 5), I was totally surprised and thrilled to receive a response from one of my oldest (acquaintance wise) blogging buddies with the accurate and current address of his blog! This lifted my spirits after the day off and made me excited about this long overdue reunion!
His new site is: Gaytekeeper’s Blog. Click on the title and visit the blog. He is very impressive and will keep you entertained, informed and current!
Addendum:
I appreciate everyone who corrected my connectivity link above. It was a typographical error on my part. I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience!
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Farewell, Summer, 2022!
Get-Away goodbye!
In the Northern Hemisphere, this approaching weekend is the final official one of the Summer of 2022. The season of fun, surf and sun will – within a few short days – disappear as autumn brings a chill into our lives.
Aaron and I are on the roadways away beginning today (early in the morning). This is our bidding farewell to the season and to the comfortable temperatures outside. We have no definitive destination for our weekend jaunt although an ocean and waves are always appealing!
This is our tribute to the summer of 2022 – our method of saying “thank you” and good-bye” as the season draws to a close. It was both fun and remarkable, a combination that unfortunately doesn’t happen to often recently.
I wish to everyone reading and/or visiting here the best for the weekend! Be careful and safe!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for Monday, September 19, 2022, and the proposed topic is a brief tribute on the funeral and burial of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Posing bare, happy and together! A tribute to nude photography and all naked posers!
This posting here on ReNude Pride is dedicated as a tribute to all of us bare practitioners who take the energy and the time to share all of ourselves – without any guilt, regrets or shame – with others who look at our photo albums or our walls where we hang pictures! We know for a fact that there is absolutely nothing wrong or vulgar about being “as we are” – naturally! Our lives are honest and open so why bother with concealment and deceit?
Bare practitioner strolling together oceanfront!
Our comfort with our nakedness is not an aspect of perversion as much as it is a basic characteristic of our lives and our comfort level. For us, clothing and covering is a bother and an inconvenience. It may be required by law in public but in honesty and privacy, it is simply who we truly are! There is no reason for any discomfort, guilt or shame in enjoying ourselves clothes free!
“I like me better naked. I don’t mean that in a vain way…When you put clothes on, you immediately put a character on. Clothes are adjectives, they are indicators. When you don’t have any clothes on, it’s just you, raw: you can’t hide.” ~ Padma Lakshmi, Indian author ~
Unashamed tattoo!
Our man above wants to remind us all of his bold and proud assurance of his nakedness. He has the word “unashamed” in a tattoo in his groin area, just above his pubic hair. Good job. Nice work! Confess your confidence, man!
Some simple advice and thoughts on posing as a bare practitioner in today’s often chaotic and hectic world. Have fun and remember to smile for the camera!
We are all bare practitioners here (GLBTQ+ naturists/nudists) so everyone act, look and pose as natural as you feel. Be naked. Be proud. Be proudly nude!
First advisory:
There is absolutely no need to be ashamed or embarrassed over any part of your physical anatomy.
Sunbathing!
Second advisory:
Nudity is a significant aspect of our bare practitioner lives. Casual and close contact happens in life as well as spontaneous photography. Accept it and move along in happiness!
Togetherness!
Third advisory:
Sometimes, a “planned” pose enhances our life – and makes us all laugh. Remember: laughter is, after all, the best medicine!
Angelic pose!
Fourth advisory:
Natural reactions are basically just what they are labeled – natural. It is just a part of life, so just be normal.
Semi-erect photographer!
Just a few observations to pass along to everyone. With slightly less than a full month left in the Northern Hemisphere’s 2022 Summer remaining, grab your camera and your friends and Make Memories today!
FYI: My “dearly beloved” (Roger) has asked that I do another post in September. I’ve picked a subject and am already working on a draft!
Naked hugs!
Aaron Michael Peterson-Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: My spouse, Aaron, composed this post entry here today. Thank you, Aaron, for your effort! The next entry here is planned for Wednesday, August 31, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Bottoms-Up! August, 2022”
Every year during the traditional gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer+ (GLBTQ+) pride celebrations, this question is continually posed to members of our community and culture, mainstream society, politicians and social commentators. The responses vary as to the background, political and religious leanings and social opinions and views of the persons asked.
Unfortunately, each year the replies increase in the expression of negativity. Aside from our community and cultural populations, the consensus grows as to the useless need for any GLBTQ+ pride commemoration. Many believe that equal rights have been obtained and flourish for all of us, regardless of our identity. However, recent actions and events indicate otherwise.
It is important to note that the visibility of our display of our pride frequently varies from individual to individual. Some feel the need for a prominent unfurling of our confidence by waving a flag or painting our bodies. Others are comfortable and content with merely publicly demonstrating their affection within our community by physically touching our otherwise engaging themselves and their nudity. There exists no concrete standard to be observed by all. My spouse, Aaron, and I use whatever method we find appropriate and available for the occasion.
Beach pride!
Immediately following the SIR (Stonewall Inn riots) in June, 1969, the emerging same gender loving communities recognized the need for celebrations in honour of all the newly “liberated” people to acquire acceptance, identification and recognition of themselves as a confident and proud culture within the mainstream population. Having survived the “closet” lifestyle for the vast majority of their secreted lives, these individuals needed to embrace themselves and build their new identity.
Pride celebrations were seen as a tool to encourage this need and in June, 1970, exactly one year after the SIR uprising, “gay liberation” events were held in New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles to honour the occasion and to promote a fostering of community. These first observances attracted sizeable crowds of the growing community and their supporters – as well as protestors!
The initial events were determined to be successful and by the second anniversary of SIR, other municipalities were planning and staging their own festivals and parades to mark the occasion. Stonewall riots had most definitely captured and inspired our attention and our dreams for eventual equality!
Progress rainbow design body-painted on chest!
The first “gay liberation” observances soon evolved into pride festivals in order for people to celebrate their sexual freedom and identity. These witnessed the growing confidence that we felt as a community experiencing the first steps toward self-identification. We no longer accepted the archaic and derogatory label of “homosexual.” We welcomed the terms gay, lesbian and bisexual as appropriate titles of distinction and identity as constituents of the emerging culture that now entailed all of us. The decade of the 1960’s opened the doors for change and we became inspired by a new identity and hope for an improvement in our collective future. Freedom from centuries of condemnation, isolation and oppression was finally underway!
The popularity of pride events and the audiences they attracted made us aware of the fact we now numbered more than just an isolated “few.” There were now a sizable group of us and we were no longer alone. This awareness opened our eyes to the reality that we had much more in common than just our sexual situation. Others existed with similar abilities, attributes, ideals and interests. Community-building was now another development happening!
Our discovery of pride – within ourselves, in what we are and in who we are – became a solid foundation. It enabled us to become a working movement to initiate change, enhancement and growth, not only within our own society in general but throughout the world.
The original “Rainbow” flag and what the colours represent!
Despite our many differences, we acknowledge shared goals, ideals and objectives. In order to emblaze and empower our recognition and visibility, the Rainbow flag was selected to represent us. Each colour represents a common behaviour, belief and/or standard. The flag was designed by San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker and was first used in 1978. It was rapidly adopted across the globe.
The new Progress Rainbow flag in use with a background of the traditional Rainbow flags!
The Progress Rainbow flag was first unfurled in 2017 and was designed by Daniel Quasar. It includes the original banner plus the addition of insertions to represent the components of both racial and sexual diversities as well as representation of persons living with HIV/AIDS and those who died from the virus. The Progress flag is considered by many to truly reflect the majority of all persons within the GLBTQ+ culture. Many persons, both within our culture and from the outside, have commended Dan Quasar for incorporating the original Rainbow flag as a part of his design.
Author’s note:This flag is my personal favourite as I believe it is entails a greater representation of all of us – no matter what or who we consider ourselves.
Keith Haring’s “Coming Out Day” artwork!
In 1988, the GLBTQ+ culture launched National Coming Out Day on October 11, annually, in support of all people taking a “giant step” out of the closet and making themselves an example of pride. The concept is based on the personal being political – a popular idea. The emphasis is the basic form of social activism as openly acknowledging oneself to family, friends and colleagues and living life as a confident bisexual, gay or lesbian person.
The fact that homophobia thrives in an atmosphere of ignorance and silence, once people know they have loved ones – family or friends – who are themselves bisexual, gay or lesbian they will be less than willing to engage in homophobic or hateful behaviours. The goal being making the world a less repressive place.
Exiting his closet!
The examination of the title question here today, Is Pride Necessary?, provides mewith the simple response: yes! Not every one of us are raised to maturity in an environment that is accepting and supportive of a person’s prerogative to become the person that they indeed are. Not all of us are able to make that determination in our lives. Therefore, I feel that pride is not only necessary but essential.
If at least one person questioning her/his sexual identity is answered, then yes, pride is necessary.
If at least one suicide over sexual identity is averted, then yes, pride is necessary.
If at least one despondent and lonely person finds acceptance and friendship, then yes, pride is necessary.
If at least one ideal is met and achieved, then yes, pride is necessary.
If at least one person reaches out and helps another, then yes, pride is necessary.
If at least one dilemma or problem is solved, then yes, pride is necessary.
A community is based on determination, purpose and through person-to-person contact. A culture is built upon communities interacting and working together. A cultural dynamic often opens doors and initiates a positive development for humanity, then yes, pride is necessary.
Pride!
This year, on June 13, 2022, police in the state of Idaho, in the USA, arrested 31 people who had face coverings, white supremacist insignia, shields and an “operations plan” to riot and open gunfire on an GLBTQ+ Pride event in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, a city of about 50,000 people near the border with Washington state. Police identified all those arrested as members of Patriotic Front, a white supremacist group already known for extremist tactics.
The organizers of the GLBTQ+ event said it was a family-friendly community event celebrating diversity and building a stronger and unified community for all. The sponsoring group is the North Idaho Pride Alliance and the event was entitled “Pride In The Park.”
In another incident related to the same Pride In The Park, police conducted a similar action against the Panhandle Patriots, a local motorcycle club. The cyclists were organizing a “Gun d’Alene” event to disrupt and openly assault the Pride In The Park “queers.” Firearms were seized in the motorcyclists arrests.
If law enforcement need to take actions such as the above, then yes, pride is necessary.
Our pride in ourselves!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for Monday, August 29, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Making Memories #2!” This post is composed by my spouse, Aaron.
A salute to all bare practitioner photographers everywhere!
As we enter into the final half of the month of August, 2022, it is appropriate to acknowledge all of those of us who help the rest of us recall and ponder the wonderful events and friends that have made our lives so much fun! Thank you for enabling the cold and frigid days of the winter to become somewhat enjoyable and filled with fun and laughter and photographs of our bare times together!
Forward Notation:
I apologize for the confusion here. Last Friday I published today’s post entry as “Is Pride Necessary.” I had completely forgotten about today’s post entry as being already scheduled. “Is Pride Necessary” will publish this upcoming Friday, August 26, 2022, and once again, I regret the confusion on my part!
Natural photographer in nature!
I especially want to commend my spouse, Aaron, for all of his work with his camera in capturing the images of myself and our families and friends. They may not all be bare practitioners with the both of us, but they do liven up our photo albums at home! Aaron will author a post one week from today dealing with posing clothes free and creating a bare practitioner photo album.
Indoor photographer!
For the bare practitioner community, there is no mandate or rule that our photographers must be just as bare as we are. However, it is a common courtesy that in order to make everyone comfortable and relaxed, a naked camera operator is a welcome addition to any gathering. Her/his presence with a camera and without clothing encourages everyone to concentrate on the company and the purpose – taking pictures, posing and having a good time!
Ready to shoot: bare with camera!
Creating photographs and images while totally naked eliminates the distinction between the photographer (camera operator) and those being photographed (posers, subjects). All of a sudden, removing all clothing, everyone becomes equal and relaxed. A separation (clothing versus nakedness) is eradicated and is easily replaced by trust.
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, August 26, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Is Pride Necessary?”
My spouse, Aaron, and I were having lunch with some friends and somehow, the topic “solitude nudes” emerged. Upon later reflection, I recalled several of the comments and the idea for this post entry here was developed. I’ve published quite a number of issues involving social nudity here, but recent features covering solo bare practitioners have all but disappeared. Hopefully, that reality will change!
The bare practitioner community is as diverse as our general society. There are some bare practitioners who prefer solitude over companionship, just as that preference extends to mainstream society. All of us have different personalities and levels of comfort and this is exemplified in our natures related to body and clothes freedom.
Skinny-dipping!
Human beings, by a majority, are a very social species. We tend to function and thrive when in the company and interacting with others. Individually and collectively we strive for acceptance and encouragement from our similarly oriented cohorts. Recognition enables optimal achievement and performance for our associates and for ourselves.
Like other living species, there are exceptions. Among humanity, not all of us react identical to social interaction. For most of us, socialization is no problem, whatsoever. For others, it may be an inconvenience and not always welcome. A few see it as a serious blunder that causes anxiety and dread. We all need to be aware of these feelings and the concerns they create. Our sensitivity in this matter enables bare practitioners of different levels of comfort with socialization a degree of respect and tolerance. It is also an example of consideration and cooperation.
Natural solitude!
There are a number of bare practitioners who plan and project daily to enjoy and take full advantage of their solitary life. They have no desire to socialize with others during their leisure or personal time. Their needs for companionship and interaction with others is totally satisfied in their work and commercial contacts. No need is felt to extending this any further.
These same persons have no inclination to invite others to join with them and to participate in their solitary body and clothes freedom undertakings. Some of them may relish being naked around others, individually or as a group. The mere presence of other bare practitioners indeed satisfies the concept of socialization with no additional interaction necessary.
Solo bare practitioner!
Some bare practitioners prefer the company of just themselves – alone. Whatever their feelings for companionship and camaraderie, personal preference is the priority and the absence of others within their general vicinity is their choice. Many of us often may not understand this decision but we all need to respect it. No law or rule exists that mandates nudity must occur in the company of two or more persons.
There are many of us without any socialization issues or preferences who, for one reason or another, find a day when it is beneficial to contemplate decisions alone while away from others. This one day desire for solitude allows us time to work through particular choices that we may face in our personal and/or professional lives. We utilize this time for promise or reassurance of facets while considering all available options. This alone time is important and helps us sort our reaction or response to the particular situation. Again, it is vital that we offer respect of our needs and allow space when necessary.
It is important that we, as bare practitioner advocates, all recognize the needs and rights of individual circumstances in attaining our comfort level within the realm of our nakedness and nudity. We are all distinct individuals and few, if any of us, are identical. Awareness, respect and tolerance is essential for the harmony of everyone in our community and our culture!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, August 22, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Is Pride Necessary?”
The printed sign in the lower left corner of the window above really needs no additional explanation. Along with the Rainbow flag draped over the window, this is obviously a bare practitioner supported establishment. To receive exceptional treatment, keep in mind the advice for the best available service. August evidently is the perfect month of the year for clothes freedom!
Qualified for best service!
Keep the message clear and make certain that you qualify for the guaranteed benefits. Before entering the the facility, take care of the service regulations:
Naked is ALWAYS better!
Natural is the best for us all!
If there is any consolation necessary, please keep the following summation in your mind. It summarizes what we all know to be true!
Basic fact!
In other words, take it all off and be so very glad and proud that you did!
Better bare and brave than a covered fool!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Chad and a bare and bold smile!
Nudity = happiness and pride!
Strip to celebrate and for comfort!
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for Monday, August 15, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Aaron & Roger: Number 7!”
After having focused on the “pride” theme for the entire month of June of this year, I realize that many reading this may ask themselves: What? More pride? Again? First, I’m not apologizing or composing an excuse for repeating the “pride” message. June is, after all, the traditional month, at least in the USA, when gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer + (GLBTQ+) celebrate and honour their confidence and pride about and within their community and culture.
Second, as the author of ReNude Pride, yes, I most definitely am trying to justify using these “rainbow flag” skinny-dipping pictures in conjunction with today’s post entry. I acknowledge feeling neglectful of the skinny-dipping subject in my blogging topics over the past couple of years. Nude swimming and bare culture are synonymous during the month of August, especially in the Northern Hemisphere. Why ignore the topical and visible compatibility?
Skinny-dipping with pride #2!
Aaron, my beloved spouse, differs with me on this subject. He feels that I do not need to validate my selection of images and theme here. This site’s dedication to the bare practitioner community and culture is self-explanatory. His reasoning is based that as this blog’s creator, editor and writer it is my “natural” (both figurative and literal) prerogative. Thus, as devoted as we both are to one another, we have our disagreements of opinions!
The large majority of us – bare practitioners as well as those who wear clothes – fully understand that there are no codes, laws, protocols, regulations or rules that limit our engagement in pride exclusively to the month of June only. Without restriction, we are entitled to act and behave with pride and respect whenever possible. Confidence is not a limited attribute.
Skinny-dipping with pride #3!
Ideally, confidence and pride were instilled in all of us since the moment we were born. However, given the turbulent times in which we live, a growing number of us are not afforded this luxury and opportunity. Whatever the cause or reason, some of us need additional patience and tolerance as we strive to achieve this within our own lives.
Not everyone of us need or require a “rainbow flag” to remind us of our pride in being precisely what and who we are. A gentle reminder from time to time is often all that’s necessary for us to experience happy and productive lives. However, we all need to be reminded of this responsibility we all share. Together, we can make a positive difference in our everyday lives and in our world!
A gentle reminder here, the rainbow flag was replaced by the Progress banner in 2017 as a symbol of our community and culture march towards equality. The Progress version is depicted below.
A personal example of not needing a rainbow or Progress flag to demonstrate one’s self-assurance are Aaron (my spouse) and I strolling along the beach in complete body freedom (bare, naked, nude) and holding hands together. Our bare practitioner (same gender loving and clothes free) status is blatantly visible to everyone around. We are doing this in public, without any embarrassment or shame – confident and proud. No apology, excuse or reasoning necessary!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for Monday, August 8, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Home With Mom!”
ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! 