As are most observances within the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer + communities (GLBTQ+), Bare Practitioner’s Day (today) is a recent celebration that is slowly gaining acceptance and recognition within both the naturist/nudist culture and the GLBTQ+ world. Prior to 2008, there were few, if any, references to “homosexual” – GLBTQ+ – naturist/nudist events outside the limited number of social organizations promoting same gender loving nudity.
Before I progress any further on this topic, I should explain or remind everyone that “Bare practitioner” is the term that I prefer to use for self-identification as well as describe who and what we are. I believe the overwhelming majority utilize the term “gay naturist/nudist.” In most social settings, sexual actions are not permitted. That’s the reason I’d much rather be a bare practitioner as opposed to gay naturist/nudist. “Gay” (unfortunately) has simply too much sexual baggage or innuendo.
Gay trio naked together!
There is a paucity of information available on the existence of a social nudity movement within the homosexual/same gender loving community before the June, 1969, Stonewall Inn Riots. There is no doubt individual interest in the practice, but societal norms and restrictions prevented any acknowledgment and the development of any support within our culture. Religion and society created, empowered and enabled a legal system that fanatically and zealously prohibited and severely punished any semblance of sexual deviancy.
The 1969 Stonewall Inn Riots (SIR) opened the door and introduced the concept and ideal of equality to our same gender loving clothes freedom community and culture. Soon, “homosexual rights” and “gay liberation” were prevalent and relevant themes to our growing list of actions and concerns that needed to be addressed. Our “time” in history had arrived!
Bare practitioner pride: a substantial force!
July 14, annually, is observed as Bare Practitioner’s Day here on ReNude Pride. This date is also known as Gay Naturist Day, Gay Nudist Day and as Gay Naturist/Nudist Day. Just as there is no need for us to feel any disgrace or shame as being body and clothes freedom enthusiasts, there is likewise no reason to remain closeted or secretive as bisexual or same gender loving. We should all be proud of ourselves every day!
Jason Collins, Brooklyn Nets (retired)
“Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it’s a good place to start.” ~ Jason Collins ~
Jason Collins, professional basketball player (retired). Jason is the very first openly same gender loving man to play not only in the National Basketball Association (NBA) but also for any of the four professional American sports leagues. He retired from the Brooklyn Nets team in the NBA.
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, July 18, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “In Memory of: E. Lynn Harris!”
June 28, 1969, is a date that has become chiseled in stone for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer+ (GLBTQ+) people worldwide due to SIR (Stonewall Inn Riots). What happened on that night first erupted and shortly exploded into a global movement for dignity, equality and respect for GLBTQ+ persons specifically and in general, everyone. The Stonewall Inn Riots were an unplanned reaction to centuries of abuse, discrimination, intimidation, oppression and violence waged against people considered as “homosexual” (man sexuals). This protest served as a flame that quickly ignited into raging fires worldwide.
The Stonewall Inn, circa 1969!
Background:
The robust and spirited social settings in the 1920’s post-Great War (World War I) era often overshadowed the climate of hatred and ridicule of the then “homosexual” (same gender loving) community. For the most part, they were largely publicly ignored. However, disdain and discrimination didn’t cease or end. It was simply temporarily replaced by the emerging “good times.”
The economic crisis and worldwide depression of the 1930’s prolonged the disregard that society held for all “homosexuals” no matter their gender. Everyone was focused on survival and the source of their next meal. Few, if any, had any curiosity, interest or time to devote to social deviants.
World War II followed the global financial situation and suddenly “homosexuality” again temporarily lost notoriety. What better way to rid humanity of this disgusting condition than to send “homosexuals” off to fight and die for freedom? The need for bodies to sacrifice trumped denying “homosexuals” the right to serve their country.
After World War II, the Cold War/Iron Curtain mentality emerged and harsh judgments on all persons and things viewed as abnormal abounded. “Homosexuals” soon became as notorious as communists as enemies of the state. Government, law enforcement, the press and society were quick to label “homosexuals” as misfits, outcasts, pariahs and perverts.
“The door of the Stonewall had wrought-iron bars across this little peephole, a little wooden thing that slid open. And the man inside would look at you and, if you looked like you belonged there, he would let you in.”
Chris Babick, describing the entrance to the Stonewall Inn, 1969
The Stonewall Inn (it was never a hotel) opened as a bar catering to the “homosexual” community in 1967. Prior to that, it had been a stable (for horses), a French bakery, a tearoom and lastly, a restaurant that had burned out of business. It opened as a bar under Mafia-affiliated management and was very connected to organized crime. The establishment consisted of two main rooms, each with its own dance floor. The front room was popular with the older clientele and the back room attracted the younger ones.
At the time of the Stonewall Inn Riots (SIR), it was unlawful for “homosexuals” to gather together in public and same gender intimacy was illegal in every state in the USA except Illinois. Same gender loving persons could and were fired from their jobs without any legal recourse. They were ridiculed and attacked publicly often without any consequence. Simply being a “homosexual” was considered an antisocial and criminal act. Everyone was required, by law, to wear clothing appropriate to their birth gender. The only exception allowed was for Halloween.
Belligerent stance!
The Raid and Ensuing Riot:
Friday evening, June 27, 1969, was a hot and humid start to a weekend. Most of the patrons gathered inside the Stonewall Inn were looking forward to a night of dancing, partying with friends, relaxing with cocktails and enjoying a summer’s night in New York City. They had no idea that they were about to witness a historical event that would change their lives – and the “homosexual” world – forever.
Both the dance floors at Stonewall Inn were full of dancing “homosexual” couples. It was now after midnight and June 28, 1969, was now in its infancy. Suddenly, the surging music stopped. The lights that were dimmed to enhance the atmosphere came back on in a bight glare that caught everyone by surprise. Almost at once, the realization dawned on the festive crowd: the police were raiding the bar.
The New York City Police Department was long familiar with conducting raids on gay and lesbian bars. It was a frequent occurrence and standards rarely varied in all boroughs throughout the city. Their process was fairly routine and all officers recognized “homosexuals” as a relatively compliant and passive population. For this reason, only one police transport vehicle (paddy wagon) and one marked police squad car were involved in the raid on the Stonewall Inn. Less than a dozen officers were assigned the tasks of managing and segregating the patrons, confiscating all the alcohol and arresting the Stonewall Inn employees.
“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 are fighting words.”
Tommy Lanigen-Schmidt, Stonewall Inn patron and riot participant
The arrival of the police raiding force caused pandemonium to erupt inside the Stonewall Inn. Customers searched in vain for an escape route or for a place to hide. Law enforcement immediately began confiscating both beer and liquor as evidence against the establishment and segregating the crowd: bar employees, cross-dressers (transgender persons) and then the “regular homosexuals.” The bar employees and the cross-dressers were to be arrested for their violating the law. The “regular homosexuals,” once they showed officers their proper identifications, were to be given citations and then permitted to leave.
The Stonewall Riots: actual photographs!
The year, 1969, was at the end of a decade that had witnessed massive social unrests. The African-American struggles and protests for civil rights, the birth of the feminist and women’s rights movements, the anti-Vietnam war demonstrations and the equal pay marches for primarily Latino immigrant farm workers were underway during this time. The “homosexuals” who had participated in some of these public unrests were energized and many wondered when their time for equality would happen. Little did they, and the police raiding the Stonewall Inn, realize that particular moment was actually upon them.
As the police began checking the identities of those inside the Stonewall Inn, those with proper credentials were released and herded outside the bar. Only this time, instead of simply leaving the premises, they congregated on the sidewalks and at a nearby park. Once law enforcement attempted to disperse them, they grew confrontational and belligerent.
The police, completely unaccustomed to “homosexual” defiance, continued to press the order to vacate the area. The crowd, emboldened by their frustration with being treated as “deviants” and second-class citizens, began to chant and to empty trash cans and hurl the garbage at the officers.
By this time, passers-by, curious as to what was happening, joined the vocal and upset “homosexuals” to express their dissatisfaction with the raid. The crowd outside the Stonewall Inn began to grow in number, anger and frustration. Once the word of what had transpired inside the bar began to spread, even more “homosexuals” started to descend into the neighborhood and amass in the bar’s vicinity.
“There was no gay pride before Stonewall. Only gay fear and gay isolation and gay distrust and gay self-hatred.”
Edmund White, gay author
Law enforcement, confused and distracted over the reaction to the raid, soon had a very sobering moment. The gathering outside the bar had them surrounded inside the bar with little, if any, relief in sight. Those “homosexuals” who were kept inside were fast becoming as bellicose as were those gathered outside.
By now, the police trapped inside the facility understood that the situation had gotten beyond their control. They tried to call for reinforcements but were unable to reach any source for assistance. They had secured the bar but were trapped inside and the crowd outside was swelling in both fury and size. A few hundred patrons had now grown to an angry mob of several thousand and more were joining by the minute.
Stonewall Inn and sidewalk at night!
“You could hear screaming outside, a lot of noise from the protesters, 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, a Stonewall Inn customer being detained inside the bar during its siege
No one in the New York City Police Department had anticipated the “homosexuals,” always perceived as being 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 at law enforcement was now being released and returned in kind. The officers were now prisoners inside the Stonewall Inn.
Slightly over two hours after the raid had started, the police and their detainees were trapped in the Stonewall Inn and no relief was in sight. The two-way communication devices between the raiding party and their office weren’t working inside the bar and the only commercial phone in the facility couldn’t connect with any local police stations. The passive “homosexuals” had finally achieved a “first” in their spontaneous riot: the raiders were contained, surrounded and all very nervous. By this time, the crowd outside the Greenwich Village bar now numbered several thousand with a full-fledged riot underway.
In an effort to relieve the inflammatory predicament, the trapped police decided to send the detainees and half the officers in the two police vehicles to the closest local precinct. There, the detainees would be formally charged with arrest and the officers could make arrangements for a police riot force to assemble and rescue the remaining law enforcement personnel. This relief effort finally returned to the bar and eventually dispersed the angry crowd of “homosexuals” and curious onlookers several hours later.
Despite damage to the Stonewall Inn and the loss of the license to sell alcoholic beverages, the bar opened for business (dancing) the following night. By Saturday evening, word of the incident had spread throughout the city’s closeted “homosexual” community (primarily by word-of-mouth). A larger than usual crowd gathered both inside and outside the Greenwich Village establishment. Most didn’t expect a repeat of the raid the night before and a significant number of those present mainly wanted to inspect the damage.
The police, however, had different ideas. They were strictly outside the bar in full force with a large number in riot gear. They had learned their lesson and were determined to remain in full control should the patrons become unruly again.
Pride!
The “homosexuals” had been empowered by the riot the previous evening and weren’t about to be bullied into submission again. As the large police presence attempted to disperse those gathered outside the Stonewall Inn the second night, they were confronted by verbal assaults and an array of street-savvy tactics that saw law enforcement chase off onlookers, only to have them run around the city block and return again. Silent obedience to uniformed policemen was no longer a fact of life for New York’s “homosexuals.” They were tired of suffering abuse, disrespect, ridicule and treatment as second-class citizens.
The second night of the Stonewall congregation wasn’t as disruptive as the one before. No further damage was done to the bar facility. However, an awakening consciousness was raised within the municipal “homosexual” community that would change the way society viewed them and – most importantly – the way they perceived themselves.
For the first time, the often assumed passive community stood up for their rights and demonstrated that they, as a full community, had “had enough!”
Happy Stonewall Inn Riot day!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for Thursday, June 30, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Bottoms-Up! June, 2022”
As bare practitioners (same gender loving naturists/nudists) we wholeheartedly embrace, encourage and endorse the following character traits of our community and our culture:
Acceptance: of our body and clothes freedom nature and our sexuality.
Belief: in our inalienable and natural right to determine and to be ourselves.
Confidence: in all of us to be what and who we basically and honestly are without any apology, guilt or shame.
Dedication: in advocating and supporting these principles for everyone, no matter who they are and where they live.
Pride: our shining star!
As bare practitioners we all know that we are entitled to and experience our pride throughout the entire year. Confidence and self-expression are not limited and/or restricted to just the month of June, annually. Pride month is when we, as both a community and a culture, remind the the rest of humanity of who we all are and to celebrate our collective accomplishments and achievements! This is the time of the year for all of us to join together in celebrating, demonstrating, exhibiting, representing, sharing and showing our confidence and pride in being ourselves!
Unknowingly for many but consciously for a few, our pride in ourselves as bare practitioners casts us into the status of role model. Unwittingly, countless numbers of others exploring our community and culture may look upon each one of us as an example – a role model – of a life they find appealing. We may never be aware of this service to others. Simply being who and what we truly are often can and does inspire other.
Back-up plans!
As an accidental as well as an unintentional bare practitioner example, our “option for action” is to continue to live our life. Our nakedness and our sexuality combined have determined us as “unique.” This uniqueness, in turn, awarded us the unsolicited position of role model to anyone observing our community and our culture.
If someone is curious about our lifestyle as same gender loving and as a naturist/nudist, we should all strive to be as welcoming as possible and reply to their questions. It is also beneficial to know someone of our community who is very receptive and has the dedication and the patience to spend with those seeking knowledge of our lives. The vast majority of us can recall our own exploration of the community and what proved helpful and informative for us.
Coming together as a community!
When Alex, my identical twin brother, and I first began exploring the openly nude skinny-dipping riverside site in the city where we grew up, we were the youngest there in a group of primarily university ages and older. As we are both Deaf, no one around seemed bothered by reading our questions and writing their answers. The major problem for all of us seemed to be reading the handwriting! All the guys there were patient and ready to respond. No one appeared to resent our “joining” their beach!
Bottoms-up!
Twin and I always remembered to thank our role models for both their patience and their tolerance. We had already acknowledged our sexuality so the majority of our questions regarded interacting among the same gender loving (gay) nude community. There were two of so, so we were often laughed at as being the groups “class.” Neither of us are able to recall if any of our “tutors” had shared with us their major as being education.
As bare practitioners, we recognize the importance of our service as role-models. In order for future generations of bare practitioners to be happy and succeed, it is our duty to explain and represent our community and culture as best as possible. Our level of comfort in being a role-model often is seen by others as a determination of our dedication to our lifestyle. Nothing could be further from the truth. The personal interaction between role-model and the person we’re mentoring is often the determining factor as to level of comfort.
All of us, as either role-model or as the one being tutored, cooperating together for our common good are making for a better and stronger bare practitioner movement, a community and culture based on confidence and pride!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for Monday, June 13, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “World Naked Bike Ride Pride!”
In the USA, which is where yours truly (myself) resides, the annual celebration of GLBTQ+ and Bare Pride Month occurs during the month of June. The Stonewall Inn Riots – which are attributed as the onset of equal rights struggle – happened on the evening of June 28, 1969. This uprising is credited as triggering the global campaign for the recognition and respect for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer + people everywhere.
The header image (above) depicts the Progress Rainbow flag , the relatively new official banner of the GLBTQ+ community and culture, and this flag represents our diverse inclusion of all of us in our fight for equality, respect and unity. We are, after all, humanity!
The USA is located in the Northern Hemisphere where June commences the season of summer, a sacred occasion for us bare practitioners (GLBTQ+ naturists/nudists) and the theme for this posting here on ReNude Pride!
Royal command!
As bare practitioners, our struggle for acceptance and inclusion within the GLBTQ+community and culture continues today. We also strive for the same within our clothes freedom (naturist/nudist) community and culture. Bigotry and prejudice, unfortunately. is a “people” trait that isn’t limited to one certain group of humans.
That is the reason that our confidence and pride is of paramount importance to us all. It is our acceptance, acknowledgement and joy in being simply who and what we essentially are with no feelings of guilt or shame!
Bare beach pair #1
Summertime is traditionally the season for “outdoor fun in the sun.” We bare practitioners both embrace, honour and understand this wholesome philosophy. Sunshine is often considered synonymous with the summer season. Why not get outside in order to appreciate and to enjoy what is rightfully ours? After all, summer is only one brief season of the entire year!
During our celebration of GLBTQ+ and Bare Pride Month, 2022, there’s no cause or excuse for us to keep ourselves inside and away from the sun. As bare practitioners, we’ve spent enough time burdened under excessive layers of clothing. Now is the time we are motivated by delight in our freedom of stripping off our baggage and “hanging out” naturally within our community and culture!
“Our pride in our bare practitioner community and culture is a result of our confidence in striving for what is decent and good, for sacrificing for what is fair and just and in believing that we can make a positive difference.” ~ Roger Poladopoulos ~ June 6, 2022
Bare beach pair #2!
Sunbathing “in the buff” (nude) allows us to showcase our nakedness and our confidence in our bodies as well as in ourselves. It conveys the joy and pleasure that we obtain from being natural with nature and in the rays of the sun!
“Our commitment and dedication to the cause of equality is beyond the limits of ethnicity and/or race. All of us are entitled to freedom and justice no matter who we love.” ~ Roger Poladopoulos ~ June 6, 2022
Bare beach pair #3!
“Acceptance and tolerance enables patience, respect and understanding. These ideals reflect our shared hope for a better future for us all!” ~ Roger Poladopoulos ~ June 6, 2022
Important reminders:
Sunscreen protection!
Before the season becomes too advanced, please remember to use sunscreen for skin protection every time you’re in the sun!
Sunglasses!
Safeguard your eyes and vision from the UV radiation in the sun’s rays! Wear sunglasses!
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Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next proudly planned posting entry for here is planned for Friday, June 10, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Bare Practitioner Pride!”
Last month, May, 2022, I published regarding the unlucky Friday the 13th myth. In keeping with the focus on June being the month of GLBTQ+ and Bare Pride, we’ll avoid the number 13 here and concentrate on the number three (3)! After all, today is the third (3) full day of Pride Month, 2022!
Fortunately, there is no numeral associated with pride. Our confidence in our community, our culture, our friends and ourselves happens whether we are alone – solo – or in a group of three, thirty or as many as three hundred. There exists no numerical threshold, imagined or real, that must be reached in order for the sensations of accomplishment, achievement, pride and success to be experienced.
Confidence in Ourselves
Self-confidence is an essential aspect of celebrating and remembering our community and our cultural pride. Our comfort in being who we are enables us to overcome any doubts or feelings of embarrassment, guilt, remorse or shame that others seek to impose upon us. In deflecting and ignoring the contempt of others we prove ourselves to be above and beyond intimidation and reproach!
A happy trio!
Happiness in Ourselves
Our smiles visibly demonstrate our contentment in being us: the who (same gender loving) and the what (bare; body and clothes freedom) nature of our lives. In accepting and acknowledging our specialty and uniqueness in this life and in this world, we show our confidence and our pride and help to prepare others for joining us without any fear or hesitation. Our camaraderie reminds others and ourselves that we are not alone.
Forward looking threesome!
Unity Among Ourselves
Despite our numerous concerns, differences, favourites, issues and values, we, as the bare practitioner community and culture stand together – united – in hopeful anticipation of our future. We embrace, rally and support the colours, images representation and spirit of the Progress rainbow flag. We go forth towards our common goals of equality, justice, tolerance and unity for all of us no matter who we love.
Progress rainbow banner!
Our strength is founded on the respect and trust that we share with one another. Our confidence and pride is the combines legacy of our past, the unity of our present and the anticipation of our future!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry proudly planned for here is Monday, June 6, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Sunshine Pride!”
The gentlemen above attempt some genital modesty with the traditional rainbow flag that for many years represented GLBTQ+ pride!
The colors and the symbolism of the traditional rainbow flag. Many complaints were received because the diversity of the GLBTQ+ community wasn’t reflected.
Traditionalrainbow flag with two gay men emblems!
The customary “header” for my Pride month post entry. On the rainbow flag he’s holding are emblems representing two gay men together. I used this image for my initial A Guy Without Boxers site as well as here on ReNude Pride.
Daymin Voss (left) kisses Beaux Banks.
Same gender love (SGL) at the very best! Daymin Voss (left) passionately kissing his fellow SGL actor, Beaux Banks! A foreplay scene from their film: Vice!
Self-explanatory logo!
ReNude Pride observes GLBTQ+ pride month and bare pride month simultaneously. I did the same when publishing A Guy Without Boxers. The Stonewall Inn Riots happened on the night of June 28, 1969.
We can all follow adult SGL film legend Francois Sagat’s example and “strip off” our clothes for the entire month of June. Pride with absolutely nothing to hide!
A nocturnal dive!
While we’re all bare, we can take advantage and skinny-dip dive into the pool! Every effort earns a reward!
“Pride is the confidence, contentment, joy and satisfaction that we feel being the real and true person that we are!” ~ Roger Peterson-Poladopoulos ~ June 1, 2022
Compiling pride!
Our confidence and pride extends to ourselves, our community and all of humanity. We are not limited in what we attempt to accomplish. Working together, we achieve our goals!
Our pride: our Progress flag!
Our pride commemorates the challenges we have overcome and the lessons we have learned. It includes the pain we have felt, the lives we have lost and the grief that we have mourned. Our successes and triumphs are celebrated and cherished.
Our pride continues forward! The Progress flag (image above) is our new banner that incorporates our collective past and our hope for the future. It retains a part of our rainbow heritage and elements of our progression into acceptance, diversity, equality, inclusion and respect!
Happy nakedness and pride to everyone, every day of the entire year!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry planned for here is for Friday, June 3, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “World Naked Bike Ride!”
The date was Wednesday, March 16, of this year. At university, a colleague brought in a newspaper from where I lived with my, the city of Richmond, Virginia. He entered my office without knocking and opened the paper and laid it across my desk. I turned from my computer screen and glanced at where he pointed with his finger. A memorial obituary for an acquaintance of mine – Rodney Lofton. He had died from complications with lung cancer on Monday, March 14, in Phoenix, Arizona.
He was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in November, 2021. He was pronounced with HIV in 1993. A Richmond, Virginia, native, he returned to the city of his birth after living in New York City for several years. It was while living in New York City that he learned of his HIV status. He immediately became active in HIV+ awareness, education and services not only in Richmond but in Washington, D.C., as well.
Rodney worked to revive and then became a member of the City of Richmond Human Rights Commission. He served two terms in that position.
Rodney served on various boards and commissions nationally and throughout the states. His service in the City of Richmond, Virginia, and for the Commonwealth of Virginia (the focus here for this post), was both beneficial and profound. He was the very first African-American to serve as a senior staff person at the community GLBTQ+ advocacy group, Diversity Richmond. In this capacity he was vice-president and then deputy director. He was instrumental in opening doors previously closed to persons of colour in the former capital city of the old Confederate States.
In his time, he created the Black and Bold Awards to honour the contributions that Black GLBTQ+ persons made to the City of Richmond and to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Later, he created a similar award programme for the Latino community.
Rodney Lofton posing beside his portrait at Diversity Richmond!
In 2015, Rodney was the recipient of the OUTStanding Virginia award presented by Equality Virginia to a person who dutifully positively represented the community in the public eye.
Among his numerous volunteer efforts, he also actively participated in the Red Cross HIV/AIDS prevention education programmes. I will deliver more on this topic in the second part of today’s post here.
Rodney Lofton was the author of two books. The first book entitled The Day I Stopped Being Pretty: A Memoir was published on October 16, 2007. This memoir chronicles his life journey from childhood to adulthood in honest and riveting detail. He relates his bad times, good times and all the moments in between. He bares his soul and affords us the perspective of a gay Black male recognizing his uniqueness in the unfolding world of the “New South.”
Rodney Lofton’s first book.
His second novel was published two years later on June 30, 2009. His second book entitled No More Tomorrows: Two Lives, Two Stories, One Love. Lofton’s second book is a novel relaying the bromance and drama of two contemporary same gender loving men and their relationship. Both titles were nominated the year of publication for a Lambda Literary Award.
Rodney Lofton’s second book!
The current City of Richmond City Council unanimously passed a Statement of Tribute in early March, 2022. It was signed by Mayor Stoney and delivered to Rodney in Phoenix, Arizona, shortly before he died. In the statement, City Council noted: “Rodney served for many years as a local and national GLBTQ+ leader and compassionate voice.”
Rodney Lamont Lofton is survived by his husband, Faron Niles.
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A Personal Thought on Rodney Lofton:
As teenagers, my identical twin brother, Alex, and myself – once we understood our same gender attraction – would frequently visit the riverside park in our city, especially the “gay beach” area where we could “hang out” with our own kind. Twin and I liked the fact that we could be clothes free here while on summer vacation from our residential Deaf school. This was where we met Rodney. He and Twin became friends while Rodney and I remained acquaintances – we’d pass notes while together but that was the limit of our relationship.
Fast forward to the middle 1990’s. Due to the HIV/AIDS crisis, I became a very active volunteer in prevention education with my local chapter of the Red Cross. I worked primarily with teenagers and young adults in outreach efforts to raise knowledge and understanding among their peers. As a Deaf instructor-trainer in the Red Cross HIV/AIDS curriculum, I was frequently sought by the national organization and the various local chapters for advice and service.
I served as a co-chairman on the programme to create, develop and implement a focused curriculum for teens in HIV prevention strategies and techniques. This two-year project culminated with a four-day training conference involving 150 teenage training candidates and the project developers/educators. The name determined for the project was Teen Voice. This provided me the opportunity to renew my acquaintance with Rodney Lofton.
For the duration of the educational sessions, Rodney and I were room-mates at the facility used for the training. At nights after our sessions, we passed notes while naked in our shared room and smoking our cigarettes, expelling the smoke through our open window. Because of our note exchange, we kept the room lights on. At the reception at the end of our programme, one of our co-instructors commented privately that he enjoyed watching the two of us smoking nude in our room at night! We both shared laughter at our “exposure” at the Red Cross Teen Voice conference!
Over the nights and notes, we developed a casual friendship and an understanding of our roles within the Red Cross HIV/AIDS project. We also recalled days at the riverside park in Richmond hanging out nude and skinny-dipping in the river.
The Memorial Service
Memorial Service announcement!
I attended the above memorial service for Rodney. Twin wanted to attend but had a professional commitment that he needed to participate. There was no interpreter present so all I could do was observe the mourners present. It did me good to be there and offer my sentiments internally.
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A shared past and our shared nudity!
Rest in peace, Rodney Lofton!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next planned post entry here is for Monday, April 18, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “April Appeal: Nakations!”
The image above clearly shows the necessity of social nudity!
Opening Photo Justification:
In the introductory photograph (above), our actual bare practitioner brother, adult film-star Phoenix Fellington, aptly represents the theme of this particular post here on ReNude Pride but also, along with his fellow same gender loving (SGL) adult actors, the importance and necessity that social nudity provides our bare practitioner culture. Phoenix introduces two roles in the above illustration. First, he is the only African American featured – an automatic minority. Secondly, he is likewise the only subject completely and totally naked – another automatic minority.
Mr. Fellington and his co-performing colleagues graphically depict bare practitioner reality and truth. Every one of us, every day of our lives, constitute a “double minority.” Independent of our individual race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, education, or ability, we’re all SGL. Our first minority status. Our second minority status is our naturist/nudist proclivity. Please bear in mind that our minority status may vary and reverse itself depending on each individual. Number one can become number two and vice-versa.
Thus, this one picture shows our peculiar bare practitioner perspective. Two extra “burdens” simply because of who we are. Our representational responsibilities in addition to our respective individual considerations. This image conveys the significance of social nudity to us all as bare practitioners.
Thank you, Phoenix Fellington and your fellow SGL film performers for your awareness education of our dilemma. Please inform your associates they can now strip off the clothing items they’re wearing and get comfortable!
Flexing their arms while naked together!
“Being a bare practitioner in no way adequately defines us yet it is indeed a fun way to accurately describe us!” ~ Roger Peterson-Poladopoulos
Social Nudity:
“The extent or level of our bare involvement is frequently immaterial. The overwhelming majority of naturists/nudists engage in social nudity whether they recognize the action as such or not. We are human and we are a social being. The simple acknowledgement of another’s nakedness constitutes social nudity.” ~Roger Poladopoulos ~ April 11, 2022
Introduction:
Fortunately, social nudity has only two simple qualifications. First, of course, is very basic: our nakedness. The second is almost as simple as the first: it includes at least two nude individuals interacting with one another. That’s it! Basic. Plain. Simple.
There’s no restriction on the type of interaction that happens. We can read together, play cards, perform tasks for pleasure, play tennis, go jogging, skinny-dip, lay in the sun, paint or engage in board games or sew. We can walk or skydive. We can even just sit and converse with one another. As long as we’re bare, casual, relaxed and together (social). Quantity is unimportant and familiarity isn’t a prerequisite.
Social nudity allows us to introduce ourselves and to become acquainted. We can transition from acquaintances into friends. We can evolve and grow from friendship into a relationship and beyond.
There are no stringent guidelines and the possibilities are endless!
Siblings proud to be socially naked together!
“Social nudity is the exotic exuberance of an excellent fashion extravaganza: our nakedness!” ~ Roger Peterson-Poladopoulos April 11, 2022
Ramifications:
Bare practitioners are a friendly, happy, helpful and quite often marginalized group of people. Hence, our “double minority” status. General society, primarily textile (clothes wearing) and judgmental, regard us with both disdain and disgust. Far too often, we are misjudged as nothing more than perverted individuals because of our preference for the clothes free lifestyle – our being naked together is determined as positive proof that sexual pleasure is the only reason that we are collectively nude. All that we supposedly desire is unlimited sexual license!
The above scenario is a common myth transmitted among the fashion-obsessed majority to ensure their continued dominance in society. True, there are some naturist/nudist people who enjoy clothes freedom mainly for sexual engagement but the overwhelming number of us bare practitioners simply prefer being without the burden of garment wearing. Our bodies are us and we relish being free and natural!
A basic truth!
We, as humans, are generally a very congenial, social species. We like being around interacting with others we perceive as being similar to ourselves: bare or clothed. As a bare practitioner, I am comfortable and relaxed while in the company of other bare practitioners. As a Deaf man, I am completely at ease in the presence of others who are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). This is based on human nature and is a fact shared by all of us, regardless of our clothes choice (naked or textile).
Naturists or nudists are humans, first, who readily accept and identify themselves as a comity (group) of like-minded individuals who appreciate their uniqueness in the broader world. As humans, we are we are content and willing to interact and socialize with those who share our inclination. It is easier to establish compatibility and trust with persons who are most like ourselves. Once again, human nature prevails.
Flexibility:
The only essential or basic requirement for social nudity to transpire is that body and clothes freedom must be shared. Therefore, the minimum number of people involved must be two. After all, company determines interaction. Yet flexibility reigns supreme and there is no limitation on the maximum number involved. The quantity of the crowd is endless and is solely restricted by the amount of space available. The often repeated folk adage: “the more the merrier” is entirely applicable in the case of social nudity. Naked together is the guideline!
To be perfectly honest, mandatory and/or obligatory nakedness is not an essential standard in order for social nudity to occur. As long as the textile people present accept, appreciate, respect and understand that the freedom from clothing prevails then the social nudity affixation is both earned and justified.
The optimal belief and premise that covering our bodies or hiding beneath clothes is totally unnecessary!
Naked truth!
As bare practitioners, most of us are employed in a workplace that embraces, and requires, the wearing of clothing – if not a uniform! We accept this reality. However, away from our job we are on our own in fulfilling our lives and circumstances. Body and clothes freedom – our choice, our life, our time – is one aspect we need not compromise. Social nudity (voluntary association with our “own kind”) is both a need and a relief from the stress of everyday living in a distinctly different reality from the acceptable “normalcy” of the vast majority. Our own special haven (heaven) in an otherwise chaotic and fashion-focused world!
In addition to our endorsement of social nudity, as bare practitioners there is another major reason for our encouragement and support of clothes freedom. Not only are we judged by our nakedness by the textile world, within our own naturist/nudist community we are also deemed unacceptable and unwanted by fellow clothes free people due to our same gender loving – bisexual or gay – status. This homophobia isn’t as prevalent or pronounced as it was perhaps twenty years ago, but it still exists and remains within our natural collective. This is one aspect of why we use the term “bare practitioner” instead of “bisexual naturist” or “gay nudist.” For many, the words bisexual and/or gay imply sexuality over attraction.
Social nudity: all together!
There is a growing number of body and clothes freedom establishments and resorts that are now promoting (advertising) themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer+ (GLBTQ+) accepting, friendly and welcoming. This marketing strategy is underway in order to create more tolerant environments for their guests as well as to ensure the quality of business and it appears to be operable.
There are a few misconceptions regarding the heading: social nudity. A large number of people, no matter there clothing choice, think only in terms of a “party-like” atmosphere exclusively. Actually, social nudity encompasses much more than that. Discussion groups, reading and/or book clubs, athletics, dramatic clubs, hiking groups, garden clubs, etc., all qualify as pertinent to social nudity.
Skinny-dipping!
There are a countless number of SGL naturist/nudist participants who limit their engagement to social nudity activities only. When alone, they aren’t concerned whether they are bare or clothed. They are just as comfortable wearing garments as they are without. It appears as though they only indulge with nudity when they are with others who have no strong bonds or feelings with nakedness unless it is in a total party environment.
My spouse, Aaron, and I sometimes chuckle among ourselves over this seemingly oblivious indifference towards body and clothes freedom. Our humour over the matter possibly derives from our obsession with the state of our nakedness and their apparent lack of concern. Another clear example of the variances of human nature. What may be of paramount importance to one is relatively insignificant to another.
The bottom line being yet another folk adage: “to each one, his/her own!”
A Point To Ponder:
Naked and not quite naked!
The above image begs a question that very few seem to have an answer. Social nudity is widely considered to be a situation where everyone is nude and interacting. However, what if the case is different. If one of the persons is bare and the other is partially or totally textile. Does social nudity still apply? The naked individual is being social through his interaction with the other, who happens to be clothed. It isn’t a completely nude situation, but is the label applicable in a mixed situation? A final thought to ponder today!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, April 15, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Our Paths Crossed…!”
A delay because of my overload at work due to my flu infection, but I’ve added a new post to my new page here, A Guy Without Boxers, 2022! Click the page title to visit and scroll down the page to the entry for February, 2022.
Take care and stay bare!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry is planned for Friday, March 4, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Judgments!”
ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! 