For years, the official name of the October federal (national) holiday was always “Columbus Day” – honouring Christopher Columbus, the Italian navigator/sailor who led the naval expedition to discover a new route to India and the East Indies from Spain. In attempting doing this task, he “discovered” the New World.
The legends surrounding Columbus sailing the Atlantic searching for a more timely/ faster route to the Far East often led people to believe that the new lands were barren and uninhabited – how else could he discover them? Also, as his day was supposedly a “national” holiday in the USA, where in this country did he land? He was an Italian sailing for the King and Queen of Spain. How did he rate a USA holiday?
Even more confusing, why was there no national holiday honouring the peoples who already lived in this newly “discovered” land? In addition, the Norse Vikings had previously established settlements along the coasts of what is now Canada. These settlers predated Columbus by more than a century.
Too much credit was given to Christopher Columbus for tasks not in his original mission. Also, successive Italian immigrants to this New World celebrated Columbus as the “godfather” of the New World. If not for his voyages, there would have been no deluge of immigrants from Europe into these new lands! The entire history of the whole world would be altered.
Indigenous= native!
All the attention and praise on the accomplishments of Columbus and the immigrants who stole the land of all the native peoples residing in this “new world!” No one bothered to offer the disastrous impact of the enormous slave trade or the ravages of imported diseases on the inhabitants of the Caribbean islands and both the northern and southern continents.
Wherever the European immigrants settled, the indigenous populations within that area were subject to the bias of the newcomers and their discrimination against the local natives. After all, they were bringing “civilisation” to this savage land!
Their civilized import prevailed, and this country began to celebrate “Columbus Day” exclusively. It remained that way until the people started to realize that we’re not giving any recognition to the earlier inhabitants here who preserved the lands, the livestock and the environment that thrived until immigration began.
Beginning in the early years of the 21st century, calendars are now listing the traditional “Columbus Day” holiday as “Columbus Day/Indigenous People’s Day.” Currently, calendars are now printed listing only the Indigenous People’s Day designation. Since Christopher Columbus didn’t actually “discover” a New World, he no longer needs a special honour. As the Italian people didn’t sponsor his voyages to the west, they made no contribution in exploring the new shores.
On this day, it is especially important to remember to honour, salute and pay tribute to the Indigenous Peoples of this site, ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! A very special commendation to allbare practitioners!
Happy Indigenous People’s Day to everyone! We’re all indigenous to some region on this planet!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Thursday, October 16, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Spirit Day, 2025!”
The downward-pointed pink triangle was used in Nazi Germany during the 1930s and 1940s as a badge of shame. It was sewn onto the shirts of “deviant” men (homosexuals) in concentration camps to identify and to dehumanize them. Sexual deviancy was made illegal in Germany in 1871 with the creation of the German Empire, but the statute was rarely enforced.
When the national socialists (Nazi) seized control and power in 1933, it was made a priority in order to culturally and racially “purify” Germany. The Nazis arrested and incarcerated thousands of “deviant” men and sent them into concentration camps, where many perished. They viewed them all as degenerate and impure.
The pink triangle has been reclaimed as an empowering symbol for the GLBTQ+ community and culture. It is also serving as a reminder to remember the past – and to recognize the persecution GLBTQ+ people continue to suffer around the world.
The pink triangle on a black banner was the first “flag” to signify the gay and lesbian movement.
GLBTQ+ safe space emblem!
The above depiction of the pink triangle inside a green circle represents a safe space where GLBTQ+ people will not be harassed, ridiculed or shamed. This identification was necessary due to the threats against our community and culture by homophobic individuals who operated with the unofficial endorsement of law enforcement during the emerging HIV/AIDS epidemic.
The Lambda!
The Lambda:
The lambda was first designed in December, 1969, by Tom Doerr, a graphic artist and one of the founding members of the emerging Gay Activists Alliance. Doerr selected it because in chemistry, the lambda represented catalyst. Later, it was argued that the lambda denoted synergy of the growing gay and lesbian movement; the idea of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.
The Lambda image from the Greek alphabet was first chosen as a gay symbol when, in 1970 – one year after the Stonewall Inn riots (SIR) – it was adopted by the then New York City’s Gay Activist Alliance as the emblem of their growing movement of gay liberation. In 1974, it was subsequently adopted by the International Gay Rights Congress at their international conference in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. As their symbol for gay and lesbian civil rights, the lambda became globally popular and recognized.
Many interpreted the lambda symbol as for males only.
The original rainbow pride flag!
The Rainbow Pride Flag:
First raised on June25, 1978, in San Francisco, California, USA! It was designed and created in honour of gay pride at the 1978 San Francisco Gy Freedom Day parade in honouring the annual anniversary of SIR. The very 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 Segerblum, James McNamara, Glynne McElhinney, Joe Duran and Paul Langlotz.
The eight-stripe original was soon revised to six stripes with pink (symbolizing “sex”) and turquoise (symbolizing “art and magic”) eliminated as the colours were unavailable in flag fabrics.
Baker conceived the flag would “empower his tribe” in a “rainbow of humanity” motif to represent the GLBTQ+ movement’s diversity.
Above are the stripes and the meanings associated with each one of the rainbow-based colours.
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 continued growing diversity of the GLBTQ+ community and culture and encourages a more inclusive general society. The improved design 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.”
The black stripe has multiple meanings as it is also intended for “…those living with HIV/AIDS and the prejudice and stigma surrounding them in addition to those who have died from the disease.”
On the evening of 6 June, 2018, Quasar posted the design on social media and went to bed. He woke the next day and discovered that it had viral! It was an immediate success!
The Progress Pride flag over the University of Nottingham!
The Progress Pride flag is currently internationally recognized as representing the global LGBTQ+ community and culture. It is now flown at the United Nations. The inclusive design and nature of this flag have received the commendation of many.
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, October 10, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “NCOD: Closets Are For Clothes!”
In the USA, the month of October, annually, is observed as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer + History Month!
Knowing our past enables our understanding of our present and empowers us to prepare for our future!
As a segment of the population that has been banned, blamed, discriminated, maligned, marginalized, punished and segregated, it is vitally important that we are all made aware of the major, notable, significant and vital contributions we have given throughout centuries of oppression and persecution. If we don’t celebrate and commemorate our achievements and advancements, who will?
Introduction:
Mentally, the phrase “gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer+ history month” (GLBTQ+ history month) produces an image that mistakenly projects the beginning of our GLBTQ+ community and culture as 1969. The year of the Stonewall Inn riots (SIR) in New York City, New York, USA.
Actually, historically and honestly, the story of our community and culture extends far back in time. Many persons believe that Adam and Eve were the first two human persons to inhabit the Earth. Obviously, they were a heterosexual couple. The GLBTQ+ story begins shortly thereafter and continues to unfold today.
In reality and in truth, the history of our GLBTQ+ community and culture begins with our global humanity experience, wherever we reside. It progresses along national boundaries once a political entity (nation) was created.
Original Pride flag!
Countries Honouring GLBTQ+ History:
Armenia October, annually
Australia October, annually
Canada October, annually
Cuba May, annually
Germany May, annually
Hungary February, annually
Netherlands, October, annually
Roumania, October, annually
United Kingdom February, annually
United States October, annually
International Progress GLBTQ+ Pride Flag
USA GLBTQ+ History Month:
The USA observance of GLBTQ+ History Month began in 1994 by a state of Missouri secondary school (high school) history teacher, Rodney Wilson. His intent was to provide role models for teenage youth, build community identity and to offer a civil rights statement of the achievements and efforts of the same gender loving (SGL) community and culture.
A GLBTQ+ History Month website was created, designed and launched by Equality Forum in 2006. In reference, click the link below:
The above website is designed and maintained by Equality Forum. The site features 31 honoured recipients (one for every day of the month of October) for every year since 2006, arranged chronologically.
Notation:
Equality Forum is a USA national GLBTQ+ civil rights organization with an educational focus. It coordinates GLBTQ+ history month, produces documentary films, sponsors high-impact social initiatives and offers an annual GLBTQ+ civil rights conference. Click the logo below to visit the site.
2025 GLBTQ+ Honours:
October 1: Peter Anastos choreographer
October 2: Walter Arlen composer
October 3: Becca Balint congressperson
October 4: Samuel Barber 20th century composer
October 5: Andy Cohen television personality and producer
October 6: John D’Emilio GLBTQ+ historian
October 7: Colman Domingo actor and playwright
October 8: Billie Eilish indie musician
October 9: Cecilia Gentili transgender activist
October 10: Jeffrey Gibson indigenous artist and sculptor
October 11: Nikki Giovanni author and poet
October 12: Lily Gladstone indigenous actor
October 13: Mel Heifetz philanthropist
October 14: Sir Lady Java drag performer
October 15: Ella Jenkins children’s music
October 16: Abilly Jones-Hennin GLBTQ+ activist
October 17: Ellsworth Kelly abstract artist
October 18: Karl Lagerfeld fashion designer
October 19: Troy Masters publisher
October 20: Sarah McBride first transgender congressperson
October 21: T. J. Osborne country rock musician
October 22: Ted Osius diplomat
October 23: Ann Philbin museum director
October 24: Chappell Roan pop musician
October 25: Harper Steele comedian and screenwriter
October 26: Breanna Stewart WNBA player
October 27: Arthur Tress fine art photographer
October 28: Cy Twambly painter and sculptor
October 29: Ocean Vuong author and poet
October 30: Abby Wambach women’s soccer
October 31: Lanford Wilson pulitzer-winning playwright
Prehistoric GLBTQ+ human!
The picture (above) is a contemporary impersonation of the rustic and vintage GLBTQ+ heritage. It is an interpretive, not an accurate, portrayal. Itis posted here for illustrative purposes only.
Enjoy GLBTQ+ History Month!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, October 3, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Historic Visibility: Early Photos!”
Today is the day set aside for all of us to honour and salute all who work – no matter our job – in order to live! Exactly what we do isn’t important. The fact that we all do a job – and – strive to perform it to the very best of our ability – that is precisely why we’re all paid tribute with today!
Originally designed as a day to recognize everyone who was a labourer (manual), this day has now evolved into a day for all of us who are gainfully employed (retired) to pay tribute to ourselves and the entire workforce!
Employed!
SGL gay film industry actor, Kory Mitchell, featured in the photographs above, is posed with construction equipment as the background. An ideal bare practitioner model with the devices used that visualizes our paying tribute to all who labour throughout the year!
Kory Mitchell
Kory is presently retired from the gay film industry. After being diagnosed as HIV+ before he left his active career, he provided numerous hours encouraging safer sexual practices among the studios and voluntarily educated countless persons in the curriculum of the Red Cross HIV/AIDS prevention education curriculum. It was in this capacity that I personally met him!
The accolades given to the workforce today is also offered to all those who volunteer (serve in a capacity/position without being paid). They are an essential part of the dynamic that helps us all in times of need. Both Kory Mitchell and I provided these services to the Red Cross HIV/AIDS prevention education programs.
Happy Labour Day to one and all!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, September 5, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Please Meet!”
An Examination of Our Community and Our Culture of Same Gender Loving Nakedness! #2
Introduction:
As bare practitioners, we are same-gender loving (SGL). We are bisexual, gay, or transgender. We are emotionally, mentally, physically, and sexually attracted to others who are of identical attraction and persuasion. We are, for the most part, content, peaceful, and relaxed among those we perceive as most like ourselves. We are advocates and enthusiasts of our nakedness, our state of being body and clothes free.
As bare practitioners, we are advocates, disciples and enthusiasts of nakedness. We cherish and enjoy our lives without any concealment and/or covering. Not having to be bothered or worried about hiding beneath layers of clothing/disguise and/or falsification!
As bare practitioners, we enrich, explore, fulfill, preserve and satisfy our happiness and our lives as well as our community and culture of bare practitioners through development, education, example, kindness resourcefulness and support of ourselves and others. We embrace and welcome others into our community and culture and into our way of happiness, hope and life!
Levels of Comfort 2:
Within the community and culture of bare practitioners, there are those among us who are comfortable with situational nakedness or the label situational nudes. Their comfort level with clothes freedom (bare) is not based on embarrassment, guilt or shame – it is instead based on the amount and/or level of exposure of their personal nakednessand the immediate situation of being. They have no issues with their sexual orientation.
There are multiple situations in which we may find ourselves experiencing our bodies without clothing or any type of covering. These may be planned in advance, or they may be spontaneous. They may happen when we’re alone and with others we may not are familiar or among a crowd of friends and/or peers.
Losing his towel!
The spontaneity of being revealed bare often is considered in humour and is not of anyone’s control. It is rarely planned and is synonymous with “accident.” For this reason, it is not determined to be a matter that requires a particular level or stage of comfort. The surprise element of the unplanned nakedness seems to somehow erase the need for any additional attention in these situations.
As there are those who prefer to be nude alone, there are likewise those who embrace with enthusiasm all the advantages of social nudity or communal body and clothes freedom. The activities and gatherings of these individuals have created the path that has encouraged the establishment of many same gender loving oriented clubs and organizations specifically designed to address these needs.
These social groupings began appearing in this country during the later years of the 19th century. The primary purpose was to create environments for communal and social nudity free from the legal and puritanical judgments of others. They offered comfortable opportunities for clothes freedom and an environment to introduce the life of nakedness to offspring. They were ideally “family friendly” and welcoming.
In June, 1969, the Stonewall Inn Riots in Greenwich Village, New York City, USA, opened the closet doors to positive recognition of same gender loving (SGL) communities in the USA and throughout the world. Eventually, the emerging SGL movement acknowledged the existence of body and clothes freedom enthusiasts among their population.
SGL clothes freedom enthusiasts!
As the awareness and recognition of the significance of the SGL body and clothes freedom community increased, the need for social inclusion was perceived. In the larger metropolitan areas on both coasts, this led to the formation of specific clubs to address those needs. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, bisexual and gay exclusive groups emerged into the growing number of interest-specific organizations serving the expanding SGL community and culture.
The Males au Naturel (MEN) of New York City, Los Angeles Nude Guys (LANG) of Los Angeles, San Francisco Kindred Nudists (SKINS) of San Francisco/Oakland, Greater Atlanta Naturist Group (GANG) of Atlanta, Georgia, and Lambda Soleil of metropolitan Washington, D.C. were among some of the earliest nakedness focused social groups organized along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Please note: these early social nudist clubs are not listed in chronological order.
The SGL designated clothes freedom movement arose because the prominent naturist/nudist movement refused to admit SGL persons as members nor as patrons. This discrimination continued until the arrival of the 21st century and in many areas and instances still exists even today. This has created a major problem within the discriminating community as many commercial resorts and destinations are suffering financially due to the fast-growing SGL affiliated facilities catering to the bare practitioner communities and culture are making the competition between the two divergent groupings into a financial nightmare.
This resulted in the development of many facilities catering specifically towards the marginalized population. These facilities were newly constructed, efficient and modern in both appearance and amenities, appliances and audiences. The popularity was overwhelming as many were also attracted by the “clothing optional” policy in place which broadened their commercial base. This expanded target made these properties receptive to both the bare and textile (clothes-wearing) populations.
The irony is the discriminatory establishment (primarily heterosexual) was the initiator of the marginalization of the bare practitioner communities. They have suffered the loss of the GLBTQ+ community and their finances. The properties offered as destinations are now secondary to the newer facilities afforded by the body and clothes freedom culture. Their revenues are decreasing as prices and costs are soaring.
Same gender love!
The resulting fact is that they, the mainstream naturist/nudist movement, are now the ones suffering from their own bias and prejudice. There’s no one to blame but themselves.
Assessment!
Curiosity:
One of the simplest yet predominant reasons people offer for exploring nakedness is the experience itself. Being completely and totally clothes free and unconcerned about the situation. Intentionally ignoring the reality that everyone else is attired (dressed) the same as yourself! Oblivious to the fact that all around, all are bare yet no one seems to care.
Pride!
Upon observing the crowd, some are actually amazed with the reality that no one is even giving anyone else a serious stare as to their nakedness. It is as if everyone, everywhere, is actually supposed to be that way- naturally!
Advice:
Most “first-time” social nude explorers will feel some nervous anxiety on their first venture into communal nudity. This is perfectly natural. Take a deep breath and proceed. Visually focus on eye contact with others. Shaking hands is acceptable personal contact, as are naked hugs (non sensual). It is recommended to limit physical contact initially. Introduce yourself to others and let them know that this is your first social nude event. Almost everyone you meet will remember their “first time” and will make you feel comfortable.
Removing to emerge clothes free!
Spirit of Adventure:
Tired of the repetitive social scene wearing garments and looking for a new social setting? Many seek a bare (nude) adventure to refresh their social calendar/involvement. This reason isn’t as obscure or as unusual as it may appear. Similar to Curiosity addressed above, the same advice is applicable in this situation. Relax and be as honest as you are comfortable while meeting new persons on your bare adventure – especially without clothing!
Once again, we refer you to utilize the Advice posted above. It remains applicable here, too!
Footnote #1: Some SGL social clubs permit the “newbies” (newcomers) to wear underwear for their first several visits. We recommend no clothing whatsoever. It is is indeed to ne a new adventure, then be as adventurous as possible! You’ll never know if you like it until you experience it!
Familiarity!
Familiarity:
There are among us numerous bare practitioners who began to examine and explore nakedness due to having family and/or friends who enjoy body and clothes freedom. These persons may or may not accompany the “explorer” to their initial naked encounter. If your family or friend are with you, they will guide you through the function and procedures. If you’re “on-your-own” (alone or solo), then refer to the Advice offered above for Curiosity and/or Adventure. Be prepared to identify your family or friend to those you meet at the social activity. It may inspire them to offer to help you through the experience and they may introduce others within the same social circle/crowd.
Feel free to share with others that you meet on these occasions any previous experiences – one-on-one and/or social – related to nakedness. One memory revealed may open doors to the same in others.
Conditional/Situational nudity!
Conditional/Situational Nudity:
There are persons who are comfortable and relaxed in their nakedness yet have discomfort or issues in displaying their genitalia (male sexual organs, specifically the penis and the testicles) in an unknown environment. There are even SGL professional pornography actors who have problems with this complete, full, total exposure of their anatomy.
For some, this conditional/situational nudity is merely one phase or sequence in their developing level of comfort. Others accept it as their total way of life. As bare practitioners, we acknowledge that each person is different and this is determined by each one of us in whatever situation we confront. Our level of comfort is as varied as our number within our community and culture as well as our divergent life experiences.
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Sunday, August 31, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Bottoms-Up! August, 2025!”
One serious project, as the author of the ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!, is to constantly identify new topics to address concerning bare practitioners as well as subjects relating to our being same gender loving (SGL) – bisexual or gay – in addition to our preference for nakedness. It is indeed far easier and simpler to complacently repeat over and over concepts, ideas and topics already covered in previous post entries here. However, that quickly becomes boring, lackluster and very repetitious!
In trying to keep informative, interesting and thoughtful, one must also be both creative and imaginative while pursuing newer aspects of being a bare practitioner in today’s world. This search presents challenges, experiences and opportunities to expand our knowledge, help us to grow as members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer+ (GLBTQ+) community and culture and as proponents of the nakedness community and culture.
The respected ancient adage: “Variety is the spice of life!” is applicable and current today as it was centuries ago!
Jason Vario (left) and Daymin Voss (right)!
Introduction:
The result of the most recent research for different and resourceful items to offer here is the title of this particular post entry here today: The Bare/Dare Series, 2025! The intended purpose of this series is to examine our nakedness and how it is influenced by our life experiences, attitudes and social factors. We’ll explore how we, personally, determine our own limitations on our being bare and how that decision impacts our lives. Then we will focus on the various ways we adapt our levels of expectations and tolerances of our levels of nakedness, both individually and/or socially.
This The Bare/Dare Series, 2025! will consist of three (3) post entries here. The plan is to publish all three postings before the end of the current summer season in the Northern Hemisphere. This deadline serves two purposes: a) those in the Northern Hemisphere who wish to “sample” the bare practitioner experience will be able to do so before the external weather evolves and b) those living in the Southern Hemisphere have the chance to incorporate any new concepts/ideals into their routines prior to the advent of their summertime.
In both hemispheres, regardless of the season, anyone curious about nudity can use the presentations in whatever manner they desire/prefer.
Felipe Ferreira: a sandy profile!
A reminder to all that there is, to the best of our knowledge, no official “rule book” or guideline for engaging in nakedness. Both Aaron, my spouse, and I know of many persons and/or organizations who consider themselves in an authoritative capacity or position but we are unable to determine what entitled that distinction.
It remains the responsibility of each person to decide their personal level of comfort with their nudity!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Thursday, July 31, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Bottoms-Up! July, 2025!”
Since 2019, bare practitioners have observed today, 14 July, annually, as Bare Practitioner’s Day! A date that is not that widely known outside of our own community and culture but an occasion that has a growing base of observers. A single day for us to all be confident and proud of we are: same gender loving (SGL) and nakedness enthusiasts! Prior to 2019, this date was promoted as Gay Nudist Day.
The Gay Nudist Day distinction was adopted in the mid-1980s as the growing number of bisexual and gay nudist social clubs sought a separate observance from the discriminating naturist/nudist society. Some of the earliest bisexual/gay nude social clubs were: Males au Naturel (MEN) of New York City, Los Angeles Nude Guys (LANG), San Francisco Kindred Nudists (SKINS), Greater Atlanta Naturist Group (GANG) and Lambda Soleil of Washington, D.C.
This year, 2025, our day happens the day after the National Skinny-Dipping Day, the official final day of National Nude Recreation Week – a valid reason for us to extend our observation for at least an extra 24 hours! As if any of us actually require a reason for body and clothes freedom!
Same gender loving!
Following SIR (Stonewall Inn riots) in 1969, bisexual and gay naked participants experienced first-hand the very deliberate and obvious discriminatory regulations and rules adopted by the existing naturist/nudist facilities and organizations to discourage our participation. We also suffered similar reaction from our GLBTQ+ culture who were seeking to distance themselves from our “depraved” lifestyle of bare as opposed to being textile (clothed).
Directions for nudity!
In a brief summary: the naturist/nudist proponents rejected our nakedness due to our acceptance of ourselves as bisexual, gay or lesbian – the despicable species now claiming equality. Their homophobia forced them to reject us.
The emerging and growing bisexual, gay and lesbian movement, already militant in addressing challenges to their very existence, truly believed that our preference for nudity damaged their image of decency and normalcy.
In reality, we were social outcasts totally rejected and marginalized. No one wanted us!
Rather accept a double negative judgment, we instead remind ourselves of our very special and unique roles in being what and who we really are! On this day, 14 July, we commemorate our dual nature through being us!
Being ourselves!
Instead of continuing having to live with the bias and segregation of the broader naturist/nudist society and the general GLBTQ+ population conveniently “setting” us aside from them, we decided to celebrate this day in our own way by choosing among ourselves to honour ourselves by just simply being ourselves. Our choice to be us!
Thus, in creating our own solution to the problem, we completely avoided the issue altogether! We reacted and responded long before the need was even recognized. Therefore, nothing ventured, progress gained! Gay Nudist Day was inaugurated! Taking responsibility for ourselves as bare practitioners was an important step forward for us as a community and culture unto ourselves!
All together!
This year, observing Bare Practitioner’s Day/Gay Nudist Day, Aaron, my spouse, and I had family joining us in our home in Richmond, Virginia, for the weekend. My Twin, Alex and his partner, Dante; our first cousin, Michael and his partner, Ropati; and Aaron’s older brother Paul and his boyfriend, Sudhir. Our skinny-dipping excursion to the James River and our “unofficial” gay nude beach was a daily undertaking. We took advantage of the Bare Practitioner Day/Gay Nudist Day occasion and extended our holiday to include today and tonight.
Aaron took the day off from hospital and should the weather cooperate,another day of skinny-dipping in Alex and my “old” nudist resort (unofficial) – a public park located along the riverfront inside Richmond city. Monday evening, my bare practitioner buddy from my youth, Paul Turner and his new “significant other” are joining us for dinner and we’re watching an old movie classic from 1999 – “The Wood” – that features nothing same gender loving but it does have some naked fun! This film is a favourite of Aaron, Paul Turner, Michael and me!
“The Wood” Taye Diggs is modestly naked!
The film stars Taye Diggs who’s completely – but modest – naked in the above .gif along with his co-stars covered in only blue towels: Omar Epps and Richard T. Jones.
Although the starring trio are all (supposedly) heterosexual, their hosing antics in the clothes free scene above do cause us to wonder as to their bare practitioner status!
Taye Diggs appears to be comfortable with his nakedness!
The trio are friends from their teen years and have recently recovered Roland (Taye Diggs) from his disappearance prior to his wedding.
Hosing as punishment!
The decision to spray Roland (Taye Diggs) with a garden hose as punishment for disappearing is lost on me. It has been at least five years since I last watched the film in its entirety!
Eventually, Roland is perturbed over his outdoor “shower!”
The three naturists in the backyard scene have been best friends since growing up together in Inglewood, California – hence the movie title: “The Wood.” The comedy-drama deals with the peculiarities of young adult men and their issues.
Taye Diggs as Roland in his solo nude scene!
The irony of watching a bare heterosexual cast perform on bare practitioner’s day was duly noted by all when we came together.
Richard T. Jones gives Taye Diggs a final hose squirt!
I need to thank my friend, Paul Turner, for emailing to me the .gif clips from The Wood so that I could share them with all of you here!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, July 18, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Excessive Evidence!”
The purpose of this post entry here on ReNudePride: Guys Without Boxers! is to provide the history leading into the celebration of National Nude Recreation Week.
This week-long festival of body and clothes freedom recreational (leisure) activities is jointly co-sponsored annually by the American Association of Nude Recreation (AANR) and The Naturist Society (TNS). As summer is the “season-in-the-sun,” it is only logical (natural) that two major naturist/nudist advisory organizations proclaim and promote an event in honour of clean, healthy bare (nude) living. The recent tendency over the last several years is to observe this occasion the week following the 4 July holiday.
Celebrate the occasion naked!
National Nude Recreation Week involves an emphasis on the numerous activities, leisure services, and pastimes, both active and passive, that people may engage in or undertake while clothes free. In essence, almost identical to what can be enjoyed when wearing garments. This isn’t to imply this special week is the only time we bare our bodies for fun and games. We do that quite frequently!
The race to the beach!
The history of National Nude Recreation Week is recent with the earliest documented date of 7 August, 1976, as being Nude Beach Day. It was first observed at Truro Beach in southern California and at the Head of the Meadow Beach in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
The Nude Beach Day was continued at the same locations and by the end of the 1970s decade, it soon expanded into the National Nude Weekend in order to expand the time of the clothes free event. As many traditional naturist/nudist camps, resorts and other facilities weren’t located with access to a clothing optional beach it soon became apparent that another name change and another expansion of the theme was necessary.
A memorable Nude Recreation Week!
Many existing clothes free businesses, facilities and properties were first-hand witnesses to the rapidly growing numbers of people now taking advantage of the weekend event. They sought to grow their own markets by affiliating with the already established destinations. This new interest helped the popularity of the event to grow even more and added additional incentives for development and growth.
In the early 1980s, the weekend then evolved into the current event known as National Nude Recreation Week. This extended time period encouraged even more people to explore social nudity and to try new opportunities.
Expand horizons!
Author’s Advisory:
Rest assured that even without an “officially” declared National Nude Recreation Week, the ever-resourceful bare practitioner community and culture would need no excuse to strip out of clothes and stroll about in proud nakedness. After all, our nudity is firmly implanted in our DNA! Besides, none of us would ever want to change!
Strolling together!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, July 11, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Nude Recreation Week #2!”
4 July, 1776: The Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, unanimously sign the Declaration of Independence that created the United States of America.
Patriotic gesture: USA flag briefs in his mouth!
Since that time, this date is popularly known as Independence Day!
Have a happy and safe 4th of July!
Important Notice:
NATIONAL NUDE RECREATION WEEK:
7 – 13 JULY, 2025
Naked hugs!
Roger Peterson-Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, July 8, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Nude Recreation Week #1!”
The exterior view of The Stonewall Inn, Christopher Street, New York City, New York, USA, where history happened the evening of 27/28 June, 1969!
Background:
Friday, 27 June, 1969, was a very hot and humid day in New York City. Everyone was anxiously awaiting the approaching weekend and the freedom from having to struggle for relief from the oppressive weather.
At that time, the same gender loving people were known, at least in “polite” society, as “homosexuals” (a name now considered derogatory). The popular nickname was “homos.” This segment of the New York City population was not only oppressed by the weather but also by the bias, discrimination, hatred, marginalization and violence of the general population against all persons seen as homos.
There were laws prohibiting homosexuality socially on record in 49 of the fifty states of the USA. Illinois had repealed its anti-homosexuality legal restrictions in 1961. All segments of society: general, government, legal and religious were united against the “deviant” (homosexual) peoples.
It was unlawful for homosexuals to gather together in public. They were fired from their jobs for being thought of as being homosexual without any legal recourse. They were ridiculed and attacked publicly often without any consequence for those assaulting them. Simply being a homosexual was considered a criminal act.
Everyone was required, by law, to wear clothing appropriate to their birth gender. The only legal exception was for Halloween.
The Stonewall Inn:
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. Upon renovation, it opened as a tavern (bar) on 18 March, 1967, under Mafia-affiliated management and owned by the Genovese crime family.
The establishment consisted of two main rooms, each with its own dance floor. The front room was popular with older clientele and the back room attracted the younger ones.
“The door of the Stonewall had wrought-iron bars across this little “peephole,” a little wooden thing that slid open. The man inside would look at you and, it you looked like you belonged there, he would let you in.” ~ Chris Babick ~ describing the entrance to the Stonewall Inn
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Friday evening, 27 June 1969:
Most of the patrons gathered inside the Stonewall Inn were looking forward to a night of dancing with their friends, relaxing with watered-down cocktails and enjoying a summer’s Friday night in New York City in a place relatively comfortable and safe for homosexual acquaintances. They had no idea that they were about to witness an 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 just after midnight and 28 June, 1969, was now in its infancy. Suddenly, the music stopped. The lights that were dimmed to enhance the atmosphere came back on in a bright glare that caught everyone by surprise. Almost simultaneously, the realization dawned on the festive crowds: New York City police were raiding the bar!
The New York City Police Department was long familiar with conducting raids on homosexual bars (both female and male). Their process for the procedure was fairly routine and standard. They recognized homosexuals as a relatively compliant and passive crowd. For this reason, only one police transport vehicle (“paddy-wagon”) and one marked police squad car were involved in the raid.
Less than a dozen officers were assigned the task of managing and segregating the clientele, confiscating all the alcohol and arresting the Stonewall Inn employees.
Patrons outside Stonewall Inn, early evening, Friday, 27 June, 1969!
Early Saturday morning, 28 June, 1969:
“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 Lanigan-Schmidt ~ Stonewall Inn patron and 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. The police immediately began confiscating both liquor and beer as evidence against the establishment and segregating the bar crowd: bar employees, cross-dressers (transgender persons) and the “regular” homosexuals.
The bar employees and cross-dressers were to be arrested for their individual violating the law. The “regular” homosexuals, once they showed officers their proper identification, were to be given citations and then permitted to leave.
The year, 1969, was at the end of a decade that had witnessed massive social unrest. The African-American protests for civil rights, the birth of the feminist and women’s rights movements, the anti-Vietnam war and peace demonstrations and the equal pay marches for primarily Latino/Latina 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 moment had arrived!
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 across the street at the Christopher Street Park. Once law enforcement attempted to disperse them, they grew confrontational and belligerent.
Unaccustomed to homosexual defiance, the police continued to press the order to vacate the area. The growing crowd, emboldened by their frustration with being treated as “deviants” and second-class citizens, began to chant and to empty nearby trash cans and hurl the garbage at the officers.
By this time, passers-by, curious as to what was happening, joined the upset homosexuals to express their dissatisfaction with the raid. The crowd outside the Stonewall Inn began to grow in both number, anger and curiosity. When word of what had transpired inside the tavern began to spread, even more homosexuals started to descend into the inn’s neighborhood and amass in the bar’s vicinity.
Angry crowd outside Stonewall Inn, early Saturday morning, 28 June 1969!
SIR: Stonewall Inn Riot commences:
By now, the police, trapped inside the facility by the large crowd outside, 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 confined inside and the crowd outside was swelling in both size and fury. A few hundred bar patrons had now increased into an angry mob of several thousand and more were joining by the minute.
“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 ~ Stonewall Inn customer detained inside the bar under siege
No one in the New York City Police Department had anticipated the homosexuals, always believed to be “meek and mild,” would fight back. The years of abuse, neglect, oppression, and ridicule had taken their toll, and the frustration had now become revolution; the time for retribution was at hand. Unfortunately for law enforcement, the pent-up anger toward the police was now being released and returned in kind. They were now prisoners inside the Stonewall Inn.
Two hours after the raid was initiated, the raiders and their detainees were trapped and no immediate relief was available. The two-way communication devices between the raiding party and their office weren’t working and the only public telephone inside the tavern wasn’t able to connect with any local police precincts. The “passive” homosexuals had finally achieved a “first” in their spontaneous riot: the police were contained, surrounded and they were all very nervous. By now, the mob outside the Greenwich Village bar numbered several thousand with a full-fledged riot underway.
SIR: Stonewall Inn Riot!Multiple police attack a protester early Saturday morning, 28 June, 1969!
In an effort to relieve the inflammatory predicament, the isolated police decided to send the detainees and half the officers trapped inside the tavern, using the two police vehicles on site, 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 mob of homosexuals and curious onlookers several hours later.
Saturday evening, 28 June, 1969:
Despite damage to the Stonewall Inn, the bar opened for business (dancing and socializing) the following night, Saturday, 28 June. by then, word of the disturbance the previous evening had spread throughout the city’s largely closeted (anonymous) homosexual community (primarily by word of mouth). The city officials and law enforcement superior officers were hesitant to release information that would encourage more aggressive reaction.
A larger than usual crowd gathered both inside and outside the Greenwich Village establishment. Most didn’t expect a repeat raid of the night before and a significant number of those in attendance mainly wanted to inspect the damage. The police, however, had different ideas. They were strictly outside the facility in full force with a large number in riot gear. They had learned their lesson and were determined to remain in complete control should the patrons become unruly again.
The homosexuals and the neighbourhood residents had been empowered by the riot the night before and of the mindset not to bullied into submission again. As the large police presence attempted to disperse those gathered outside the Stonewall Inn, they were confronted by verbal insults and an array of street-savvy tactics that set 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 City’s homosexuals. They were tired of suffering abuse, disrespect, ridicule and treatment as second-class citizens.
A crowd lining the sidewalk on the Stonewall Inn city block watched by police, Saturday evening, 28 June, 1969!
The second night of the Stonewall Inn congregation wasn’t as aggressively disruptive as the previous night. No further damage was done to the tavern 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 obedient and passive homosexuals joined together and defended their rights and demonstrated that they, as a community, had finally and long last, “had enough!”
“There was no gay pride before Stonewall. Only gay fear and gay isolation and gay distrust and gay self-hatred.” ~ Edmond White ~ American gay novelist and Stonewall witness
Our GLBTQ+ Progress Pride flag!
Footnote: This posting entry was from a research paper that I composed for class distribution that I taught at my university, 2015 – 2018.
Sources:
Bausman, Ann “Stonewall: Breaking Out for Gay Rights”
Doberman, Martin F. “Stonewall: A History”
Naked hugs!
Roger Peterson-Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, June 30, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Bottoms-Up! June, 2025!
ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! 