This bare practitioner couple feel the urgent need to share a skinny-dipping (swimming naked) experience together as they welcome the last full-month of the summer season in the Northern Hemisphere.
Closer and closer!
As they race towards the oceanic destination, their excitement increases as they seek to satisfy their desire for aquatic antics!
The surf rolls in!
The surf welcomes their energy and enthusiasm and invites their participation in its vast area of fun and games!
Mounting his shoulders!
Their joy and pleasure knows no limits as they laughingly engage in a turn of mutual summer glee and happiness!
The fun begins!
One atop another, they both anticipate a day of bare practitioner delight as the warmth of the summer sun fuels their play!
Charge!
The month of August stands before them ready to offer itself for their exploration well deserved fulfillment!
Best August wishes to all!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for Friday, August 5, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “August Playdays!”
Aaron and I both agree this particular graphic ideally represents “Skinny-dipping!”
The late same gender loving author, E. Lynn Harris
My BRAT-buddy and current best friend, Jay, and I first met one another at a bare practitioner social gathering on Saturday, January 3, 2009. Within minutes after introducing ourselves, we discovered a shared addiction: we’re both E. Lynn Harris dedicated! Perhaps obsessed would be a better description. In just a couple of hours, our introduction became an acquaintanceship that immediately evolved into a friendship that has remained “fast and solid” ever since.
BRAT represents “barely recognized as textile.” An affectionate yet sarcastic invention of Jay’s partner, Raheem, to summarize our unique relationship in today’s extraordinary world. Click the link: BRAT! to read more.
E. Lynn Harris (pictured above) was a noteworthy and popular male same gender loving author who first published in the 1990’s and tragically died in July, 2009. He was the respected talent who opened the door to the Black gay experience for millions no matter their racial heritage, gender or sexual orientation.
Avatar: Jay and Roger meeting!
Jay and I read and discuss books throughout the year – along with our our interests. For the past several years, I have featured some of those titles here. I try to do a post entry in honour of E. Lynn Harris every year during the early summer so to commemorate his birthdate (June 20, 1955) and the date of his death (July 23, 2009). I think he would appreciate this style of recognition as a justified tribute to his devotion to writing and to the reading of books..
The situation is different for this year’s reading. An acquaintance of mine, Rodney Lofton, died earlier this year. We had co-presented sessions on HIV/AIDS prevention education for the Red Cross and he was a novel author in his work. To learn more, click the link:Our Paths Crossed. Please read for more information.
I had not read Rodney’s novel since it was published in 2009. Aaron, my spouse, Jay and Raheem had never read the book at all. So our “reading group” expanded this year to include not only Jay and myself but our “significant others” as well.
Jointly reading naturally!
Jay had read Rodney’s autobiographical work, The Day I Stopped Being Pretty, A Memoir when I sent to him a copy after sharing with him my acquaintance with the recently deceased man. It was after he finished that we agreed to read Lofton’s next novel in honour of E. Lynn Harris. We both believed that Harris would be comfortable in being remembered by the work of a fellow same gender loving African-American male.
Rodney Lofton posing beside his portrait!
A likeness and painting of author and AIDS prevention educator Rodney Lofton is displayed in the lobby of a charity he served. Below is the cover of the book that is the subject of today’s post entry here on ReNude Pride.
Today’s feature cover!
No More Tomorrows is a moving and poignant love story of two men – one, Mark Jones, is HIV positive; the other, Kevin Williams, is HIV negative. It is also the story of same gender loving men living and loving in the era of HIV/AIDS. Author Rodney Lofton, himself diagnosed as HIV+ in the early 1990’s, composed this – his first fiction novel – with both insight and wisdom. This book was published on June 30, 2009.
No More Tomorrows begins at the end. Mark Jones awakes from, another restless and sleepless night that he has endured for weeks. It is when he if fully awake that he realizes that this day is his very last day of life. Twenty years after being diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), Mark spends his morning reflecting on his life and love of Kevin Williams.
Facing a life of living with HIV, Mark opts to get busy living instead of the direction to get busy dying. Whereas tomorrow isn’t promised to any of us, de decides to host his own “celebration of life” party where he meets Kevin, who becomes the love of his life. Kevin, learning that Mark is living with HIV faces his own dilemma – pursuing his attraction to Mark and “going the distance” with him or avoiding the situation altogether and safely keeping himself uninvolved.
Mark and Kevin: in love!
The subtitle of No More Tomorrows is aptly “Two Lives, Two Stories, One Love.” Kevin and Mark not only commit to a relationship together; they also develop a deep and sincere love for one another. This novel shares their bromance from beginning to end – and beyond.
Throughout the book, Kevin and Mark give their individual perspectives on their relationship and the strong bond and devotion that engulfs them. Lofton’s story is both positive and promising, even as Mark confronts his final day and dedicates a legacy for his love.
No More Tomorrows concludes with Kevin on the first anniversary of Mark’s death. This brief epilogue brings a moment of profound sadness into a celebration of love and smiles – and a tear of joy!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, July 25, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Tan-Lines: Tell-Tale Signs!”
I apologize for this last-minute post entry for today. My first-cousin’s (Michael) soon-to-be spouse, Ropati’s, father died and they had to fly to Tonga (South Pacific – Polynesia) in order to attend his funeral. His death was totally unexpected and the family was frantic trying to organize the service. There was a boating accident that caused his demise.
Michael and Ropati live in Virginia, approximately three hours by automobile from Arlington. They needed care for there dog and her two puppies. I am providing the service for them and Aaron, , my spouse, is continuing with his job in the trauma center.
I had a hasty departure and the posting proposed for today, In Memory of: E. Lynn Harris, will publish this upcoming Friday, July 22, 2022. With all the packing and last-minute tasks, I didn’t have the necessary time to sort through my notes for today’s post entry. I apologize for being caught totally unprepared.
Loading my car!
Since Michael and Ropati departed, I’ve had three trips on the expressway between Arlington and Norfolk, Virginia. As of my last inventory, I think I have all the material that I need in order to complete my post entry for Friday. Again, I regret any inconvenience this situation has created.
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for Friday, July 22, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “In Memory of: E. Lynn Harris!”
Paul is the older brother of Aaron – my spouse. Paul is also a practicing Roman Catholic and was born almost three years before Aaron. While an early adolescent, my Aaron was exploring both his nudity and his sexuality, Paul continued to adhere to the dogma endorsed and taught by his church.
By the time that Aaron reached his fifteenth birthday, he had already accepted and announced to his family and close friends that he was gay. Just prior to his high school (secondary) graduation, he disclosed his preference for social nudity. Paul remained comfortable and compliant in his religious exercise.
Relaxation!
When marriage equality became legal in the Commonwealth of Virginia in 2014, Paul had already “come-out” as bisexual to Aaron and I. Once that was accomplished, he gradually began attending clothing optional gatherings with us. Just prior to our actual marriage (August 15, 2015), Paul acknowledged his comfort with his public nakedness (social nudity) and amended his sexuality status to exclusively same gender loving.
For the past several years, Paul has lived with the same partner, named Sudhir. Together, they’ve created a very informal bare practitioner community near where they live in the western part of this state. Now that the coronavirus COVID-19 seems to be in recession, they’re planning their first potluck pride picnic on land owned by an acquaintance they share.
Skinny-dipping!
Aaron and I are leaving Arlington tomorrow and going to visit them and be with them as they host this Pride social event. The owner has a small lake on the property so, weather permitting, we can all skinny-dip and picnic while we socialize together. It should be a summer fun-time (hopefully) for us all!
Please refer to the author’s note below for the next publication date here!
Take care and stay bare!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, June 27, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “National HIV Testing Day!”
“I Love You” handsign body painted on his bare chest!
My brother, Alex, and I are monozygotic (identical) twins. We were both conceived of the same egg inside our mother’s womb. We share all the same physical characteristics, including our DNA. We’re both ardent and enthusiastic bare practitioners. In fact, the only distinguishing physical difference between us are our fingerprints. We are both Deaf from birth.
Even our sign language (manual communication) skills are, for all intents and purposes, identical. Whether interacting in American Sign Language (ASL), Canadian Sign Language (CSL) or Greek Sign Language (GSL) – our primary language – our hand-shapes, rhythm and speed reflect minimal variation. The only discrepancy appears when professional concerns or issues transpire.
Our Deafness, along with our same gender loving nature and our preference for living bare, is a part of what makes us unique. Surprisingly for some people, it does not cause us embarrassment or shame. It is also a trait that we share with others throughout the world. It is most definitely not a reason to run and hide from others nor to deny it in any way.
Me sharing the “I Love You” handsign totally natural!
Alex and I both recall the times that while at university, we seemed to create confusion and chaos when others learned that were both gay and nudists. Many seemed to wonder how we, being Deaf, could be publicly naked. (Interesting question: all you need to do is to remove clothing)!
Others were even more obsessed with the fact that as Deaf men, how did we know that we were gay. (I guess Deaf men are completely unaware of their individual physical attraction)!
Obviously, the notion that whatever inspires the hearing population is totally useless within the Deaf community never entered their minds. After all, it is simply a much too defiant and radical concept! How can it be possible for the Deaf and the hearing to be influenced in the same way?
Deaf pride: personified!
We may have divergent methods of communication; but the emotions and feelings have very little variance. What works well for one world generally does the same for another. After all, we are all human!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Tuesday, June 21, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Summer, 2022!”
World Naked Bike Ride, London, UK: Progress rainbow body painted design!
As an introduction, World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR) is most definitely not affiliated officially with the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer+ (GLBTQ+) community. Many of our culture endorse and support this global effort, but we do so as individuals. There are numerous allied endorsers and or sponsors, but for the most part, the WNBR is an independent international movement of primarily environmental and safety concerns and interests. As the name itself suggests, it is widely popular and supported by the naturist/nudist enthusiasts worldwide.
Our bold and courageous bare practitioner in the above image has decorated his chest with body paint reflecting the Progress flag. This banner depicts the inclusive diversity found within our community and culture worldwide.
Thumbs-up to the WNBR!
The “thumbs-up” approval along with his rainbow designed neckwear is this rider’s salute to the WNBR! The spring and/or summer months, depending on the hemisphere, appear to be the primary time of year for these events to occur. All bike rides are locally generated and operated and there is no central organization to schedule. The majority of registrations and promotions happen online as do sponsorships.
Our man switches his neckwear onto his wrists!
The WNBR is an international clothing optional bike ride with the overwhelming majority of participants riding bicycles but every year with more riding skateboards or inline skates. In 2003, Conrad Schmidt developed the concept of the WNBR after organizing the same for the Artists for Peace/Artists Against War (AFP/AAW). The original WNBR message was against oil dependency and advocating the individuality and power of the human body.
The first WNBR took place in 2004.
Since 2006, the message has simplified and the main focus of the event is cycling advocacy, pedestrian safety and sharing the roadways.
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!”
Canada’s current Queen Elizabeth II (left) and Queen Victoria (right)!
In French, an equal language in Canada, the name for this holiday is: Fete de la Reine (Celebration of the Queen)! In all of Canada, this is a public holiday that is observed on the last Monday preceding May 25, annually. Initially in honour of Queen Victoria’s actual birthday (May 24), it is now a tribute to the first monarch of a confederated Canada as well as the official founding of Canada’s sovereignty. This holiday has occurred in Canada since at least 1845, which predates the creation of the confederation.
In addition to giving historical homage to the Queen who granted the Royal Assent (signature) to the British North America Act: the very first step in the inevitable evolution of the British Empire into the Commonwealth of which the current Queen Elizabeth II officially heads.
Posing for Canada!
For a majority of Canadians, Victoria Day serves as the unofficial commencement of the summer season – a long weekend to welcome the return of warmer weather!
Queen Victoria’s Enigma:
Oceanic skinny-dipper!
My spouse, Aaron, is Canadian by birth. His paternal ancestors migrated there through the underground railway before the U.S. Civil War ended the practice of slavery. At his determined insistence, I am offering this thought.
As a nude enthusiast – and advocate – one of the greatest ironies of Queen Victoria’s reign has always been: Did Her Majesty ever skinny-dip (swim naked)? Victoria ascended to the throne in 1837. Prior to inheriting the crown, everyone swam naked. Swim suits didn’t exist before they were commercially designed and produced in the 1850’s. The genders were segregated (if necessary) and people splashed about aquatically naturally (clothes free).
Stereotypically, H. M. Queen Victoria is always considered a very stoic and solemn prude. In reality, was the lady as she is often perceived?
Happy Victoria Day!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for Friday, May 27, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Sunglasses: Sunglamour Glory!”
The second Sunday in May, annually, is the day designated “Mother’s Day” in the USA. A time for all to express appreciation or to remember the devotion and love that mothers shared with them.
Mother’s Day greeting!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry planned here is for Friday, May 13, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Friday Footnote: Unlucky Origins!”
ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! 