In the USA, the second Sunday in May, annually, is observed as Mother’s Day. A salute and tribute to not only biological mothers, but to all women who provide guidance, love and support to children and youth. A time to show our appreciation for a job that was performed and undertaken without any expectation.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, May 13, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Erectile-Phobia!”
Camaraderie: good will and lighthearted rapport between or among family and/or friends; comradeship
Prologue:
The bare practitioner community and culture is based and built upon two distinct characteristics or traits that we all share. They are of equal importance and each one is essential in the bonding and the sense of belonging that being a bare practitioner brings into our lives as individuals and as a collective common entity. These characteristics or traits are our same gender love (SGL) and our nakedness.
The Camaraderie is the fellowship, fraternization and friendship that the spirit of the bare practitioner community and culture instills within us. It provides us with a sense of devotion and trust that we all hold.
The Experience is likewise collective and shared. It creates a bonding that we rely upon. It presents us with a foundation of caring and compassion as both a community and culture within the larger GLBTQ+ movement that enables us to celebrate our SGL and our nakedness.
The Challenge is in the perspective of our daily lives and how our cooperation works wonders and rewards all of us.
Bare Practitioner Camaraderie!
Throughout the years here, ReNude Pride has on occasion alluded to the popular – often widespread – misconception that our “natural” state-of-being-bare, body and clothes free, naked, nude, nudity, open, unadorned is both identical and interchangeable with degenerate, evil, sinful and wrong. Before anyone panics, allow me to assure you that this site is not entering into discrepancy and/or reversal! Aaron, my spouse, and I remain committed bare practitioners! This publication is nakedness encouraging, friendly, receptive and welcoming! And it shall remain so as long as we are involved here!
I have somehow collected this series of pictures of these two men interacting together in either foreplay, fun or jest (or a combination of all three)! The precise cause of their behaviour isn’t really important. The impression is that they’re both having fun together and that they’re both innocent of anything evil, sinful and wrong. They’re both enjoying their nakedness – plain and simple!
In harmony with the title of this post entry here today, they’re both not guilty of any maliciousness or misbehaviour aside from simply “being themselves.” Their body language and facial expressions confirm this as factual and reality. The atmosphere implies cheerful, comfort and harmony. Their eyes convey both affection, innocence and trust! They are engaging in camaraderie. Nothing more and absolutely nothing less than what the above definition offers us. A seasonal rite of rejuvenation and replenishment after the barren winter!
As bare practitioners, all of us know – primarily from first-hand experience – often in our textile (clothes oriented) society that our nakedness is interpreted by many as a subtle tool to foster sexual intimacy. The obvious physical contact between these two men: embracing, staring, touching, and their shared nudity may reinforce this misleading message but it fails to confirm it into actual reality.
Their interaction and their clothes freedom does validate their same gender love (SGL) acceptance and bonding. It likewise reaffirms their shared bare practitioner connection. They both have very similar physical characteristics that suggests a possible familial relationship (cousin or sibling) or perhaps a more bromatic (brotherhood + romance) affiliation.
Discounting all and any homophobic judgments, there is nothing wrong with the sincerity and the validity of confidence and pride between these two men. They both publicly (for the camera lens and for the viewers) have no hesitation in their relationship, whatever nature it may possess.
Witnessing what these two men share the the togetherness they treasure is an example and an inspiration for us all. It is a reminder of our hope, our humanity and our innocence! Our men here today dispel the popular and widespread misconception that nakedness and sex are synonymous. Nudity may enable a sexual advancement but it does not exclusively energize immediate sexual engagement. Casual nakedness interaction afford us comfort. comradeship and convenience.
This series of photographs remind me of the words of the Anglican (Church of England) priest from 400 years ago:
“Full nakedness! All joys are due to thee,
As souls unbodied, bodies unclothed must be
To taste whole joys.” ~ John Donne ~ 1572-1631
Although composed by an opposite gender loving man, the spirit of his thought is applicable today, regardless of the sexuality!
The Bare Practitioner Experience:
“A bare practitioner is a person who is same gender loving (bisexual or gay) and who is a naturist/nudist (no clothing or covering). They also willingly release their body, mind and soul from the frustrations and tensions of always hiding beneath the oppression of garments. A free spirit, uncensored and uncovered, in a complete natural state confidently joined with another of the same gender in companionship, devotion and pride. Accepting and respecting both what and who they truly are!” ~ Aaron and Roger Peterson-Poladopoulos ~
The blatant and unmistakable message that the above images deliver is clearly that bare practitioners have no underlying feelings of embarrassment, guilt or shame in either their SGL life and their nakedness. They can and do embrace both of these aspects of their existence and increasingly find the self-acceptance and confidence within themselves and others that enable them to progress into their future.
Bare practitioners are perhaps among the most accepting and tolerant groupings of the GLBTQ+ culture. Although frequently marginalized others, specifically based on their body and clothes freedom preference and status, they are a most cordial and welcoming social community without concern of a person’s particular clothing status. An exceptional majority of bare practitioners are familiar with the exploratory nature of many SGL brothers and sisters, especially their curiosity concerning nakedness. They are patient and tolerant of those outside the clothing optional culture.
This community has an abundance of the “multiple coming out” survivors. Mot only did they need to “come out” regarding their personal sexual preference, they also took the additional decisive measure of acknowledging their orientation for nakedness. This “double-outing” has forged an open, receptive and tolerant community for all! Out two subjects featured today are reflective of the inclusiveness of both the bare practitioner community and culture.
There was a time in the not-to-distant past where those who were attracted to the same gender romantically were cautious, discrete and obsessively secretive about their sexual desires. Nakedness was seen as degenerate and disgusting. Slowly, those archaic attitudes are being erased and that is one of the predominant reasons that the bare practitioner community is accustomed to those from outside their ranks frequently attending social functions in order to view the social scene.
The two bare practitioners in the photo series published here today are a visual testament that nakedness and SGL are both compatible and natural! We see ourselves as role models of both our community and our culture. One of our priorities is to ensure that newcomers and curious visitors feel comfortable and relaxed while they are with us. All are encouraged to join with us and to remove clothing to their individual comfort level whenever they feel thus inclined and without pressure.
For some, nakedness, especially complete social nudity, is a gradual process. It involves unlearning a behaviour taught to us and requires time to accomplish. Then there are those who boldly discard all their textiles (clothing) and then need to be reminded to dress themselves before leaving the event/facility! The fact that we underwent the “double-coming-out” (nakedness and sexuality) process and survived hopefully inspires others that they can accomplish the same!
The Bare Practitioner Challenge!
The picture directly above is of a pin that accurately reflects the undue amount of attention focused on the male penis. Please remember that the actual object of this essential truth is the message itself. The challenge is this: In the glory of our nakedness, exactly how are se supposed to display our pin? Insert it into our skin?
In the realm of social interaction, it is almost universally recognized that people are more comfortable, forthcoming, honest and sincere around and with others they perceive as most like themselves. This dynamic enables and encourages a bond of sharing and of trust. Among bare practitioners, the sense is supplemented through nakedness and sexuality. This similarity allows us to focus less on generalities and concentrate on uniqueness!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Tuesday, April 30, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Bottoms-Up! April, 2024!”
Earth Day: 22 April, 2024!
Earth Day was first observed – globally – on 22 April, 1970. At the time, it was a new addition celebrating an ancient planet! Now, it has officially evolved into a festive occasion to remind us all – both bare and the not-so-bare – that now is the time for us all to take the time not only to commemorate our natural world but to also take the time to actually make the effort to try and preserve it for our future generations!
Who we are and where we live makes no difference. The majority of us have a sincere appreciation of the wonders of our environment (nature) and simply making the effort to keep our planet both productive and safe for us all is worth every ounce of energy we can contribute towards that goal!
The month of April, annually for those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere, is the first complete month of the Spring season. In keeping with the promise of the rebirth and renewal (ReNude-al) of our natural habitat, there are two events in April that afford us the all the opportunity to join with others in improving and preserving our local world. The first of these is Earth Day!
As Earth Day happens on a Monday this year, many areas are featuring Earth Day activities, events and festivities during the weekend prior to the actual observation in order for it to be a family experience. This makes it a truly educational “learning” undertaking for everyone!
If there isn’t an Earth Day happening in your area, don’t despair! It doesn’t require a massive celebration to honour! My spouse, Aaron, and I – along with several friends and neighbors – plan a community “park cleaning” for a local public park space! With budget restrictions following the recent coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, we volunteer to report to a special area of the property and pick up any loose trash left there. Our municipality’s recreation and parks department provides us with trash bags and disposable sanitary gloves to use. We spend two hours together patrolling through the public park and collecting the debris.
Note: Due to safety concerns, we do not engage in collecting discarded syringes and needles or any item that may be hazardous.
Happy Earth Day to all!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, April 22, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “ReNude Arbor!”
ASL = American Sign Language
Practically every spoken (verbal) language has it’s very own manual sign language used by it’s Deaf (primarily) and other speech-challenged populations to communicate. There exists, as of this moment, no “global” or “universal” signed language familiar and understood by all persons who converse and interact manually. There are some “word signs” that are universally recognized and utilized but each language culture has it’s own particular and predominant signed language.
Some of the larger (geographic) countries and multilingual nations have variations based upon regional and linguistic traditions, very similar to oral (spoken) fluctuations known as “accents” that are usually comprehended by all respective users.
For example, the body-painted man (above) in today’s header (title photograph) is using his hand to transmit the the concept/message/phrase “I love you.” This is one of the manual signs that is widely understood by almost every manual communicator no matter their predominant sign language. Similarly, a smile and a wave of a hand is a method of conveying a friendly greeting.
Some of these internationally recognized signs are understood based on centuries of use. Others are representative of a geographically dominant signed language and/or interaction and practice. It is important to note here that every Deaf / speech challenged person has their own specific experience with signed language, no matter where they live. The reasoning will vary as many times as the total number of individuals involved!
It is also essential to appreciate and comprehend that each particular Deaf Culture evolved. There is no magical formula that was engaged to ensure compliance. Each signed language (American Sign Language, British Sign Language, Greek Sign Language, Arabic Sign Language, Yoruba Sign Language, etc.) developed on it’s own intensity and standard.
Our man above, with no body paint whatsoever, is signing another concept/message/phrase conveying “gratitude/thank you” to us all for taking a few moments to manually communicate!
Naked hugs!.
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, April 19, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Earth Day!”
No matter where we live, Northern Hemisphere or the Southern Hemisphere, April is always a month of transition from one season into the next. The exception being for those who reside in the Equatorial region – along the Equator, the dividing line between the two hemispheres – where the extremes of the two are less pronounced. Yet even along the Equator there exist differences not easily detected.
As routine as April may appear: anticipated, gradual, predictable, it simultaneously is also erratic, surprising and unique. One day may very well follow the previous but they can both be different, exceptional, exciting and inconsistent. Transitional? Yes, but hardly routine!
To enrich April experiences and to ensure our happiness and satisfaction with this particular month, an advisory reminder for all is offered below. A friendly message for fun and joy as we progress from one season into the next!
Let’s all strive to make this a momentous and special day, discarding our unfashionable and unnecessary fabrics and experiencing body and clothes freedom! It is early in this new month of April so many of us need to remain inside but still indulging in the festive merriment of the ending of our wintry hibernation is a worthy commemoration!
Our new season started on 19 March. We’ve already determined that April is the first entire month of Springtime, 2024. The time for rebirth and renewal is rapidly descending upon us! We can all rejoice and rejuvenate together as we march forward together in our nakedness!
There are no limitations and/or restrictions on what is allowed or permitted for this glorious occasion. Each person or persons decide the appropriate, best and convenient action to undertake. No effort is being judged and there are no maximum or minimum numbers of participants to involve. Everyone is free to choose works best for themselves!
Our goal or our mission is essentially to do something naked today. Of course, in order to do something naked, we must first and foremost be naked. In a sincere effort to make certain that all of us comprehend the guideline, a graphic chart is provided below. Under the chart, .gif images of how to become naked are published to ensure understanding.
The doorway on our ability to be naked has now been opened for us all. The task itself is relatively simple. Now is the time to abandon our insecurity and/or our modesty and embrace the unlimited and unrestricted liberation our nakedness affords us! Practice makes perfect!
Eliminating our inhibitions and misgivings on finally acquiring the knowledge and the skills to enter into the world as a bare practitioner! A resource of hope and rejuvenation that is reliable for us all to enjoy throughout the world in which we live!
Implementing these fine talents that we’ve discovered and learned provide us choices and options to improve our daily lives. We can now determine the direction to proceed into in improving and rewarding not only ourselves but also those around us!
In satisfying our commitment to do something naked today, none of us are challenged or hindered by any predicament or situation. We can be home alone or involved with a group. There is no time restriction that must be followed. Clothes freedom for five minutes or for five hours isn’t a concern or issue. Without clothing, therefore bare, is our sole qualifying factor.
Something is inclusive. Anything is a possible accomplishment. Basically, walking as a bare practitioner from one room into another solves the necessity of do something naked today. Easy! Simple! Uncomplicated! Drink a glass or water or a can of soda – without wearing any type of clothing – and we’ve achieved our goal!
Performing without clothing helps us in our self-acceptance of what and who we are as an individual. It also encourages us to become self-reliant and comfortable with ourselves and others. Doing something naked while alone permits us to relax when bare in the company of others.
Social nakedness or social nudity allows us to interact together in ways that we might always normally pursue. It enables us to enjoy the time together and helps to raise our level of not only self-respect but of communal respect.
Doing something naked today can be with acquaintances, family, friends or even total strangers. Body and clothes freedom know no restrictions on who we may engage. Possibilities are endless on who may participate. Our nakedness helps to create our bare practitioner sociability!
Have a wonderful time as we all plan to enjoy ourselves and do something naked today!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, April 8, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “A-Months!”
Commando = without underwear!
Background:
Commando is an ambiguous term with multiple meanings; however, this site’s name is ReNude Pride. The opening header pose features the intended focus of this topic here today. After contemplation, the definition of commando being referenced here obviously is not related to the armed forces and/or the military.
There have been times in our lives when we have seen a picture of someone or something and wondered: what is the meaning of this? Either the subject or the photographer (or perhaps both) are communicating but what is the message?
In today’s posting commando refers to the practice/routine of not wearing any style of underwear (boxers, briefs, thongs, jock-strap) when textile (clothed). For some committed commando devotees, this practice also entails no undershirts. The choice remains with the person opting out! There are no listed “rules of engagement” for commando. It is the decision of the person avoiding the wearing of underwear.
Going Commando:
For many, the month of March and the arrival of the Spring season entices them into discarding their underwear. Others decide not to wear underwear – period! The decision id one that each individual makes for themselves. In the .gif image above, Chad is removing his shirt but we can tell that he is totally commando inside his pants. His pubic hairline isn’t contained with any type of waistband.
Certain types of clothing, particularly cycling shorts and kilts, are designed to be worn or are traditionally worn without any garment underneath.
“Going commando” is the phrase used to describe the absence of underwear underneath one’s clothing (pants/shorts). Another phrase used is: “going free-balling” (slang for allowing the testicles to hang freely). The origin of the term “going commando” is unclear and vague. In the gay community, it is often thought to be “out in the open” or “ready for action.” Both interpretations based primarily on the proverbial preparedness for combat readiness of the U.S. Marines.
The army attributes the Vietnam War where soldiers went without underwear in order to “increase ventilation and reduce moisture.” The cause of this association is the extreme humidity the soldiers endured during involvement in that conflict.
For many exploring the bare practitioner culture, the commando option is a first step in the process. Underwear, because of it’s intimacy, is the first element of clothing put on and the last element of clothing removed. Discarding underwear is a logical beginning practice when a man is considering nudity. It simplifies the act of getting dressed/undressed.
One of the benefits of “going commando” is the reduction in the amount and frequency of our laundry loads. This conserves effort, energy and time while allowing us the freedom to pursue more pleasurable and rewarding undertakings!
My oldest brother, Nick, is also same gender loving (SGL). Unlike Alex (my identical twin) and I, his indulgence into nakedness is mostly confined to when he is with one of us and a social nudity function is involved. Nick is a commando enthusiast throughout the entire calendar year and boasts of the extra space he now has in his luggage to being boxer-free! Yet another satisfied commando!
An additional advantage to “going commando” is that now that March is here, in the Northern Hemisphere, Spring has arrived and along with it, the imminent comfortable, outdoor temperatures. The desire and urgings to skinny-dip (swim naked) is soon to happen!
The spontaneous nature of skinny-dipping is intensified in the sudden and often hurried stripping out of our clothing as we rush to enter into the body of water. In our haste, “going commando” provides us with one less item of clothing to search for once our skinny-dip is finished. Commando makes our lives so much easier!
Aaron, my spouse and I, once the frigid and rough days of winter have passed, frequently “go commando” on weekends, especially when there is a social nudity event occurring. We both appreciate the fact that there is one less article of attire that needs removal. The majority of the time, we’re wearing a pair of jeans (either pants or shorts) as casual clothing usually offers the maximum comfort.
Allow me to reiterate the difference between a bare practitioner and a commando. The bare practitioner is one of complete nakedness. Without any clothing or covering whatsoever, save perhaps some jewelry. A commando individual, at the very least, is wearing pants and/or shorts. Commando is without undergarment, no matter the style or type of underwear the person prefers.
These “fine lines” of distinction may be crossed over at any time. As posted above, Aaron and I are loyal bare practitioners but on occasion we dress commando, depending on the particular circumstance. The same applies to dedicated commando disciples who, at times, opt for nudity.
To my knowledge, there is no restriction forbidding persons from “crossing” from one appearance style to another. It remains the personal choice for each individual. Sometimes, less is much better!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Sunday, March 31, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Bottoms-Up! Easter, 2024!”
Background:
We’ve now progressed to the third month of the new year, 2024. In my post entries here on ReNude Pride, in particular regarding new year’s resolutions, I’ve consistently focused on the poor timing for such life changes. The level of commitment to maintain the adjustment simply isn’t at the optimal level during the frenzy of the winter holiday season.
Reduced resolve:
The weather isn’t always conducive to the fluctuation of our daily routine. From seasonal temperatures to frigid temperatures and then to uncertain temperatures while adapting to all the other issues confronting us is not always in our best interests. Additionally, the realities of ice and snow, on a daily basis, often erases any resolve we may have.
Both my spouse, Aaron, and I have observed these result during our visits – jointly and separately – at our local fitness facility. Our job schedules don’t coincide so we visit the center at early mornings (me) or early afternoons (Aaron). The new year begins annually and the workout attendance soars. Everyone starts the new year driven to become fit and toned before the summer season is upon us.
As the weeks pass, the numbers of gym attendees starts to drop. Suddenly, the “fresh faces” at every workout station are gone and the only ones around us are the dedicated few who have been visiting the same exercise facility for as long as ourselves. The usage of the influx of new members noticeably begins to decline by the beginning of February. This year, the decrease in attendance is only now becoming apparent. Delayed!
Yet another example of the futility of the new year’s resolutions debacle. Why attempt to introduce positive improvements when the environment is so unproductive? That’s the reason Aaron and I both advocate Spring Resolutions instead of New Year’s Resolutions.
The arrival of Spring itself mystically promises a successful future. The rebirth and return of a new season of both growth and hope enriches most of us to physically undertake something new. The reappearance of warmer weather and the extension of the hour of natural daylight available daily offer us all encouragement.
Improving our lifestyle and quality of life now seems easier and not as overwhelming. The mindset: I can do this! now becomes reality and not a figment of our imagination. Plus, for some mysterious and strange reason, the ice and the snow just suddenly melt away!
Subtle Reminder: Spring, 2024, begins this month: March!
Consider creating a personal list (brief) of Spring Resolutions!
Keeping our resolutions list concise and simple increases our chances for a successful completion! Instead of over-burdening ourselves, focusing on a limited number of improvements enables us to consolidate our energies and to reduce distractions. Two or three successes are better than a dozen failures and guarantee an increase and a stronger self-confidence! A positive attitude empowers productivity and self-growth!
The majority of us lack the financial resources for a bare practitioner-accepting and friendly exercise/fitness accommodation. The result is that we have to contend with a textile (clothed) workout. Hopefully, the .gifs offered below provide us with some sort of inspirational incentive to strive for our very best; whether we are bare or wearing athletic gear!
Of course, our fitness-seeker (above) is wearing the minimal amount of gear as we all know that his personal preference is for complete nakedness! No matter how enticing our “treadmill-man” may think his exercise uniform appears, our bare practitioner instincts usually always focus on the examples perceived as being in common with our own: nudity!
Confused?
Don’t suffer confusion! We’ve already survived leap year day (29 February, 2024), for this calendar year. Now is the time for us to return to an extra hour of daylight daily! Prepare yourselves and plan in advance. This annual phenomenon is now upon us!
Daylight Savings Time (DST) begins at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, 10 March, 2024!
Officially, this means that at 2:00 a.m., (local time) physically adjust your time-piece (cock, watch, etc.) to 3:00 a.m. Simple? Hopefully! Please remember to adjust the clock in your automobile! Remember: we are bare practitioners! We don’t have the luxury of unzipping your partner’s pants with the intention of “adjusting” his time! As bare practitioners, none of us should be wearing anything!
Friday Footnote: Book Recommendation!
The Guardians is a fiction novel by John Grisham published in 2019. It is based on an actual legal case of an innocent man wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to death. Diligent and thoughtful, it brings emphasis to the serious lack of honesty, integrity and justice in our vulnerable judiciary system.
S scenario that a probable majority of us hopes never happens; no matter our personal feelings on the legitimacy of capital punishment. A recommended read to evaluate and explore!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, March 11, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Maschalagnia II!”
This topic, Bare Modesty, was originally announced for publication in January, 2024. It was then postponed due to my personal confusion – over my notes and my draft – while composing the actual post entry. I then substituted another subject and re-scheduled the publication until the following month, February. Today is 1 March, 2024, and I am publishing a condensed and – hopefully – clarified version of my intended post entry.
I sincerely apologize once again for any confusion or inconvenience about this mistake.
Vulnerable? Susceptible? Conspiratorial?
Is it a message of embarrassment, guilt and shame? Or is it an encouragement to discover and explore comfort and relaxation in body and clothes freedom? Obviously, the men depicted in the above images are identical twins, so why do the Black twins imply that one of them has an issue with his nakedness and the White twins are both apparently accepting and unaffected by their nudity? In actuality, the Black twins (Daniel and Darren Shoneye) are both confident and proud of their bare practitioner status in the world! Neither of the Shoneye twins have any hesitation in proving their affinity for their sexuality or their nakedness in their lives!
Also, a personal notation. Alex is my identical twin and we can verify that we have no problems in being same gender loving or in being publicly seen in our nakedness. The defining label is “identical” twins for a reason!
Introduction:
The word bare is considered to mean naked, nude, uncovered, empty, void or without. A bare Felipe Ferreira is clothes free (naked). A bare shelf is empty. A bare mind is often used to describe my mental state of being and pursuit of that example would last forever!
The Modesty Syndrome:
Modesty implies the exact opposite idea. It is understood as concern or fear of being considered, seen or viewed as being bare. In particular, regarding textile (clothed). Often this word is involved with a person’s status of being dressed (covered) and/or undressed (uncovered).
In the image above, Felipe Ferreira uses his body language (communication) to confirm or reinforce our knowledge that he is – indeed – posing while totally bare. This makes the fact that he truly is in the state of body and clothes freedom and utilizing his hand as his communication tool to conceal his genitalia from our view. Hence, the subtle message of being “modest.”
Therefore, the action of concealment negates the intended body language while placing emphasis on the reality that Felipe is honestly, really and truly engaging in nakedness. The steps used to insinuate modesty thus have the opposite effect! In other words, “pretend” you don’t want to be seen naked!
Remaining on the picture of Felipe for one final thought. He has “pride” tattooed at the base of his neck. Is this tattoo reflecting his feeling about being same gender loving (SGL) or is it a summary of his feeling about being bare (his nakedness)? Given our frequent encounter of his clothes freedom while with another man, can we conclude it is his confidence in being both gay and naked?
According to his public comments on his tattoo, and his photographic opportunities, he has no problem or shame being both bare and SGL! “I am me!” is his response! At least now, he’s comfortable in modelling his pubic hairline!
Absence of Modesty:
Featured above is ReNude Pride’s unofficial spokes-model, Phoenix Fellington, and his half-bare companion! Phoenix (birth name: TreLarun Fenderson) is the African-American bare practitioner on the right in the picture. There is no doubt as to his acceptance and comfort with both his nakedness and his SGL attraction (exclusively gay). Likewise, there is no doubt about his repulsion of being considered anything other than what and who he truly is!
In interviews, when questioned about his his nudity tendencies, his standard answer is: “I love to be nude surrounded by nature!” The former U.S. Marine has no regret over his SGL status!
Although his youthful companion wearing only his shirt and showing his masculine anatomy below his waist does raise questions in the minds of some. Why does he feel the need to conceal his chest? Perhaps he feels a chill but more than likely the shirt item was the decision of the photographer and/or his agent. It does appear strange his waving his hand while smiling and exposing his genitalia! Especially with our man, Phoenix, is fully and happily bare right there beside him. One fact is undisputed: neither of the two have an issue concerning modesty except for the obvious: “not me!“
The gay adult film industry (pornography studios) is known for hosting lavish gala events where top celebrity performers are welcome ( and enthusiastically encouraged to socialize naked/nude. This practice began in the mid-to-late 1970s when gay porn evolved into the “gay porn industry” label. When I initially laid my eyes upon this photo, Phoenix portrayed the proud “father” and his waving companion represented his overindulged child. I don’t know if this message/scenario was intended, whenever I encounter this image, that thought automatically reappears mentally.
As to the studio socials? Our spokes-model, Phoenix, has earned the reputation of being extremely outspoken and very “heroic” at these events, often chiding studio executives and their VIP cohorts for any shortcomings, accidental or otherwise, toward his co-workers in the industry. He firmly believes in equality and fairness for all – no matter their professional prestige!
The studio executives and management are finally and reluctantly accepting Phoenix for what and who he actually is. They recognize his talent and enthusiasm and his popularity in the gay porn industry; as long as he continues to produce the financial results they need, they grudgingly allow him to have the freedom he seeks for his professional standards: equality, fairness and primarily his unrestricted nakedness!
His charges of racial insensitivity against the Noir Male executives and the overwhelming success of his boycott of that studio’s discriminatory policies convinced them to accede to his expectations. Sometimes nakedness does achieve profound results!
Reasoning Assumptions:
The photos directly above and below this section represent the theme under consideration: the subject (model/performer) often may not be in a determining role for the shared images. It may feature them but the details of how much of their anatomy is presented is beyond their control. Others, photographer/videographer, agents, studio executives. financial supporters, etc., may and usually do have the final decision authority.
Quite often, the model or performer has essentially no determination in whether they pose/perform fully exposed or not.
The lack of deliberate body language to obscure nudity does not eliminate the obvious fact. The person presented is naked and apparently unbothered by any emotions surrounding their lack of clothing or covering. The absence of body language to indicate modesty itself confirms that whoever made the decision is aware that any body language would reinforce the nakedness concept and ideal.
Various people have offered many reasons for their cautious approach to public nudity. Among some of the major excuses, the fear of a public erection – the growth of the male penis – is by far the foremost leader. What males seem to forget is that spontaneous erections – the subconscious occurrence – happens throughout one’s life and usually without any advance warning or conscious stimulation. The more accustomed a man becomes with his nakedness in social settings generally reduces this happening. Having several alternate plans in case this occurs generally helps a person to relax.
Another situation that causes hesitation in social nudity is the reluctance of some to the occasional reality that not everyone has a precise moment to remove any clothing they may wear. Many are uncomfortable in being the first to strip out of their clothing and baring themselves. However, if everyone hesitates, then few, if any, have the chance to enjoy the glory of their nakedness! The best solution for this issue is to plan to get bare whenever possible and let those hesitating make their own decision when convenience happens.
My spouse, Aaron, and I have discussed these and other situations privately and then with acquaintances and friends numerous times and there are an endless number of reasons that people voluntarily give for procrastination. If a clothing optional beach or event is the destination, it is best for deciding when in route to engage in social nudity or not and simply have fun – with or without others. Delaying the joy-of-the-moment for someone else to take the initiative isn’t necessarily the best protocol to adhere.
Exhibitionism:
For some bare practitioners there exists an absolute fear of being perceived as being an exhibitionist. Exhibitionism is regarded as “the act of flaunting oneself in order to attract attention.” Psychologically, exhibitionism is viewed as “compulsive exposure of the sexual organs in public.” It stands to reason that an exhibitionist is “a person who compulsively (habitually) exposes themselves publicly for attention.”
For the exhibitionist, it is the reaction (response) from the person who witnesses the act that gives them pleasure. It is not the fact that they are naked. They receive their thrill (satisfaction) from offending or shocking another person, more often than not, by publicly stroking themselves. In summary, a thrill-seeker with shock-value!
In most instances and occasions, the offensive actions of an exhibitionist are illegal and are accompanied by serious consequences. It usually involves public prosecution, public embarrassment and humiliation outside of the legal ramifications.
In these situations, the position of modesty isn’t the issue. The person appearing or posing naked/nude doesn’t want the implication of being an exhibitionist associated with themselves not with their body! The modesty entailed here is not with nakedness itself. It is modesty concerning the exhibitionist label and perception.
Author’s advisory:
A sequel to this post entry is planned for Monday, March 4, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Exculpatory Evidence!”
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, March 4, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Exculpatory Evidence!”
“Racism takes many forms and our thoughts on racism, sexuality and nudity need to change.” ~ Joseph Ross Anderson ~ aka Race Cooper The Pink News SGL News Service London, UK 10 June, 2020
Prologue:
The examination and exploration of the topic of race extends beyond the limited concepts of just Black people and White people. It includes all of us, no matter our skin tone, ethnicity or racial heritage. Race, unfortunately, is also aligned with community, culture, politics, religion and value systems.
Regrettably, racism (racial discrimination and/or hatred based on skin tone) is often a “learned” behaviour – usually passed from one generation to the next – without any basis of proof or scientific fact. Unchallenged, it is frequently misunderstood as the “norm” – the routine standard.
ReNude Pride published a post entry here, Race On Race, last year on March 6, 2023. Click on the title to link. My spouse, Aaron, and I both offer this expanded version of the topic in the hope of overcoming our need to be reminded of the importance of this reality in our daily lives. This is the reason, among others, that we do not restrict this issue or topic exclusively to the period of Black History Month.
Race Cooper is the stage name of Joseph Ross Anderson, a talented and thoughtful star of same gender loving (SGL) – bisexual and gay – pornography and outspoken advocate for bare (naked/nudist) rights, sexuality rights and racial equality. He was born and grew up in Toronto, Canada on December 5, 1973. Amazing, he didn’t begin his film career (porn) until 2009 – he was 36 years old! An age when most openly gay porn actors are ready to retire from performing live!
In the same year that he launched his film debut, he started blogging about the porn industry on blogger.com and swiftly acquired notoriety as “a-man-who-tells-it-all!” Race’s blog was a popular favourite as he kept no secrets from his readers. He consistently posted of his experiences with his fellow actors, both complimentary and flattering and…honest and real. His descriptions and observations of their intimate abilities and anatomical attributes made his blog a success for many and a regular “must-read” for both his followers and his peers in the film studios! His writing skills hastened to dispel the stereotype of the gay porn actor as egotistical, “flaky,” and self-obsessed.
He also began to publicly encourage and endorse the expansion of the alpha-man (top-man) and the beta-man (bottom-man) sexual identities to include versatility (preference to engaging in either sexual position or fluidity)!
Additional facts on Race Cooper are listed below:
Name: Joseph Ross Anderson
Height: 6′ (183 cm)
Weight: 180 lbs. (82 kg)
Hair: head (shaved) body (armpit, pubic)
Penis: 7.9″ (20 cm) circumcised
Sexuality: gay exclusive
Sexual position: versatile (preference: bottom)
Clothing status: bare
Film career: 2009 – 2014
“I’m an African-Canadian. Growing up in Toronto, I got to see how lots of White Americans reacted to Black people. Working in gay pornography in the USA, I personally saw how Black men were treated by White men with no difference between gay or straight.” ~ Race Cooper ~ The Pink News 10 June, 2020
Race Cooper, based on his own experience in the SGL porn industry, views racism as “a daily constant in the USA.” He initially began working as a casting director for the exclusively SGL studios – Raging Stallion – before he moved to performing in front of the camera. He acknowledges that he was paid considerably less than his White peers and regularly and repeatedly had his work ethic and his intelligence questioned. He honestly believes that he was only hired initially in order for the studio to appear “less racist.”
“Homophobia and racism in the USA is the reasoning for discrimination and prejudice. It is part of the legacy of slavery. In Canada, race is just a difference. You shave your pubic hair, I let mine grow naturally. We’re both gay men, we’re just different in some ways.” ~ Race Cooper ~ The Pink News 10 June, 2020
Canada had slavery in the 1600s only. It was never a permanent institution like in the USA. As a slave, you were bought, you worked a couple of years, earned your freedom and then you moved on. Similar to an indentured servant. Enslavement was never a source of distrust and hatred. You worked, earned freedom and then became a neighbour – equal – not inferiour or subserviant.
“As a Black gay man, I know and have witnessed bias, hatred and prejudice because of nudity, race and sexual orientation. It is unfair and unjust. It is wrong. As a performer in the porn industry, I’ve never experienced criticism for being publicly or for being socially naked. But I do know of fellow gay nudists who are judged because of their nudity. Clothes freedom is part of who we are. Just like race and sexuality, we don’t have a choice.” ~ Race Cooper ~ The Pink News 10 June, 2020
Race Cooper was interviewed by The Pink News, a GLBTQ+ news service in London, England, United Kingdom, on 10 June, 2020, for his thoughts on racial inequality in the SGL porn industry in the USA in light of the killing of the late George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement. He also wants the porn studios to openly admit that many White men – straight – have been cast into roles, intended for Black gay men. Many of these substitutions were in films catering to primarily SGL African-American audiences.
As a path forward, he’d like to see the studios hire and utilize “diversity mentors” to help casting and hopefully these very same mentors could advance the careers of actors of colour and other minority qualifications. He also advocates the ending of “gay-for-pay” and the immediate end to the shunning of HIV+ porn actors.
In the conclusion of his interview with The Pink News, Race Cooper offered – in my humble opinion – his most daring and profound argument against bigotry, discrimination and judgment based on not only just race but sexual orientation and nakedness as well. This declaration was made on his own initiative and observation. Proof positive that Joseph Ross Anderson (Race Cooper) is – heart and soul – a brother bare practitioner and all of us welcome and embrace him in complete nudity and pride into our community and culture! True equality is a basic human right for us all!
“I’ve made numerous naked appearance at gay studio social events. The newcomers to our profession are often intimidated by us older professionals. Usually, fellow Black new actors are gathered, made to strip out of their apparel and paraded through the White guests who are fully or partially clothed only to be ridiculed, teased and tormented and not allowed to get dressed until the social is done.” ~ Race Cooper ~ The Pink News 10 June, 2020
Great observations, Race Cooper! We are grateful for your honesty!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, February 26, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Bonus: +24!”
The Magic and the Myth!
Often, the mythology lies around, dormant. After all, it’s an old myth that no one really considers important. It’s also an old myth that we have all probably seen refuted by reality. It simply is nothing earth-shattering or shocking. It’s not detrimental or explosive. All it does is just lie there.
Then, one day when we least expect it, it raises up and punches us in our face! We are so caught by surprise that there are few words that would adequately describe our reaction.
The overwhelming majority of us have been so involved with our everyday lives – handling our own business – that we never saw this coming our way! That’s the reason we’re so dumbfounded and numb.
We never saw “it” coming toward us! Suddenly and unexpectedly there “it” is! Right, directly, in front of us!
The “it” we never saw coming toward us? The mythology that was simply lying around: dormant. It was an old myth that none of us considered important. It was so completely and totally dormant that we had – intentionally or not – simply forgotten that “it” was “out” there. So irrelevant and useless that most of us never gave it any thought at all!
That old myth is this: Black people aren’t gay and they aren’t naked! White people are that way and they are “teaching” our people how to act and to be like that!
Believe it or not, like it or not, that old myth remains among us and with us. Another overwhelming majority of us may know it to be no more than what it really is: an old myth. A meaningless and useless thought left behind by hatred and homophobia. But wait! “It” is still with us.
We do indeed live in the 21st Century. And yes, reality – real life – does afford us all with a multitude of opportunities to see examples and reminders of same gender love (SGL) as we go about our everyday lives handling our business. That’s just how this world is supposed to work.
We are all free to be ourselves. To be what and who we truly are. We should all remember that we are free to expect this from others as long as we show the same respect of freedom to all others! We all live in the same world, therefore, we all share the same world.
Nakedness and same gender love (SGL) may or may not be something that is essential or important to everyone and that is good. It is likewise good that we all accept and recognize that for some of us these aspects are crucial, vital and paramount in our lives. The same holds true for interracial couples and marriages – irregardless of the gender. The days of the iron-clad formula that Black should be with Black or that White should be with White are now long past.
All of this I can share from personal experience. Following the arrival of marriage equality here during President Barack Obama’s second term in office, my then-partner, Aaron, and I took the path forward and became legally married (after incessant urgings from both of our sets of parents). My spouse is African-Canadian. I am Greek. An interracial union of two SGL men who prefer bare rather than textile (clothed). Ever since our wedding, we’ve both received an endless amount of comments from numerous casual acquaintances and/or co-workers about our “relationship.”
For some unimaginable reason, people – SGL couples included – have an issue or a problem when referring to a “marriage” between same gender partners. Is it our gender or is it our skin colour? Or is it a combination of the two?
Now back to the mysterious “it” that was creeping upon us earlier. “It” remains with us and will somehow prevail. Aaron and a multitude of others are actual breathing, living proof that the old myth is unfounded and untrue. There are Black men who are confident being bisexual or gay and who also enjoy and are proud being naked.
The awesome reality of this predicament is that no one, Pink, Green, Blue or White had to “teach” him anything. He was born this way and has no shame of being who he is. He has no guilt in being who he is!
Enjoy the remainder of Black History Month, 2024!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, February 19, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Happy Hemisphere!”
ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! 