NCOD: Closets Are For Clothes!

Clothes Only Inside Closets!

National Coming Out Day: Closets Are For Clothes!

NCOD = National Coming Out Day!

October 11, annually

Tomorrow, 11 October 2025, is National Coming Out Day! The celebration of all of us living our lives without any embarrassment, fear, guilt or shame! Being what and who we really and truly are!

Confident, happy and proud to be ourselves!

Keep in mind: closets are for clothes!

A GLBTQ+ awareness day in support of all persons being honestly and openly themselves! This occasion was first observed on 11 October 1988 and annually every year thereafter. Years after SIR (Stonewall Inn Riots) when the “anonymous” same gender loving community began the movement for equality, a vast majority of “homosexuals” remained invisible and silent as to their sexuality out of fear of being labelled and/or ridiculed by colleagues, family and friends.

They decided to stay comfortable and safe “hiding inside the closet!” They were acknowledging their homosexuality to a very few trusted people. At this particular time, 1988, the focus was accepting one’s sexuality there was no pressure over a person’s nakedness.

The original concept of the very first National Coming Out Day is to make the personal identity a political identity! The emphasis on the basic form of activism as everyone “coming out” (acknowledging) their sexual orientation to all those around them and living life as a confident bisexual, gay or lesbian person.

The fact that homophobia (the fear and hatred of all same gender loving persons and their allies) thrives in an atmosphere of distrust, fear, ignorance and silence encourages separation between “us” and “them.” One people know and/or realize they have loved ones and friends who are bisexual, gay or lesbian, they are less likely and less willing to remain associated with homophobic and/or repressive inclinations. Instead, they usually become more tolerant, more patient and more understanding.

National Coming Out Day was conceived to change that practice. During that time period, the religious right (conservatives) were publicly proclaiming the just retribution of God against the sexual deviants and illicit sinners. Also, the HIV/AIDS epidemic was becoming widespread and persons in the USA were dying in the multiple thousands with no cure.

Unfortunately, the growing severity of the HIV/AIDS transmission and deaths resulting from infection soon overwhelmed the number of voluntary “coming out” persons. Many questioned the necessity of a “coming out” day while the disease rates were soaring.

Why the 11 October Date?

It was the anniversary of the 1987 March on Washington for Gay and Lesbian Rights. The first-ever massive gathering of bisexual, gay, and lesbian persons on the nation’s capitol! More than 100,000 people attended that event!

The date also marked the first public display of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt – in its entirety! The NAMES Project AIDS Quilt was spread on the National Mall between the US Capitol Building and the White House.

National Coming Out Day designed by Keith Haring!
Keith Haring creating a mural!

Openly gay artist Keith Haring (born in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, in 1958) designed the above image for the very first National Coming Out Day. According to Keith, “I’m already ‘out’ so there’s room now for someone else!” Haring was an American graffiti artist whose pop art emerged in New York City subculture in the 1980s. A frequent message in his early art was “safe sex.”

Haring was diagnosed as HIV+ in 1987 and with AIDS in the autumn of 1988. During the last years of his life, he used his art to generate activism and awareness about HIV/AIDS. He died of complications from AIDS on 16 February 1990.

Have a very happy National Coming Out Day!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, October 13, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Indigenous People’s Day!”

Historic Visibility: Early Photos!

Historic camera!

A Salute of Our Heritage Through Photography!

Picture Notation:

The header (opening image above) of this post entry here on ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers depicts an early camera (antique) being utilized to capture the likeness of the model. It is absolutely not an authentic photograph from the intended era.

The footwear (shoes) on the photographers are not relevant to the time period. Nor are the hairstyles of any of the three men posing for the picture. The hair and shoes reflect the early-to-middle 1950s decade.

The above photo because it represents the title and topic of today’s post here. The photographs published here below are the authentic copies of the originals.

Preamble:

When the camera initially appeared in the middle of the 1800s, public nakedness was either banned, forbidden, outlawed, prohibited and/or all of the previous choices. The existence of any type of affection between persons of the same gender (SGL) was not even considered a possibility outside of the highest legal minds. That act was judged by clergy and legalists alike as immoral and beyond description!

These circumstances were interpreted as degrading, indecent and offensive to all! It was viewed as the “work of the devil” and totally “unChristian!” As though everyone was an active supporter of that belief system!

Yet, despite volumes of judgemental and negative labels, bare posing for the camera, same gender affection and naked photography emerged. It also managed to survive, thrive and remains with us even today!

Bare practitioner, actor Sean Xavier, and his cup of tea!

Perhaps, somewhere, there are some bare practitioners reading this post entry while having their morning warm beverage! Positive proof of the survival of the very fittest – along with their nakedness and their SGL!

Before homosexual:

Even before the misleading and offensive term “homosexual” entered into the common vocabulary, there existed almost no popular identity classification for what is now determined as same gender love (SGL). It was usually referred to as “decadent,” “deviant” and “immoral.” As with nakedness, it was also construed as “the work of the devil” and condemned as bibically forbidden and completely unChristian.

The photography of (taking of pictures), posing of and the possession of pictures even “hinting” (suggesting) affection and/or intimacy between two individuals of the same gender was illegal and often punishable by imprisonment. Regardless of this restriction, early photographs were indeed created and many are visible even today!

Early SGL Photographers and Their Bromantic Subjects!

Wilhelm von Gloeden

Wilhelm von Gloeden (14 September 1856 – 11 February 1931) was born in Mecklenburg-Strelitz, later part of the German Empire. As an early adult he moved to Taormina, Sicily, Italy, due to tuberculosis. He trained initially as a paint artist, during which time he was given a camera as a gift.

He became fascinated with the novel camera. He later mastered photography while in Italy.

Also, while in Sicily, he became the adult lover of many Sicilian youth. He met and took Pancrazio Biciuni (sometimes referred to as Il Moro), a youth of 14 years as his lover and they remained together until he died. Patrons of his photography included Oscar Wilde and Albert Freidrich Krupp (of the German Krupp armaments family). Under Benito Mussolini he was put on trial for harboring pornography (his photographs) but was acquitted by the court in Milan.

Pancrazio Biciuni “Il Moro”

Pancrazio Bicinui (1879 – 1963) as a youthful teenager he became the lover of Wilhelm von Gloeden and remained with him until his death in 1931.

Vincenzio Galdi

Italian photographer (1871 – 1961) of primarily male nudes. His interest in photography began when he became first a model, then lover and then assistant to the German photographer, Wilhelm von Pluschow. He operated his own studio in Rome between 1900 and 1907. It was closed by the police and images seized in 1907.

Sicilian teens photographed by Vincenzio Galdi

On the bottom of the above picture, the shadows of the photographer, Vincenzo Galdi and his camera are visible. All three subjects at times were lovers of the adult photographers and were either bisexual or gay.

Two Sicilian teenagers

A Galdi photo showing two nude teens, Greco-Roman style. On the right is Pasquale Stracuzzi, the first Sicilian lover of Wilhelm von Gloeden. Stracuzzi appears in numerous pictures and was also known as Il Grande Fauno (The Great Fawn).

A Classic!

Bare artist, bare subject!

The above picture was posed for along the coast of Denmark, far away from the island of Sicily! It shows openly gay Danish artist, Ainor Bagnor, painting his equally bare subject who’s reclining on a rock, reading a book. Bagnor was known to be a very enthusiastic supporter of same gender love as well as body and clothes freedom! It is unknown the sexuality of either the subject of Bagnor’s art not the photographer of the image.

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!”

Bottoms Up! September, 2025!

Balcony bottoms-up brotherhood!

Today is the last day of the month of September, 2025. In the Northern Hemisphere, summer is officially finished and autumn has arrived! Above, the group is enjoying one last effort to collectively and communally share all their bottoms-up outdoors before the dreary and frigid days return!

A bottoms-up! line-up before winter arrives!

The communal commemoration of visible buttocks is engaged in all over the world and by all peoples residing throughout the globe!

Teasing with his buttocks!

Above, our model wants to assure every one of us that he is providing a barrier-free view of his bottoms-up! contribution!

Bottoms-up! exposure!

In a hurry, lack of time to remove all their clothing, this duo above simple grab their shorts and drop their waistline in order to pose for today’s bottoms-up! post entry! At least they tried to make the deadline!

Bottoms-Up! discipline!

For whatever the reason, our man above has his buttocks slapped as his duly deserved consequence for his most recent infraction!

Summer’s end: skinny-dipping!

Summer of 2025 has officially ended! In honour of this transition period between summer and autumn, our bald friend above celebrates with a skinny-dipping venture before the outdoor temperatures drop too low!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for tomorrow, October 1, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “GLBTQ+ History Month, 2025!”

Drive to Pride!

A bare practitioner “road trip!”

Preliminary:

A “Friday Footnote” posting on my solo agenda for the first weekend of Autumn, 2025!

Road Trip:

As frequently noted here on ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! Aaron, my spouse, is employed as a nursing supervisor at a local hospital. Unfortunately, after a fully engaged work week, he is also substituting as attending both days this immediate weekend.

Following a very busy and dynamic week in the classroom, a “quiet” weekend, at home – alone – is not a welcoming need at this time. Personally, a brief unusual distraction is appealing as an alternative to solitude!

The Friday Footnote!

Aaron’s work involvement was noted at home almost a month previously. All of his fellow supervisors within his department are joining together to cover a co-worker who is coping with a major family emergency situation.

Richmond, my USA residential “home city,” is approximately a 90-minute drive (depending on traffic) from our condominium in Arlington. I’ve made plans with Paul Turner, a Richmond resident, childhood friend, fellow bare practitioner and old neighbourhood crony and we are planning a one-day “reunion” venture together.

On Saturday, 27 September Richmond celebrates its annual GLBTQ+ Pride Festival. Paul and I plan to attend the event, explore the scene and then either share a meal at either a food booth at the festival or at a local restaurant. It has been several years since I have attended a Richmond Pride extravaganza!

Weather predictions for this weekend in Richmond aren’t that promising. Rain is forecast – why this particular weekend? Paul and I have agreed to meet no matter the precipitation possibility. We can always enjoy a long luncheon in a restaurant!

Regrettably, municipal laws banning nakedness will prohibit us from exploring the Pride event naturally! Perhaps next year? We can always hope!

Have a happy and safe autumn weekend!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Tuesday, September 30, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Bottoms-Up! September, 2025!”

Autumn Adaptability!

Bromance in early autumn!

Since my last posting here, Bare/Dare Series, 2025! #3, the season of autumn has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere. No surprise that this happened. I’m certain the majority are probably now wondering: Doesn’t that fool know that autumn always follow summer?

Yes! This fool (myself) does indeed have that knowledge! However, it has only been recently (since I first met Aaron, my spouse) that I’ve received the ability to accept and embrace that change and positively proceed with life!

Prior to 2010 (the year that Aaron and I met, were attracted to each other, fell in love and then moved together under the same roof), I was unable to acknowledge the last of summertime and the start of autumn without offering a manual monologue (sign language) of profanities! I was so addicted and obsessed with summer and being comfortable that I reacted to the seasonal transition in an outrage followed by a major period of depression and frustration!

I publicly acknowledge and admit to my severe shortcoming regarding this issue. I also want to thank Aaron for patiently teaching me the prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi:

“Lord, grant me the ability to change what I can; the ability to accept what I cannot change; and the wisdom to know the difference!” ~ St. Francis of Assisi ~

Aaron, I’m grateful for your sharing of your Roman Catholic faith and encouraging my adherence to this prayer!

Thank you, Aaron! Happy autumn to all!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride/Guys Without Boxers!

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, September 26, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Drive to Pride!”

Bare/Dare Series, 2025! #3

Identical siblings!

An Examination and Exploration of Our Community and Our Culture of Same Gender Loving Nakedness! #3

Identical Twins: Double the Nakedness, Double the Fun!

Preliminary:

As promised at the beginning of this series, this final offering for this publication was guaranteed prior to the end of the summer season as my personal perspective. Just a reminder that this post entry also includes that of my own identical twin brother, Alex. Sometimes, the sharing of our ideas, inspirations, memories, reactions, recollections, thoughts, etc., become blurred and riddled with questions. However, the experiences are shared and together as they involve us both – guilty and innocence – together!

We, Alex (Twin) and I, are identical; our births barely two hours apart. Therefore, we share our personal experiences in nakedness – the comfort, joy, and preference for living, as much as possible, our lives without the burden, duty and/or obligation of clothing/concealment!

Footnote: For this series, I use pictures of identical twins from online. Our brothers prefer I not use any from our childhood.

Identical and Serious: together!

Introduction:

Our family name is Poladopoulos and we are identical twin brothers born almost two hours apart. Alex – the “first-born” – is also Deaf, same gender loving (SGL) or gay and frequently confused with me, Roger, the author of this blog and the “second-born” of this twin team!

Our parents were born in the Kingdom of Greece during the time of the German invasion and occupation during World War II. They married and began their family there before immigrating to this country in the early 1950s. Neither of them became citizens here and they returned to Greece in the 1990s. We (Twin and I) have three (3) older brothers and three (3) younger brothers. That makes the both of us the exact “middle-child” in our family.

Our family household being predominantly male has caused many to assume our nakedness wasn’t a major issue.

A very false and unreal assumption!

Our infancy and early childhood progressed along the same pattern as that of our older siblings with the exception of our diagnosis of being Deaf. Otherwise, we were “normal” until our parents and older siblings decided to teach us to properly adorn (wear clothes) ourselves. Our “moment” to establish our true identity! Our joint (shared) “declaration of independence” was upon us!

Bottoms-up! to yardwork!

Reality:

Our initial opportunity to proclaim our self-determination (identity) happened when the decision was made to instruct us on the process of how to dress – put on clothes. At last, a chance to demonstrate (show) precisely who we really are! Twin and I are unable to exactly recall the experience, so this episode is best described by our surviving parent (mother) and older siblings.

The miraculous fascination that Twin (our familiar reference name for ourselves) and I had for learning how to decorate our bodies with clothes was that it also gave us the knowledge of how easy and simple it now became for us to remove (discard) our clothing!

The proverbial adage, “practice makes perfect” was the result of this lesson. Easy to put on, easy to take off! Our parents were amazed at the both of us getting dressed in garments and then removing them immediately! The essence and introduction into our world of “guys without boxers!” No underwear equals no clothes!

Needless to elaborate, but this basic logistic created an enormous amount of frustration within our family household. Our desire for freedom from clothes soon reached epic proportions that continued throughout our childhood. This conflict in nudity versus textile (clothes wearing) was compounded by a communication issue: our being Deaf against the fact that everyone else was verbal (hearing). At the time, the tensions in our family, along with the births of our younger brothers, made happiness and tranquility seem impossible!

Luckily, Twin and I shared a bedroom. Perhaps “identical” is synonymous with “shared!” Soon, our parents conceived of a compromise: we could be naked inside our bedroom if we agreed to wear clothes while elsewhere in our home. Our older siblings joined in this project, and while some awkward occurrences happened, tranquility returned to the Poladopoulos residence.

Footnote: Now, today, as a family, we all laugh when remembering this drama in our lives!

Calm and peaceful!

As we matured, our late Father eventually acknowledged to us all that the “bedroom nudity compromise” was initially considered only a temporary adjustment. Both parents believed we would grow away from this behaviour and the nude insistence was a developmental “phase” of our lives that would eventually disappear.

Our oldest sibling, Nick, (who “came out” as gay while at university), readily admitted to our family that at his young age, he briefly thought Twin and I were “double trouble!” At the time of this incident, he viewed our being Deaf as synonymous with our penchant for nakedness!

Sometimes, a “temporary” compromise affords a very rewarding and significant solution!

A doorway of twins!

As to the communication concern: our family all learned to manually share (sign language) – both in English and Greek! A process that remains underway still today with the addition of in-laws (sibling marriages), nieces and nephews!

Summary:

Life experiences provided Twin and I with an opportunity to explore, firsthand, the world of nakedness. It afforded us a chance to examine and explore our perspectives, reactions and involvement! These same life experiences reinforced, both internally and in reality, our identical appreciation and commitment to nakedness that we both share!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, September 22, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Autumn Adaptability!”

Beach Memories!

Bottoms-up! view!

Overview:

A brief and happy reminder of the visual delight and joy that the now rapidly evaporating Summer of 2025 (for those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere) and a planning guide for our next summer season!

For those residing in the Southern Hemisphere, a brief view of the upcoming seasonal adventure along with some thoughts. Enhance your summer and enjoy your “natural” nakedness in the sand and surf!

A shoreline with incoming surf!
A bare embrace!

The above images of the Summer of 2025 were taken from the internet this very summer to illustrate the season of sun, surf and simple pleasure the beach brings to the majority of bare practitioners the world over! As a reminder that the concept of “summer fun” isn’t a recent phenomenon, other nostalgic pictures are offered below!

Many “fashionable” clothes-conscious people always seem to be completely baffled as to why there are those who enjoy and thrive in the act of skinny-dipping (swimming naked). It isn’t anything “new!” As a matter of fact, swimsuits didn’t actually appear until the reign of Queen Victoria in the 1800s! They gained popularity and became an aspect of “fashion” in the early 1900s. For centuries, humanity would engage in the sport of swimming in the same way they had for centuries – in their skin!

They may have segregated themselves by gender after various religions entered the picture but for the purpose of aquatic activity, covering wasn’t considered a necessity. Swimming was for fun and relaxation, not a showcase for fashion!

A couple of bare practitioners, early 1950s!
Sicilians, late 1800s!
Vulnerable feet!

Therefore, before we accuse, alienate and assign blame, we should remember a little of our history and remain calm. Accept what we are unable to change; after all, we are powerless to alter what has already happened.

Our bold spokesmodel, Phoenix Fellington, flaunts himself and the incoming surf!

Thoughts:

Those of us who are bare practitioner advocates and enthusiasts have often encountered situations where we were criticized for our memorable shoreline involvement. Too often we are confronted and judged by how we relate among ourselves and to how we react and recollect our “day at the beach!”

There exists within our broader society a common ideal that “patience is a virtue.” Similarly, tolerance is considered exemplary!

The same reminder is applicable to those who harshly degrade us because of our appreciation and preference for our nakedness! Their “flair for fashion” predilection is in no way superior to our status. All of us are equally entitled to our own expressions. If our choices aren’t identical and/or compatible, we should all respect one another and our differences and move forward together.

Our acceptance and recognition of what we share – the beach – is paramount. How we engage in it is relatively unimportant!

Tranquility!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, September 19, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Bare/Dare Series, 2025! #3.”

Countdown!

Contemplation!

The official end-of-summer is fast approaching! This is the next-to-the-last weekend of the official summer season of 2025! The final days are upon us as it is practically over. Make every moment both memorable and remarkable as we, who live in the Northern Hemisphere prepare to bid a farewell to one more period of comfort, warmth and extended days of sunlight.

To all our bare practitioner soulmates who reside in the Southern Hemisphere, prepare for your turn in the bliss of your approaching days of outdoor freedom and fun!

To all, best wishes for a very happy, healthy, safe and successful weekend!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, September 15, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Beach Memories!”

September Routine!

University lecture!

Preliminary:

Please understand that the above image is completely for representative purposes. My university where I’m employed does not permit us clothing-optional classroom or instructional privileges. We’re funded by the Congress, so that situation will be available only at the very end of time!

The Event:

It is now September 2025, and the Labour Day holiday has already happened. Unofficially, here in the USA, the Summer of 2025 is now over—although meteorologically we still have two more weeks of summer before the official transition into the autumn season! In other words, a not-so-subtle reminder to get out there, remove your clothing, and revel in nakedness while it is still possible to do so! Soon, the weather will change, and clothes will become a necessity!

The September Routine involves the return to the classroom (work) after the always all-too-brief summer respite from the educational podium! I enjoyed the holiday from having to commute and report to work daily; however, I also enjoy my job and the benefits and opportunities it affords.

Fortunately, no mathematics involved!

In addition to my classes that I facilitate, I also have two faculty committees that I am assigned. Luckily, I’ve served on these for several years now so the workload is both familiar and part of my academic routine. Hopefully, no unforeseen surprises await me this Autumn semester! However, the dean of my school of instruction is considering a new area of expansion and he has already approached me about not only supporting the assignment but also provisional leadership. He has promised it to be an “interesting” opportunity!

No, this new committee is not clothes free!

Also, another aspect of the September routine is the recollection of the summer freedom from clothing! The memory brings a smile to my face, every time!

At least, tomorrow is a new day!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, September 12, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Countdown!”

Please Meet!

Yorgos self portrait!

YORGOS KC

He’s an exemplary and talented artist and author of his blog/site here: Yorgos KC. I’m currently making his acquaintance and am remarkably impressed with his efforts that are aptly available to all,

Yorgos KC

Please click the above link for your grand tour of all the treasures available there. In exploring and researching my current Bare/Dare Series, 2025!, one of his recent postings, The Discomfort of Being Real, is an honest and in-depth observation of the challenges and myths of nakedness in our world and our right of self-determination. Click on the title to link directly to this awesome post! We’re both of the same mindset in being bare and our same gender love!

Yorgos is not only an accomplished artist as the above image conveys, he’s also doubly gifted as a writer of both fiction as well as issues that we face during the course of our lives. His site contains many of his works and books that relate to both fantasy and reality. A multitalented mastermind who’s sharing his literary and visual gifts to us all!

Yorgos KC wordpress gravatar

The above gravatar (imprint) represents Yorgos KC and appears with his works, both artistic and literary here on wordpress. This seal contains an art rendering of his face as well as a bunny (lower right corner) with a rainbow heart! A proud member of our gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer+ (GLBTQ+) community and culture!

I highly recommend his blog to all bare practitioners and their friends! His art alone celebrates our body and clothes freedom through colourful imagery and also our same gender love and the beauty and tranquility it affords us in the frantic chaos of life. His compositions extol equality and fairness in contrast to the harsh realities that confront us. There’s something presented there that pertains to us all!

A fellow Greek cohort, Yorgos hails from Thessaloniki, Greece. I urge everyone to investigate his offering and endorse following his site as a way of communicating and sharing our nakedness and our same gender love (SGL) sexuality.

Please unite with Aaron, my spouse, and I as we embrace with a naked hug in welcoming Yorgos KC into both our bare practitioner community and culture! Our shared dedication to body and clothes freedom and our sexuality joins us all together!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, September 8, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “September Routine!”