National Coming Out Day is a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer+ (GLBTQ+) awareness day that is observed annually on October 11. Since the inception in 1988, it encourages all GLBTQ+ to take steps on this occasion to “come out” of the closet and not to be ashamed of who and what you are. The original concept was to make the personal acknowledgement into a political statement in support of GLBTQ+ civil rights.
The emphasis of this day is on the basic form of activism which is being openly and proudly who you are and sharing this reality with family, friends and colleagues. The goal is to live your life as a confident bisexual, gay or lesbian person without any guilt or retribution. Those of us who are bare practitioners have supplemented this qualification with being an “out” naturist/nudist.
The term “in the closet” refers to the custom or habit of life before the Stonewall Inn riots of 1969, when practically all GLBTQ+ people lived “in the closet” (secretive) lives in order to keep their jobs, the love of their family and their social place in general society.
Brock Bradley: openly “out” – gay and naked!
What inspired the first observation of Coming Out Day is the fact that homophobia thrives in an atmosphere of bigotry, ignorance and silence. Once people realize that they have a loved one or an acquaintance who is bisexual, gay or lesbian, they are less willing to remain with homophobic or repressive inclinations. That’s reason for encouraging people to “come out of the closet” and let the world know your true identity. There is simply “no shame” in being who we are!
The October 11, date was selected because it was the anniversary of the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. This was the first national gathering in support of GLBTQ+ equality observed in the USA.
National Coming Out Day!
The early events of Coming Out Day often coincided with celebrities and/or other persons of note openly and publicly acknowledging their GLBTQ+ identity. Later, the practice of the tabloid media disclosing a person as being bisexual, gay or lesbian – often without their permission. This publicly “outing” someone was very controversial and usually accompanied by negative attacks on the disclosing media.
The involuntary coming out process was short-lived as the rapidly expanding HIV/AIDS crisis soon replaced the newsworthiness of sexual orientation exposure. For many, an AIDS diagnosis was synonymous with the the coming out announcement.
Today, the observance is another day of proudly reminding others of both what and who we essentially are. There is no longer the absolute necessity to remain “closeted” throughout much of the world.
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, October 14, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Breaking Bare-iers #3!”
The headline photograph is the current Progress version of the GLBTQ+ pride flag that represents our community and our culture. Despite our novelty among the numerous movements in the civil rights world, we do have a history of different banners and what they symbolize waving above us. This “first Friday” of the 2022 GLBTQ+ History Month will examine and share images of these and briefly offer a story of the respective flag.
The Pink Triangle Flag:
The Pink Triangle flag!
The downward-pointing pink triangle was used by Nazi Germany as a badge of shame. It was sewn onto the shirts of homosexual (gay) men in concentration camps to identify and dehumanize them.
Homosexuality was made illegal in Germany in 1871, but it was rarely enforced. When the Nazi Party assumed control in 1933, it was made a priority in order to culturally and racially “purify” Germany. The Nazis arrested tens of thousands of GLBTQ+ individuals, the majority whom were homosexual men, whom they viewed as degenerate.
The early 1970s was when the gay rights movement began to emerge worldwide (after the 1969 Stonewall Inn riots) and various organizations reclaimed the pink triangle as an empowering symbol. It also serves as a reminder to remember the past – and to recognize the persecution GLBTQ+ people continue to suffer around the world.
The Lambda Flag:
Greek letter Lambda flag!
The Greek letter, lambda, was first chosen as a gay symbol when, in 1970, for the first anniversary of the Stonewall Inn Riots (SIR), it was adopted by New York City’s local chapter of Gay Activist Alliance as the emblem of their growing movement of gay liberation. Some identified the Greek letter with the representation of the word “liberation.”
In 1974, lambda was subsequently adopted by the International Gay Rights Congress meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, as their official symbol designating gay, bisexual and lesbian civil rights. Following this selection, lambda became internationally popular and recognized as representing the growing movement for civil rights for all people, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation.
Lambda was first designated in December, 1969, as representative of the new gay liberation movement by the graphic artist and one of the Gay Activist Alliance’s founding members, Tom Doerr. Doerr chose the letter because in chemistry it was a sign for catalyst. Others argue that lambda denoted the synergy of the growing gay movement: the idea of the whole being greater than the sum of all its parts.
Some view the lambda as being synonymous with males exclusively.
The Rainbow Flag:
The Rainbow flag!
First publicly raised on June 25, 1978, in San Francisco, California, USA, the flag flew over the United Nations Plaza in honour of then-gay pride at the 1978 San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade. The original flag consisted of eight coloured stripes and was designed by Gilbert Baker and hand-stitched and dyed with the help of friends and volunteers Lynn Segerblom, James McNamara, Glenne McElhinney, Joe Duran, and Paul Langlotz.
The eight-stripe original rainbow flag was soon revised to six stripes with pink (symbolizing “sex”) and turquoise (symbolizing “art and magic”) eliminated as the colours and dyes were unavailable in flag fabric. Baker conceived the flag would empower his “tribe” and a “rainbow of humanity” motif would represent the movement’s diversity.
The six stripes and what the colours represent:
Rainbow flag and symbolic colours!
The six stripes on the revised rainbow flag symbolize values held dear and not the various people comprising the community and culture.
The Progress Pride Flag:
The Progress Pride flag!
The Progress Pride flag was developed by non-binary artist and designer Daniel Quasar in 2018. Based on Gilbert Baker’s 1978 Rainbow flag, Quasar’s redesign celebrates the diversity of the GLBTQ+ community and culture worldwide and encourages a more inclusive general society. The redesigned banner has increased the representation of discriminated minority identities covered by the GLBTQ+ umbrella.
Quasar’s creation placed black and brown stripes (emblems representing peoples of colour) and light blue, pink and white stripes (representing transgender, non-binary and intersex persons) in the shape of an arrow on the left of the Progress Pride flag. In Daniel Quasar’s words “…the arrow points to the right to show forward movement and illustrates that progress towards inclusivity still needs to be made.”
The black stripe has a double meaning as it is also intended for “those living with HIV/AIDS and the stigma and prejudice surrounding them and those who have died from the disease.”
Progress Pride body painted design!
The Progress Pride flag has been immediately an international success. On the evening of June 6, 2018, Quasar posted the design on social media and woke up the next morning to find that it had gone viral. It has been enthusiastically received by the GLBTQ+ community and culture all around the globe!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, October 10, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Coming Out Day!”
Openly gay artist, Ainor Bagner, of Denmark – himself plainly nude – paints a fellow naked subject reading a book. The sexuality of the reader is unknown. Bagner was an admitted same gender loving man in an age that was hostile to those types of attractions and relationships. The clothing status and sexuality of the photographer is also unknown.
In the lower right-hand corner of the picture image is etched “1910.” More than a century ago. The photograph was made on the North Sea coast of Denmark.
A photographer from our past!
The artistic painter, Ainor Bagner, featured in the iconic photograph, was openly a gay man, then it is within reason to anticipate the same from both the subject model and the photographer. In the very early days of the 20th century, the tolerance for gay people was very restricted, even in a fairly progressive society such as Denmark (Scandinavia). The fact that this image survived all this time contributes to it’s historical significance.
Somewhat ironic is the fact that in the iconic photograph, a bare model is painted by a bare artist and that they are both posing on a barren (rocky) landscape. Bare – as opposed to barren – comfort and freedom for everyone!
The secondary image, above, is a vintage picture of a photographer posing with his camera on a ladder. This has no relationship to the Bagner photo except to represent the possible source of the image. This is not the actual photographer!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, October 7, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Waving Above Us!”
In the USA, the month of October, annually, is designated gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer+ (GLBTQ+) history month. A time to focus attention on the accomplishments, achievements and actions of members of the GLBTQ+ communities and culture that have made a constructive and positive difference not only in the USA but also in the world around us.
The concept of GLBTQ+ history month is a recent phenomenon that is both conflicting and controversial. It is opposed by many as being a recruiting tool for a lifestyle that is objectionable based on moral, philosophical and religious reasonings. Centuries of oppression and oversight have resulted in a mainstream general society that continues to ignore a specific segment of the population that it supposedly serves.
The purpose of this post entry for ReNude Pride is to introduce and examine this topic, explain the reasoning for endorsing a GLBTQ+ history month observance and offer resources and references. Hopefully, an unknown aspect of GLBTQ+ history is acquired by all reading/visiting here.
A skinny-dipping pool party, circa mid-1950’s!
Development:
In theory, at least, GLBTQ+ history is as old as the human race and has existed in parallel to society in general. Due to religious and social prejudices, this particular community was regularly oppressed and outlawed (illegal). On a regular basis, this population was ignored and intentionally forgotten. This predicament created a serious paucity of documentation of historical accomplishments and achievements regarding this culture.
Stonewall riots memorabilia!
The enthusiasm and excitement following the Stonewall Inn riots (SIR) on June 28, 1969, convinced some that documentation of events needed to happen. Too often, communities were denied essential elements of their heritage because the society in which they existed made no acknowledgment of any accomplishments of note. Of the emerging gay and lesbian populations, there came individuals who were dedicated to creating archives of what was now happening. Fledgling movements towards historical accumulation began among those witnessing firsthand the growing gay and lesbian freedom and honesty.
Protest power to the people!
In order to have complete equality within our broader society, appreciation and understanding of others must be created. Knowledge must be instilled so future generations can acknowledge and comprehend diversity. This creates an environment of awareness and encourages cultural acceptance and tolerance for all groups.
This is crucial because it celebrates and honours self-affirmation and self-actualization. It strengthens individualism as it increases nonconformity and uniqueness. It promotes social progress through educating people regarding negative social conditions which existed in the past but have since improved. It also directs it is currently necessary to empower equality and development. History is basically the story of the evolution and progress of a community or a culture.
1969 gay rights protest photo!
The USA observance was founded in 1994, by a Missouri high-school (secondary) history teacher named Rodney Wilson. His intent was to provide role models, build community and provide a civil rights statement of the efforts and accomplishments of the GLBTQ+ community and culture. In addition, he sought to establish a space where other educators could use as a resource for instructing youth concerning GLBTQ+ culture, history and community. He realized from his own, experience the serious lack of any available information on the historical accomplishments and contributions of this segment of the population.
Along with Rodney Wilson, the first coordinating committee for the 1994 GLBTQ+ History Month observance included Kevin Jennings of the Gay, Lesbian and Student Educators Network (GLSEN), Kevin Bayer of the Gerber/Hart of the Gay and Lesbian Archives in Chicago, Illinois, Paul Varnell, a journalist with the Windy Times also in Chicago, Torey Wilson, a Chicago area teacher, Johnda Boyce, a women’s studies major at Columbus University in Ohio, and Jessea Greenman of the University of California – Berkeley.
In the USA, GLBTQ+ History Month is endorsed/supported by GLAAD (Gay Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the National Education Association (NEA), GLSEN (Gay Lesbian Student and Educators Network) and other national organizations.
A GLBTQ+ website was launched in 2006 and is maintained by Equality Forum. Equality Forum is a national GLBTQ+ civil rights organization with a strong educational focus. In addition to GLBTQ+ History Month, it also produces documentary films, sponsors high impact social initiatives and hosts an annual GLBTQ+ civil rights conference.
Logo: 2022 GLBTQ+ History Month!
The website created by the Equality Forum is linked GLBTQ+ History Month. This site features 31 honoured recipients for every year since 2006. Some of the 2022 selected ones are pictured above and all 31 are listed below on the date that they are featured. The website offers a page of information for each one. The site also contains information on ideas for discussion and activities concerning GLBTQ+ culture and history and serves as an excellent resource for educators and others seeking to inform the public about the significance of the GLBTQ+ community.
2022 Featured Recipients:
Hans Christian Anderson, Danish fairy tales author
Robina Asti, transgender rights plaintiff
Richard Avedon, prominent photographer
Ninia Baehr and Genora Dancel, marriage equality pioneers
Sue Bird, WNBA superstar
Victor Blackwell, CNN news anchor
Matt Bomer, actor
Raphael Bostic, Federal Reserve Bank CEO
Jennifer Finney Boylan, author and transgender activist
Kate Brown, Governor of State of Oregon
Nancy Carderas, Mexican writer and activist
Kitty Cone, disability rights activist
Robert Cutler, national security advisor
Andre` de Shields, actor and singer
Lea DeLaria, actor and comedian
Anna Elizabeth Dickinson, 19th century orator
Masha Gessen, Russian-American journalist
Ron Gold, gay pioneer
Radclyffe Hall, British author
Bell Hooks, author and feminist
Jazz Jennings, transgender youth activist
Mondaire Jones, first openly gay African-American congressman
Stephen Lachs, world’s first openly gay judge
Lawrence of Arabia, British military officer
Lance Loud, first openly gay reality TV star
James Merrill, Pulitzer Prize winner poet
Rudolf Nureyev, international ballet star
J. Paul Oetken, openly gay Federal judge
Amy Schneider, Jeopardy game show champion
Amy Walter, political analyst
Alice Wu, film director
Congratulations to all those above for their contributions to our community and culture. Keep with the good work!
Boxer freedom = gay and nude!
Bare Practitioner Encouragement:
It is vitally important for all of us to remember that we are a part of our community and culture’s history. Without our experiences and memories, there would be very little of our shared lives to recount to others coming after us. Whenever possible, let others know of your chapters in our story! Bare practitioners matter!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, October 3, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Bare Icon!”
September is here and in the Southern Hemisphere the Spring season has finally arrived! Here’s to all of our bottoms-up! enthusiasts “down there” who have several seasons to enjoy all the outdoor exposure. Have fun!
Those who live in the Northern Hemisphere, take advantage of the opportunities to view buttocks outdoors now. Colder weather is definitely not too far away!
A bottoms-up! splash!
As both hemispheres are transitioning changes this month, skinny-dipping is an activity that the majority of us enjoy and exposed buttocks are the attraction that keeps us coming back!
Sandy saturated buttocks!
The beach shoreline is almost always coated with a fine collection of sand. As the above image reminds us, sand and buttocks are equally inseparable!
Beach buttocks!
It doesn’t matter if we’re on the beach or inland. Climbing mountains or diving into pools, the attraction to buttocks knows no limitations or restrictions!
Togetherness!
Let’s all join in together and embrace one another and our bottoms-up! anatomy!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for tomorrow, Saturday, October 1, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “October: GLBTQ+ History Month!”
Northern Hemisphere: Last Full Day of Summer, 2022!
The dreaded day is now upon us – tomorrow, September 23, – the Autumn season begins. Of course, we all know, from our experience, that this is not the exact last day that we’ll be able to parade about clothes free outside. The outdoor temperature change doesn’t occur overnight!
A balcony gives us a view of the outdoors and a space to “test” ourselves to the natural temperatures: cold or hot, comfortable or uncomfortable. Here in the Northern Hemisphere, this time of the year gives us a balcony area that has a very cozy, personal and “lived-in” look. We’ve had an entire season to accumulate and decorate!
The scene from his balcony!
Today is the last complete day of the season of summer, in the Northern Hemisphere. Tomorrow, the season officially changes. Here’s hoping everyone enjoys the last full day of summer! Pose as a very proud bare practitioner and take a selfie to document the occasion!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for tomorrow, Friday, September 23, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Balcony #2!”
When Roger, my spouse, invited me to write another post for here, I knew immediately the topic that I wanted to address: a title page for a bare practitioners photo album. One that will prepare whoever is preparing to turn the page for whatever amount of bare bodies they are about to encounter! These are my ideas on some ideal eye-opening and tasteful images to employ!
The photograph (above) shows a group of nature (naked, natural) men congregating under a sign labeled: The Trails. Obviously, the entrance to a park nature trail. And all the men are identical (completely bare) and ready to explore nature naturally! The sign and the crew set the mood for what the album features: bare practitioners having fun, together!
The use of signage is always a good tool to convey meaning and content. Placing it on the title page of a photo album lets the viewers know what is following.
Same entrance, different view!
Sometimes, it isn’t always necessary to offer the humanity of us bare practitioners along with the signage. The offering below shows exactly what I mean!
Sign of caution at a clothing optional beach!
The simple wordage on the above sign makes sure all viewing the title page know what is pictured in this particular album – continue to peruse if you dare! What lies ahead is fully explained to everyone!
The simpler the message, the clearer the understanding!
With some signs, no detail is subject to confusion or misunderstanding. The above sample for the title page let’s everyone know for a fact that the album’s creator/owner is both without clothing and shame!
Justification!
The facts are displayed in full view and no more explanation is expected or needed. All of us like to feel comfortable – either individually or as a group effort!
Bare is fun for everyone!
A “fun and games” activity can be a fun game for everyone: observers as well as participants. Many of those watching secretly wish they had the courage to take off their clothes and join in the festivities. This subtle suggestion can offer a topic for all of those looking through the photograph album to explore!
Sunbathing!
Enjoying the sunshine on a summer day is a pleasant way to explore the benefit of nudity, especially when shared with a friend who gives support and has no qualms about being publicly naked. Sharing pictures such as this on the title page of a book of images is a reminder to others to try the same!
A bare cookout can be very appealing!
Food is another suggestion that can not only remind others of what lies ahead in the album but also capture the fun of clothes freedom and the experiences it provides. Some folks fail to recognize that clothing isn’t necessary to live life successfully!
Social issues!
A social concern expressed on the title page of a picture album – one that is freely shared with others – is a good method of making acquaintances and friends aware of some of the concerns facing our community and culture. It’s often a good way to educate others of our social issues that we have to face daily!
Nude photographer and nude subject: a perfect pair!
Another great title page example is one featuring a bare practitioner cameraman capturing a bare practitioner model. Our comfort with our nakedness is one of the many reasons most of us maintain a naked photograph album. The old saying: “a picture speaks a thousand words” is proven again to be true and valid!
The underlying purpose for this entry and the images here is to offer ideas and suggestions for everyone’s creative designs. Use the ones here or make your own. The important message is to inform all viewing your album’s title page is that full nakedness lies ahead!
Naked hugs!
Me recovering after posting this article!
Aaron Michael Peterson-Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: First, I want to thank Aaron for his composition of the above post entry here. Love you, man! The next article for here is planned for Friday, September 16, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Footnote Friday: News!”
The first Monday in September, annually, in the USA is the national holiday known as Labor Day – in honour of those who work hard and keep the nation’s economy healthy. Originally conceived for hourly manual workers, it now includes all workers, both blue-collar (manual) and white-collar (executive) workers!
Kory Mitchell: American laborer #1!
Despite posing with construction equipment, Labor Day is regarded as a holiday for all professions. It is also often unofficially determined to be the last day of the summer season!
Kory Mitchell: American laborer #2!
Kory Mitchell: a smiling Labor Day celebrant!
Happy Labor Day! If living in the USA, then have a safe and successful holiday.
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for Friday, September 9, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Words Of Wisdom!”
The good news is that all of our bare practitioner cohorts residing in the Southern Hemisphere are preparing to welcome their own warming season and eagerly anticipate unlimited opportunities for natural (outdoors) bottoms-up! adventures. The depressingnews is that we, living in the Northern Hemisphere, bid farewell to our last full month of summer!
Aquatic bottoms-up!
No matter our geographic location, we are all about to undergo a change in our outdoor bottoms-up! pleasures and routines!
Hiking in nature: bottoms-up! view!
A natural hike offers an outstanding bottoms-up! scenic view, especially for all of us near the rear of the line of participants!
Beach bottoms-up!
Of course, whenever we engage in skinny-dipping delights, we are assured of the joys of bottoms-up! experiences and opportunities!
Bottoms-up! chef!
When cooking on an outdoor grille, caution is advised in order to protect the natural beauty of both our buttocks and our nudity!
Bottoms-up! embracing!
There’s no finer way to say farewell to the last full month of summer than to join with other bare practitioner friends and embrace the last day!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for tomorrow, Thursday, September 1, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “September: A New Beginning!”
Posing bare, happy and together! A tribute to nude photography and all naked posers!
This posting here on ReNude Pride is dedicated as a tribute to all of us bare practitioners who take the energy and the time to share all of ourselves – without any guilt, regrets or shame – with others who look at our photo albums or our walls where we hang pictures! We know for a fact that there is absolutely nothing wrong or vulgar about being “as we are” – naturally! Our lives are honest and open so why bother with concealment and deceit?
Bare practitioner strolling together oceanfront!
Our comfort with our nakedness is not an aspect of perversion as much as it is a basic characteristic of our lives and our comfort level. For us, clothing and covering is a bother and an inconvenience. It may be required by law in public but in honesty and privacy, it is simply who we truly are! There is no reason for any discomfort, guilt or shame in enjoying ourselves clothes free!
“I like me better naked. I don’t mean that in a vain way…When you put clothes on, you immediately put a character on. Clothes are adjectives, they are indicators. When you don’t have any clothes on, it’s just you, raw: you can’t hide.” ~ Padma Lakshmi, Indian author ~
Unashamed tattoo!
Our man above wants to remind us all of his bold and proud assurance of his nakedness. He has the word “unashamed” in a tattoo in his groin area, just above his pubic hair. Good job. Nice work! Confess your confidence, man!
Some simple advice and thoughts on posing as a bare practitioner in today’s often chaotic and hectic world. Have fun and remember to smile for the camera!
We are all bare practitioners here (GLBTQ+ naturists/nudists) so everyone act, look and pose as natural as you feel. Be naked. Be proud. Be proudly nude!
First advisory:
There is absolutely no need to be ashamed or embarrassed over any part of your physical anatomy.
Sunbathing!
Second advisory:
Nudity is a significant aspect of our bare practitioner lives. Casual and close contact happens in life as well as spontaneous photography. Accept it and move along in happiness!
Togetherness!
Third advisory:
Sometimes, a “planned” pose enhances our life – and makes us all laugh. Remember: laughter is, after all, the best medicine!
Angelic pose!
Fourth advisory:
Natural reactions are basically just what they are labeled – natural. It is just a part of life, so just be normal.
Semi-erect photographer!
Just a few observations to pass along to everyone. With slightly less than a full month left in the Northern Hemisphere’s 2022 Summer remaining, grab your camera and your friends and Make Memories today!
FYI: My “dearly beloved” (Roger) has asked that I do another post in September. I’ve picked a subject and am already working on a draft!
Naked hugs!
Aaron Michael Peterson-Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: My spouse, Aaron, composed this post entry here today. Thank you, Aaron, for your effort! The next entry here is planned for Wednesday, August 31, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Bottoms-Up! August, 2022”
ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! 