Category: quote

SIR: Legacy!

10th Anniversary, Stonewall Inn Riots, 1979: “Taking A Break”

Stonewall Inn Riots: Legacy!

The actual date, 28 June, 1969, may not be etched mentally for everyone, but for a majority of GLBTQ+ community and culture, the familiar phrase, Stonewall Inn Riots (SIR), instantly beats the drum and blows the trumpet! The early hours of this morning heralded the commencement of the movement that initiated the struggle to end bias, condemnation, marginalization and oppression. It began the attainment of the goals of equality, fairness, freedom and respect deserving of all peoples, no matter where they live! Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer+ (GLBTQ+) rights are human rights progress inaugurated!

The rioting that followed the planned raid on the unlicensed Stonewall Inn bar, catering almost exclusively to a “homosexual” (derogatory designation for same gender loving persons) customer base, erupted into a totally unexpected riot against police brutality and harassment. The law enforcers were completely unprepared for this reaction and were overwhelmed by the results. The “homosexual” community was always considered docile and effeminate, not capable of any type of masculine action!

Contemporary Stonewall Inn Historic Site!

The Stonewall National Monument is a fairly new national park unit located in Christopher Park in New York City’s lower Manhattan neighborhood of Greenwich Village. It is the very first U.S. national monument dedicated to GLBTQ+ rights and history; indeed, to the entire community and culture. Then-President Barack Obama designated it as a national monument on June 24, 2016!

The Stonewall Inn, 1969

“Stonewall will be our first national monument to tell the story of the struggle for LGBT rights. I believe our national parks should reflect the full story of our country, the richness and diversity and uniquely American spirit that has always defined us. That we are stronger together. Out of many, we are one.” ~ President Barack Obama ~ Dedication of Stonewall National Monument ~ 24 June, 2016

“There was no gay pride before Stonewall. Only gay fear and gay isolation and gay distrust and gay self-hatred.” ~ Edmund White ~ Stonewall Inn patron and gay author

“The police weren’t letting us dance. If there’s one place in the world where you can dance and feel yourself fully as a person and that’s threatened with being taken away, those words are fighting words.” ~ Tommy Lanigen-Schmidt ~ Stonewall Inn patron and riot participant

“You could hear screaming outside, a lot of noise from the protestors and it was a good sound. It was a real good sound that, you know, you had a lot of people out there pulling for you.” ~ Raymond Castro ~ Stonewall Inn patron who was detained inside the bar during the riot

The Stonewall Inn Riots (SIR), 1969

In 1966, the Stonewall Inn Restaurant, which had been in business at that location since the 1950s, closed for remodeling following a fire that had devastated the restaurant. The restaurant re-opened as a commercial tavern (bar) on 18 March, 1967, under the ownership of the Genovese Mafia family. The tavern was in business illegally (no license to serve liquor) and one officer of the New York Police Department was accepting monthly bribe payments allowing the business to operate. The targeted consumer base for the tavern were “homosexuals.”

On Friday evening, 27 June, 1969, the police held a raid upon the Stonewall Inn tavern for two specific violations, operating a “homosexual” related business and for selling alcohol without a license. The customers, by now angry over repeated harassment, rioted against the police. The protesters soon numbered in the thousands and marked the first time any law enforcement received any defiance and/or resistance from the “homosexual” population. This represented the same gender loving (SGL) community organizing against oppression and the police were bewildered and clueless.

No one in the New York Police Department had anticipated the “homosexuals,” always believed to be meek and mild, to fight back. The years of abuse, oppression and ridicule had taken its toll, and the frustration now became revolution and the time for retribution was at hand. Unfortunately for the police, the pent-up anger with law enforcement was now being released and returned in kind. The police who initiated the raid were now isolated prisoners inside the Stonewall Inn.

The early morning hours of 28 June, 1969, became history. The discrimination against people who loved their own gender soon faded away to be replaced by the movement for gay power, gay equality and gay rights. This, in turn, became known as the GLBTQ+ movement (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer+). The journey was not easy, peaceful nor was it bloodless. However, the journey itself was historic. Unfortunately, the history remains to be completed, even into now, the 21st Century!

Christopher Park GLBTQ+ statues!

In the 1970s, a local volunteer group, the Friends of Christopher Park, was organized in order to oversee the park’s maintenance and upkeep. In 1983, the New York City Parks agency began a three-year project to restore the park to its original condition under the guidance of Phil Winslow.

In 1992, the “Gay Liberation” statue by George Segal was placed in Christopher Park. The statue consists of four figures (two standing men, two seated women) in natural and neutral poses. The park also has two other statues both related to the civil war that were created in 1936. In 2023, a move to remove the statue of General Phil Sheridan because he had led a massacre of Indigenous (Native American) people.

On 29 June, 1999, the Stonewall Inn building, Christopher Park and nearby streets were recognized as official by the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The same area was declared a National Historic Landmark on February 16, 2000.

The statues, decorated in celebration!

On 23 June, 2015, the City of New York determined the Stonewall Inn to be an official City landmark. This inspired the other Greenwich Village residents to pursue both The Stonewall Inn and the Christopher Park to be labeled a national monument. This happened when then-President Barack Obama officially determined the Stonewall Inn and Christopher Park as national monuments on 24 June, 2016.

Welcome to all!

Our history and our story are still ongoing. To those who are planning to visit New York city, a visit to this national monument is highly recommended in order to help define and perpetuate our community and culture!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Sunday, June 30, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Bottoms-Up! Pride Month, 2024!”

Summer Related!

Phoenix Fellington, our bare beach soul!

The glorious season of Summer deserves exceptional recognition for being the primary time of the year where an overwhelming majority of us bare practitioners relish in the almost unlimited freedom of our nakedness and our same gender loving status. ReNude Pride’s celebrity spokes-model, Phoenix Fellington, once again takes the featured role in demonstrating his acknowledged fondness for and preference for his unofficial official designation as our bare practitioner’s bare practitioner! Confused? Don’t be! He’s hereto honoured as our bare beach soul – and not based exclusively because of his race. He’s my “soul” because he boldly and proudly poses all around without a thread of concealment over his body!

Whether he’s playing in the sand (view above) or being honoured in the foliage of the forest, his oft quoted remark, I love being naked, outside, in nature! is the summary of us nakedness enthusiasts no matter where we live or our skin colour! A man’s man and entertainer combined into one for us all to emulate!

Phoenix Fellington, the bare tree!

Phoenix, a former U.S. Marine, has the strength and, most importantly, the physique, to support a tree unaided by it’s natural trunk! And believe me, this is one active same gender loving (gay) porn-star who has the body to prove that fact!

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Juneteenth Celebration vigil!

Juneteenth Holiday!

The official name for this occasion is the Juneteenth National Independence Day and it is a national holiday in the USA. It is celebrated annually here on June 19, commemorating the official and formal emancipation from slavery in the USA. The name for this most recent holiday is a combination of the words “June” and “nineteenth” because it was on the date of June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in all of Texas at the end of the American Civil War.

The initial celebrations of this event began in 1866, originating in church sponsored community gatherings in Texas and throughout the south among liberated slaves often featuring a community food festival. With the Great Migration of African-Americans (descendants of slaves), these observances quickly spread throughout the country.

The day was recognized as a federal (national) holiday in 2021, when President Joseph Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. It was first observed as a federal holiday that same year. The protocol is in place when this holiday falls on a Saturday, the Friday before is the date of the observance. If the date is a Sunday, then the following Monday is the official holiday.

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Phoenix Fellington, picnic table invitational!

Summer Commences!

For this year, Summer, 2024, officially comes into existence on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at 4:51 p.m., (local time). The fun begins and lasts until September 22! For those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere, if you haven’t already done so, make the seasonal adjustments necessary to ensure a happy, safe and successful summertime of family, friends and fun!

This year is one of the times when the equinox doesn’t occur on the traditional date of June 21. However, June 21, 2024, does mark the first official full day of 2024’s summertime. Extra time for fun and play!

Summer splash!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, June 21, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Strip2Dip: Summer, 2024!”

Photo-Essay: Inspirations!

Juggling bare!

Prelude notation: My scholastic year has ended and Aaron, my spouse, and I are taking a long weekend as a relief from our daily routine and celebrate the approach of the summer season here! It is a visit to his brother and to relax, rest and recuperate from a fairly mild winter here. The short-lived summer schedule begins all-too-soon on Monday, when I resume my post entry regular agenda.

Oscar Wilde’s point of view!
Try it you may find you like it!
A bromantic removal!

Sometimes, everyone needs a “helping hand” in order to get the job done! Be gentle, kind and assist!

Wisdom to remember!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, May 20, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “SOS!”

Camaraderie!

Bare fun!

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!

Bare, fun-loving and happy!

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.

Serious bare practitioners!

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!

Embracing!

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.

The Progressive Pride flag!

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.

Solid advice!

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!

A challenging pin!

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!

Bare practitioner embrace!

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!”

Maschalagnia II!

My educator, friend and inductor: Kory Mitchell!

ReNude Pride’s Annual Celebration and Salute to Bare Practitioners Everywhere Who Are Confident and Proud of Their Armpit Hair!

Maschalagnia Mentors!

Kory Mitchell: Educator, Friend, Inductor

Kory Mitchell is the very first openly gay and nudist celebrity to publicly acknowledge his maschalagnia affinity and to define it’s meaning – at least, to my knowledge. He confesses to being sexually enthralled with men’s hairy armpits. In an interview, he uses the label maschalagnia to identify himself and follows that with a thorough definition. Kory taught me the new condition and indoctrinated me on it’s effect on my life. I recognize him as my educator and as my inductor into this world of men’s hairy armpits. He is also a man that I proudly address as friend. I am so very grateful and thankful to you, Kory! As a token of my sincere appreciation, I often use this enlarged image of Kory’s underarm as the opening “header” for my postings on hairy armpits!

Prior to my lesson from Kory, I described myself as “a man with a fetish for men’s hairy armpits!” His interview about the traits that attracted him to men was in a magazine named Inches. He is of mixed descent. His father is an African-American armed service member and his mother is German. He received his education in both Germany and the USA. He can’t ever recall being elusive or shamed about his nakedness or about his sexuality.

After Kory Mitchell was diagnosed HIV+, he immediately became active in discussing HIV/AIDS prevention strategies with his professional associates in the gay porn industry. His receipt of his certifications in both the American Red Cross Fundamentals curriculum and the Red Cross Prevention Skills curriculum. I was an instructor trainer (educator) volunteer in both of those curriculums in addition to the African-American Prevention Skills curriculum. This was the immediate basis of our friendship that quickly expanded to include SGL issues, our shared nakedness and other social concerns.

Kory Mitchell: complete nakedness, maschalagnia and a leather harness!

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Sean Xavier: Secondary Educator

Sean Xavier, a smile and maschalagnia view!

Sean Xavier (birthname: Kyle Overton) was born on January 16, 1988, in Victorville, California. He is the very second openly gay and nudist celebrity to publicly acknowledge not only his maschalagnia but also his shortcoming. He confirms the shaving of his chest hair when he initially began his career in pornography. He was young, inexperienced and intimidated by the studio executives who often treated him as a novice intern instead of an actor under contract. They told him to shave his chest hair and he did. He has now matured.

Sean has never admitted to shaving his underarm hair. I have never seen an image of him without hairy underarms.

In an interview in a magazine named: Inches, I read of his sexual attraction to the male hairy armpits and his – at that time – recent discovery of the word maschalagnia and it’s definition. The man conducting the interview admitted to his lack of knowledge on the subject.

“Body hair – a little or a lot – is part of being manly. Like our nipples, penis and testicles, it is what makes us who we are. Bisexual or gay, we know what is good for us!” ~ Sean Xavier ~ gay actor

Sean Xavier: maschalangnia and nakedness!

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The late Colin Black, Hirsute Axilla Activist and Champion

It was 2022, when I was reading a notice of the SGL actor, Colin Black’s receipt of the 2012 Hoodie Award for the Best Boyfriend Fantasy that I learned of his gaining of both attention and reputation of a “Hairy armpits rights activist.” Until I read the article/interview, I never had even seen that phrase used. I became an admirer of Colin immediately.

During this period, the gay porn industry executives and producers (bullies?) were arbitrarily mandating that some actors (selective) were required to maintain themselves as “armpit and pubic hair free.” The reasoning? They were to be available to film or to pose immediately with no time to shave or otherwise groom away their hair. The “bullies” plan? If the actor’s didn’t sign that particular clause of their contract, then continue elsewhere to look for work. Additionally, some had another additional clause that prohibited them from public nakedness.

Colin, of mixed racial/ethnic heritage (African-American, Indigenous American and Korean) was known for his concern for civil and equal rights for all. He publicly lobbied and protested against these arbitrary clauses and argued against the studio’s infringement on the individual’s “natural rights.” His persistence achieved results and the policies began to disappear.

Colin Black’s Hoodie Award wasn’t based on his activist involvement but it was extensively revealed through his interview on receiving this honour.

A “hairy armpits rights activist!” I should seriously re-examine my own professional choice! Actually, that job title and that notion conveniently fits comfortably in my underarms and its fur!

Sadly, Colin died of narcotics complications in 2016.

Colin Black, maschalagnia and pierced nipples!

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Introduction:

2024 marks the eighth year of publication of ReNude Pride. At least a couple of times each year, I deliberately and intentionally offered in my accompanying photographs as well as my post entry text of my attraction to men’s hairy armpits. I’ve often received ridicule for admitting to having a “fetish” for men’s underarm fur.

For that reason, I felt a sense of privacy over my attraction to and fascination with men’s hirsute axilla! The jokes about my “addiction” to that feature of masculinity were manageable. The notoriety was the inconvenience that I sought to avoid.

Then, in 2021, after the coronavirus COVID-19 debacle, I mentally told myself to hell with it! My attraction to man’s hairy armpits is an integral aspect of what and who I am as a bare practitioner. Pretending that this characteristic isn’t a part of my life is – itself – ridiculous and worthy of all the degradation anyone wants to convey to me!

Felipe Ferreira flashes his underarm fur!

I’m so glad that Brazilian-born model/DJ/soft gay porn actor Felipe Ferreira finds my hesitancy over publishing about my dedication to hairy underarms on men so funny! Notice how he is sharing glimpses of his own underarm fur!

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Arms raised high!

Glossary:

Maschalagnia hairy armpit fascination and obsession

Axilla (armpit or underarm) is the area on the human body directly under the joint where the arm connects to the shoulder. It also contains numerous sweat glands. In humans, the formation of body odor happens mostly in the armpit. These odorant substances serve as pheromones which play a role related to mating.

Hirsute Axilla hairy armpit/ furry underarm

A person frequently is attracted to armpits and to armpit hair.

Austin Wilde (bald) invites his partner to sample his furry armpit!

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Open doorway to maschalagnia exploration!

His hirsute underarms and his nakedness invite us all inside to view this hairy gallery! Enter at your own risk!

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Arms raised! Phoenix Fellington, our spokes-model!

4M!

Since graciously assuming his unofficial spokes-model role here for ReNude Pride, in all fairness, Phoenix Fellington deserves and has earned all the recognition due a man of his distinction and nakedness. The 4M! entitlement? It represents the official message that this picture of him denotes: March: Maschalagnia Madness Month! That’s the very least we can do in order to celebrate hairy armpits!

“An eyeful of a man’s hairy armpits reminds me of my business: I’m about to get busy with another man!” ~ Phoenix Fellington ~ ReNude Pride spokes-model gay film celebrity

Phoenix Fellington: maschalagnia profile and nakedness!

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Hirsute Commencement

Friends with maschalagnia pride!

Alex, my identical twin brother, who I refer to as “Twin” (as he does me) and I began puberty just before our 12th birthday. He recalls that my interest in men’s hairy armpits seems to have happened within just one night. “I remember you went to bed, naked and normal. The next morning, you woke up dancing around our bedroom because you were growing pubic and underarm hair!”

Then, he also remembered that I only calmed down when he showed to me that the same was happening to him. For a few brief minutes, I felt special and unique entering into manhood! The photo of the teen duo (above) flaunting their underarm fur brought with it memories of “back-n-the-day!” Recently, I posted and introduced my lifelong bare practitioner buddy, Paul Turner. Click the title below to view.

USA: Black History Month

During our many trips to the gay nudist area of the James River Park in Richmond, Virginia, we often observed young adult men engaged in physical exploration. A number of times Paul and I, in an adventurous spirit, followed suite. We both used our lips and tongue alternating between his hairy armpits and mine.

The memories that we have of the “memories of mischief” that we engaged in during our teenage career! I suppose our survival of that period is as miraculous as the mischief itself!

Another open admission: until Paul’s tongue licked my underarm fur, my armpits were virginal. Unfortunately, the experienced Paul was unable to confirm the same!

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Weightlifting underarms!

Time now to migrate from memories to a question concerning pheromones, defined in the Glossary above. I’ve often wondered, I know that we masturbate to relieve sexual tension and provide gratification. When we inhale the odor emitted from the pheromones of our own underarms, does that enable a similar self-gratification experience? Okay, an unintentional falsehood here. I have more than just one question.

Is this “scent of desire” created in our armpits excite only our potential intimacy partners? Are we immune to our own scent?

Regrettably, I can’t just close my eyes, take a deep breath and receive the answers to all of my questions. Perhaps I should raise my arm, sniff my armpit and maybe then I’ll have an answer!

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Gio Dell, salutes and maschalagnia pride!

SUN: Sibling’s Underarms and Nakedness

Venezuela-born bare practitioners, half-brothers, male escorts and models, Gio Dell and gay film actor Armani, salute everyone who shares in their maschalagnia blissful condition! Gio is confident and proud not only of his hairy armpits but likeise of every follicle of his hirsute manliness! He has modelled himself, his nakedness – and his gay exclusivity – since 2009. Above, he poses offering a salute to all of us. Gio shaves only his facial and head hairs! A man of my own standing!

Armani, name tattoo and hairy armpits!

The younger Armani, above, has sparser body hair but very impressive hair in his underarms. He keeps his head hairs cropped (cut) close.

Both half-brothers have made films for the gay porn industry and they both enjoy healthy living. Armani has a very popular male escort service!

Skinny-dipping Gio Dell!

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Pleasure

Ecstasy!

There is no doubt that the ecstasy this man above is experiencing is enhanced by his raised arm and his exposure of his hirsute axilla!

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Interracial maschalagnia!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, March 15, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Does Size Matter?”

Exculpatory Evidence!

Kiss him, he’s naked!

Reference:

Today’s post entry here on ReNude Pride is directly related to the previous postal entry, Bare: Modesty 2! Click on the title to access that particular publication. As always, your support of this site is appreciated by both my spouse, Aaron, and myself! Please have a happy, healthy, safe and successful month of March, 2024!

Introduction:

The “heading” (above image) is a photo that I found somewhere online years ago. The young man has painted on himself the introduction, “Kiss Me, I’m Naked.” I am still able to remember my reaction when I first encountered this picture: Hi Naked! My name is Roger. Nice to meet you!

As if we had actually met, man-to-man, in the real world and were introducing ourselves to one another. I have no further recollection of that discovery or that moment.

I’ve often wondered if anyone, ever, walked up to him and planted a kiss on his lips! What was his reaction? Have they remained friends over all of these many years?

This “introduction” is based entirely on impulse. As I was placing this man’s image here, I felt the sudden urge to share that useless piece of information with others!

Exculpate: to clear of blame or guilt.

A very basic and simple definition of the word. Often in our society, too many of us are taught that nakedness is disgusting and evil. We learn that nakedness is synonymous with indecency and sin. It implies sex and that sex – therefore nakedness – is both repulsive and wrong. It makes no difference that all of us are the result of sex and more than likely, nakedness. Our nakedness makes us inhuman and unclean.

Stop! Wait a minute! If my nakedness does all of that, then before proceeding any further into this entry, take out a sheet of paper and a pen. We’re making a list of degenerates here and at the very top of your list write the number “1” and directly beside it write the name of my spouse, Aaron. Beside his name, write my name! We are both too proud of our nakedness to be bothered or concerned about any type of label.

Now that we have established that priority, we can now continue with the subject here for today: exculpatory evidence! The purpose of this topic is to remind us all – no matter of our level of commitment to being a bare practitioner – that we have the distinction of excelling and of enjoying being ourselves without concern or worry about where we live! Northern Hemisphere or Southern Hemisphere: no alarm or problem! We can be us wherever we reside!

Felipe Ferreira: “pride” tattoo!

Our foremost and initial “reminder” is to briefly revisit with our budding bare practitioner brother, Brazilian-born Felipe Ferreira from our previous post here on ReNude Pride. This past Friday, (1 March, 2024) Felipe was presented here: same image, same pose but with a different message. Is Felipe’s “pride” tattoo a false proclamation of his being gay and bare or is it his acceptance and acknowledgement of himself for just being what and who he truly is: a same gender loving (SGL) man who is also body and clothes free (nude)? According to Felipe’s public comments on his tattoo, he has no problem or shame being both bare and SGL! “I am me!” is his exculpatory answer!

Thank you, Felipe! Naked hugs! Good message of confidence in all of us!

Felipe Ferreira kissing Rhyheim Shabazz!

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Gio Dell (left) and his half-brother, Armani!

The Venezuelan-born half-brothers, Gio Dell and Armani (self-labelled by his frontal tattoo) have no classical proclamations of their allegiances inked (tattooed) onto their bodies; their hesitation to even professionally model clothing and the abundance of their naked portfolio’s clearly delivers their support for “the cause!” So much so that Gio’s adamant refusal to remove and/or shave even one strand of his body hair (except for his head) is all the evidence necessary for their championing of nakedness over textile and their SGL identities (Gio is exclusively gay; Armani is bisexual)!

Their commitment and dedication to the community and culture of bare practitioners everywhere is obvious to all! Positive proof that “natural” (unaltered, unchanged) nakedness can and does generate support throughout the SGL peoples!

A note on the truth: Gio has a natural profusion of body hair everywhere except his head. Armani doesn’t remove or shave his chest, he simply isn’t as naturally endowed as his sibling.

Thank you both, Armani and Gio! Gracias!

Gio: incoming surf!

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Reign and his pubic tattoo!

There is an adage of wisdom that is often passed from one generation to the next. It’s message encourages sincerity and truthfulness: honesty is the best policy. Among us of the bare practitioner community and culture, our compliance and dedication to our philosophy of nakedness enables us to use ourselves and our bodies to extol these truths!

Reign, the gentleman featured above, leaves no doubt as to his agreement with our campaign. Not only does he proudly exculpate his belief in nakedness; he also has it blatantly and boldly tattooed “unashamed” just above his pubic hairline! The proximity of this declaration to Reign’s genitalia affords us no freedom to question his intention! It empowers him to publicly proclaim his philosophy of his sexuality (exclusively SGL) and his nakedness! Additional discussion is not necessary nor needed! His unabashed nature encourages us all towards self-acceptance, self-confidence and truth!

Reign enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2009, when the DADT (don’t ask, don’t tell) policy regarding sexual orientation disclosure was in effect. My spouse, Aaron, and I have often wondered how he survived that policy on his personal sexuality given his bold nature!

Reign: a selfie of his body and exculpatory “unashamed” tattoo!

Caution Advisory:

This next section contains information that may offend some readers as it references sexual practices that involve anatomical intimacies between SGL men. Proceed with caution or simply overlook the section entirely.

Buttock tattoo close-up!

The two images portrayed here are of two tattoos adorning the buttocks of men who are both confident and proud of their pleasures received from allowing them to be penetrated by the erections of their SGL partners. The sexual position referenced here is labelled beta-man or bottom-man or otherwise known simply as bottom. The tattoo on the Black buttocks, “bad” refers to the slang word for “good” meaning pleasing and/or satisfying. “Ass” is the slang used when referring to the buttocks.

This beta-man/bottom-man needs his buttocks penetrated by another man’s erect penis!

In the above picture, a SGL male has the command tattooed on his buttocks ordering the reader to “fuck” (penetrate) his buttocks to satisfy his sexual needs. The “fuck” is sometimes referenced as the “F-word” and is avoided in polite society.

These tattoos featured here in this section are the result of bottom-shaming. For a number of years, the practice of bottom-shaming was engaged by most men, both gay and not, that involved derogatory language and offensive (and violent) actions against those men who engaged in the bottom-man behaviours during their sexual encounters. Such men were stereotypically perceived as being effeminate, “sissies” and being “less than a man.”

The ridicule that men who preferred the beta-man/bottom-man sexual position suffered still continues today among our less enlightened peers. The practice is generally found unacceptably biased by a growing number of persons. Unfortunately, it should be made illegal in order to convince the majority.

Bottom-shaming is one of the reasons many offer for the tattooing of their buttocks!

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Spokes-model Phoenix Fellington bares alone!

Our Spokes-model Exculpates. Too

In the above photograph, our esteemed and unofficial spokes-model, Phoenix Fellington, refutes two typical myths attributed to nakedness. First (above), he addresses those who express a fear of being the only one bare among all others textile (clothed). Phoenix’s nakedness stands alone as exemplary! A tribute to the man – himself! The only shame in being among those wearing covering is in not basking in and enjoying one’s nakedness!

Phoenix Fellington, beta-man/bottom-man!

In the above .gif image, our spokes-model reappears alone discrediting the discrimination of bottom-shaming! Phoenix openly and publicly acknowledges his preference for the beta-man/bottom-man gay sexual position.*** There is a no more direct method of refuting fraudulence and hatred than by blatantly, boldly and courageously self-identification with the one’s being marginalized!

Thank you, Phoenix! Your honesty is appreciated and heroic!

*** = Explanation: Phoenix publicly admits his sexual position as “versatile beta/bottom.” His personal preference is the beta/bottom position but, if needed, he willingly assumes the alpha-man/top-man position (either privately or professionally). His honesty and truthfulness is admired and respected, Due to body-shaming, most men opt for discretion. You’re not alone in this one, Phoenix! I’m kneeling on top that picnic table right with you, my man!

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Race Cooper, frontal!

Race Enters, Too

Unabashed advice and concern to alleviate any lingering blame, guilt or hesitancy on your nakedness!

“As a Black gay man, I know and have witnessed bias, hatred and prejudice because of race and sexual orientation. It is unfair and unjust. It is wrong. As a performer in the (gay) porn industry, I’ve never experienced criticism for being publicly naked. But I do know of fellow nudists who are judged because of their nakedness. Clothes freedom is part of who we are. Just like race and sexuality, we don’t have a choice.” ~ Race Cooper ~ Pink News interview, London, United Kingdom

As an openly (publicly) acknowledged Black, exclusively gay and body and clothes free pornography actor, Race Cooper ( birth name: Joseph Ross Anderson) honestly shared his observations here on ReNude Pride. Click the titles of the post entries listed below to access those publications.

Race on Race

Race: Race’s POV

Race’s professional employment in the GLBTQ+ pornography industry included significant positions both in front of the camera lens and in management. To this very day, he remains an advocate for bare practitioners worldwide and promotes equality and integrity for our community and our culture.

Thank you, Race, for your advocacy, concern, devotion and leadership!

Race Cooper, buttocks profile!

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SGL Progress body painted for the World Naked Bike Ride!

Colourful Nakedness

We can all join our community and culture and remind the entire world of our enthusiasm for ourselves in using the creative method of body painting an emblem, image and/or message on our nakedness! An bright and ideal way to convey ourselves and to celebrate us all!

A political statement that reminds others that we have concerns and issues that need to be addressed, too!

A message to share with others that encourage them to think before they judge!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/Renude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, March 8, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Decline Delayed and Forward!”

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Bare: Modesty 2?

The Shoneye Twins: Daniel and Darren!

Background:

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.

Thoughtful identical twins!

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!

Daniel and Darren: proud of themselves!

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!

Felipe Ferreira and his “pride” tattoo!

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?

Felipe Ferreira: body language and confidence!

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!

Phoenix Fellington (right) and companion!

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.

Phoenix (center) directing his support staff in a scenic exercise!

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!

A modest pose?

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.

Nakedness obvious!

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.

Bare but not bold!

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.

Indecisive celebration!

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!”

Race: Race’s POV!

Race Cooper!

“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: tunnel of experience and knowledge!

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: serious!

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.

Playful Race Cooper!

“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.

Race Cooper: bald head and buttocks!

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!”

A Week of Love!

Bromantic couple!

Background:

While researching and composing this post entry, I encountered this word: exogamy. To my knowledge, I have never I have seen it before, not have I ever fingerspelled it manually. The definition is: exogamy: marrying outside the family, tribe, clan, culture or other social unit.

A Week of Love:

Exogamy essentially describes and/or identifies my marriage. Aaron, my spouse, is Black, I am White (race). He is Canadian, I am Greek (nationality). He is hearing, I am Deaf (differing ability). He is Roman Catholic, I am Greek Orthodox (religion).

On a positive notation, we are both very much proud bare practitioners. Also, we are both very much in love with one another. Sometimes, love works best when there’s at least one shared aspect! We both are dedicated to the sharing of our nakedness! Hence, the existence of both our marriage and this site, ReNude Pride.

This year, Valentine’s Day is middle-of-the week, a Wednesday. This inspired me to create this post entry in honour of A Week of Love. After all, since my spouse and I are both exogamists (finally, I utilized my new vocabulary discovery)! We can take the entire week to commemorate our new classification label!

Very much love!

Despite all the abuse, hatred, killing and violence happening all too often in our world, we can take advantage of this Week of Love to remind ourselves and others that bromance (love between two men) exists! Therefore, all hope is not lost forever! Please join with us as we celebrate love!

Regardless of our exogamy status, Aaron and I share our love together. We both hope and wish the same for all of you!

“Love” can mean many things to different people. It is an ambiguous word that encompasses familial love (loce between members of the same family); it also includes bromantic love or intimate love (love that involves physical contact: groping/touching, kissing and/or sexual union) and platonic love (strong affection and caring between friends). We also need to keep in mind that there are varying degrees (levels) of love within each distinct category. It is usually very different and very unique in almost every situation.

Loving together!

With all the variations of love available, A Week of Love offers the majority of us an opportunity to share some aspect of kindness and/or love with at least one other person. We have the entire week to do this simple task. It can include just giving a smile to the person standing beside you on the subway platform or a kiss-on-the-cheek to an elderly aunt. The little acts of kindness that we share can range from the picking up of a soft toy a child may have inadvertently dropped to the help we give an elderly neighbor in scraping the ice/snow off his automobiles rear window. The effort and gesture are our deserved reward.

Chances are, more than likely, you’ll feel better about yourself! As a special gift, someone else will feel good bout you, too!

Rendering a love tap!

The image above exemplifies three distinct classification of love. The first one is familial love (as in egocentric or self-focused). Both men are comfortable being bare with one another. The second is platonic love (love between friends). It is obvious that as friends, they share affection and respect for each other. The third exemplification is bromantic or intimate love. The proximity of their nakedness together is very suggestive of this happening in the either the pre-intercourse or the post-intercourse moment.

Please enjoy your very own Week of Love!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Wednesday, February 14, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Valentine’s Day!”

NBHAAD: Part II!

NBHAAD!

In 1999, alarmed over the statistics reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the effects of HIV/AIDS on the African-American community, the CDC and the U.S. Public Health Service convened a meeting with representatives of organizations serving Black Americans and persons of faith to address concerns over rising infection rates. Other organizations participating included Concerned Black Men- Philadelphia, Health Watch Information and Promotion Services, Jackson State University, Mississippi Urban Research Center, National Black Alcoholism and Addiction Council and the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS along with the heads of several African-American communities of faith. The National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was conceived by these organizations and the official name agreed upon.

February 7, annually, was decided as the date of observance and the very first observance was announced for the following year: February 7, 2000. The event would be sponsored by the Strategic Leadership Council (SLC) – created specifically for this event – and the membership was determined and terms of office set.

The popularity of the Red Ribbon for the efforts towards HIV/AIDS awareness was noted by the SLC. At the time, awareness ribbons for a multitude of charitable causes were very important in focusing attention to the cause represented and to encourage support. This inspired the creation of an awareness ribbon for the purpose of support of the National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day efforts.

NBHAAD Awareness ribbon!

Four Key Components of the NBHAAD Campaign:

The SLC of the NBHAAD campaign mandates four (4) key elements for an inclusive and successful campaign. Each component is designed to build both individual and community strengths in combatting HIV/AIDS for all people.

The four elements and a brief summation are as follows:

Get educated: Know the facts about transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS.

Get involved: Learn about opportunities available in individual and community prevention efforts and become an active part of those efforts.

Get tested: Know your status and encourage others to do the same.

Get treated: Receive proper healthcare and support to successfully live with HIV.

Dedication!

Analysis proves that people learn and retain knowledge most effectively from people they perceive as most like themselves. NBHAAD is an African-American focused organization, based within the community, to provide direction, guidance and information to the Black population specifically but not exclusively. It represents a resource that is both accessible, authentic and dependable.

Explore your options (choices)! Take back the control of your life!

An important message to share with others!

If your viral load (amount of HIV in your blood) is undetected, then sexually, your HIV is untransmittable!

This message is vital as it advises everyone of the significant benefits of not only getting tested for HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) also for seeking treatment for living with HIV. This enables persons to experience a healthier, longer and more productive life.

Knowledge is power!

HIV/AIDS Basic Facts:

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.

AIDS is a result of HIV infection.

HIV is not spread through everyday casual contact.

Only a doctor can diagnose AIDS.

Arthur Ashe, Wimbledon Tennis Champion and AIDS educator!

Throughout the year, NBHAAD has sponsored innumerable locally-oriented activities and events to provide information and involvement on community issues and needs. This level of action increased general awareness and support for both prevention and treatment of the disease.

Personal Involvement:

I served both the City of Alexandria, Virginia Chapter of the Red Cross and the Arlington Red Cross Chapter as a volunteer (not paid) instructor trainer in three HIV/AIDS curriculums: Basic, African-American and Workplace. My responsibility was to teach others how to conduct community prevention education sessions within the curriculum they had elected to enroll. As a Greek man, I always had an African-American co-instructor with me. As a Deaf man, I always had a sign language interpreter with me.

Each class that I taught involved 36 hours of training and a passing score of 85 % on the final examination. Upon completion of each class, a certification was given to each student in recognition of becoming a Red Cross instructor.

Personalities:

Importantly – and fortunately – there are among all of our cultures many who are bold and brave enough to act and think for themselves. Their individual uniqueness is one aspect among the qualities that make life bearable (bare-able) for those of us who live around them or are influenced by them. Ideally, their insight and worldview makes a difference in the lives of others.

The two persons presented here I met through my volunteer position with the Red Cross African-American prevention education curriculum. Both of them are/were same gender loving men and African-American.

Rodney Lofton

Rodney Lofton!

A native of Richmond, Virginia, and a student of mine who also became a volunteer with the Red Cross. We taught a teen peer education weekend-long seminar together three consecutive years. Rodney was the first Black deputy director of the GLBTQ+ community advocacy group: Diversity Richmond. In 2015, he received the Equality Virginia OUTstanding Virginian Award. For many years he served on the organizing committee of the NBHAAD function with the City of Richmond. He was the author of two books on growing up both Black and gay in the City: The Day I Stopped Being Pretty: A Memoir (published 2007) and No More Tomorrow: Two Lives, Two Stories, One Love (published 2009). He died in March, 2022, and is survived by his husband, Faron Niles. Rodney was first diagnosed as HIV+ in 1993.

Rodney’s first book!

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Kory Mitchell

Kory Mitchell

A mixed-race man born in Germany of an African-American father in the military service and a German mother. He grew up and attended schools in both Germany and the USA. As a young adult he achieved the role of actor within the gay pornography industry and starred in more than three dozen films. He was diagnosed as HIV+ in the early 1990s. When he learned of his status, he became a student of the Red Cross African-American curriculum and after receiving his certification he began teaching HIV/AIDS prevention education to others working in the gay porn industry. He appears at numerous NBHAAD campaign benefits and events and is affectionately known as the unofficial “Magic Johnson of gay porn!” When he became a celebrity, he had “blessed” tattooed across his shoulder and a cross tattooed on his abdomen to remind fans that he is a Christian. Shortly after his HIV+ diagnosis, he had the message “hope” tattooed on his neck. Instead of the letter “o” in hope, he had the red AIDS awareness ribbon placed there.

Kory’s “Blessed” shoulder and neck of “hope!”

Remember, it’s not who we are but it’s what we do that puts us at risk for HIV/AIDS!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next planned post entry here is planned for Friday, February 9, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “S’Naked Simply!”