Category: quote

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!

*************************

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!”

USA: Black History Month!

Origin:

In the USA, the entire month of February, annually, is observed as Black History Month (now referred to as African-American History Month). It was started in 1926, when the noted Black historian, Carter G. Woodson (now remembered as the “Father of Black History Month) and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) jointly announced the second week of February to be Negro History Week. This particular week was chosen because it contained the birthday (February 12) of the late president, Abraham Lincoln, who issued the Emancipation Proclamation that freed the slaves held in the rebellious south during this country’s civil war. It also contained the birthday of Frederick Douglass, the noted Black abolitionist and influential leader (February 14).

Carter G. Woodson, “Father of Black History Month!”

The very first commemoration of Negro History Week was featured in segregated public schools in three states (Delaware, North Carolina and West Virginia) and the Black schools in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Frederick Douglass, Abolitionist and Black leader

Up until the commencement of Negro History Week, throughout this country, the most that anyone was aware of African-American history was when the topic of slavery was discussed. Otherwise, there was practically no mention of any achievement or contribution of any Black person in the history of the USA. Black people were largely viewed as nothing more than “second-class” citizens throughout this nation. Discrimination and segregation were practiced everywhere and severely hindered the recognition of any notable African-American leadership.

Black History Month encourages honouring persons of the African Diaspora!

Black educators and Black United Students at Kent State University in Ohio first proposed a month-long celebration for Black History Month in February, 1969. It was approved and first observed from January 2, 1970 through February 28, 1970.

President Gerald Ford first recognized Black History Month in 1976 during the USA bicentennial. He urged people to “seize the opportunity to honour the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavour throughout our history. He may have been the first president not elected for the job but he became the first one to publicly recognize the Black History Month celebration.

Looking for his past!

Personal Recollections:

As a child of Greek immigrants, I have very limited knowledge of what it was like to grow up in what was perceived by many to be a White man’s world. I do have some insight into the most definite deficiency of historical information concerning African-American history.

When my parents arrived in Richmond, Virginia, during the second presidential term of Eisenhower, the only home they could purchase was in a primarily Black neighborhood. The city was the capital city of the Confederacy during the Civil War and “old habits die hard (they were, after all, immigrants). Fine. The street that we lived on had a Greek Orthodox Church on one end, an Armenian Church in the middle and an African Methodist Episcopal Church on the other end. A celestial highway!

My oldest brother remembers the controversy surrounding the televised release of Alex Haley’s Roots. For many die-hard Confederate descendants, it was absurd and unforgiveable that White Confederate characters and their offspring were shown as evil, dishonest and violent. I imagine the truth does sometimes hurt.

Alex, my identical twin brother, and I are both Deaf but that didn’t prevent us from having Black friends in our neighborhood. Children don’t need an official interpreter to communicate between Deaf and hearing. We had several Black friends who shared with us in our nakedness (with enthusiasm).

Our motto!

Our neighborhood bordered the south side of the James River in Richmond. As we grew into our teenage years, Twin and I and our neighborhood friends frequented the James River during our summer school holidays. On one of those excursions, we discovered an area within the park very popular with the local same gender loving (SGL) people who were also active nudists. This resulted into an entirely different educational and enlightening world for all of us! The doors to bare practitioner manhood were opened – at last – and remain opened until this very day!

One of my neighborhood friends is named Paul Turner. We have become lifelong friends and have kept in contact with each other since our early teen years. He’s three years older than me and is also gay and a self-admitted bare practitioner co-founder and cohort! We jointly enjoyed and explored the SGL naked area of the James River Park almost daily. We continue to exchange laughter and memories of those summer “retreats” into our nakedness, our SGL identity and all the adventures and pleasures we had while maturing together! This past summer, we took a reminiscent hike to the riverfront park and our “classroom” of education into reality.

Paul and his partner have been a live-in couple for twenty-two years now. They’re both active in Richmond’s Black gay community and are very good friends to my spouse, Aaron, and myself. The four of us are exploring and negotiating the collective composition of a perspective of bare practitioner in today’s world. Our goal is a 2025 publishing.

Nudist friends are the best friends!
Black History

Happy Black History month to everyone! Enjoy the time that we all share together!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for tomorrow, Friday, February 2, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “A Dream Comes True!”

Bottoms-Up! January, 2024

A stare and buttocks!

It’s January in the Northern Hemisphere and an overwhelming majority of us are enduring the month inside where we can keep warm and not force our buttocks to suffer the frigid temperatures outside! Comfort and consideration do over-rule the joy of natural nakedness!

Buttocks comparison!

A bottoms-up! enterprise: a dynamic duo coupled for fun! A wonderful way to spend a winter’s day! Taking advantage of the chance to explore the bottoms-up! universe together! A triumphant team effort!

Bottoms-up! to bottoms-up!

A well-deserved respite from a busy day! Companionship brings out the best for all the rest of us to look back and enjoy!

Dressing room bottoms-up!

The “winter workouts” at our local fitness center or gym can often add a “spice of delight” for fans of bottoms-up! enthusiasts!

A “beachy” bottoms-up!

While it’s winter in the Northern Hemisphere, the Southern Hemisphere is full of the excited exposure of bountiful buttocks from coast-to-coast!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for tomorrow, Thursday, February 1, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “USA: Black History Month!”

MLK’s Legacy!

Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Background:

Today marks the celebration and observation of both the official (actual) birthday and the Monday-holiday commemoration of the occasion both happening simultaneously.

Birthdate:

January 15, 1929

Nobel Peace Prize

Recipient

Awarded to him by His Majesty, King Gustav VI Adolph of Sweden on October 14, 1964.

Civil Rights Advocate

International

Non–Violent Protest

Activist

Ordained clergyperson

Professional

Southern Christian Leadership Conference

Founder, 1957

Married: Coretta Scott King

Wife

Children: Yolanda, Martin L. King, III, Dexter Scott King, Bernice

USA: Presidential Medal of Freedom

Posthumously given, 1977

National March on Washington for Freedom and Jobs

Organizer, Keynote Speaker

August 28, 1963

Speech: “I Have A Dream”

*************************

Fortunately, we live in a world where there are others among us who are able to recall and remember the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Fortunately, we live in a world that is “all-too-gradually” witnessing the dreams of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. materialize into reality. Fortunately, we live in a world that recently experienced the overwhelming election and re-election of a Black man, Mr. Barack Hussein Obama, as president of the United States. This, too, was a dream of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Fortunately, we live in a world that is living in the times of the “Black Lives Matter” movement – a dynamic, growing and popular awakening of social conscience to the basic fact that African-American people are entitled to certain rights and responsibilities within this country and within our world. Another dream of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that has now become alive.

Equality and brotherhood!

Yes! We are indeed fortunate that we live in a world where the dreams of a visionary and historical inspiration, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. have come to pass. And we are grateful for his sacrifice and his struggle. His example and his leadership – in addition to his remarkable dreams – opened to doors towards equality and justice that few see in their lifetime!

His dreams, his foresight and his wisdom instill a feeling and sense of hope within us all. Yes, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. continues to offer and to provide all humanity with courage and with dignity his accomplishment and his achievement of fairness, of knowledge and of non-violence. During an era of degradation, discrimination and prejudice he overcame those obstacles and chose forgiveness, harmony and peace!

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is and was a shining star who brightly guided our way into his dreams and himself into the dreams of many of us!

Wisdom from the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Unfortunately, we live in a world that continues to ignore and reject the profound and serious pronouncements of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In the United States today, despite the cultural, legal and social changes and progress that has occurred since his brutal assassination on April 4, 1968, many persons still refuse to accept the lessons of cooperation, forgiveness and inclusion that were endorsed and taught by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In their minds, when his memory is involved or his name is invoked, they see nothing except the colour of his skin as the sole cause of discarding his dreams of future harmony and understanding. They are powerless and unable to move beyond racial hatred.

Thankfully, the efforts and examples set by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. continue to diminish the numbers of those following hatred rather than healing. “Injustice anywhere remains a threat to justice everywhere.” A valid and unyielding truth!

In Israel today, the self-identified survivors of the the Nazi holocaust flagrantly demolish and evict native Palestinians from their United Nations sanctioned partition-designated homeland and property without concern for their safety, survivorship and well being. The so-called holocaust victims creating victims of their own inspired genocide. Cultural and ethnic hatred preferable to cultural and ethnic healing.

Ideally, the efforts and examples set by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will inspire harmony and healing in triumph over hatred. “Injustice anywhere remains a threat to justice everywhere.” A valid and unyielding truth!

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. paramount speech, August 28, 1963!

Tragically and unfortunately, it is now evident that globally, throughout our world, all of us need to follow the important yet simple quotation from the wisdom of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. From the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, the Congo, the Sudan, the Ukraine and elsewhere, “Injustice anywhere remains a threat to justice everywhere.” A valid and unyielding truth!

In 1964, our entire world watched as His Majesty, King Gustav VI Adolph of Sweden graciously bestowed the international Nobel Peace Prize upon the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A man who responded to the bias, condemnation and hatred of his contemporaries in a heroic, non-violent and peaceful manner. A man who through bravery and courage exemplified his gallant and noble legacy: “Injustice anywhere remains a threat to justice everywhere.” Timeless and valuable advice that is applicable to us all – forever!

Thank you, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., for your care, concern and forgiveness of us all!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, January 19, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Bare New Year!”

Perspective!

With fellow blogger, Adimu!

Background:

The Pentagon City Fashion Centre is a popular shopping mall/tourist attraction in Arlington, Virginia, located near The Pentagon and just south of the Potomac River which separates the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C., from the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is located very near the condominium where Aaron (my spouse) and I reside.

The incident described below happened almost a full year after I began publishing ReNude Pride back in 2017. We were both shopping in the mall during the winter holiday season. In reality, it was winter and we were both fully clothed in outerwear and our casual garments!

Aaron recalled this situation about a week ago and encouraged it as a “seasonal” topic to post here during this year’s holiday tradition!

I am using pictures of my fellow blogger, Adimu and myself to illustrate this posting as this was our very first time spent together when we took these images using a telephoto lens and adapter.

Adimu and Roger, riverside!

The truth is…

Early December, 2017 – it was a Saturday and Aaron (my h-u-s-b-a-n-d) – both legally and officially – and I exited the Metro Blue Line at the Pentagon City subway station. We entered the Pentagon City shopping mall for a particular item of clothing. What that was is as unimportant as the cost of a pair of sunglasses is to Rudolph (the red-nosed reindeer)!

Then, as now, we were both honest and open about our being bare practitioners (same gender loving naturists/nudists). We were probably publicly holding onto one another’s hands or walking arm-in-arm. President Obama had served his second term the previous January and his successor was now in office so we were most definitely in physical contact and completely clothed!

The winter holiday shopping frenzy was underway as we patiently progressed through the four shopping levels. We had all day and had ridden the subway; there was no need or reason to hurry. The only pressing item on our agenda for the day was to get home and return to our usual state of nakedness!

Somewhere along the way to wherever, Aaron stopped as he had been approached by another man – presumably alone. My spouse released my hand and immediately began using American Sign Language (ASL) as this man was addressing him orally. At the very least, I would be able to follow their conversation.

Adimu and I embrace!

From what we both recall from this encounter, the conversation began quite amicable, decent and friendly – initially. This man admitted to regularly reading ReNude Pride. He looked me “in the eye” as he complimented me on writing this blog and on our relationship (marriage). This wasn’t the first time someone had acknowledged our interracial gay status nor our being open concerning our preference for nakedness.

Suddenly, the conversation changed from pleasant to one of hostility. This man – name unknown – became increasingly emotional and he specifically accused us both as being insensitive to the fact that being gay was totally incompatible with being nudists!

Both Aaron and I remember his closing argument: “There is no way a gay man can be comfortable being naked among complete strangers!”

I was shocked and surprised! I couldn’t grasp his reasoning behind this exclamation! What triggered this exclamation? I was unable to even think of any response!

Fortunately, Aaron wasn’t in the same type of mental wasteland. He answered, calmly and simply: “Better to be naked with strangers than to be in costume among friends!”

He then grabbed my hand and led me away!

“A moment’s insight is sometimes worth a life’s experience.” ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes ~ American jurist

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is for Friday, December 15, 2023, and the proposed topic is: “Schedule!”

Winter Holidays!

Holiday happiness!

The arguments and debates concerning the appropriate sensitivity and respect over the holiday and/or Holy Day…bah-humbug! On ReNude Pride, we try to be equal and fair to all, no matter the culture, faith, heritage, ethnicity, racial identity, sexual attraction and sexual orientation! We wish for everyone happiness for whatever the occasion!

Our header (beginning image) above does deliver a usually perceived “christmas-type” depiction but our listing below contains the reasoning factor. We intend to pay tribute to all here!

There are a limitless supply of beliefs, facts and reasons for all of our differing occasions to celebrate, commemorate and enjoy! Our intent is to attempt and strive to be as accepting, acknowledging and as all-inclusive as possible. We want everyone to feel comfortable, special and welcome here on ReNude Pride! Especially if you are both bare and same gender loving!

Celebrating all of us!

Please remember that no one is intentionally ignored or excluded from us here (unless too fully dressed)! Each and every one is encouraged to join in our adventures, escapades, education and fun. Good times and life are for us all to enjoy and experience.

Too many of our kind, of our nature have been forced to endure and to suffer during their lives. Many are even doing so still today. Now is the time for us all to cast aside all the oppression and repression!

In coming together we not only offer our collective compassion and support, we also share our suffering. This, in turn, empowers us all to commiserate as a community and to look and to move forward in strength and unity!

Togetherness!

All of us realize that our past is behind us. It is a lesson learned. Our present is part of what unites us and envelops us in love and respect. Our future is a journey, a path forward, a light that shines with all of our combined aspirations, our combined dreams and our combined hopes.

Working together, in patience, tolerance and understanding, our future becomes not only much brighter but also more alive and more promising! It is a step in the direction towards harmony, peace and tranquility not only for our community and our culture but also for our hearts, our minds and our spirits.

Our diversity makes us stronger!

This is why the celebrating of, the honouring of, the knowledge of, the memory of and the power of our communal and familial heritages is so important and necessary. Our history, whether personal, family, religious, communal or cultural is a vital part of each and every one of us! It is what makes us special and unique!

Sankofa proverb!

It is precisely the message of the Sankofa Proverb of the Adinkra peoples of West Africa. “If you forget it, you must go back and fetch it.” The truth shall be our guiding light!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, December 11, 2023, and the proposed topic is: “Identifications!”

World AIDS Day, 2023!

Our Global Annual Observance!

Introduction:

Once again, we globally acknowledge the impact that HIV/AIDS has inflicted upon our people; we recognize that education is vital in combatting HIV/AIDS; we understand that responsibility is essential in preventing HIV/AIDS; and we remember those who have died from HIV/AIDS and those who have fought the battle against HIV/AIDS.

Even though we are all living with the consequences of yet another pandemic, coronavirus COVID-19 and all the variants, we continue to struggle against HIV/AIDS. We understand the necessity of efforts to identify and establish a cure from HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. We share the hope that our awareness of HIV/AIDS brings an end to this disease in the very near future.

Observation against HIV/AIDS by the late Princess Diana.

Background Observation:

In the early 1980’s – even before there was an official name for it – health officials and medical doctors noted cases of a new infection that fatally compromised (weakened) then destroyed the immune systems of patients. A significant number of those suffering from this infection were same gender loving men (also derogatorily referred to as “homosexuals”). Soon, the unofficial name for this affliction became “gay cancer” or the “gay plague.” Later, the name for the infecting virus became human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the disease it caused was named acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Due to the overall stigma attached to the same gender loving populations, it was several years before sufficient monies were appropriated for fighting against this disease. As a result, many lives were lost and many rumours and misinformation abounded.

Blame/Forgiveness:

Fundamentalist and radical clergypersons and prejudiced politicians joined in the growing hysterical outcry against the “homosexual” community for the rapidly rising numbers of HIV infected persons. In churches throughout the USA, countless clergy regularly and repeatedly condemned the “homosexuals” for their ungodly living. Political aspirants, not to be left out of the hate-fest, raged against the sexual deviants and their un-American way of life.

The majority of the clergy and the politicians who denounced the same gender loving people falsely believed that the fatality of HIV/AIDS fully justified their homophobia and marginalization of the affected community and the infected people. Fortunately, this hatred was only widely practiced within the USA. The rest of the world reacted without the extreme hatred and prejudice present in the USA.

Later, as the facts concerning HIV/AIDS became common knowledge, no clergy or politician apologized for their blame, condemnation, or hate of the same-gender-loving people. No one ever asked for forgiveness for their unfounded hatred and their hypocrisy.

The bigoted and discriminatory clergy and politicians needed someone to blame for the HIV/AIDS situation. We, the same-gender loving community and culture, were awarded the honor. We were condemned, judged, and vilified. The disease is still here.

Robert Craig, Adrian Hart and Sean Zevran!

“For all of us, as same gender loving men, we must remember that we constitute a distinct minority community and culture. As such, it is incumbent on us to recognize that our pride in ourselves is based on our self-acceptance and self-confidence of both what and who we are. Guilt and shame have no place in our lives. We need to let them go and move forward in patience, tolerance and understanding for all, even those who despise us and wish harm upon us. Love and respect are the keys we need. Hate and ignorance are not.” ~ Roger Poladopoulos ~ Deaf AIDS Action address, 16 June, 2023

Jason Collins, NBA Brooklyn Nets!

“Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it’s a good place to start.” ~ Jason Collins ~ first openly gay professional basketball star, NBA, Brooklyn Nets team

“It’s not who we are but rather it’s what we do that puts us at risk for HIV infection.” ~ American Red Cross ~ Basic HIV/AIDS Prevention Education curriculum

Knowledge = Power!

HIV/AIDS: The Basic Facts

1. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.

2. AIDS is a result of HIV infection.

AIDS is not transferred or transmitted from one person to another. HIV is the virus that is shared. HIV may live within a person for many years before the infection is discovered (detected). That is why HIV tests are important so that treatment may begin.

3. HIV is spread through blood, semen, vaginal fluid and breast milk.

The above listing contains the four body fluids that carry the virus from one person to another. HIV is not contained in enough quantity in tears, sweat and saliva to transmit (spread).

4. Only a physician can diagnose AIDS.

Certain criteria (conditions must be met before an AIDS determination can be made. Physicians (medical doctors) are the only internationally recognized professionals allowed to make this decision.

Infection:

Untreated (without medical attention) HIV infection weakens the body’s immune system (ability to fight off diseases) and eventually destroys it. Medical treatment can and often does strengthen the immune system and enables people to live longer with healthy and productive lives.

There is currently no known cure for HIV/AIDS but there are numerous testing strategies internationally to develop a cure for the disease.

A red ribbon painted on his face!

World AIDS Day:

World AIDS Day was first envisioned in August, 1987, by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter, two public information officers for the Global Programme on AIDS at the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland. They delivered their concept to Dr. Jonathan Mann, Director of the Global Programme on AIDS (now known as UNAIDS). Dr. Mann endorsed the idea and agreed with the recommendation for the first observance to be 1 December, 1988.

The Red Ribbon for HIV/AIDS awareness!

The Red Ribbon Campaign:

Showing us all that he is aware!

The red ribbon was selected to wear over the heart on World AIDS Day. It allowed those persons wearing it to let others see that they were aware of HIV/AIDS and the health crisis that it was creating. It also was worn in memory of a loved one who had died from the disease.

Encouraging support!

I have been buying red ribbon and small safety pins since 1988, and making red ribbons on my own. I have a special basket that I carry to work with me and invite faculty, staff and students at my university to join me in supporting the fight against HIV/AIDS. To date, I have never had any ribbons leftover to take home with me.

It is a small effort on my part to remind us all that HIV/AIDS remains a threat against us all!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, December 4, 2023. and the proposed topic is: “Salutations South!”

A Re-Visit!

Copying!

A moment of humour in order to pay a serious re-visit to last Monday’s post entry here on ReNude Pride entitled Nakedness: Downside featuring our very own bare practitioner celebrity, Felipe Ferreira!

In today’s return, our opening header (picture) image strongly suggests the enormous influence and attention our previous posting generated. Today’s featured downside star assumes a similar pose with his facial expression and his visible tongue affording us some notorious insight.

Did the previous post offend him? Is he thoroughly disgusted by our sense of humour? Did the appearance of Felipe Ferreira anger him or threaten his personal nakedness?

Instead, did the obviously most revealing and shocking question apply: How much did your’s truly (me) pay him to pose for this photograph?

The honest answer, my friends, is an official secret that was provided exclusively by Royal Command to our bare practitioner celebrity! The infamous and proudly resplendent in his own nakedness, Felipe Ferreira, shares his reaction to the secret answer below:

He jests,
He explains
He laughs
Then he laughs even again!

Remember the ancient adage, my friends: the truth shall always set you full of laughter all while you’re completely clothes free!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Wednesday, November 22, 2023, and the proposed topic is: “USA: Thanksgiving!”

Unlearn It!

Pride in his nakedness!

Introduction:

Official definition: “In human psychology, the term “learned behaviour” refers to any manner of conduct that a person performs as a result of experience. People learn behaviour from their parents, siblings and other authoritative environmental entities.”

A learned behaviour is a distinct practice that isn’t part of our natural (human) experience or nature. It is by no means universal (shared by everyone). More than likely, it is a behaviour or belief that is taught to us when we are young so that we do not acquire or begin a particular behaviour, habit or practice that is actually more conducive, intuitive or natural to an overwhelming majority of us. A perfect example of a learned behaviour is the wearing of clothes. The lesson taught to us is that bare, naked, nude is wrong and that clothes must be worn at all times!

Clothing is an instrument/tool that is divinely delivered to us in order to remove and/or restrict our body and clothes freedom. A freedom that we are all born with!

Ironically, the exact learned behaviour that we are taught is a complete and total lie (fabrication, falsehood). This untruth (falsehood) is practically always taught to us by the same person/teacher who also instruct us to always be honest and tell the truth. After all, lying is a sin (wrong) that is offensive not only to the divine but to all humans as well. Two lies (fabrications/falsehoods) do not equal to a truth!

So much for the un-natural and very un-truthful lesson that garments are divinely inspired! Quick! Someone should alert the divine!

Bare is wrong!

Body shame:

Body shame is defined/explained as: “the mock or stigmatize (someone) by making critical comments or gestures about the appearance, shape or size of their body.”/We are taught throughout our developmental (growing-up) years to shame ourselves and to especially to be ashamed of our bare (naked, nude) bodies. Additional instructions include that the desire and urge (want) for body and clothes freedom is both despicable, shameful and wrong! Nakedness (absence of garments) is the epitome of disgrace and it is evil.

Nakedness is also inhuman – that’s why prisoners are incarcerated nude or with a minimal covering. It is also un-natural – that’s why aboriginal persons are also classified/labelled as “backwards” or as “uncivilized.” Some are also referenced as “primitive.”

Nakedness is therefore undignified. It is also unrefined. Nakedness is deplorable. It lessens our humanity. It makes us savage. Ironically, the same may be applied to all of those who deliberately and intentionally and with malice direct and with intent inflict body shame on others. Body shaming is the process by which one attempts to address degradation, humiliation and ridicule upon the body of another with emphasis on perceived differences, discrepancies and flaws.

We are taught to conceal or cover (hide) our nakedness if we are ever in the company of others. Communal nakedness is both disgraceful and deviant. It is to be avoided at all times. It is indecent to be seen in our nakedness when around others. Communal nakedness is considered a perversion.

Pointing his finger!

The body shaming of others is a direct result of the insecurities felt by those criticizing of their own personal physical stature. They ridicule and taunt others in a feeble attempt to deflect attention from themselves.

“Who are you to judge the life I live? I’m not perfect and I don’t have to be! Before you start pointing fingers, make certain your hands are clean.” ~ Bob Marley ~ Jamaican reggae legend

Searching!

Refutation:

Yet, we were all born only in our complete, full and total nakedness. No matter our parentage or social class. In nakedness we begin our life and we enter into this world. In the countless numbers of thousands of years, humanity continues to create itself through birth in nakedness.

Multiple millennia of teaching all of our offspring of the artificial concealing and covering of their natural body with textiles (clothing) yet the instructions must still continue even into this day and age. Clothing remains a learned behaviour, that none of us are born with. It does not automatically pass from one generation to the next.

All joining together!

“Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it’s a good place to start.” ~ Jason Collins ~ first openly gay NBA professional, Brooklyn Nets

“For all of us, as same gender loving and bare men, we must remember that as members of a distinct minority community and culture, it is incumbent on us to recognize that our pride in ourselves is based on our own self-acceptance and our own self-confidence of both what and who we essentially are. Guilt and shame have no place in our lives. We need to let them go and move forward in patience and tolerance for all. Love nd respect are the keys we need. Hate and ignorance are not.” ~ Roger Peterson-Poladopoulos ~ June 16, 2023

One important thought to hold onto is that not everyone who taught us about nakedness was in harmony with the lesson. Many were merely complying with their perceptions of what was expected from them.

Suggestions For Unlearning:

The actual unlearning of a learned behaviour is easier for some of us than it is for others. One important factor to remember is that we all learn differently and the process of unlearning is equally diverse. There is not one standard formula/prototype that is applicable for all of us. Ponder the recommendations offered below and proceed with what is comfortable for you.

  1. Remove all clothing and relax. Read a book or a magazine. Watch a film or television. Paint a canvass and/or draw/sketch.
  2. Invite one or several friends over and encourage them to become naked with you. Play cards or a board game. Do something bare together. Interact.
  3. Repeat the above or variations thereof in order to increase the nude comfort level of everyone. Undertake similar activities. Invite others to join the experience.
  4. Progress from nakedness (alone) to an atmosphere of social nudity (acquaintances/friends engaging together).
  5. To increase the bare comfort level of all, organize a social event (such as a cocktail party of a meal) where the ones naked can intermingle with those who are wearing clothes. It is advisable to let all the guests know of the social make-up of the gathering in advance. This is done to avoid any awkward or uncomfortable “scenes.”

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, November 6, 2023, and the proposed topic is: “Autumn Leaves!”

Bottoms-Up! Bare Practitioner History Month!

Halloween painted buttocks!

The “header” above is published in honour of today as the Halloween observance! Have a happy and safe Halloween to everyone!

Happy Bare Practitioner History Month! Bottoms-up legacy!

The above image is offered in honour of this being the very last day of 2023 Bare Practitioner History Month! Celebrating both our community and our culture and all of us being ourselves!

Since February, 2023, followers and readers of ReNude Pride were invited to submit images of their very own Bottoms-Up! in order to give themselves the historic significance that they so rightly deserve!

Anonymity was promised and below are the photographs sent to me. Happy Bottoms-Up! everyone!

********************

Bottoms-Up! Legends!

In the above .gif image, please lip-read my “thank you” to the above for sending in their Bottoms-Up! pictures!

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, November 3, 2023, and the proposed topic is: “Unlearn It!”