A special birthday wish for my fellow blogger, friend and Kenyan brother. He’s the author of the site, Random Thoughts here on wordpress.
To visit his site, please use the link following this encouragement: Random Thoughts
I sincerely apologize to Makagutu for failing to include his celebration in my recent post entry of Winter Holidays!
Have a great birthday month!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
It’s the month of November. We’re almost through yet another year and then, we get to repeat the process all over again. One of the November features is the review of pictures acquired throughout the year and filing them accordingly. A November Monday, following a depraved election outcome, we can sit and reflect on others who prefer being fashionably bare!
A couple at home (above). On the right is gay porn actor, J.C. Carter, in the late 1980s. This was prior to his habit of shaving his head as well as his chest and pubic hairs. J.C. was a popular co-star with Bobby Blake especially early in the1990s. He retired from films in the late 1990s!
November is the last full month of the Autumn season. Next month, the season of winter begins and the temperatures tend to discourage outdoor nudity for the majority of us. One of the advantages of this month is the occurrence of unseasonably moderate days when nakedness remains possible in a natural setting!
When the weather isn’t quite as cooperative, we always enjoy the option of staying at home and letting the outside world deal with itself while we stay comfortable and cuddle with the one we love! Body and clothes freedom is often a just reward!
With the arrival of the cooler temperatures outside, the shifting of activities inside provides opportunities to invite friends to explore the wonders of social nakedness. This not only expands their life experiences but also acquaints them with a growing group of new friends and social opportunities!
Hardly words of wisdom but when asked for a statement, sometimes we just have to “go with what we know!” Sometimes, we all use the clothing issue to obscure ourselves from the accusations against us as being deceitful and promiscuous.
For those of us who are serious bare practitioners, laundry day (for the cleaning of clothes) is not the major task that others regularly encounter. Our engagement in clothes freedom reduces the amount of clothes that need washing! A job that others do weekly we generally only have once a month! Another advantage for the body and clothes freedom advocates!
Of course, our personal bathing/showering habits and routines take a higher priority than the needs of dirty clothes! We are, after all, primarily a very social species! As bare practitioners, we all want to look our best!
Our photographer for today’s photo-essay is very serious for us to not only look our best but to also be confident and proud bare practitioners! Our nakedness is an essential part of who we are and what makes us unique!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, November 22, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “JFK, Jr.!”
Background:
Before I create any confusion and/or misunderstanding, this post entry for ReNude Pride is most definitely not a cocktail (mixed drink) recipe. The “twist” in the title above is involved in a popular social game – actual title “Twister” – so there is no twist of a citrus fruit necessary to be added to alcohol!
The Game:
Twister is not a convenient board game that is undertaken while seated at a table. It is an active challenge requiring minimal equipment: a chart that is unfolded on the floor or ground and a spin device that denotes particular colours (either red, blue, green or yellow). A spin of the device indicates the colour that the players must physically connect with using either their hands and/or feet.
Originally geared primarily for children, the activity soon became popular with young adults. As the number of clothes free enthusiasts grew, so did the “fun-to-play-naked” fans. The close proximity of the audience and the curious and sometimes compromising positions the players endured added to the excitement of involvement in the game of Twister! Among the bare and same gender loving population, the Twister engagement was astronomical!
As the game progresses, bodies – while nude – often become entangled which provides interesting and unusual encounters with the bodies of others, either a close friend, a casual acquaintance or a complete stranger! A very roundabout way to “break-the-ice” (introduce) oneself to others in a fun and non-threatening (uncomfortable) manner! The results can create lasting friendships or episodes of awkward familiarity!
The fun entailed with Twister is best experienced rather than explained! There are indeed some things that words just are unable to describe! Fortunately, the activity is suitable for play both inside a dwelling or outside in nature as a bare practitioner or clothed.
If and when a pair of identical twins are entered into the Twister situation, the contortions as well as the game itself can occasionally create unexpected consequences! For two devious minds, in particular, my spouse, Aaron, and my identical sibling, Alex, the opportunity is simply too rich to ignore!
The Devious Duo: Aaron and Alex
The situation that I am referencing took place back in 2010, the year that Aaron and I initiated our relationship. We had met one another that Spring and by that Autumn we were introducing ourselves to acquaintances, family and friends – a somewhat lengthy and involved process that is, at times, very time consuming!
Aaron’s oldest brother, Paul, was undergoing the “coming out” stage of his life and uncertain as to his status, whether he was a bisexual man or a gay man. Aaron and Alex had the idea that the four of us spend a weekend together, especially as I had never before met Paul. The details were arranged by the “devious duo” (Aaron and Alex), the date arrived – early October – and the weekend was underway!
Paul, aware of his attraction to men, remained in limbo (confused) as to whether he is a gay man (male attraction only) or if he is a bisexual man (attracted to both men and women). Aaron and Alex adopted the idea of a weekend “exploratory” gathering in order to provide Paul the chance to determine his status in the SGL world. I thought this a nice gesture and was honestly surprised that they conceived of this idea! Neither one of them were quite that perceptive!
Aaron had invited me to his family over the winter holidays – our first together – so I was eager to meet Paul. We had exchanged emails, and I believed that as this was a crucial time in his life, I could offer advice and help in any way possible. I imagined it would allow us to build a bonding together.
I also knew that Aaron and Alex were conspiring some sort of “initiation” for Paul into the “world of twins!” They were both insisting on my collaboration, but I was adamantly refusing to be a co-conspirator in this episode. Aaron had already let Twin and I know that Paul’s American Sign Language (ASL) skills were not as advanced as his plus his confusion over his sexual identity and if that wasn’t enough, he was spending a weekend with identical twins! Give the man some breathing room! No type of “initiation” required!
The “devious duo” despicable plan was to create confusion for Paul involving Alex and I and our identical buttocks! They thought it would be funny, innocent and engage Paul through humour! I appreciated the humourous aspect but remained firmly opposed to any complicity in their conspiracy! My intention was to meet and assist Paul, not to embarrass him! I knew for a fact that Twin (Alex) could manage that reality solo!
Just prior to our weekend gathering, Paul sent to me a confidential email and asking my help. Before this planned gathering, we’d exchanged emails but never met. He had overheard two of his sisters gossiping about our approaching weekend. They had shared that Aaron (their brother), and my Twin were planning a surprise episode and that I had declined to be involved. This prompted his request for my assistance.
My response to his message was a negative. I had refused to cooperate with our brothers in their plot to embarrass him (Paul), therefore, I couldn’t, in clear conscious, collaborate in his scheme. I did assure him that I had not violated Aaron and Twin’s trust in me and that I would respect his need for confidentiality.
Realizing that I now had two conspiring forces vying for my attention, I knew that I needed to proceed with care and caution. The planned weekend arrived. Aaron and I had readied our apartment for our guests, my brother Alex and his brother, Paul.
Being aware of the probability of some sort of competitive contest between Paul and Aaron and Alex, I reached a decision to try to avoid any resentment and/or conflict. I knew that we planned our meals out in local restaurants which limited our time together to basically Saturday afternoon/early evening and then again early Sunday afternoon. Not too much “free” time but enough for a possible problem to occur.
If there’s one lesson that I remember from my undergraduate education, it is to plan ahead to keep the students busy and involved. No matter what age or level of education, this lesson is applicable to almost everyone. To ease my self-appointed role as “peace-maker,” I had a Twister game available so that we would have an introductory game and then had a secondary activity, body painting, in place so that we could engage either separately or combine them both together. If we needed a third, I figured we could use charades. A last resort was our selection of dvds.
If we needed the dvd option, then I concluded that the entire weekend was a failure and let everyone fend for themselves! We were all supposed to be adults!
The weekend was fun and successful! Twister was a dynamic twist for all! Body painting was postponed until Halloween!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, November 18, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Through the Eyes of Another!”
also known as Veteran’s Day (in the USA only)
On 11 November, 1918, an Armistice (cease-fire) went into effect at 11:00 a.m. that ended the fighting in The Great War (World War I). The fighting raged throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
The Occasion:
Armistice Day is commemorated throughout the world saluting the cessation (ending) of hostilities (fighting) between the armed forces, thus bringing an end to the suffering of The Great War. The war officially was finalized by the Treaty of Versailles a year later. This date is Armistice Day in most of the world. In the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, it is observed as Remembrance Day, an occasion to pay tribute to all the casualties of The Great War and subsequent conflicts and wars. In the USA. it is known as Veteran’s Day, in gratitude for military service.
The Great War: Eruption
On 28 June, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Empire of Austria-Hungary (The Dual Monarchy) was assassinated, along with his wife, the Countess Sophie, while touring the city of Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, a province of the empire. The assassins were Serbians who wanted the province united with the Kingdom of Serbia.
Tensions between the two countries escalated rapidly and exactly one month later, Emperor Franz Josef II of Austria-Hungary declared war against Serbia. Germany, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) sided with Austria against Serbia, France, Russia, Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal, Italy, the British Empire and eventually the USA. Because of extensive colonial possessions, the fighting became global with battles raging in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the South Pacific.
The war grew in epic strides as the aggression spread out of control. Up until this point in history, the effects became catastrophic unlike any previous war. Civilian populations suffered enormous fatalities and the very first genocide, of the Armenian peoples was raged by the Ottomans. The military casualties were exceptional and often fought over the same battlefield, time and time again. At times, entire armies and regiments were annihilated within one day’s time.
The Great War, a name earned due to the massive fatalities inflicted, was global in the horrors it produced. The devastation was without precedent.
The Armistice:
The proclamation of the Armistice of 1918 was celebrated globally by all belligerents. It included the announcement of the of the peace conference to be held the following year and the official signing of the surrender of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire. The bloodbath was over, and the living reverted to living their lives.
On the first anniversary of the Armistice, in 1919, a solemnity Remembrance Day service was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury in London, UK, in the presence of King George V and Queen Mary. The prime ministers of the self-governing dominions of the British Empire were also in attendance. On this occasion, the red poppy was worn as a royal salute to the multitudes killed. At this observance, the entombment of an unidentified British casualty was by Royal Decree made for the Main Aisle in Westminster Abbey along with a state internment with full military honours.
Thereafter, the United States announced plans for the same once a burial site was determined. France soon followed in salutation to the fallen.
In tribute to all the military and naval deceased, a royal proclamation was enacted. Businesses and factories, parliament and courts, everyone in London was out on the streets, in parks and in public. At 11:00 a.m., on 11 November, 1919, a two-minute period of silence was implemented. Traffic halted, whether by motorcoach or driven by horses. The King and Queen bowed their heads. Complete silence prevailed. The city and the Empire remembered the dead.
At 11:03 a.m., the bands of the regiments guarding Buckingham Palace started playing God Save the King. The official tribute had been awarded to those no longer living.
The Poppy
The red poppy flower represents consolation, condolences, death and remembrance. The poppy is a common symbol that has been utilized to also represent death and even, on occasion, to symbolize sleep. Since ancient times, the flower has been adorning coffins, graves and tombstones as symbolic of eternal sleep (rest).
During The Great War (World War I: 1914 – 1918), much of the actual conflict (fighting) on the Western Front happened along the trenches of northwestern Europe, especially in the Flanders region of the Kingdom of Belgium. The rural countryside was blasted, bombed and fought over repeatedly. The scenic landscape was riddled and shredded by trenches to accommodate the invading armies. The once productive and prosperous fields blackened barren where little or nothing could grow. A notable exception to this bleak horizon was the Flanders poppy, which survived and thrived in profusion. The resilient flowering flourished amid all the chaos and destruction.
Soon the red poppy naturally proliferated and adorned the hundreds of thousands of graves rapidly appearing all over the battlefields. The poppy became symbolic of divine sanctity upon the wartime casualties. Simultaneously, the flower was worn over the heart by those troops burying their fallen friends.
In 1919, the United Kingdom and the British Empire (now the Commonwealth) adopted the red poppy as the remembrance tribute to all the war dead. The British Legion (now the Royal British Legion) adopted the symbol and in 1922 created a factory to produce poppies that still operates today. In 2022, the original poppy factory was made a museum and a new poppy factory opened. King Charles III renewed the Royal warrant for the new factory to continue to create official poppies for the Royal Family.
Poppy Guidelines:
Wear on the left shoulder of the body, just above the heart.
Acceptable colours are red for remembrance and white for peace.
Not to be worn after 11 November, annually.
In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
the larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe;
to you from failing hands we throw
The torch, be yours to hold it high;
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
John McCrae, the Poet:
John McCrae was the son of Scottish immigrants and born in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, in and 1872. In May, 1915, he was serving as a physician in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps and posted in Flanders, Belgium. While there, his lifelong friend, Alexis Helmer, a lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Field Artillery was killed in the Second Battle of Ypres. Shortly afterwards, McCrae composed the poem, In Flanders Fields in memory of his friend and in honour of all the war dead of the British Empire.
The poem was first published on 8 December, 1915, in London, UK, for Punch magazine. It was immediately adopted by the Imperial War Council in honour of the deceased and incorporated into memorial services by the Church of England, the Church of Scotland and the United Church of Canada.
Veteran’s Day Poppies:
In 1918, U.S. humanitarian Moina Michael wrote: “And now the torch and poppy red, we wear in honour of our dead.” She composed this sentiment after she read the poem, “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae.
Following the British paradigm, the American Legion was organized and adopted the red poppy and its sale on Veteran’s Day. In the USA, the symbolism of the poppy declined after World War II. With the centennial observance of the Great War in 2018, the poppy use experienced a revival. In 2017, the American Legion officially took the poppy as the image of honouring all war dead.
A very happy whatever occasion you are observing!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, November 15, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Autumn Twist!”
It is now Springtime in the Southern Hemisphere! While too cool for beaches in the Northern Hemisphere, Brazilian-born Felipe Ferreira can absorb all the sand he wants while on shore-patrol in the South Atlantic Ocean.
The rest of us, in the Northern Hemisphere, have little alternative except to retreat inside out of the autumn chills and tease one another with our bottoms-up! antics!
Now that the Autumn season is officially here, a residual tan-line remains visible on the buttocks of many regardless of the amount of sunshine absorbed this past summer!
The comfort of our bed becomes more important and noticeable as we all tend to linger longer before rising to begin our daily routine!
With an imminent national election, a flag draped pair of tan-lined buttocks is an appropriate offering!
Finally, a seasonal selection for our conclusion: Happy Halloween!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for tomorrow, Friday, November 1, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “November: Vote!”
How is history made? Through the eyes, hearts and minds of the people who live their lives as completely and as fully as they indeed are able!
Who share what they have with all others to expand the goodness of life and the wonders of our world!
ReNude Pride: Our Offertory, Our Story!
Today, Aaron (my spouse) and I offer a gallery of our exploration of visual images that hopefully render to everyone a glimpse into the culture and the community of bare practitioners throughout the world. Here on ReNude Pride, we extol ourselves as accepting advocates and proponents of not only our same gender loving capacity but also of our nakedness! Now, during the 2024 celebration of our GLBTQ+ History Month, we seek to share with everyone here a festive and inspirational reality of what we indeed are: ourselves!
Bare practitioners are sometimes misinterpreted as militants about their nakedness. While this may be true for some, our belief and support of body and clothes freedom is in no way a fair and just assumption of all of us. Here on ReNude Pride, Aaron and I encourage us all to enjoy our ability to freely engage in our nudity to our individual levels of comfort. Some are satisfied with limited and/or occasional forays while without any covering, such as our gentleman (above) resting while visibly exposing his tan-line buttocks. Obviously, he’s bare when he wants to be!
Whereas others, such as this site’s unofficial representative, Phoenix Fellington, (above) is gloriously naked and completely unashamed whenever the opportunity is available! Publicly, he has no qualms in acknowledging his “I love being naked in nature!” status to all those within any audience available and interested. At this time, it is appropriate to remind everyone here of his professional qualification as a same gender loving (SGL) actor in the gay porn industry.
Posing for others provides many of us with a chance to attain greater comfort and confidence in ourselves and our nakedness. It affords us the opportunity to examine ourselves as we appear through the eyes of others. Many take advantage of these opportunities to determine exactly how they feel about sharing their genitalia with those they may not know.
Others, realizing their comfort-level isn’t as bold, may opt to pose discretely and with modesty. It is an individual choice based on personal comfort, confidence and preference!
Happy GLBTQ+ History Month!
Naked hugs!
Aaron Michael Peterson-Poladopoulos
and
Roger Peterson-Poladopoulos
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, October 25, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Colourful Club-Man!”
Spirit Day is an annual GLBTQ+ awareness day of recent development for a noble cause. It is currently observed on the third Thursday in October, annually, as a part of GLBTQ+ History Month. The occasion was initiated in 2010 by Canadian teenager, Brittany McMillan in response to a significant number of bullying-related suicides of same gender loving students, the most notorious being that of Tyler Clementi.
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Notation: Tyler Clementi
Tyler Clementi was an American student at Rutgers University in Mew Brunswick, New Jersey, USA. He jumped to his death from the George Washington Bridge over the Hudson River at the age of 18 on September 22, 2010. On September 19, Tyler’s dormitory roommate, Dharen Ravi, posted on Twitter a clip showing Tyler kissing another man. The Twitter posting was published without Tyler’s nor his partner’s consent or permission.
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Promoted by Gay Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), participants wear the colour purple as a visible sign of awareness and support for GLBTQ+ young people and against bullying in general during National Bullying Prevention Month (October). It also pays tribute to GLBTQ+ victims of suicide.
The very first Spirit Day was observed on Wednesday, October 20, 2010. Later occasions were on Thursday, October 20, 2011, and on Friday, October 19, 2012. In 2012, it was decided by GLAAD to observe Spirit Day on the third Thursday of the month of October, annually. GLAAD continues to sponsor the event.
Bare Practitioner’s Note:
A gentle and subtle reminder that using purple body paint to create a purple awareness ribbon is even better than wearing a purple ribbon. It shows creativity and sensitivity! Plus, there are no sharp pointed pins to deal with!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for tomorrow, Friday, October 18, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Our Story! Bare Skin!”
Coming Out Day!
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer+ Awareness Day!
October 11, annually!
Introduction:
Coming Out Day was first observed in 1988 during the critical and tragic years of the onset of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. For far too many men, their diagnosis with the disease often was their “official coming out” of the proverbial closet to family, friends and co-workers. Unfortunately, the beginning of their coming out process was also the fatal and sad beginning of their farewell process.
National Coming Out Day was scheduled on the very first anniversary of the 1987 National March on Washington for Gay and Lesbian Civil Rights. It was also the occasion of the first complete public display of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt.
Origins of the Phrase:
For centuries, persons who today constitute the GLBTQ+ community and culture were intentionally and legally marginalized (set aside) and segregated (separated) from the remainder of society. They were condemned and judged by church, clerics, government, law, legal enforcement, etc. as “homosexuals,” “perverts,” “queers,” and “sexual deviants.” These were among the more acceptable social labels.
Many of “our kind” lived their entire lives without ever sharing exactly what and who they really and truly were with anyone. Some even led a life that was totally false, they married and raised families without revealing their honest identity. This anonymous, concealed, obscure and secretive way of living was colloquially referenced as “being closeted” or as “living in the closet.” The closet being behind closed doors, thus hidden and unavailable for others to see or witness.
Purpose:
Coming out day was the signal for the post Stonewall Inn Riot (SIR) folks to openly and proudly accept, acknowledge and own their identity, their sexual orientation, the what and the who they indeed are. To step “out of the closet and into their life!” As previously mentioned, regrettably, the HIV/AIDS crisis was happening simultaneously.
“Closets are for clothes” was an expression used by body and clothes freedom enthusiasts who were also same gender loving (SGL) – bare practitioners today – to encourage and empower our community and culture in recognizing ourselves for being ourselves; there’s nothing wrong with us!
The late world renown artist, Keith Haring, himself an openly gay man living with AIDS, designed the above artwork in honour of the occasion. It remains prominent today as the globally recognized symbol for bravely, confidently, openly and proudly coming out about individual sexuality and for us bare practitioners, our position on body and clothes freedom.
The original concept for Coming Out Day was to combine the personal notification of sexuality with the political message that individual sexual preference was no longer a secret admission of disgrace and shame. There was nothing degrading about sexuality and consequently, there is nothing abnormal or guilty concerning nakedness. In reality, it’s okay for me to be me!
The emphasis on making the personal act of coming out into a political statement is a basic form of activism. Openly coming out (self identification) to family, friends and colleagues and then living life as a confident person publicly refuting bias and marginalization was in the eyes and minds of many as an extension of the SIR. The fact that homophobia (fear of same gender lovers) thrives in an atmosphere or environment of silence and/or ignorance was reality. Once people realize they either know or are related to someone who is indeed GLBTQ+ they are less than willing to remain with discriminatory, hateful and repressive individuals. “Familiarity breeds the seeds of tolerance.”
Coming Out Day was extensively reported in the media of the 1980’s (broadcast and press). Keith Haring’s art created attention and notice; overall, the response was well received and several noted celebrities did indeed “come out” themselves and/or encouraged their fans and followers to do the same. However, it did not reach the projected multitudes as hoped. The HIV/AIDS dilemma continued to devastate and even mainline Christian fundamentalist clergy began to involve themselves and their faithful in disease care, education and protection efforts. Slowly and hesitantly, the GLBTQ+ population began to identify with the necessity of the campaign to step forward and to “come out!”
Evolution:
Since the very first National Coming Out Day on 11 October, 1988, so much has happened in our world, specifically in the attainment of GLBTQ+ civil rights, equality and freedoms. In the USA, the removal of the military ban/restriction on service, marriage equality and broad non-discrimination policies and protocols (just to name a few). There is now an almost general acceptance and acknowledgment of our existence and our humanity.
The struggle against HIV/AIDS is no longer seen as an absolute fatality. With proper treatment and care, it is now widely interpreted as a now “manageable” condition. It is not necessary for avoidance and/or isolation.
The purpose of National Coming Out Day has, in keeping with the progress, evolved into a GLBTQ+ awareness day, reminding our general society that we’re still here and yes, we’re still queer! Our sexuality no longer forces us to remain anonymous, invisible and obscure. We have the freedom and the right to be exactly what and who we truly are! The days of guilt and shame are in the past, gone but not forgotten!
For us bare practitioners, our next step forward is that our proclivity for our nakedness is no longer a concern nor a judgment to be determined by others. As long as we respect others, we should expect the equal and same respect for ourselves! Equality works both ways for everyone!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, October 14, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Cultural Imagery!”
Does size matter?
For this post entry here today on ReNude Pride, that question is indeed historical as it refers to the “size” of a man’s penis. As this site – and probably the majority of readers – are same gender loving (SGL) men who are either bisexual or gay who are also body and clothes freedom oriented (bare practitioners) it is intended that the penis is the size in question. Thus, the heading shows Landon (Black man) and his friend obviously referring to one another’s manly anatomy!
They’re both pointing to their penis as the subject of their appearance together. Neither one of them are disappointed nor disturbed by their own or the other’s manhood. Their body language – through gestures and facial expressions convey their comfort and confidence with what they each offer to one another and to the camera.
Yes, Landon is an openly (public) gay pornography performer and this particular scene is from one of his films. Yes, it is evident to all that this scenario is sexually-oriented. That is the legitimate recognized purpose of the porn industry. Both men are at ease and relaxed about their nakedness.
Yes, SGL surpasses sexuality. What it is important to note here is that the essential question, Does size matter? extends beyond the theme of sex. Within the male population, the question is asked of all men, regardless of their individual sexual preference. The inquiry is indifferent to SGL or to heterosexual. An overwhelming majority of men, from both backgrounds, acknowledge asking themselves the identical question and wondering where they rank individually.
Exactly how long have men been curious about the size of their personal genitalia? Historically, we’ll probably never know for certain. However, human nature is an aspect that we all share. It is common to both genders and to all sexualities. Once a man is aware of his anatomy, the question soon follows. Once Adam and Eve were proverbially expelled from the Garden of Eden, the use of covering a person’s genitalia soon followed. When the “covering” practice was introduced, that is probably when the natural curiosity as to the ranking of one’s penis more than likely commenced.
Size Matters: Buttocks?
For centuries, if not longer, humans (both genders) have posed the question of size to the male penis. However, now that we are living in the 21st century, the bias and stigma that was forced upon men who preferred the “penetrated” (bottom) role in male-on-male sexual encounters is now rapidly disappearing. It is no longer considered degrading, effeminate, “sissy” or any less masculine to be in the “penetrated” or “receiver” role in strictly gay sexual encounters. The current trend is in versatility or performing in both alpha (top, penetrator) and beta (bottom, receiver) roles sexually.
This trending permits both partners flexibility and avoids the judgments being passed between men. With both men being versatile, they engage in both sexual positions and gain skills necessary to allow them to improve delivery and satisfaction. Multi-skilled and multi-talented!
Because of this sexual phenomenon, more men are now focusing attention on their own buttocks as well as those around them. Now, they’re questioning the size and prominence of their “rear ends.” Is it tight? Does it get the attention and desire of others? For many men, having a bouncy, bubbly pair of buttocks is the goal, and there are now fitness routines geared specifically toward developing and enhancing the masculine derrière! Want more notice? Get better fit! BUYA: “bubble-up-your-ass! There is even commercial padding to enrich one’s size! Just be aware that an intimate moment reveals the truth!
The passive or penetrated partner in male-on-male relationships was often conceived strictly as a pleasure toy subservient to their dominant or active (penetrator) partner. The term passive was derived for the recipient because all required from them was to simply lay on their stomach and to surrender their buttocks to their active (dominant) male partner. For centuries, in what is now known as same gender loving (SGL) male relationships, the person performing the passive role was considered lowly and a very degraded individual. They were consistently looked down upon by all.
Now that the 21st century has arrived, the prejudicial stereotypes that have plagued the SGL population are now dissipating from the routine. It is no longer absolutely necessary for us to encourage everyone to “come out of the closet.” The overwhelming majority of us were never in a situation when “closeting” (discretely being SGL) is even possible. Nor is hiding one’s sexuality from family and friends even practical. At the very least, most people now understand that SGL persons exist and no longer fear being what and who they are.
One’s preferred position during sexual intimacy is no longer a criteria for judgment for or against a person. Versatility (being flexible) in sexual roles is now the popular trend, as well it should be. The individuals involved in an encounter should be the only one’s concerned with the outcome. Biased stereotypes have no role to play in our fulfillment and happiness!
Of course, the historical question being: does size matter? There is no perfect probable way to determine the answer to that question. The responses would more than likely equal the number of times the question was offered. It is relatively certain that the honest and simplest reply is that it all is contingent upon the preference of the engaged individuals. After all, as far as others are concerned, it is no one’s business except their own!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, October 7, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “October’s Bright Blue Weather!”
The Observance:
The USA observance of a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer+ (GLBTQ+) history month was founded in 1994 by a Missouri secondary (high school) history teacher named Rodney Wilson. This happened as the 25th anniversary year of the Stonewall Inn Riots was in process. The original riot occurred at the Stonewall Inn in New York City early in the morning of 28 June, 1969. His intent was to provide role models to guide, to build community and to provide a civil rights statement of the achievements and the efforts of the GLBTQ+ community and culture.
The month of October was chosen for the observance as it was already the month of Coming Out Day, first observed in 1988. The two events, both historical, were thought to be a perfect match as they were related in character and theme.
A gay and lesbian history month website was created and posted online in 2006. Click the website’s name below to link:
Very early on, the GLBTQ+ History Month movement was endorsed by Gay Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the National Education Association (NEA), Gay Lesbian Students Educators Network (GLSEN) and other prominent US national organizations.
Equality Forum maintains the website and hosts the nominations for recognition. Equality Forum coordinates GLBTQ+ History Month, produces documentary films, sponsors high impact social initiatives and offers an annual GLBTQ+ civil rights conference.
The Legacy:
One of the best, exciting and superb purposes of any facet of herstory/history is the knowledge and the reality it grants, instills and provides all of us. Our story is one of the most recent “stories” that is underway. It is gaining acceptance and recognition throughout the world while we are reading what is published here now.
For an endless amount of time, what is currently identified as the GLBTQ+ community and culture was obscure and unrecognized due to the fact that our forebearers, being what and who they were, were judged by society, most religions and all governments as being outcasts and perverts. Our people were determined by society in general to be less and lower than sub-human and we were deliberately, historically and intentionally excluded, ignored and overlooked.
Thus, being classified as “not human,” we had no story to share. Our existence was eliminated as often as were our lives. If and when we were ever publicly acknowledged, it was simply for the reason to condemn and to expel.
When Rodney Wilson witnessed the first of what is now known as GLBTQ+ history month observance in 1994, the focus was on the contemporary examples the lives of accomplishment and achievement within our specific community and culture. Rightly so as the earliest steps in acceptance and recognition needed to identify exactly “where” and “who” we were. Now, we are developing beyond that limited scope and can now include those from our past! Our growth is in our appreciation, accepting, knowing, learning and understanding our story, our past.
Then, we can advance to explore where we need to go in our future!
Celebrating Our Story and Our Time and Our People!
GLBTQ+ 2024 History Month Honourees:
Equality Forum is currently seeking nominations for GLBTQ+ 2025 History Month honourees. To submit your nomination offering, visit the website at:
This year’s recipients are listed below. There are 31 honourees, one for each and every day of the month of October. The day of the month that each one is featured on the website is the numerical order presented. Click on the above link to learn of their accomplishment!
2024 Honorees:
Congratulations to all of the GLBTQ+ 2024 History Month Honourees! Thank you for all of your efforts!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, October 4, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Historical Questions!”
ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! 