An online journal celebrating the joys of living bare with pride! This site usually publishes every Monday and Friday. I may be irreverent but I am no way irrelevant! My preferred personal pronouns are he, him, his.
The 2023 Spring semester is rapidly drawing to a closing at my university. Today is my last day to lecture on regular schedule and final examinations begin tomorrow! In less than 10 days, I’ll be on my summer routine of bare, naked, nakedness, nude and nudity! The reality being, I wear clothing only when it is absolutely essential!
I wish this was my classroom!
Of course, my university does mandate that we wear appropriate attire while lecturing or learning. However, the summer is my free time and clothing is most definitely not required! Not even an enlarged fig leaf will cover any area of my body!
No leaves allowed!
When I bare, I am completely bare, naked, nude! No covering whatsoever! I may wear clothing when I lecture; but, this summer, no lectures allowed!
Clothes freedom!
Fun for all! Relaxation and a carefree wish for everyone! Keep life simple: bare is best! Less wasted time on dealing with clothing!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, May 12, 2023, and the proposed topic is: “Bare Everywhere!”
Northern Hemisphere: Last Full Day of Summer, 2022!
The dreaded day is now upon us – tomorrow, September 23, – the Autumn season begins. Of course, we all know, from our experience, that this is not the exact last day that we’ll be able to parade about clothes free outside. The outdoor temperature change doesn’t occur overnight!
A balcony gives us a view of the outdoors and a space to “test” ourselves to the natural temperatures: cold or hot, comfortable or uncomfortable. Here in the Northern Hemisphere, this time of the year gives us a balcony area that has a very cozy, personal and “lived-in” look. We’ve had an entire season to accumulate and decorate!
The scene from his balcony!
Today is the last complete day of the season of summer, in the Northern Hemisphere. Tomorrow, the season officially changes. Here’s hoping everyone enjoys the last full day of summer! Pose as a very proud bare practitioner and take a selfie to document the occasion!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for tomorrow, Friday, September 23, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Balcony #2!”
A salute to all bare practitioner photographers everywhere!
As we enter into the final half of the month of August, 2022, it is appropriate to acknowledge all of those of us who help the rest of us recall and ponder the wonderful events and friends that have made our lives so much fun! Thank you for enabling the cold and frigid days of the winter to become somewhat enjoyable and filled with fun and laughter and photographs of our bare times together!
Forward Notation:
I apologize for the confusion here. Last Friday I published today’s post entry as “Is Pride Necessary.” I had completely forgotten about today’s post entry as being already scheduled. “Is Pride Necessary” will publish this upcoming Friday, August 26, 2022, and once again, I regret the confusion on my part!
Natural photographer in nature!
I especially want to commend my spouse, Aaron, for all of his work with his camera in capturing the images of myself and our families and friends. They may not all be bare practitioners with the both of us, but they do liven up our photo albums at home! Aaron will author a post one week from today dealing with posing clothes free and creating a bare practitioner photo album.
Indoor photographer!
For the bare practitioner community, there is no mandate or rule that our photographers must be just as bare as we are. However, it is a common courtesy that in order to make everyone comfortable and relaxed, a naked camera operator is a welcome addition to any gathering. Her/his presence with a camera and without clothing encourages everyone to concentrate on the company and the purpose – taking pictures, posing and having a good time!
Ready to shoot: bare with camera!
Creating photographs and images while totally naked eliminates the distinction between the photographer (camera operator) and those being photographed (posers, subjects). All of a sudden, removing all clothing, everyone becomes equal and relaxed. A separation (clothing versus nakedness) is eradicated and is easily replaced by trust.
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, August 26, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Is Pride Necessary?”
My spouse, Aaron, and I were having lunch with some friends and somehow, the topic “solitude nudes” emerged. Upon later reflection, I recalled several of the comments and the idea for this post entry here was developed. I’ve published quite a number of issues involving social nudity here, but recent features covering solo bare practitioners have all but disappeared. Hopefully, that reality will change!
The bare practitioner community is as diverse as our general society. There are some bare practitioners who prefer solitude over companionship, just as that preference extends to mainstream society. All of us have different personalities and levels of comfort and this is exemplified in our natures related to body and clothes freedom.
Skinny-dipping!
Human beings, by a majority, are a very social species. We tend to function and thrive when in the company and interacting with others. Individually and collectively we strive for acceptance and encouragement from our similarly oriented cohorts. Recognition enables optimal achievement and performance for our associates and for ourselves.
Like other living species, there are exceptions. Among humanity, not all of us react identical to social interaction. For most of us, socialization is no problem, whatsoever. For others, it may be an inconvenience and not always welcome. A few see it as a serious blunder that causes anxiety and dread. We all need to be aware of these feelings and the concerns they create. Our sensitivity in this matter enables bare practitioners of different levels of comfort with socialization a degree of respect and tolerance. It is also an example of consideration and cooperation.
Natural solitude!
There are a number of bare practitioners who plan and project daily to enjoy and take full advantage of their solitary life. They have no desire to socialize with others during their leisure or personal time. Their needs for companionship and interaction with others is totally satisfied in their work and commercial contacts. No need is felt to extending this any further.
These same persons have no inclination to invite others to join with them and to participate in their solitary body and clothes freedom undertakings. Some of them may relish being naked around others, individually or as a group. The mere presence of other bare practitioners indeed satisfies the concept of socialization with no additional interaction necessary.
Solo bare practitioner!
Some bare practitioners prefer the company of just themselves – alone. Whatever their feelings for companionship and camaraderie, personal preference is the priority and the absence of others within their general vicinity is their choice. Many of us often may not understand this decision but we all need to respect it. No law or rule exists that mandates nudity must occur in the company of two or more persons.
There are many of us without any socialization issues or preferences who, for one reason or another, find a day when it is beneficial to contemplate decisions alone while away from others. This one day desire for solitude allows us time to work through particular choices that we may face in our personal and/or professional lives. We utilize this time for promise or reassurance of facets while considering all available options. This alone time is important and helps us sort our reaction or response to the particular situation. Again, it is vital that we offer respect of our needs and allow space when necessary.
It is important that we, as bare practitioner advocates, all recognize the needs and rights of individual circumstances in attaining our comfort level within the realm of our nakedness and nudity. We are all distinct individuals and few, if any of us, are identical. Awareness, respect and tolerance is essential for the harmony of everyone in our community and our culture!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, August 22, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Is Pride Necessary?”
This bare practitioner couple feel the urgent need to share a skinny-dipping (swimming naked) experience together as they welcome the last full-month of the summer season in the Northern Hemisphere.
Closer and closer!
As they race towards the oceanic destination, their excitement increases as they seek to satisfy their desire for aquatic antics!
The surf rolls in!
The surf welcomes their energy and enthusiasm and invites their participation in its vast area of fun and games!
Mounting his shoulders!
Their joy and pleasure knows no limits as they laughingly engage in a turn of mutual summer glee and happiness!
The fun begins!
One atop another, they both anticipate a day of bare practitioner delight as the warmth of the summer sun fuels their play!
Charge!
The month of August stands before them ready to offer itself for their exploration well deserved fulfillment!
Best August wishes to all!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for Friday, August 5, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “August Playdays!”
Aaron and I both agree this particular graphic ideally represents “Skinny-dipping!”
The late same gender loving author, E. Lynn Harris
My BRAT-buddy and current best friend, Jay, and I first met one another at a bare practitioner social gathering on Saturday, January 3, 2009. Within minutes after introducing ourselves, we discovered a shared addiction: we’re both E. Lynn Harris dedicated! Perhaps obsessed would be a better description. In just a couple of hours, our introduction became an acquaintanceship that immediately evolved into a friendship that has remained “fast and solid” ever since.
BRAT represents “barely recognized as textile.” An affectionate yet sarcastic invention of Jay’s partner, Raheem, to summarize our unique relationship in today’s extraordinary world. Click the link: BRAT! to read more.
E. Lynn Harris (pictured above) was a noteworthy and popular male same gender loving author who first published in the 1990’s and tragically died in July, 2009. He was the respected talent who opened the door to the Black gay experience for millions no matter their racial heritage, gender or sexual orientation.
Avatar: Jay and Roger meeting!
Jay and I read and discuss books throughout the year – along with our our interests. For the past several years, I have featured some of those titles here. I try to do a post entry in honour of E. Lynn Harris every year during the early summer so to commemorate his birthdate (June 20, 1955) and the date of his death (July 23, 2009). I think he would appreciate this style of recognition as a justified tribute to his devotion to writing and to the reading of books..
The situation is different for this year’s reading. An acquaintance of mine, Rodney Lofton, died earlier this year. We had co-presented sessions on HIV/AIDS prevention education for the Red Cross and he was a novel author in his work. To learn more, click the link:Our Paths Crossed. Please read for more information.
I had not read Rodney’s novel since it was published in 2009. Aaron, my spouse, Jay and Raheem had never read the book at all. So our “reading group” expanded this year to include not only Jay and myself but our “significant others” as well.
Jointly reading naturally!
Jay had read Rodney’s autobiographical work, The Day I Stopped Being Pretty, A Memoir when I sent to him a copy after sharing with him my acquaintance with the recently deceased man. It was after he finished that we agreed to read Lofton’s next novel in honour of E. Lynn Harris. We both believed that Harris would be comfortable in being remembered by the work of a fellow same gender loving African-American male.
Rodney Lofton posing beside his portrait!
A likeness and painting of author and AIDS prevention educator Rodney Lofton is displayed in the lobby of a charity he served. Below is the cover of the book that is the subject of today’s post entry here on ReNude Pride.
Today’s feature cover!
No More Tomorrows is a moving and poignant love story of two men – one, Mark Jones, is HIV positive; the other, Kevin Williams, is HIV negative. It is also the story of same gender loving men living and loving in the era of HIV/AIDS. Author Rodney Lofton, himself diagnosed as HIV+ in the early 1990’s, composed this – his first fiction novel – with both insight and wisdom. This book was published on June 30, 2009.
No More Tomorrows begins at the end. Mark Jones awakes from, another restless and sleepless night that he has endured for weeks. It is when he if fully awake that he realizes that this day is his very last day of life. Twenty years after being diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), Mark spends his morning reflecting on his life and love of Kevin Williams.
Facing a life of living with HIV, Mark opts to get busy living instead of the direction to get busy dying. Whereas tomorrow isn’t promised to any of us, de decides to host his own “celebration of life” party where he meets Kevin, who becomes the love of his life. Kevin, learning that Mark is living with HIV faces his own dilemma – pursuing his attraction to Mark and “going the distance” with him or avoiding the situation altogether and safely keeping himself uninvolved.
Mark and Kevin: in love!
The subtitle of No More Tomorrows is aptly “Two Lives, Two Stories, One Love.” Kevin and Mark not only commit to a relationship together; they also develop a deep and sincere love for one another. This novel shares their bromance from beginning to end – and beyond.
Throughout the book, Kevin and Mark give their individual perspectives on their relationship and the strong bond and devotion that engulfs them. Lofton’s story is both positive and promising, even as Mark confronts his final day and dedicates a legacy for his love.
No More Tomorrows concludes with Kevin on the first anniversary of Mark’s death. This brief epilogue brings a moment of profound sadness into a celebration of love and smiles – and a tear of joy!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, July 25, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Tan-Lines: Tell-Tale Signs!”
Since I began publishing ReNude Pride, I have featured a rum-based alcoholic beverage posting here during the summer season (Northern Hemisphere) entitled “Sex On The Beach.” This name is one used for countless cocktail drinks during this time of the year. Each summer the name reappears with an array of different ingredients that appeal to a variety of beverage consumers.
2022 Sex On The Beach Cocktail:
1.5 ounces rum
1 ounce lime juice
1 ounce orange juice
1 ounce pineapple juice
.5 ounce passionfruit syrup
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously. Strain into glass and garnish with a lime wheel and fresh fruit.
Tropical cocktail!
Please be aware that consuming alcohol may impair both judgment and mobility.
No one that Aaron, my spouse, and I question knows the origin of the name for this drink. The most frequently offered explanation is usually alluding to the fact that’s where the consumers hope that it leads. Given the beverage’s popularity, that could be a definite possibility!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for Thursday, July 14, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Bare Practitioner’s Day!”
This week-long festival of body and clothes freedom recreational activities is jointly co-sponsored by the American Association of Nude Recreation (AANR) and The Naturist Society (TNS). As every summer is the “season of fun in the sun,” it is only logical and natural that major national naturist/nudist advocacy organizations host an event in honour of clean, healthy bare living. The recent tendency over the last several years is to observe this occasion after the July 4 holiday.
Gathering on the beach!
Nude Recreation Week was originally conceived as a marketing concept for naturist/nudist destinations and facilities to attract new members to their clientele. The thought being “increase your membership and increase your business.” The first observances were successful and evolved into a plan to encourage textile (clothed) people to try clothes freedom. It worked and soon expanded from destination focus to a general enticement for the public to try whether at home or at a clothing optional facility.
Bare congregation!
The observance of Nude Recreation Week has provided additional unintentional benefits for the bare practitioner community. Aaron, my spouse, has contributed that given the involvement of a larger population of those without previous naturist/nudist experiences and/or familiarity, many destinations or resorts were forced to re-examine their policies regarding racial and sexual exclusion. This has opened the path of inclusion to many of our community who would otherwise face exclusion.
Bare practitioner competitors!
Nude Recreation Week involves an emphasis on the numerous activities, leisure services and past-times, both active and passive, that people may engage in or undertake while clothes free. In essence, identical to what can be enjoyed when wearing garments. This isn’t to imply this special week is the only time we bare our bodies for fun and games – we do that quite frequently!
Coastal endeavour!
“I like me better naked. I don’t mean that in a vain way… When you put clothes on, you immediately put a character on. Clothes are adjectives, they are indicators. When you don’t have any clothes on, it’s just you – raw – you can’t hide.” ~ Padma Lakshmi ~
Sound advice to follow!
The history of Nude Recreation Week is recent with the earliest documented date of August 7, 1976. as being Nude Beach Day. It was first observed in two locations, Truro Beach in southern California and at the Head of the Meadow Beach at Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The Nude Beach Day was continued at the same locations soon became National Nude Weekend in order to expand the time for the clothes free event.
As many naturist/nudist campsites and resorts weren’t located with access to clothing optional beaches, it soon became apparent that another name change and another expansion of the theme was necessary. The “weekend” evolved into a full-fledged “week” as the name changed into Nude Recreation Week.
Happy Nude Recreation Week!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, July 8, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Nude Recreation Week: Vintage Gallery!”
In the USA, the last Monday of the month of May, annually, is a movable holiday in tribute to all those who have died in the defence of this country. Many others recognize this as Remembrance Day or as Armistice Day held on the anniversary of the cease fire ending the Great War (World War I). This is a federal holiday throughout all 50 states.
During this holiday, the USA flag is raised to half-post (for mourning) from sunrise until noon. At that hour, the flag is then raised to full-post for the remainder of the day.
In this country, this Memorial Day holiday is seen by many as the unofficial beginning of the summer season!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for tomorrow, May 31, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Bottoms-Up! May, 2022!”
Canada’s current Queen Elizabeth II (left) and Queen Victoria (right)!
In French, an equal language in Canada, the name for this holiday is: Fete de la Reine (Celebration of the Queen)! In all of Canada, this is a public holiday that is observed on the last Monday preceding May 25, annually. Initially in honour of Queen Victoria’s actual birthday (May 24), it is now a tribute to the first monarch of a confederated Canada as well as the official founding of Canada’s sovereignty. This holiday has occurred in Canada since at least 1845, which predates the creation of the confederation.
In addition to giving historical homage to the Queen who granted the Royal Assent (signature) to the British North America Act: the very first step in the inevitable evolution of the British Empire into the Commonwealth of which the current Queen Elizabeth II officially heads.
Posing for Canada!
For a majority of Canadians, Victoria Day serves as the unofficial commencement of the summer season – a long weekend to welcome the return of warmer weather!
Queen Victoria’s Enigma:
Oceanic skinny-dipper!
My spouse, Aaron, is Canadian by birth. His paternal ancestors migrated there through the underground railway before the U.S. Civil War ended the practice of slavery. At his determined insistence, I am offering this thought.
As a nude enthusiast – and advocate – one of the greatest ironies of Queen Victoria’s reign has always been: Did Her Majesty ever skinny-dip (swim naked)? Victoria ascended to the throne in 1837. Prior to inheriting the crown, everyone swam naked. Swim suits didn’t exist before they were commercially designed and produced in the 1850’s. The genders were segregated (if necessary) and people splashed about aquatically naturally (clothes free).
Stereotypically, H. M. Queen Victoria is always considered a very stoic and solemn prude. In reality, was the lady as she is often perceived?
Happy Victoria Day!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for Friday, May 27, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Sunglasses: Sunglamour Glory!”
ReNude Pride 