By now, almost all of us are familiar with the image of a person hugging a tree representing environmentalists. It is used by many as either a positive identifier or else as a derogatory graphic. As we become better acquainted with the knowledge and effects of global warming, this image also serves as a reminder of the fragile relationship between our environment and humanity. This same picture accurately depicts the primary message of the entire Earth Day movement: This is our world, we all need to work together to protect it.
Tag: education
National Day
This upcoming Sunday, March 25, 2018, is the Feast of the Annunciation in the various Eastern Orthodox Churches. According to church tradition, it was on this date that the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary in a dream and revealed to her that she was to become the Theotokos (Mother of God) by giving birth to the Son of God (Jesus). Since the early days of Christianity, this date has been a feast day throughout all the apostolic Orthodox churches, which are organized along national tendencies (Greek, Russian, Bulgarian, Syrian, etc.).
Reflections: End of February, 2018
This post will stray somewhat from my usual “end-of-the-month” review of the state of this blog and any accomplishments relating to this site, nudity and/or same gender loving (gay) concerns. Instead, it is a posting of a noteworthy event in commemoration of Black History Month here in the USA. I’m sure that some of you reading here may ask yourselves, “why is he writing about Black history month? He’s not Black.” True, I’m not black-skinned. However, my husband is African-American and if I am to respect both him and his heritage, then I need to acknowledge and address issues that not only concern him but us both.
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Wednesday of this week, February 7, is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in the USA. It’s the date, conveniently during the USA’s Black History Month observance, to direct people’s attention to the disproportionate impact the HIV/AIDS pandemic has on the African-American community. Americans of African descent constitute 13% of this country’s population yet represent more than 50% of all categories reported in HIV and AIDS related statistics reported to the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This disparity in infection rates remains a disgrace on the American Public Health system and represents negligence by the both elected officials and leaders.
USA: February is Black History Month
Here in the USA, every February is designated as Black History Month. This is the time of the year that nationally, we focus on remembering, educating and sharing the accomplishments and achievements of African-Americans and their contributions made to both American history and to American society. One doesn’t have to be a Black American to appreciate the results of Black culture. It is a time for all of us to celebrate the people who overcame innumerable challenges and enriched us all.
Bad News: The Flu
No matter what our clothing status maybe, bare (naked, nude) or clothed (textile or clothes-wearer), the pesky and troublesome virus known as influenza (flu) often preys on us all. It doesn’t discriminate because of what we do, or don’t, wear. It can, and does, affect all of us, gay (same gender loving), bisexual (dual gender loving) and opposite gender loving (straight) indiscriminately and without mercy. As a health-conscious man, I dutifully received my annual flu shot for this season on December 1, 2017. Less than three weeks later, I was diagnosed with the flu.
World AIDS Day, 2017
The World Health Organization has designated December 1, annually, as World AIDS Day. This date is significant as all of us, since 1981, are living in a world that is continually suffering the ravages of HIV/AIDS. Despite massive prevention education strategies launched both globally and locally, we have failed to protect ourselves from infection and the stigma falsely associated with those living with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), the virus that causes AIDS. As a result, we are all living in a world struggling with AIDS.
Armistice Day/Remembrance Day/Veterans Day
Throughout the world, tomorrow, the 11th day of the 11th month (November 11), is observed as Armistice Day. On this day in 1918, the armistice or cease-fire was signed and implemented at 11:00 a.m. The armistice ended the carnage and destruction of the Great War (World War I). In the United States, tomorrow is known as Veteran’s Day. In the United Kingdom and throughout the Commonwealth, it is Remembrance Day.
In the USA, it is a time to acknowledge the veterans of all wars, both living and deceased.
October’s Bright Blue Weather
When I was a student in primary school, our teacher periodically assigned poems for all of us to commit to memory in order to increase our comprehension of the written English language. As we were all Deaf, this assignment entailed us to not only remember the English words as they were written, but also their equivalent in our manual language: American Sign Language (ASL). For students who were either ten or maybe eleven years old, this was a very intimidating task and was not undertaken lightly.
GLBTQ Bare History Month #3
Today marks the third Wednesday installment of a post series commemorating October as GLBTQ (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer) Bare History Month. Once again, I remind readers that the “b” in GLBTQ represents bisexual and not bare. Every Wednesday during October a post featuring vintage (old) photographs of clothes-free men publishes here as atonement for the fact that there isn’t a Bare History Month celebrated nationally.
ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! 