We are now facing the end of June, 2018 – and the end of another wonderful month of GLBTQ Nude Pride. Reflection means many things to almost every person, it even has multiple definitions for every one of us. The image above depicts three different men holding a mirror. However, upon close inspection, only one image is reflected on the mirror itself. Yet that image isn’t one of the men above. So the question then becomes: Who’s image is it? And that answer we may never know.
Tag: education
National HIV Testing Day
Today is National HIV Testing Day in the USA and some other parts of the world. Observed on June 27, annually, this date is designated to remind us all of the importance of knowing our HIV status and in doing so, enhance our health. HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is no longer the life-threatening condition that it once was and through treatment and medication, it is now a manageable disease. It remains, however, a communicable infection with serious consequences if untreated. That is the reason testing for HIV is very important to our health.
ReNude Pride This Week
This week is the final week of June, 2018. It is also the last week of 2018 GLBTQ Nude Pride Month. I am making a slight change in my publishing schedule for this week so as to accommodate all the necessary posts that should be covered before we begin a new month. This revised schedule is effective this week only, as hopefully, afterwards, I can return to the usual Monday and Friday posting routine. If anyone finds the time this week, please read the posts here. I will publish (today) this post, Wednesday (National HIV Testing Day), Thursday (annual Stonewall Riots anniversary), Friday (monthly Reflections post) and Saturday (Bottom’s-Up!).
Queer Sign Language
As most of those who regularly visit ReNude Pride already know, I am profoundly Deaf. My first language as a child (and the same is true of my identical twin brother) was signed. The same is true today. My parents were taught GSL (Greek Sign Language) as children and that enabled them to communicate with Twin (Alex) and me. Once we started school, American Sign Language (ASL) was taught to us and we, in turn, instructed our parents and our brothers.
Is GLBTQ Pride Relevant?
As June is GLBTQ Pride Month, many of my acquaintances ask themselves and others the same question: “Is Pride still relevant today?” I think that many of us ask ourselves the exact same question. What may have seemed radical and trendy fifty years ago – is it just as important today? We have evolved as a society and in many ways being GLBTQ no longer carries the stigma that it may have invoked “back in the day.” With the amount of progress that we have made, “Is pride still necessary?”
Classroom Time!
Last week, as an afterthought, I was sent to the my state’s conference on HIV/AIDS which is held annually throughout the state. It has been a number of years since I’ve attended one and I was anxious to see what, if any, personnel changes had occurred since the last time I was present at one. The convocation was sponsored by the state-wide health department and featured a number of guest presenters from across the southeastern region of the USA.
Earth Day, 2018 Weekend!
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.
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.
ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! 