Instead of the holiday song: “Deck the halls with boughs of holly…” our rhythmic elf is dancing and singing: “Deck the halls with your bare body!” Obey the elf! Strip and dance all day!
Naked hugs from Aaron and myself to each and everyone of you!
Aaron and Roger Peterson-Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned on Saturday, December 31, 2022, and the topic is: “Bottoms-Up! End of 2022!”
Hooray! The Autumn semester at my university officially ended today at 12:30 p.m.! Hallelujah! Winter break is in place and the next time that I return to campus will be in 2023! Thinking in advance, I did wisely decide to wait until after I had arrived back inside the condominium where Aaron and I live before I began stripping off my clothes. The last garment that I discarded was my boxers!
Body and clothes freedom until the end of my university’s Winter Break! It may be cold outside but we – my spouse, Aaron, and myself – keep our condominium comfortable and warm on the inside! There has to be some legitimate reason for us both to have to get dressed in clothes and go to work everyday!
We do have family and friends who are planning for visiting with us over the holiday season. They’re also bare practitioners so there’s no need for either one of us to even think about having to launder clothing anytime soon! Yet another benefit of living life clothes free!
Aaron and I live in a one-bedroom condominium. When we have guests stay overnight, we generally surrender our bedroom and we sleep either on the couch or on the floor (and sometimes both)! We’re together, that’s what matters!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry planned for here is for Monday, December 19, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Nakations!”
This is an announcement honouring the celebration of “good news” from our government legislators!
The U. S. House of Representatives, the lower chamber of the Congress, just passed the Marriage Equality Act. The U. S. Senate (the legislative upper chamber) approved the same measure several weeks earlier. It now is awaiting the signature of President Joseph Biden and then it officially becomes law. This legislation enacts the federal mandate that assures the complete recognition of all interracial marriages and all individual marriage equality unions throughout this country.
My spouse, Aaron, and I are an interracial couple. He’s African-Canadian and I’m Greek. We also are a same gender loving male couple. We were legally married in the Commonwealth of Virginia on August 15, 2015. Our marriage is now totally legal everywhere within this country!
Because of the U. S. Supreme Court’s reversal of its previous legalization of abortions this past June, this action by the Congress prevents an automatic reversal of the marriages of all same gender loving couples and of the marriages of all racially mixed marriages. Multiple Christian extremists organizations have threatened to implement judicial review of marriages, hoping for a “return” for supremacy of the conservative religious concept.
Aaron and I are dancing bare all day today!
Naked hugs!
Aaron and Roger Peterson-Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, December 12, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Resolutions Solution!”
This past summer, Mystic, our Siberian husky, had to be placed to rest. She was originally Aaron’s dog but when we moved in together in 2010, she welcomed me into the family. As a matter of fact, she’s probably slept with me more hours than she did with Aaron. And we have absolutely walked/ran more miles together she ever did with Aaron.
In all fairness and objectivity, Aaron is much better in the kitchen than I will ever hope to be. Although I do a terrific kettle of boiling water – my cup of tea has men lining up outside our condominium’s door! Aaron does the meal preparation and I take Mystic for the boring time of meal preparation!
We both miss Mystic: seriously and tremendously! It has now been more than four full months. While we were in Toronto a couple of weeks ago, we both agreed that enough time had lapsed from her leaving us.
It is now time to adopt!
We are both ready for another furry headmistress! Mystic was born blind. Our next one will also have a differing ability – we both recognize that distinct possibility. We both have the patience and the time to offer a special home.
Our search is underway with no timeline or deadline involved!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, December 9, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Bare-dom!”
November 22, 1963: President John F. Kennedy Shot In Dallas, Texas, USA!
The headline above is not even a vague memory for me. I had not even been conceived when that event happened. The only memory that Twin and I have of that day are the recollections that our parents shared with us many years after the tragedy occurred.
Both our father and our mother were born in Greece and emigrated to the USA after the birth of our oldest brother. They lived here as resident aliens and neither of them were naturalized. They returned to Greece, their homeland, after our father retired from his job. All of our brothers returned with them except for Twin and myself.
John F. Kennedy inspired Papa as a presidential candidate and after he was elected into office. We do remember an enlarged photograph of our father addressing voters in our Greek Orthodox church parish hall urging them to support President Kennedy. Although neither of our parents were eligible to vote, Papa was an active supporter of Kennedy and the Democratic party within our Greek community.
Growing up, every year on November 22, we all recall our father’s lamenting his assassination and remembering the many reasons he admired the man. Many times we made family trips to visit Kennedy’s gravesite in Arlington National Cemetery.
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry planned for here is Friday, November 25, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Interview: The Nubian-Ikigai!”
Aaron and I depart early tomorrow morning with a serious family crisis. His six year old nephew is scheduled for tests and a biopsy this week. He is the first offspring born in Aaron’s family after our wedding in 2015 – he was actually born on our first wedding anniversary. As Aaron’s family is Roman Catholic and I am Greek Orthodox, therefore, I am his “unofficial” and honorary godfather.
” Minds are like parachutes – they only function when open.” ~ Thomas Dewar ~
There’s absolutely nothing that either one of us can honestly do except to be present with the family and to offer our love and support. We will be at Aaron’s parents home in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, for at least the week. Hopefully, the emergency will be resolved before we return. If not, we’re able to stay as long as needed.
Prior to learning of Aaron’s nephew’s condition, I had already composed a post for tomorrow, November 22, 2022. After that, the next post is scheduled for November 25th and is an interview with a new friend! Please check him out!
Happy Thanksgiving to all enjoying the holiday!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for tomorrow, Tuesday, November 22, 2022, and the proposed topic: “My Papa and JFK!”
National Coming Out Day is a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer+ (GLBTQ+) awareness day that is observed annually on October 11. Since the inception in 1988, it encourages all GLBTQ+ to take steps on this occasion to “come out” of the closet and not to be ashamed of who and what you are. The original concept was to make the personal acknowledgement into a political statement in support of GLBTQ+ civil rights.
The emphasis of this day is on the basic form of activism which is being openly and proudly who you are and sharing this reality with family, friends and colleagues. The goal is to live your life as a confident bisexual, gay or lesbian person without any guilt or retribution. Those of us who are bare practitioners have supplemented this qualification with being an “out” naturist/nudist.
The term “in the closet” refers to the custom or habit of life before the Stonewall Inn riots of 1969, when practically all GLBTQ+ people lived “in the closet” (secretive) lives in order to keep their jobs, the love of their family and their social place in general society.
What inspired the first observation of Coming Out Day is the fact that homophobia thrives in an atmosphere of bigotry, ignorance and silence. Once people realize that they have a loved one or an acquaintance who is bisexual, gay or lesbian, they are less willing to remain with homophobic or repressive inclinations. That’s reason for encouraging people to “come out of the closet” and let the world know your true identity. There is simply “no shame” in being who we are!
The October 11, date was selected because it was the anniversary of the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. This was the first national gathering in support of GLBTQ+ equality observed in the USA.
The early events of Coming Out Day often coincided with celebrities and/or other persons of note openly and publicly acknowledging their GLBTQ+ identity. Later, the practice of the tabloid media disclosing a person as being bisexual, gay or lesbian – often without their permission. This publicly “outing” someone was very controversial and usually accompanied by negative attacks on the disclosing media.
The involuntary coming out process was short-lived as the rapidly expanding HIV/AIDS crisis soon replaced the newsworthiness of sexual orientation exposure. For many, an AIDS diagnosis was synonymous with the the coming out announcement.
Today, the observance is another day of proudly reminding others of both what and who we essentially are. There is no longer the absolute necessity to remain “closeted” throughout much of the world.
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, October 14, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Breaking Bare-iers #3!”
Aaron and I were married in Arlington, Virginia, USA, on today, August 15, 2015. This is a very public congratulatory salute to us both! Incidentally, this is also the second year that we have celebrated this occasion with Mom!
Aaron arrived here yesterday and for the next five days we’ll celebrate this anniversary in Greece before returning home.
This offers us time to become comfortable skinny-dipping together on my home island of Skyros. There are a number of ideal places on my family’s property!
Plus ample opportunity to remain happily in bed together should we feel so inclined!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, August 19. 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Solitude!”
Before commencing today’s post entry, I’ll let you know that Mom is good! No problems with diet, health, etc.! I arrived here this past Saturday and will spend two weeks before returning home in time for the new academic university schedule gets underway. It will be Mom and I for this week; Aaron flies here one week from today and will be here with us for the remainder of the time.
No pressing family business or concerns, just time to relax and “be ourselves” with Mom before another frantic and often hectic work related calender becomes the daily routine. It has been almost four whole years since Papa died and I know she’s lonely without him. This time is merely a gesture to offer relief to all my brothers and their families from being with her.
Last year, Twin (my identical, Alex) and I spent most of the month of August together with our Mom. This time, we’re taking a two-week period each so that she gets the attention and love that she deserves and has earned. We’ll have a three-day overlap in our times on Skyros.
As of this moment, Mom has no prominent desires that have to be met. In her own way, she enjoys the time alone with her sons and their partners/spouses. However, knowing Mom as I do, I’m certain within a day she will have several “projects” that she will feel the need to have accomplished! So much for the “relaxation” aspect of the two-week trip home!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for Friday, August 12, 2022, and the proposed topic is “August Good Signs! ”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!”
ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! 