Autumn is officially here! Daylight Savings Time (DST) officially ends!
On Sunday, November 3, 2024, 2:00 a.m. (local time), all clocks need to be reset to reflect the return to the regular timing schedule. Each time zone drops back one hour. Thus, 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2024, reverts back to 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2024!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for tomorrow, Monday, November 4, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Vote Tuesday!”
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.
Bottoms-up! teaser!
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!
Chilly mornings!
The comfort of our bed becomes more important and noticeable as we all tend to linger longer before rising to begin our daily routine!
Flag draped bottoms-up!
With an imminent national election, a flag draped pair of tan-lined buttocks is an appropriate offering!
Pumpkin grinning!
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!”
As the month of October, 2024, fast approaches closing, a tribute to our celebration of GLBTQ+ History Month is worthy of a final notation. Why? First and foremost, it helps all of us as we continue to build (construct, develop) an even greater sense and understanding of our very own story: our herstory/history/ourstory! There are extremely few, if any, references to nakedness in any commemoration – official or unofficial – throughout our collective community and culture.
Secondly, as a distinct minority within the GLBTQ+ population, bare practitioner ourstory (bare practitioner herstory/history) has a very justifiable and viable consideration to be explored and shared. Not only for us bare practitioners, but for all body and clothes freedom enthusiasts no matter their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
Thirdly and primarily is the fact that I owe to everyone here – at least – an apology and brief explanation for the announced and scheduled posting of: “Our History: No Briefs!” for Friday, 18 October, 2024. My seasonal pollen allergies caused a serious disruption of my health and myself for that day. I sincerely apologize to all for any confusion and inconvenience!
Ourstory: Definition:
Ourstory is simply an all gender inclusive description – not herstory nor history – that defines our experiences and lives as same gender loving (SGL) and body and clothes freedom humans. Being gender neutral, the intention is to be recognized and understood as being accepting us all in a respectful manner, regardless of our gender identity.
Ourstory, as a word, was initially introduced to me by my spouse, Aaron. He’s unable to identify or recall any source for the term except himself!
The Danish Trio:
Today’s heading (opening image above) depicts a photograph of the confident and proud gay artist, Ainor Bagner, (himself nude), painting a naked man reading a book on the coast of Denmark. The artist himself is obviously comfortable with his nudity. The same is true of the subject posing for him (the reader). Bagner’s photographer is visually mysterious, however, Bagner later confirmed that he was also a gay naked man. In the lower right-hand corner of the picture image is etched “1910.”
One common trait apparent in the above vintage photo is the comfort and confidence of both the known same gender loving artist, Ainor Bagner, and his artistic subject (the reader) have being photographed in their nakedness. Keep in mind the notation of “1910” in the lower right-hand corner of the picture. More than a century ago – long before the Stonewall Inn riots of 1969! Another bonus: their photographer joined them in their clothes freedom, too!
Personal:
I encountered this picture in the early days of my online exploration. It’s very nature and vintage captured my immediate appreciation and attention due to the nude subjects and their interaction. I remember thinking this is an important visual artifact of gay and nude history! Upon remembering the date the picture was inscribed, my theory on the historical was confirmed! Throughout all these years, it has remained one of my all-time favourites due to it being a classic example of nakedness and same gender love not being a contemporary novelty but instead being a lasting artistic tradition!
The emergence of the bare practitioner community and culture within the mainstream GLBTQ+ movement is a product of the 21st century. This picture is an integral part of ourstory!
Camaraderie:
Bare camaraderie early 1960s!
During a time when there was limited and rare acceptance, tolerance and understanding of what we now refer to as same gender love (SGL), the two young men featured in this series of photographs here interact in harmony with one another. Totally out of character and in direct conflict with social norms for both their time (early 1960s) and their type: one being Black and the other being White. Physically, besides their obvious nakedness, they are both in fitness and good health.
Racial equality was practically non-existent during this time period. Segregation (separation by race) was legally mandated throughout most of the country and was considered the “normal” routine. Photographs depicting or suggesting camaraderie and/or friendship between the two races were not permitted and attracted unwanted attention.
Friendly and bare, early 1960s!
Their body and clothes-free appearance – together – would be viewed by the overwhelming majority of people as despicable, illegal, immoral and offensive. Any hint of any type of intimacy (touching) between the two young men was disgraceful and repulsive and condemned by church, society and state. During this time period, few would promote their camaraderie as admirable and progressive. Then-president Harry Truman was strongly criticized by many for having integrated the U. S. armed forces by executive order in 1948.
The fact that these two young men were actually touching one another in the initial image (under the subtitle above) and the one below would have caused an uproar!
Leaning and supporting together!
This series of pictures represents an effort by the photographer in a subtle delivery of a message of artistic expression of equality. The photographer is unknown to us as is his clothing status (bare or clothed). No information is available on the two young men in the photos.
As bare practitioners, the ourstorical (historical) expression of the majesty of our nakedness is our artistic contribution!
Personal:
This photograph series on no way implies or suggests that the concept or ideal of racial equality is exclusive to us as bare practitioners. I’m certain of the existence of segregationists of both races. However, Aaron and I both believe our nakedness does make us inclined to greater acceptance of equality for all!
Heritage:
Early warrior!
The inclusion of this visual series serves as a reminder of the human heritage that we all share: nakedness. None of us were born with garments to wear. All of us were born bare, natural, or nude. Body and clothes freedom is the original “state of being” of us all!
Taking aim!
Taking advantage of our natural (from nature) resources, our ancestors created colors and designs to adorn, decorate, and distinguish our bare bodies. The purpose of this was not to conceal or hide but rather to embellish and enrich ourselves. Please note the natural “club” (stick) here is representative of “protection” (preservation) of our nakedness!
Pride!
Our shared ouristorical heritage is both majestic and noble. Be confident and be proud!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Thursday, October 31, 2014, and the proposed topic is: “Bottoms-Up! October, 2024!”
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.
Closets are for clothes only!
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!
Artist Keith Haring created this art for the first Coming Out Day, October 11, 1988!
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 of the closet!
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!”
Opening doors!
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!
Out and proud!
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!”
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.
Our original GLBTQ+ flag!
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!
A representation of the Stonewall First Anniversary!
Celebrating Our Story and Our Time and Our People!
A champion and achiever!
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:
Ron Ansin activist and philanthropist
Laphonza Butler, first out Black U.S. senator
Maki Carrousel, Japanese transgender actor
Desmond Child, award winning songwriter
Margaret Chung, first female Chines American doctor
Christian Cooper, writer and New York City birder
River Gallo, intersex filmmaker and activist
Robert Garcia, U.S. congressman
Rob Halford, heavy metal musician
Jeanne Hoff, transgender trailblazer
Susan Love, breast-health pioneer
George Michael, pop superstar
Kevin Naff, Washington Blade editor
Fabian Nelson, Mississippi state representative
Yannick Nezet-Seguin, conductor
Robin Ochs, bisexual activist
Pat Parker, poet activist
Mark Pocan, U. S. congressman
Herb Ritts, photographer
Beth Robinson, U. S. Court of Appeals judge
Richard Schneider, editor and publisher
Robt Martin Seda-Schreiber, social justice activist
Jackie Shane, transgender singer
Ari Shapiro, NPR host and performer
Sam Smith, singer and songwriter
William Dorsey Swann, pioneering drag queen
Peter Tutchell, human rights activist
Diana Taurasi, WNBA superstar
Colton Underwood, athlete and TV personality
Luther Vandross, Grammy-winning singer
Joel Wachs, Warhol Foundation president
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!”
Summer, 2024, officially ended a week ago! Our man took advantage of the change and took his final skinny-dip on the very last full day of this month. He didn’t wait until the “last minute” – he actually made it his very first skinny-dip for Autumn, 2024!
A communal glimpsing to observe a bottoms-up! view of the skyline before the season of Summer, 2024, officially ends, once and for all! Even though the season may end, the majority of us know that our bottoms-up! opportunities will continue all year long!
Curled toes!
Submerged (underwater) bottoms-up! in the outdoor pool. Cooling himself before the upcoming autumn chill arrives!
Bottoms-up! with a warning!
The last day of summer and he’s bottoms-up! with an advisory warning: completely bare practitioners area. No time for any type of clothing: period!
Beach: bottoms-up! trio!
The threesome here are wasting no time even considering covering their buttocks. It’s the last day of the month of September and the new autumn season is already underway! Enjoy the sun’s rays while it is possible!
Bottoms up! and removing!
Our enthusiast can’t wait until he strips off his wet bikini and becomes a total bottoms-up! man!
Have a happy last day of September, 2024!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for tomorrow, October 1, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “GLBTQ+ 2024 History Month!”
The upcoming weekend is the very first one now that the Autumn season has arrived here in the Northern Hemisphere. We all know that the seasonal transition does not generate an immediate change in our outdoor temperatures. A majority of us have the luxury of comfortable and moderate weather during the beginning of the Autumn season, as we likewise briefly experience the lasting effects of the winter when spring arrives.
Probably, no drastic and immediate change in our weather patterns when seasons transit from one to another is for our benefit and comfort. The gradual nature of the adjustment gives us the relief of not being frozen solid overnight. For us bare practitioners, we avoid the loathsome burden of clothing ourselves for a few extra weeks! It also presents us with the opportunity to relax and relish in the glory of body and clothes freedom for a brief period longer!
Bare practitioner: behind the steering wheel!
An early Autumn road trip, especially in a vehicle with fellow bare practitioners, allows us all to have our social companionship and our body and clothes freedom simultaneously. The best of both worlds combined over a set of car wheels and an open highway! If the seasons absolutely must change, then this is one exceptional advantage from evolving from a season of pleasure into one of moderation!
My spouse, Aaron, does insist that I offer a word of caution here. In the interest of both transport and public safety, his advice is that we all remember when we’re behind an automobile’s steering wheel, our primary responsibility are our passengers and all others driving along the roadways. Everyone has a destination and wish to arrive alive and well.
Unlike our driver, above, keep eyes on the road ahead! Anticipate moves from other drivers and watch for vehicular patterns. Not all drivers are as attentive and focused as we are. Unfortunately, erratic and impulsive behaviour is more common now as the number of autos travelling increases. Be aware and take care!
Active passenger!
Driving a road trip is an enormous responsibility. It involves and requires all of our attention throughout the entire trip, no matter what season of the year. As much as our passengers would like our undivided attention, our goal is alive and well for us all! Remind those in the vehicle with us that signals can wait until the destination is reached!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, September 30, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Bottoms-up! September, 2024!”
The title of today’s post entry here on ReNude Pride refers to the adhesive texture of the syrup overflowing down the buttocks of the header! The texture is what is “sticky.”
Here on ReNude Pride, our habit is to avoid the customary New Year’s resolutions and to implement our resolutions on the first day of Spring, annually. Aaron, my spouse, and I both feel that behaviour change is more effective in the springtime instead of the dreary days of winter. Spring encourages optimism, a renewal of self and a brighter and livelier attitude. A mindset more conducive to adapting more efficient and new practices as part of our routine.
A “post-it” note is a pad of small “sticky notes” that people use to make notations on documents, items that need attention and/or other brief messages. I’ve sometimes arrived at my university office and discovered my door covered from top-to-bottom in “sticky notes” left to me by fellow faculty colleagues and students! Thankfully – thus far – no confidential messages have been left in this manner!
A selfie image!
In an effort to aid everyone in the development of their goals and objectives for the upcoming “season of resolutions” (whether as part of the traditional new year or as a promise for Spring, 2025), our “sticky-notation” for today is to encourage readers to take a selfie image of themselves to use in creating a resolution. In making a photo, it is helpful in being the point of reference when considering if any specific need is necessary for personal physical improvement. Often, when trying to decide what is worthwhile, especially in the season of the winter holidays, too many of us are unable to conceive of possibilities.
Serious selfie!
If people are uncomfortable in selfies, asking the assistance of a trusted friend or partner to recommend suggestions may alleviate the task. They also can be resourceful in creating a photographic sticky-note! At times, a spontaneous picture, taken by another and not posed, helps in relaxing the anxious reality of a selfie image!
Our own spokes-model, Phoenix Fellington, clowns for his photographer!
Another sticky (adhesive) notation to offer today is that as it is now early in the Autumn season, outdoor nakedness remains an option for the majority of our Northern Hemisphere residents. When available, the middle-of-the-day timeframe offers the best sunlight and comfortable temperatures. The soon to arrive foliage, especially in the tree leaves, provide some very colourful backgrounds.
Indoor naked companionship!
A probably needless reminder is that as summer fades away, our opportunities for bare practitioner antics and camaraderie conveniently move inside where weather conditions and extremities have a profoundly reduced impact on us all!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, September 27, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Autumn Road Trip!”
In the Northern Hemisphere, Summer, 2024, officially ends – local date and time – 22 September, 2024, at 8:44 a.m. The season of Autumn follows immediately thereafter!
Looking towards a new season!
Personally, for almost my entire life, I dreaded the transition from summer into autumn. The change of the seasons meant the return of colder weather – accompanied by ice, snow and misery! As I have written here repeatedly, I am a “heat and humidity” man! As temperatures drop, so do my spirits!
I have matured over the past years, and the passing of the seasons is no longer as traumatic as it once was. Aging may have finally enabled me to become somewhat more tolerant of cooler weather, although I remain discomforted by the freezing extremes of winter-time!
The transition from the glorious summertime into Autumn has eased with the presence of my spouse, Aaron. He is as much of a fan of the summers as me, but the Autumn season arrival was not as depressing for him as it often was for me. His attitude is more along the lines of “one-day-at-a-time” instead of my “here-it-is-disaster-approaches!”
Sunset to Summer, 2024!
Our plans for this upcoming weekend are to be outside as much as possible, and as bare as possible! There’s nothing special or unique in those assignments. We’re joining with two other bare practitioner couples on Saturday (weather cooperating) for a riverside hike hike, picnic and skinny-dip into the river. Sunday is a lazy day with no concrete plans (at the moment). It is, after all, the arrival of the autumn!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, September 23, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Sticky-Note!”
A visual offering of ideas and suggestions for spontaneous measures in photography and bare practitioner enrichment while natural in nature! Before the seasonal transition occurs, visually document your comfort with our environment as we celebrate the final days of our summer!
My friend and fellow blogger, Adimu Mawzi, joined together several years ago to commemorate the verylastday of the summer of 2014. Aaron, my spouse, was at work on this day so we traveled to Richmond, Virginia, to spend some time riverside at a park near my childhood home.
I’m not adept at photography, so there were some difficulty as we attempted to adjust the automatic lens on my inexpensive camera!
*************************
Attempting to compensate for my extremely weak skills in operating a camera, the below images, I hope, will provide some additional resources to consider in creating memories of enjoying life naturally (without clothing) in our comfortable and warm natural world!
My spouse, Aaron, is my usual source for picture selections. However, upon our return from visiting Mama in Greece, he learned of the sudden death of a long-time co-worker and friend. I am respecting his grief and his need for solitude and am asking the same from all of you.
Pose and print! Be creative and make a memory that will last for you all through the upcoming winter season!
Of course, let’s not overlook our bare practitioner social media model, Dallas “Flashman” Wade, and his penchant for grooming himself! Details and patience!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, September 13, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Friday Footnote: 13!”
ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! 