World Naked Bike Ride, London, UK: Progress rainbow body painted design!
As an introduction, World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR) is most definitely not affiliated officially with the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer+ (GLBTQ+) community. Many of our culture endorse and support this global effort, but we do so as individuals. There are numerous allied endorsers and or sponsors, but for the most part, the WNBR is an independent international movement of primarily environmental and safety concerns and interests. As the name itself suggests, it is widely popular and supported by the naturist/nudist enthusiasts worldwide.
Our bold and courageous bare practitioner in the above image has decorated his chest with body paint reflecting the Progress flag. This banner depicts the inclusive diversity found within our community and culture worldwide.
Thumbs-up to the WNBR!
The “thumbs-up” approval along with his rainbow designed neckwear is this rider’s salute to the WNBR! The spring and/or summer months, depending on the hemisphere, appear to be the primary time of year for these events to occur. All bike rides are locally generated and operated and there is no central organization to schedule. The majority of registrations and promotions happen online as do sponsorships.
Our man switches his neckwear onto his wrists!
The WNBR is an international clothing optional bike ride with the overwhelming majority of participants riding bicycles but every year with more riding skateboards or inline skates. In 2003, Conrad Schmidt developed the concept of the WNBR after organizing the same for the Artists for Peace/Artists Against War (AFP/AAW). The original WNBR message was against oil dependency and advocating the individuality and power of the human body.
The first WNBR took place in 2004.
Since 2006, the message has simplified and the main focus of the event is cycling advocacy, pedestrian safety and sharing the roadways.
As bare practitioners (same gender loving naturists/nudists) we wholeheartedly embrace, encourage and endorse the following character traits of our community and our culture:
Acceptance: of our body and clothes freedom nature and our sexuality.
Belief: in our inalienable and natural right to determine and to be ourselves.
Confidence: in all of us to be what and who we basically and honestly are without any apology, guilt or shame.
Dedication: in advocating and supporting these principles for everyone, no matter who they are and where they live.
Pride: our shining star!
As bare practitioners we all know that we are entitled to and experience our pride throughout the entire year. Confidence and self-expression are not limited and/or restricted to just the month of June, annually. Pride month is when we, as both a community and a culture, remind the the rest of humanity of who we all are and to celebrate our collective accomplishments and achievements! This is the time of the year for all of us to join together in celebrating, demonstrating, exhibiting, representing, sharing and showing our confidence and pride in being ourselves!
Unknowingly for many but consciously for a few, our pride in ourselves as bare practitioners casts us into the status of role model. Unwittingly, countless numbers of others exploring our community and culture may look upon each one of us as an example – a role model – of a life they find appealing. We may never be aware of this service to others. Simply being who and what we truly are often can and does inspire other.
Back-up plans!
As an accidental as well as an unintentional bare practitioner example, our “option for action” is to continue to live our life. Our nakedness and our sexuality combined have determined us as “unique.” This uniqueness, in turn, awarded us the unsolicited position of role model to anyone observing our community and our culture.
If someone is curious about our lifestyle as same gender loving and as a naturist/nudist, we should all strive to be as welcoming as possible and reply to their questions. It is also beneficial to know someone of our community who is very receptive and has the dedication and the patience to spend with those seeking knowledge of our lives. The vast majority of us can recall our own exploration of the community and what proved helpful and informative for us.
Coming together as a community!
When Alex, my identical twin brother, and I first began exploring the openly nude skinny-dipping riverside site in the city where we grew up, we were the youngest there in a group of primarily university ages and older. As we are both Deaf, no one around seemed bothered by reading our questions and writing their answers. The major problem for all of us seemed to be reading the handwriting! All the guys there were patient and ready to respond. No one appeared to resent our “joining” their beach!
Bottoms-up!
Twin and I always remembered to thank our role models for both their patience and their tolerance. We had already acknowledged our sexuality so the majority of our questions regarded interacting among the same gender loving (gay) nude community. There were two of so, so we were often laughed at as being the groups “class.” Neither of us are able to recall if any of our “tutors” had shared with us their major as being education.
As bare practitioners, we recognize the importance of our service as role-models. In order for future generations of bare practitioners to be happy and succeed, it is our duty to explain and represent our community and culture as best as possible. Our level of comfort in being a role-model often is seen by others as a determination of our dedication to our lifestyle. Nothing could be further from the truth. The personal interaction between role-model and the person we’re mentoring is often the determining factor as to level of comfort.
All of us, as either role-model or as the one being tutored, cooperating together for our common good are making for a better and stronger bare practitioner movement, a community and culture based on confidence and pride!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for Monday, June 13, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “World Naked Bike Ride Pride!”
Last month, May, 2022, I published regarding the unlucky Friday the 13th myth. In keeping with the focus on June being the month of GLBTQ+ and Bare Pride, we’ll avoid the number 13 here and concentrate on the number three (3)! After all, today is the third (3) full day of Pride Month, 2022!
Fortunately, there is no numeral associated with pride. Our confidence in our community, our culture, our friends and ourselves happens whether we are alone – solo – or in a group of three, thirty or as many as three hundred. There exists no numerical threshold, imagined or real, that must be reached in order for the sensations of accomplishment, achievement, pride and success to be experienced.
Confidence in Ourselves
Self-confidence is an essential aspect of celebrating and remembering our community and our cultural pride. Our comfort in being who we are enables us to overcome any doubts or feelings of embarrassment, guilt, remorse or shame that others seek to impose upon us. In deflecting and ignoring the contempt of others we prove ourselves to be above and beyond intimidation and reproach!
A happy trio!
Happiness in Ourselves
Our smiles visibly demonstrate our contentment in being us: the who (same gender loving) and the what (bare; body and clothes freedom) nature of our lives. In accepting and acknowledging our specialty and uniqueness in this life and in this world, we show our confidence and our pride and help to prepare others for joining us without any fear or hesitation. Our camaraderie reminds others and ourselves that we are not alone.
Forward looking threesome!
Unity Among Ourselves
Despite our numerous concerns, differences, favourites, issues and values, we, as the bare practitioner community and culture stand together – united – in hopeful anticipation of our future. We embrace, rally and support the colours, images representation and spirit of the Progress rainbow flag. We go forth towards our common goals of equality, justice, tolerance and unity for all of us no matter who we love.
Progress rainbow banner!
Our strength is founded on the respect and trust that we share with one another. Our confidence and pride is the combines legacy of our past, the unity of our present and the anticipation of our future!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry proudly planned for here is Monday, June 6, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Sunshine Pride!”
The gentlemen above attempt some genital modesty with the traditional rainbow flag that for many years represented GLBTQ+ pride!
The colors and the symbolism of the traditional rainbow flag. Many complaints were received because the diversity of the GLBTQ+ community wasn’t reflected.
Traditionalrainbow flag with two gay men emblems!
The customary “header” for my Pride month post entry. On the rainbow flag he’s holding are emblems representing two gay men together. I used this image for my initial A Guy Without Boxers site as well as here on ReNude Pride.
Daymin Voss (left) kisses Beaux Banks.
Same gender love (SGL) at the very best! Daymin Voss (left) passionately kissing his fellow SGL actor, Beaux Banks! A foreplay scene from their film: Vice!
Self-explanatory logo!
ReNude Pride observes GLBTQ+ pride month and bare pride month simultaneously. I did the same when publishing A Guy Without Boxers. The Stonewall Inn Riots happened on the night of June 28, 1969.
We can all follow adult SGL film legend Francois Sagat’s example and “strip off” our clothes for the entire month of June. Pride with absolutely nothing to hide!
A nocturnal dive!
While we’re all bare, we can take advantage and skinny-dip dive into the pool! Every effort earns a reward!
“Pride is the confidence, contentment, joy and satisfaction that we feel being the real and true person that we are!” ~ Roger Peterson-Poladopoulos ~ June 1, 2022
Compiling pride!
Our confidence and pride extends to ourselves, our community and all of humanity. We are not limited in what we attempt to accomplish. Working together, we achieve our goals!
Our pride: our Progress flag!
Our pride commemorates the challenges we have overcome and the lessons we have learned. It includes the pain we have felt, the lives we have lost and the grief that we have mourned. Our successes and triumphs are celebrated and cherished.
Our pride continues forward! The Progress flag (image above) is our new banner that incorporates our collective past and our hope for the future. It retains a part of our rainbow heritage and elements of our progression into acceptance, diversity, equality, inclusion and respect!
Happy nakedness and pride to everyone, every day of the entire year!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry planned for here is for Friday, June 3, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “World Naked Bike Ride!”
Whether we live in the Northern Hemisphere or in the Southern Hemisphere, it makes no difference. The summer season is almost always known as the time for play – especially if the “players” are comfortable in being bare! If we’re having fun, why do we need to concern ourselves with clothing? One less issue to contend with!
Friday Footnote: Summer, 2022, doesn’t officially start until June 21, of this year – one month from today. This Friday Footnote for today’s entry here on ReNude Pride is a subtle reminder of the excitement and the fascination of of planning (in advance) of a true adventure: a season of being a dutiful and devout bare practitioner! Shift into the gear of determination and set the course for action, laughter and a multitude of memories. Don’t forget your camera and sunscreen!
Strip 2 B 2gether!
Minus the shorts and the swimsuit, there’s no longer any need to wonder what we’ll wear for the remainder of the season. Bare is always best and fair for everyone out there! Nudity is complete equality for all players – so make plans to remove all those burdensome garments and get busy enjoying life as it should be: all natural!
Bare antics!
Most of us suffer through the cold weather longing for the time to frolic and to be happy. True, many strip the moment they arrive home from a day at work. But how much fun is achieved solo? Shouldn’t our joy be shared with others? Summer offers us a chance not only to bare our bodies but also to build friendships and relationships with those around us!
Nakedness = happiness!
“Nudity is basic and elemental. It is honest, open and real. Clothing conceals and deceives. It is generated and intentional falsehood. No explanation required!” ~ Roger Poladopoulos ~
Frolicking naturally enables the vast majority of us to increase our leisure time dramatically. We don’t have to bother with getting dressed as our attire is our natural skin. We seriously reduce the amount of time needed to launder our clothing as our wardrobe needs are drastically eliminated. More time for friends and fun, which increases our instances of self-worth and happiness. A winning combination for all involved!
Fun 2gether!
So cast aside the long faces and anticipate a season of good cheer! Plan now to strip for the summer and relish the delight of freedom through nakedness during this season of the year!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for Monday, May 23, 2022, and the proposed topic is “Victoria Day!”
Today is May 13, 2022. There is really no special significance placed on this day except for one major detail: today is Friday, May 13, 2022. The day of the week is the factor that makes a big difference. In the human mind, Friday, the 13th of any month is a date seriously lacking in any good fortune. Friday, the 13th is stereotyped as a most unlucky date!
The origins of this misconception in the early days of the Christian era were based on the belief that Jesus had twelve major followers (apostles). Somehow, an extra one subtly integrated the apostolic dozen thus creating the ideal of the unlucky 13th. Of course, this reasoning is built on the presumption that all of the world is Christian, which we know is not true.
In some bizarre intrigue, Satan (devil, evil) had penetrated the “holy divine dozen.” In this assault on Christianity, the number thirteen (13) earned it’s unlucky classification. Blame it all on Satan!
Despair!
Another theory as to the origins of the unlucky Friday the 13th exists and persists. This idea is supported by historical evidence that does offer us credibility although Satan is associated with this version of the unlucky 13th story also. For all of his rumoured might and power, that poor devil seems unable to lose his notoriety over the unlucky Friday the 13th legacy.
The next tale of this unlucky 13th saga is less biblical and more historical in content. It involves the Roman Catholic Church, a king of France, the Crusade, the Knights Templar, deceit, envy, greed, jealousy, history, myth, fact and fiction. Both a pope and Satan have roles to play in this gruesome epic; but, unfortunately, I am unable to serve popcorn as I relay all the tale to you.
Personal observation: for some unknown reason, Christianity, Satan and the “unlucky 13th” appear intimately involved in this legacy of misfortune.
Religious supplication!
The prelude to this segment of the unlucky 13th woe, the Crusades have already taken place. Christian armies, of which the Templar Knights were an allied force, had occupied the biblical lands and then been forced to retreat from them. Palestine was once again under complete Islamic domination. The Templar Knights had relocated themselves back into the safety of Europe and turned their attention from pilgrim protection in the Holy Land to banking and land management enterprises. The order was extremely wealthy.
Early morning, Friday, October 13, 1307, King Philip IV of France ordered the arrest of all the Knights Templar living in France. The king owed immense amounts of money to the Knights and had no way to pay off his debts. He believed that by arresting the order, he could confiscate their wealth and become debt-free. The highest ranking members of the monastic order were locked in prison, including Grand Master Jacques de Molay, and the torturing began. Incarcerated and under torture, the Templars were viciously slandered as “homosexuals” (same gender loving) and who inducted recruits to their order while they all were naked together after spitting on the holy cross.
Pope Clement V was horrified when he was informed of the Templar rumours and of their massive arrests. He’d been elected pope almost solely because of the French king’s influence and support and he feared the Templar Knights power. However, as the number of confessing Templars increased due to the torture Philip was inflicting on them, Clement issued a papal bull (law) ordering the arrest of all Templars throughout Europe due to blasphemy and heresy.
Arresting the Templar Knights!
Within a few days of torture, numerous Templars confessed to their alleged sins. Within weeks of their confession, most of the knights recanted their confessions and were put to death. This led Pope Clement V to terminate the inquisitions into their sins and to dissolve the courts. However, the papal action did not deter King Philip IV as he was busy dealing with the Templar fortunes he was now accumulating.
In 1310, two years after Pope Clement V had the inquisition ended, King Philip IV had Grand Master Jacques de Molay and the remaining leaders of the Knights Templar burned at the stake. The Friday the 13th fallacy was now officially over!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for Monday, May 16, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Act-For-Skin!”
World Naked Gardening Day is Saturday, May 7, 2022!
World Naked Gardening Day is internationally observed on the first Saturday in May, annually. Many countries, regions, provinces, etc., have a local date/day specific to locality in addition to this global event. Consult neighboring gardening, horticultural, naturist and nudist groups or organizations for actual dates and/or celebrations.
The first annual World Naked Gardening Day occurred on September 10, 2005. In 2007, the event date was changed to the first Saturday in May. In 2018, the New Zealand Naturist Federation adopted the last Saturday in October, annually, as World Naked Gardening Day due to the climate of the Southern Hemisphere. In Canada, the first Saturday in May can be especially cold so the alternate day of the first Saturday in June is Naked Canadian Gardening Day.
My spouse, Aaron, and I observe World Naked Gardening Day at our home. We invite over other bare practitioner couples to replant house plants (each couple is asked to bring their own). This year – thus far – will be the first celebration of this “nature activity” in two years due to the coronavirus COVID-19 epidemic and quarantine. As of today, four other couples have confirmed their joining us for this endeavour!
My legal and significant other has entitled our gathering and planting: BTD (bare transplant day)!
We use our condominium’s balcony as our “garden” area and use blankets and sheets to hang on the railing so we don’t offend any neighbors by our blatant and confident nudity. While socializing and planting, our fellow enthusiasts (guests) often offer new gardening advice. This mid-day activity is then followed by a modest weekend brunch.
World Naked Gardening Day!
Quite naturally, bare landscaping (groundskeeping, yardwork) is also an option for World Naked Gardening Day! An ideal way to encourage comfort, health and open clothes freedom (public naturist/nudist lifestyle)! If possible, join us in promoting our natural leisure pleasures!
Happy World Naked Gardening Day!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Sunday, May 8, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “USA: Mother’s Day!”
This is the final posting of the April Appeal series for this year here on ReNude Pride. The sub-title is “fantasy” but perhaps a sub-title of “initiation” is more appropriate. The two men featured in the above image are our bare practitioner “hosts” for this ritual – the welcoming of one of our textile “converts” into the world of living in the freedom of being a bare practitioner!
My friend, Jay’s partner, Raheem, volunteered to help me with today’s April Appeal installation. I am grateful for his efforts and encourage him to pursue maintaining his own blog! Some of you may remember assistance on my post “BRAT!”(click the title to link).
Unofficial and unstructured, as far as Raheem and I can determine, there are absolutely no guidelines or mandate for actually conducting an initiation ceremony into the bare practitioner community. The fantasy Order of Bare Practitioners (OBP) is an imaginary dream of both Raheem and myself (although it does have a noble connotation)! Nakedness appreciates companionship – that’s why we have “social nudity” – but an official ritual for membership? Removal of clothing is the sole qualification as per our knowledge.
Initiating the textile as a bare practitioner #1!
Initiation Into the Bare Practitioner World!
The two bare practitioner men are stripping the clothes off of a man they are preparing to “induct” into the bare practitioner culture. Our “host’s” duties are to remove the covering (clothing) from those seeking membership into OBP and to present them to all members present, completely bare!
“There is no reason to conceal and hide. Complete nudity is cause for joy and pride!” ~ Roger Poladopoulos ~ April 25, 2022
Bare Practitioner Initiation Ritual:
Initiating the textile as a bare practitioner #2!
All of the bare practitioners (the regular membership) viewing the induction ritual recall their own entrance into the OBP (the mythical society). The initiates, being totally clothed, eagerly anticipate their moment of freedom from being burdened with clothes! That’s the reason all the bare practitioners engage their nudity prior to the beginning of the ceremony!
There is most definitely no humiliation or shame in being publicly stripped of one’s textile deceit! Everyone knows that body and clothes freedom is accompanied with pride!
Initiating the textile as a bare practitioner #3!
As the discomfort of the garments are removed, the initiate is allowed to share with the membership his eagerness and willingness to become one with them in enjoying living naturally! The regular bare practitioner membership is encouraged to ask questions of those who are seeking to join us as members. This exchange helps to open the friendship between the regular members and those hoping to become affiliated with our camaraderie!
Initiating the textile as a bare practitioner #4!
Each prospective recruit is invited to come forward fully clothed and to be publicly and ritually removed of his artificial concealment. The identical process is repeated for each and every one. This allows all of us to witness our newest as they evolve from being textile to their new status as completely “bare with pride!”
Initiating the textile as a bare practitioner #5!
This evolution and induction process empowers us all as members of the Order of Bare Practitioners. We are reminded of our own membership assimilation as well as the unity that we all share with one another. It enables us to appreciate and understand that even though we may be a minority population, we are most definitely not alone in our same gender love nor in our pride in our nakedness. Together, we make a committed team!
Bare practitioner unity!
Embracing one another reinforces our dedication to our ideals of same gender love and of body and clothes freedom. We respect the responsibility of each and every one to determine the path they will follow throughout their life. Our embrace, together, reaffirms this principle!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: Please remember that this particular post is a pure fantasy publication.
The next post entry for here is planned for Saturday, April 30, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Bottoms-Up! April, 2022!”
At midnight tomorrow night, the bells on Greek Orthodox churches (actually, all Orthodox churches) will begin to ring and the congregations will commence to transmit the flame of light from one paschal candle to another while chanting “Kristos anesti” (Christ is risen). The Easter liturgy for 2022 will start; continuing a tradition that began almost 2,000 years ago.
Afterwards, the congregants will exchange the greeting “Kala Pascha” (good Easter)! While sharing best wishes, they will hold red-dyed eggs in the palm of their hand tapping the eggs of others, in the attempt to crack open the shells of every egg they encounter and emerge with their own egg unscathed and intact!
The egg champion!
Everyone then hurries home for the opening of gifts, the devouring of the Easter breakfast and the mad rush to crawl into bed before sunrise! The Easter feast begins at 4:30 p.m., on Sunday afternoon! Of course, all are completely famished by the time that comes to pass!
Of course, the family gathering is sparse for us. Aaron, my spouse, and I will host Twin (Alex) and his partner Dante, and our first cousin, Michael Poladopoulos and his soon-to-be spouse, Ropati. The remainder of our families all reside in Greece so we do the best that we can to ensure that Easter is a memorable event.
All of us are bare practitioners so there is most definitely a hasty drive from St. Sophia’s Cathedral in northwest Washington, D.C., to our condominium in Arlington, Virginia. We’ll all need to remove our church attire – pronto! Aaron and I have a one bedroom unit, therefore, space is limited. Fortunately, clothing concerns are not an issue for any of us! We avoid a grooming disaster by shaving/showering as a couple and not individually.
Lambropsomo – Easter Bread!
Everyone plans on arriving this afternoon (Friday). In making the Lambropsomo (Easter Bread), we use ya-ya’s (paternal grandmother’s) recipe which both Alex and Michael (as well as myself) own. My culinary skills are nonexistent; however, I do posses the handmade wooden rising bowl that belonged to ya-ya’s mother (our great-grandmother). It is an antique. The Lambropsomo is an eighteen hour process so preparation starts tonight. Ropati has no interest in baking so the two of us plan to play backgammon (tavloo) while the remainder work in our kitchen. As my Aaron so aptly determined: “We’ll keep the R’s (Roger and Ropati) out of our space so we can handle (complete) our business (cooking)!” Rest assured, Ropati and I both intend to comply with those wishes!
Easter feast preparation!
I don’t know for certain if Ropati’s kitchen skills are as poor as mine – however, as long as the majority of our guests are content with the food preparation, I am content to accede to their every desire and need! Too many in our tiny kitchen space can only create chaos, confusion and disaster!
Our Easter Sunday plans are to be laid back and relaxed for most of the day. With the bulk of the meal preparation completed in advance, our 4:30 p.m., dinner will be followed by our guests departing for their homes. Aaron and I prefer doing our own clean-up after the meal as our time to “calm” after a condominium full of family for the entire weekend. Monday is a full day at work for the both of us!
Decorated buttocks!
And a very depressing thought: almost all of my fellow professors at university observed Western Easter the week before. Their holiday recovery is very complete! I have yet to go through the motions!
Kala Pascha to everyone!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, April 25, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “April Appeal: Fantasy!”
The image above clearly shows the necessity of social nudity!
Opening Photo Justification:
In the introductory photograph (above), our actual bare practitioner brother, adult film-star Phoenix Fellington, aptly represents the theme of this particular post here on ReNude Pride but also, along with his fellow same gender loving (SGL) adult actors, the importance and necessity that social nudity provides our bare practitioner culture. Phoenix introduces two roles in the above illustration. First, he is the only African American featured – an automatic minority. Secondly, he is likewise the only subject completely and totally naked – another automatic minority.
Mr. Fellington and his co-performing colleagues graphically depict bare practitioner reality and truth. Every one of us, every day of our lives, constitute a “double minority.” Independent of our individual race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, education, or ability, we’re all SGL. Our first minority status. Our second minority status is our naturist/nudist proclivity. Please bear in mind that our minority status may vary and reverse itself depending on each individual. Number one can become number two and vice-versa.
Thus, this one picture shows our peculiar bare practitioner perspective. Two extra “burdens” simply because of who we are. Our representational responsibilities in addition to our respective individual considerations. This image conveys the significance of social nudity to us all as bare practitioners.
Thank you, Phoenix Fellington and your fellow SGL film performers for your awareness education of our dilemma. Please inform your associates they can now strip off the clothing items they’re wearing and get comfortable!
Flexing their arms while naked together!
“Being a bare practitioner in no way adequately defines us yet it is indeed a fun way to accurately describe us!” ~ Roger Peterson-Poladopoulos
Social Nudity:
“The extent or level of our bare involvement is frequently immaterial. The overwhelming majority of naturists/nudists engage in social nudity whether they recognize the action as such or not. We are human and we are a social being. The simple acknowledgement of another’s nakedness constitutes social nudity.” ~Roger Poladopoulos ~ April 11, 2022
Introduction:
Fortunately, social nudity has only two simple qualifications. First, of course, is very basic: our nakedness. The second is almost as simple as the first: it includes at least two nude individuals interacting with one another. That’s it! Basic. Plain. Simple.
There’s no restriction on the type of interaction that happens. We can read together, play cards, perform tasks for pleasure, play tennis, go jogging, skinny-dip, lay in the sun, paint or engage in board games or sew. We can walk or skydive. We can even just sit and converse with one another. As long as we’re bare, casual, relaxed and together (social). Quantity is unimportant and familiarity isn’t a prerequisite.
Social nudity allows us to introduce ourselves and to become acquainted. We can transition from acquaintances into friends. We can evolve and grow from friendship into a relationship and beyond.
There are no stringent guidelines and the possibilities are endless!
Siblings proud to be socially naked together!
“Social nudity is the exotic exuberance of an excellent fashion extravaganza: our nakedness!” ~ Roger Peterson-Poladopoulos April 11, 2022
Ramifications:
Bare practitioners are a friendly, happy, helpful and quite often marginalized group of people. Hence, our “double minority” status. General society, primarily textile (clothes wearing) and judgmental, regard us with both disdain and disgust. Far too often, we are misjudged as nothing more than perverted individuals because of our preference for the clothes free lifestyle – our being naked together is determined as positive proof that sexual pleasure is the only reason that we are collectively nude. All that we supposedly desire is unlimited sexual license!
The above scenario is a common myth transmitted among the fashion-obsessed majority to ensure their continued dominance in society. True, there are some naturist/nudist people who enjoy clothes freedom mainly for sexual engagement but the overwhelming number of us bare practitioners simply prefer being without the burden of garment wearing. Our bodies are us and we relish being free and natural!
A basic truth!
We, as humans, are generally a very congenial, social species. We like being around interacting with others we perceive as being similar to ourselves: bare or clothed. As a bare practitioner, I am comfortable and relaxed while in the company of other bare practitioners. As a Deaf man, I am completely at ease in the presence of others who are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). This is based on human nature and is a fact shared by all of us, regardless of our clothes choice (naked or textile).
Naturists or nudists are humans, first, who readily accept and identify themselves as a comity (group) of like-minded individuals who appreciate their uniqueness in the broader world. As humans, we are we are content and willing to interact and socialize with those who share our inclination. It is easier to establish compatibility and trust with persons who are most like ourselves. Once again, human nature prevails.
Flexibility:
The only essential or basic requirement for social nudity to transpire is that body and clothes freedom must be shared. Therefore, the minimum number of people involved must be two. After all, company determines interaction. Yet flexibility reigns supreme and there is no limitation on the maximum number involved. The quantity of the crowd is endless and is solely restricted by the amount of space available. The often repeated folk adage: “the more the merrier” is entirely applicable in the case of social nudity. Naked together is the guideline!
To be perfectly honest, mandatory and/or obligatory nakedness is not an essential standard in order for social nudity to occur. As long as the textile people present accept, appreciate, respect and understand that the freedom from clothing prevails then the social nudity affixation is both earned and justified.
The optimal belief and premise that covering our bodies or hiding beneath clothes is totally unnecessary!
Naked truth!
As bare practitioners, most of us are employed in a workplace that embraces, and requires, the wearing of clothing – if not a uniform! We accept this reality. However, away from our job we are on our own in fulfilling our lives and circumstances. Body and clothes freedom – our choice, our life, our time – is one aspect we need not compromise. Social nudity (voluntary association with our “own kind”) is both a need and a relief from the stress of everyday living in a distinctly different reality from the acceptable “normalcy” of the vast majority. Our own special haven (heaven) in an otherwise chaotic and fashion-focused world!
In addition to our endorsement of social nudity, as bare practitioners there is another major reason for our encouragement and support of clothes freedom. Not only are we judged by our nakedness by the textile world, within our own naturist/nudist community we are also deemed unacceptable and unwanted by fellow clothes free people due to our same gender loving – bisexual or gay – status. This homophobia isn’t as prevalent or pronounced as it was perhaps twenty years ago, but it still exists and remains within our natural collective. This is one aspect of why we use the term “bare practitioner” instead of “bisexual naturist” or “gay nudist.” For many, the words bisexual and/or gay imply sexuality over attraction.
Social nudity: all together!
There is a growing number of body and clothes freedom establishments and resorts that are now promoting (advertising) themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer+ (GLBTQ+) accepting, friendly and welcoming. This marketing strategy is underway in order to create more tolerant environments for their guests as well as to ensure the quality of business and it appears to be operable.
There are a few misconceptions regarding the heading: social nudity. A large number of people, no matter there clothing choice, think only in terms of a “party-like” atmosphere exclusively. Actually, social nudity encompasses much more than that. Discussion groups, reading and/or book clubs, athletics, dramatic clubs, hiking groups, garden clubs, etc., all qualify as pertinent to social nudity.
Skinny-dipping!
There are a countless number of SGL naturist/nudist participants who limit their engagement to social nudity activities only. When alone, they aren’t concerned whether they are bare or clothed. They are just as comfortable wearing garments as they are without. It appears as though they only indulge with nudity when they are with others who have no strong bonds or feelings with nakedness unless it is in a total party environment.
My spouse, Aaron, and I sometimes chuckle among ourselves over this seemingly oblivious indifference towards body and clothes freedom. Our humour over the matter possibly derives from our obsession with the state of our nakedness and their apparent lack of concern. Another clear example of the variances of human nature. What may be of paramount importance to one is relatively insignificant to another.
The bottom line being yet another folk adage: “to each one, his/her own!”
A Point To Ponder:
Naked and not quite naked!
The above image begs a question that very few seem to have an answer. Social nudity is widely considered to be a situation where everyone is nude and interacting. However, what if the case is different. If one of the persons is bare and the other is partially or totally textile. Does social nudity still apply? The naked individual is being social through his interaction with the other, who happens to be clothed. It isn’t a completely nude situation, but is the label applicable in a mixed situation? A final thought to ponder today!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, April 15, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Our Paths Crossed…!”
