My regular publishing schedule for ReNude Pride is Monday and Friday. Since my back-to-back publication here for “Bottoms-Up! End of December, 2022!” and “Nude New Year, 2023!” I decided to post entry this today, January 3, rather than yesterday.
Background:
January 3, 2009, the day that I first met Jay, who has become a fast and loyal friend of mine! Barack Obama had just been elected as “president-to-be” in November, 2008. This country was desperate for and seriously needed a change in direction, a change in leadership and the promise of hope – and a chance of a future!
On this date, Mr. Obama was just a few brief weeks away from officially assuming his presidency. Everywhere in the Washington, D.C. area, there was an atmosphere of excitement, of fulfillment and a sense of hope, joy and promise. Of kindness and respect. Of decency, honesty and renewal. Those “weapons of mass destruction” were proven false, nonexistent and evaporated into complete fabrication.
Truth!
Jay:
This was the tone of the atmosphere that existed the day we first met and began our friendship. At that time, there was a local bar (tavern) in downtown Washington, D.C., that on two Saturday afternoons every month (the first and the third) was rented to a local gay men’s social nudity club for “naked happy hour” from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. (also referred to as “naked cocktails”). There exists a very “seedy and sleazy” inference on the choice of “cocktail!” Great minds, descend into the gutter and get to work!
The crowd at the social nude event on that day was wall-to-wall. Before the first hour had passed the doors were locked and the only admittance was only if someone on the inside left. The District of Columbia Fire Marshall had posted an officer at the entrance to physically monitor the situation and the compliance.
Jay was already seated at a table for two, alone, when I saw him from across the lobby. There was an empty chair beside him. I headed in that direction through the mob. When we made eye-contact, I pointed to the chair with a questioning expression on my face. Jay smiled, pulled out the chair and patted the seat with his hands. I nodded, pointed to my right ear and shook my head in a negative manner, conveying to him that I am Deaf. He laughed and using his hands made the fingerspelling for “okay.” We had just given birth to a friendship!
We were both completely naked when we met. We had stripped out of our clothes in different restrooms when we arrived at the bar.
Good advice!
From Then Until Now:
From this date in 2009 onward, Jay and I have forged together a friendship that we both treasure and trust, even after he moved away from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region. He witnessed first-hand the beginning of my live-in relationship with my spouse, Aaron, in 2010 and our marriage, five years later. I have watched the growth of his relationship with his partner, Raheem. Last year, he and Raheem were guest authors here on ReNude Pride on a post entry entitled “BRAT!”
Avatar for my friend, Rohan, The Nubian-Ikigai!
This past year, On September 8, 2022, I received a comment here from The Nubian-Ikigai regarding the posted announcement of Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, Canada, Jamaica and the Head of the Commonwealth. That comment led to email correspondence between Rohan, the Nubian-Ikigai and myself that continues today.
My friendship with Rohan resulted in an interview with him published this past November, 2022, and then with Rohan appearing as a guest author here on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2022! He is now publishing his own blog here and I invite all of you to join me in following his site:
“Should old acquaintance be forgot? Strip it off and show what you’ve got!”
May your new, nude year – 2023 – be filled with bare practitioner experiences and opportunities to share with family and friends! May all of your dreams become reality and all of your goals and hopes produce fruition! Best wishes to all! Take care and proudly stay bare!
Happy bare 2023!
Enjoy the festivities! Just remember, it will be another full year before the same can be experienced again!
Celebrating the arrival of 2023!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned forTuesday. January 3, 2023, and the proposed topic is: “Bare Friends!”
Our last month of 2022, and our last Bottoms-Up! feature for this entire year! A new series begins with the beginning of a new month and a new year tomorrow! Time for us to usher one farewell to buttocks and to prepare for another season of appreciation for our anatomy!
A farewell grin for 2022!
Buttocks out of the closet!
Full buttocks viewing is a great way to spend the time each day! We can accentuate our thrills in being completely clothes free and without any guilt and/or shame!
A new rear for an entirely new year!
As we all “kiss” 2022 farewell, we can utilize the same pair of lips to welcome us all to 2023!
Happy buttocks for all of 2023!
Bottoms-Up! can be admired and appreciated by all of us, whether inside facilities and homes or outside with only nature and other bare practitioners around us!
Bottoms-Up! Pyramid construction!
Naked hugs to all!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for tomorrow, Sunday, January 1, 2023, and the proposed topic is: “Happy Nude Year, 2023!”
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!
To all of you!
Best wishes!
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!”
Rohan, the Nubian-Ikigai, featured here in and interview on November 25, 2022, and a guest author here on December 1, 2022: World AIDS Day has officially opened and is now publishing his blog: Crossing the Styx! The site features an About Me page and his initial post entry.
Both my spouse, Aaron, and I now fanatically disregard and/or ignore the inconvenient habit of “new year’s resolutions!” We live in the Northern Hemisphere; it is barren and cold here. Neither one of us is motivated enough to initiate any life altering changes during this period of frigid outdoor temperatures. Additionally, the hours of natural daylight is reduced due to the position of the sun. Who needs another impediment?
Instead of trying and then trying, again, to introduce a change in our daily routine, Aaron and I opt to focus on the positive and play (have fun or “make mischief”) while we’re confined indoors due to the inclement weather conditions outside. Our goal is to survive the hibernation as best as we possibly can and introduce the practice of “Spring Resolutions” – change as the climate and daylight improves!
This alternate plan not only reduces the risk of failure and frustration of these resolutions. The mental process of adaptation is better in Spring than it is during the Winter which greatly adds to the chances of success.
Also, the return of colour, as in the flowers and the foliage, to the natural environment enhances productivity and an encouraging outcome. This helps us to stay positive and resourceful. The longer spans of daylight boosts our flexibility!
Reduce the number of goals! A lower amount increases both achievement and concentration! One step forward makes the result realistic!
Interested? Would you like to try it? I’ll publish a gentle reminder this upcoming March!
Play naked!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, December 16, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Good-bye Boxers!”
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!
Dancing for joy!
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!”
The title “Bare-dom” and posting were originally planned for today’s entry here. However, the feeling on my part, as the author of ReNude Pride is that this particular posting is more prominent and more relevant. “Bare-dom” is now planned for publication in February, 2023. I apologize for any confusion!
Background:
The term political correctness is a concept that began with the advent of the first inauguration of then-incoming President Bill Clinton in the 1990’s. The phrase was synonymous with the words “thoughtfulness,” “sensitivity” and basically “polite.” It essentially implied “respect and treat others as you expect them to treat and respect you.”
Unfortunately, the idea was never accepted or followed by the religious-right extremists nor the U.S. republican political party. Once George Bush #2 came into power, the principle rapidly fell into disfavor then totally abandoned.
The election of President Barack Obama brought the theory but not the original phrase back into practice. Regrettably, when he retired, the practice did also. Now even the thought of such a notion as decency has disappeared from the ideals and minds of the American public. The thinking these days is now: nogooddeedgoesunpunished!
The context and point here is simple: we need to return to the basic “ground rule” of decency for everyone. This country, especially, is now too multicultural and varied for us to automatically assume that all the people who live here have identical beliefs and values. That path of thinking is now misinformed, obsolete and no longer relevant. Probably, it is something that is no longer true even within the same family, much less the neighborhood, community, city and state.
Even within the same religion, there exist varying traditions. For example, within Christianity, there are differences in when certain holidays are celebrated and/or observed. One assumption doesn’t apply to everyone anymore.
Observation: not included on the above listing is December 26: Boxing Day in the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and other realms throughout the Commonwealth!
My spouse, Aaron, and I have discussed this quite a number of times among ourselves and with friends. There is no doubt in our minds whatsoever that all of us need to be considerate of one another and work together to restore an element of humanity back into our daily lives!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for 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!”
The Red Ribbon symbolizes World AIDS Day and HIV/AIDS awareness!
Proudly show that you are aware and that you care. Wear your red ribbon!
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Basic Facts About HIV/AIDS:
HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.
AIDS is a result of being infected with HIV.
HIV is not spread through everyday, casual contact.
A physician is needed to diagnose AIDS.
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Red ribbon = HIV/AIDS awareness and concern!
“It’s not who we are, but rather what we do that determines the risk factor of HIV infection.” ~ Red Cross HIV/AIDS prevention education ~
Follow protocols for reducing HIV infections:
Do not share needles, syringes or drug use tools.
Avoid contact with body fluids.
Treat everyone with care and respect.
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Since the first World AIDS Day observance on December 1, 1988. The date was first conceived in August, 1987, by James Bunn and Thomas Netter, two public information officers for the Global Programme on AIDS at the World Health Organisation in Geneva, Switzerland.
Each year, Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis have released messages for both patients and health care providers on World AIDS Day. They have also publicly offered prayers for a world living with HIV.
In the USA, the White House (presidential home) began observing World AIDS Day under the administration of President Clinton and the iconic display of a 28-foot massive Red AIDS Awareness Ribbon on the North Portico of the building. It was the first banner to prominently hang from the White House since the presidency of Abraham Lincoln.
Get tested! Know your HIV status!
Remember: a latex condom every time!
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A Red Ribbon on World AIDS Day!
Public Testimonial
by Rohan, the Nubian-Ikigai
It was in the late autumn of 1978 that I came into this world. My mom would always tell me that I was an overdue birth; as it I didn’t want to leave the womb. I see it like being cuddled up in bed. Who’d want to leave such a comfy spot? To this very day, that has still remained my all-time favourite activity.
So being born in 1978 meant that I grew up in the 80’s. Wow! What a decade! Madonna, Punk fashions, Hurricane Gilbert and skyrocketing food prices – if you’re Jamaican – and…AIDS!
Being an island didn’t mean that we were isolated from world issues, especially when your island is renowned for its culture, its beaches, its sunshine and sex. I saw all the AIDS prevention ads on TV: “AIDS kills,” “stick to one steady partner,” “use a condom,” and “you can’t tell by looking.” I grew up scared! I grew up being scared of actually growing up!
Throughout high school, we teens would laugh about stuff pertaining to sex and sexuality, there was little or no sex education in school and what we learned came from porn, the dancehall music or the local pastor. The radio broadcast the death of Freddie Mercury. I remember that so well because I was wearing a Queen t-shirt at that very moment! I heard of Arthur Ashe; in school we talked and laughed about the death of Rock Hudson – I didn’t know who he was at that time. But the dearest tragedy for me was when I learned that Olympic diver Greg Louganis was diagnosed HIV+. I was personally touched because I knew who he was. He was my hero, a gay Olympic champion! And, of course, during the 80’s and 90’s, they constantly reminded us of the growing numbers of new cases.
Greg Louganis, Olympic gold medal winner!
So as I fast forward a bit to young adult, HIV/AIDS was less and less stranger. It was now a reality. It had faces! And faces that I knew!
I made friends with people working in the local AIDS support association and the church I attended did volunteering and outreach. Being scared didn’t shield me from the harsh realities of my life. I wasn’t going to be spared. AIDS was not going to have pity. Not on this little island boy. No sir!… Familiar faces kept vanishing, boys I fell in love with kept getting sick: Julian, Everton, Fred, Frank. A church member was dying. I saw their faces. I saw their bodies lying on the hospital beds. I saw them agonizing. I saw them dying…I loved them. I loved them as hard as I could. I held them in my heart; it’s all I could have done.
There was only love, that’s what they needed, not pity or shame, but Love. I understood that. I had that gift.
Allisson was my elder. She and I were friends, we weren’t that close. She was the first child my dad got from his first relationship, so, we were as close as two half-siblings who were ten years apart could be. She had her life and her family: boyfriend, son and daughter. I checked in with her as often as I could. I still thank God for that last moment I spent with her. It was in the local store where she worked. Allisson was standing there behind the counter. She looked so thin, so pale, so not all together there. Nothing could have prepared me for that grim phone call I’d received a few years later…AIDS took my beloved sister.
Princess Diana: first person of prominence to casually greet a person living with AIDS.
To be honest I did my best to play it safe, but I also took my fair share of risks. I even slept with the enemy. Why I didn’t remember all those faces, all those bodies I saw, covered in sores, laying on those hospital beds? Why didn’t I remember the agony? I should have ran! But I didn’t…I wanted cuddles instead. It only takes one encounter. I slept with this guy twice in the Summer of 2005 I was diagnosed in the Fall of that very same year. Painful urine and a creamy white substance leaking from my penis made me go to the doctor real quick.
I was alone when I went to the doctor’s, I was alone when the doctor broke the news, I was alone when I went to the hospital to have his diagnosis confirmed. I was alone to face the stark reality that I was not going to be living a normal life. Oddly though, the news that I was HIV positive wasn’t as earth shattering. It didn’t have that devastating effect as I had imagined. I didn’t scream, or cry, or ask God why? Maybe it’s my way of dealing with trauma: in silence.
My explanation is that, growing up gay prepared me for days like these. If I could handle growing up gay in a homophobic society such as mine, anything else would be a piece of cake. I kind of figured that, somehow it’s kind of logical, sad way to think. I agree it’s a bit fatalistic: being gay isn’t a death sentence! But for me it was. So I imagine I was accepting my fate. My mom was right. A gay life is one of damnation and hellfire. And this was exactly what I deserved.
Since then, I’ve celebrated seventeen birthdays, visited six countries and changed two jobs. I have met my beautiful niece who is also living with the disease as she was contaminated at birth and I am currently in a stable long-term relationship. I am disciplined regarding my meds and my combat still rages more than ever. I can’t say that I have had to face discrimination regarding AIDS as not that many people know. I do my best to stay healthy, “Sound Mind, Sound Body.” I workout regularly and I combat negativity. I have grown to love myself, understand and own who I am and cultivate self-worth. I was young but now I am mature, I have seen my friends fallen by the wayside but I am still here. I had to learn gratitude.
Living with HIV is a daily reminder that I need to turn fear and trauma into triumph. I have had a new beginning, renewed hope. A fighting chance. I have to believe, not only in myself but in whatever higher power there may be. I need to believe that somewhere out there and also within, there is a greater power…love! Doesn’t love conquer all?
Rohan, the Nubian-Ikigai, our guest author!
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I am very appreciative of Rohan, the Nubian-Ikigai for sharing his personal testimonial with all of us here on ReNude Pride on the occasion of World AIDS Day,2022. His courage and honesty is a remarkable and significant accomplishment that indeed reflects his dedication to dispelling myths and misinformation about being same gender loving (gay) as well as about living with HIV. He is a commendable guest author and I sincerely invite him to contribute whenever possible!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry for here is planned for tomorrow, Friday, December 2, 2022, and the proposed topic is: “Seasonal Signs!”
ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! 