A Political Statement

I had promised myself that I would try to remain aloof from the political arena for the next four years. Obviously, I failed to keep that promise. I apologize.

But the above were just too funny and truthful to ignore.

Can we impeach the idiot yet? 

Peace! Get naked. Enjoy!

Bare With Pride

Stonewall Anniversary

The nondescript building (above) is the Stonewall Inn, located in Greenwich Village, New York City, USA. It was on this night, June 28-29, 1969, that the Stonewall Inn Riots occurred, which changed forever the lives of GLBTQ (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer) people not only here in the USA but throughout the world. The image shows the Stonewall Inn as it appeared in 1969. 

On this night, New York City police conducted what they thought would be a routine raid against the Stonewall and its clientele. That didn't happen. Instead, the "complacent" clientele, meaning the GLBTQ patrons at the bar, not only resisted arrest and harassment, they forcefully fought off the police and instead trapped them inside the facility. 

What transpired that night initially didn't seem extraordinary nor credible. Prior to June 28, 1969, the "homosexuals" were deemed a deviant menace to society. They were regularly and routinely thought of as an indecent and immoral class of citizens and habitually discriminated against, stereotyped, outlawed and harassed, not only by law enforcement, but also by courts, employers, churches and clergy, their fellow citizens and the U. S. government. 

   

The above images are of the rioting outside the Stonewall Inn on June 28/29, 1969. Photos courtesy the New York Village Voice newspaper. 

By 1969, the "homosexual" community (as the GLBTQ community was then known) was totally disgusted with this second-class status. They had helped the Black community protest for equality, the anti-war community demonstrate against the war in Vietnam and feminists causes. They were ready to strike back against injustice on their own.

They were angry, frustrated and tired. Unfortunately, the police raid against the Stonewall Inn happened to be the Bastille they rallied to defend.

Rather than fade away quietly into the night, they reacted. Their reaction created one of the pivotal civil rights and human rights movements that humanity has witnessed. A grassroots revolution that is currently underway, even today, throughout the world.

The Rainbow Flag wasn't born that night in New York City. It didn't come to symbolize the GLBTQ international community until years later. It does represent the freedom that all GLBTQ people throughout the world seek. And it is a bold and colorful reminder of what those "homosexuals" revolted against all those many years ago.

Happy Stonewall Anniversary! Happy Gay Pride!

Peace! Get naked. Enjoy!

Bare With Pride

A Sad Commentary...

Friday Footnotes: A Sad Commentary...

It is indeed a very sad commentary on current American society that we live in times where an entire segment of our population is reduced to such a low status that an image such as the one immediately above has to protest the injustice. How Black is very Black? Why does an angelic halo have to be edited onto the picture for us all to realize that the young man has done nothing wrong?  

The subject is obviously Black and nude. Why does the image imply anything else than that that?

Peace! Get naked. Enjoy!

Bare With Pride

Choppy Ocean Waters

Be Prepared: Turbulence Ahead!

I'm not a fan of the current occupant of the White House nor his political party. In fact, I am a sworn enemy of the man and the machinations of those who conspire with him when he stole the election. That's all I'll comment on about them all at this time. 

With the recent headlines, it's easy to see what lies in our future. 

Just a note: be prepared!

Peace! Get naked. Enjoy!

Bare With Pride

The Struggle Ahead...

There is no doubt in any one's mind that the next four years, especially here in the USA, are going to be a period of hardship, struggle and challenges for this country's GLBT community in particular and for the broader society in general. Over this past weekend, the upcoming new chief executive announced the proposed dismantling of the Affordable Health Care Act (mistakenly and disrespectfully labelled "Obama care") and his planned immediate deportation of several million undocumented residents. This same person referred to all of these persons as "criminals" and "undesirables." His Nazi-esque pronouncement appears to be a phrase taken directly from a Hitler diatribe about the Jews in 1930s Germany.

And to think a slender minority of the American people chose to support this man in our recent election. I simply cannot understand, no matter how much I try, to comprehend his reasoning. Does he even have one competent person advising him that his hateful speech is so reminiscent of Adolph Hitler?   

In threatening (promising) to remove certain provisions of the Affordable Health Care Act (AHCA), the future leader risks alienating millions of citizens and leaving them all stranded without any type of health protection. Not to mention the health and safety of everyone in this country. Any disease transmitted through a broad segment of the general population, untreated, can mutate and infect multitudes and rapidly become a general pandemic. This is too great a threat to all of us to take a chance on. AHCA provided basic health services to more than eight million Americans who were otherwise unable to afford access to regular care. As a nation, we cannot play roulette with our lives.

Recent outbreaks of highly contagious conditions, such as ebola several years ago and zika this year have demonstrated our vulnerability as a country. Any efforts to restrict expensive health care to a sizable segment of our population only puts us, as a nation, at greater risk of a disease/disaster that will impact us all. 

Arbitrary deportation isn't going to solve any of the problems related to undocumented workers. They were able to enter this country once and many will find a way to do it again. What is needed are programs and plans that encourage and support these individuals to come forward, and seek solutions that allow them to stay here legally and become productive citizens. Enabling them rather than excluding them from seeking their dream of responsible citizenship. 

This recent political campaign was especially divisive, hateful and disgraceful. Our new chief executive would be wise to work towards unifying and healing our nation rather than wasting time and energy on removing existing programs that are already in place, particularly without providing a well-considered alternative to correct whatever flaws that may exist.

The new-president presumptive should remember that he did not win the popular vote. The majority of Americans are not automatically behind him based on his job title. Respect must be earned and is not guaranteed.

Peace! Get naked. Enjoy!

Bare With Pride

Recuperation Weekend

I think practically everyone now knows the results of the USA presidential and congressional elections. Aaron (my husband) and I worked very hard on the campaigns of our presidential choice and on the campaign of our local congressperson. Our presidential candidate, unfortunately, lost the election. Our congressperson won.

We're both taking a weekend off from our everyday lives to recuperate from our efforts and to rejuvenate ourselves for the struggles ahead. The GLBT community suffers from the results of the presidential and congressional choices. During this "renewal weekend," our comforting thought is that we'll be able to be completely bare the entire time. We're ordering room service for every meal and are excited about the time spent being clothes-free!

We're using this long weekend to adjust our attitudes and overcome our feelings of depression, disappointment, disbelief and disgust. Hopefully, we'll accomplish this in a weekend and return with courage, optimism and a renewed energy for the upcoming battles.

Peace! Get naked. Enjoy!

Bare With Pride

If You Didn't...

If you DIDN'T vote ...

Then don't complain to me!

This election contained so much hatred and divisiveness, I am just so happy that it's all over! I just don't understand why someone who is seeking a national office is so very intent on dividing our country. 

Peace! Get naked. Enjoy!

Bare With Pride

USA: Vote Today!

Today is Election Day in the USA!

Get out and vote!

Election Day, 2016 has finally arrived. In what seems like an eternity, the presidential campaign is at last ended. Now it is entirely up to us, the electorate, to vote our choice for the congressional (parliamentary) and presidential leadership. Remember to cast your ballot today in your area.

As a member of the Deaf and same gender loving naturist/nudist community. I strongly encourage everyone reading here to exercise their right to vote for our future. If you abstain from this election, then you will surely get what you deserve. 

It was only two years ago that marriage equality was finally achieved in the USA. Forces and plans are already underway to try to legally remove this freedom. Go to the polls today to ensure that we, as a community and as a nation, keep this right to love and marry the partner of our choice! 

Peace! Get naked. Enjoy!

Bare With Pride

Decision Time: USA Elections

In the United States, next Tuesday, November 8, is Election Day. This particular election is very important as not only do we choose our next president, but also the members of the Congress. This is a crucial time as whomever we elect will have to decide on the replacement for the late Supreme Court Justice Scalia. As this is a life-time appointment, our nation's future is now in the balance. 

If anyone reading here is still undecided on their choice of candidate for the office of president and for the Congressional candidates, please use this weekend to carefully think about not only your future, but also the possible direction for our country. All of the candidates tell you what they believe you want to hear in order to sway your vote. However, it is up to each of us to decide who is worthy of our vote and who will actually work hard to honor their campaign promises. 

Weigh your choices and decide now which candidates to support with your vote. Make voting on Tuesday, November 8, a priority. If you aren't sure where your local polling station/voting precinct is located, use this time to find out now. Plan your day so that you have plenty of time to visit your neighborhood election facility and cast your vote. 

Our same gender loving bare community needs your support!

Peace! Get naked. Enjoy!

Bare With Pride