Finally got up the courage to post a photo of myself. All nudists and naturists need to "come out of the closet" and stop being ashamed. It's a philosophy that I preach, and it's high time I started living up to my own standards.
Tags: nudism, naturism, nudist, nudists, naturist, naturists, nudity, nudes, bare, au naturel, nude, naked
Tags: nudism, naturism, nudist, nudists, naturist, naturists, nudity, nudes, bare, au naturel, nude, naked
14 comments:
Well done! In recent posts this type of candour and pride is obviously very intrinsic to your ambitions for this blog and your role as leading (it's true!) representative of a much misunderstood life choice. Infact you fulfil this demand you have set yourself with every well chosen, well written post but I can understand that this physical stepping out of the shadows consolidates this stance in an instant. I have to say that I personally don't think you not showing yourself would have compromised your position but I am very glad you takesuch fulfilment from the gesture. You are a very considerate, conscientious blogger.
WooHoo! :-)
One step closer to the elite!
well done ol chap! live the dream!
You should be very proud of yourself for coming out.
Tom
I do enjoy reading your posts although I can not totally agree with your statement "All nudists and naturists need to "come out of the closet" and stop being ashamed." If it were only that easy!
Some of us have who consider ourselves nudists have to lead a double life because of our chosen profession. As an educator, you are constantly in the view of the public and an allegation of being a nudist is enough to ruin a person’s career and ultimately be enough for them to dismiss a teacher according to the new laws that have been implemented with the Teachers Code of Conduct—which is very subjective.
My wife and I do enjoy nudism and attend several nudist functions every year. But for many of us who enjoy our jobs as educators it’s just not that simple. And it has nothing to do with “being ashamed”, but everything to do with keeping your professional life separate from your personal life.
Consider yourself very fortunate that you can and have “come out of the closet”, just don’t be so judgmental of others that haven’t or can’t afford to.
Anonymous,
Let's be clear here - I am not sitting in judgement of anybody. I completely understand that there are rules and regulations which govern certain behaviors, and an overtly nudist educator is at risk.
But I hold to my assertion that all nudists and naturists need to be more open. Let's use the example of Proposition 6 in California, 1978, also known as the Briggs Initiative. The people voted against banning gays and lesbians from working in California public schools.
An awful lot of homosexual Americans put their very livelihoods on the line when they openly campaigned to defeat the proposed law.
I don't think that a nudist or naturist coming out is anywhere near the magnitude of what happened in California. After all, nudism is perfectly legal, and aside from some threats to public beaches, is not in danger of being regulated into illegality.
I also never said it would be easy. It took me several years to post a nude photo of myself. Although I am self-employed and do not risk losing my job, if neighbors or other associates come across the image I could be shunned, or worse.
The main problem with nudism, as I see it, is precisely the dilemma you are facing. On the one hand we profess to be open, accepting and unashamed, but on the other we are secretive, protective and afraid of what others might think if they found out.
When I was a kid my mom sent me off to swim naked at the YMCA. Although I didn't realize it at the time, she was sanctioning my participation in social nudism. There is no reason whey we cannot turn back the clock a little bit and remove the stigma which has developed over the past few decades.
nudiarist
BRAVO!!!
and you are a fine looking fellow.
what was stopping you before?
I think it's great that you've taken that step towards absoluteness. Good photo, by the way.
My Internet photo, posted over a year ago is "hidden" behind a link so I guess I'm not quite out in the open yet.
My friends and family (but not my Mom) know that I am a nudist, but they do not know the extent of my exhibitionism. Some of my body parts are out there-- on my blog and on a kinky Facebook website-- but they are not connected to my face.
Great photo, BTW. I appreciate your bravery. I have been following your blog for years and have linked it to my blog about relationships and lifestyles (including nudism) that are -- shall we say-- not mainstream.
pammie
Regarding turning back the clock... hopefully tomorrow (Jan. 20, 2009) will be the dawn of a new day in America.
pammie
Well done! I'm working up the courage to do the same.
Yes, very well done. I respect your courage and and avoidance of the double standard to which we many of us unfortunately adhere. Congratulations on selecting a very tasteful, natural looking photo. It was also pleasing to see that you were willing to tackle another taboo, but allowing yourself to be photographed without pubic hair.
Congratulations on having the courage to take this step and step away from the double standard to which many of us, unfortunately adhere. Congratulations also on selecting a very tasteful, full-frontal photograph of yourself in your natural state. It was also pleasing to see that you simultaneously tackled another taboo, intentionally or not, by using a photo that shows yourself without pubic hair. -- from another smooth nudist.
Congratulations, from one 'out' nudist to another!
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