Living Honestly

Personally, it's important to be able to live my life as honestly as humanly possible. I have no shame of being the man that I am. I've nothing to hide, either figuratively or literally. This philosophy holds true for both my nudity as well as my sexuality. I'm proud of both of those aspects of my life.

Aside from my nudity, I really don't publicly flaunt my life. I don't go around waving a rainbow flag nor do I have one tattooed on my body. I do have a rainbow magnet on the bumper of my car but that's as far as it goes. I also have a magnet on the same bumper that reads: "Live Life Naked." For some, that may be seen as advertising. I view it as simply making a statement. Similar to someone having a sticker stating: "Proud Parent of..."

I have no reason to hide who I am, whether it's family, friends, coworkers or neighbors. Along the same line, being honest means that I don't always need to proclaim my love of men or my appreciation of the natural male body. When asked by those who I think need to know, I answer honestly and openly. I figure they're going to know one way or the other, so let's be up-front from the beginning. If anyone has to judge me or has a problem with who I am, let's get it all out in the open now, once and for all.

My thought has always been that life is too short to play games or to use deception. I don't need to waste time on pretenses. I accept myself for who I am and that's all the acceptance that's necessary. If others dislike me for being me, it's their issue, not mine. My happiness isn't linked to their approval. If that were the case, I'd more than likely be a very unhappy man.

It's never bothered me being the sole nude man at whatever function I attend. As long as it's officially clothing optional, I have no problem opting out of my clothing and being my true self: bare-assed naked. That's the man that I am. And I have attended socials or events where I am the only man milling among others without clothes. I am absolutely going to both be and do me. That's who I am.

On most, if not all, of the times that I've been the only nude, usually within the hour of me disrobing, I've been joined in nakedness by at the very least, several others, if not more. I've found that many enjoy being clothes-free, they just don't want to be the first to do so. As for me, I prefer naked to clothing so I have no problem being the one to remove his garments first. Someone has to lead the way, right?

The same honest and open principle that I apply to my nudity also is true concerning my same gender loving orientation. I'm not ashamed of being a gay man. If I'm with my boyfriend and we feel like holding hands, we do it. No matter where we are. If a heterosexual couple can show affection, then so can I. Life is too short for me to waste time worrying about the judgments or reactions of others. My love is what I feel, it's not the acceptance or opinions of strangers.

Holding hands publicly is a genuine demonstration of affection. Personally, kissing out in the open is a separate matter. Not because of the reactions of others; they don't bother me. I've just never thought it appropriate to lip-lock among a crowd, no matter the age or gender mix of the couple involved. I'll exchange a quick peck on the cheek or lips of my boyfriend or close friends, but that's the extent of my comfort level. I've always felt that anything intense should occur in private. That's just me being me, it's not a judgment.

This does not mean that I promote my sexual orientation in my daily life. There's nothing wrong with that, it simply isn't me. I own a couple of gay pride T-shirts that I wear sometimes (yes, even nudists do wear clothes) and an Obama LGBT rainbow T-shirt. I have a rainbow flag magnet on my car. Aside from that, who I love is my business and not others. However, if asked, I don't deny or hide the fact that I'm a man who loves men.

My parents raised me not to be ashamed of who I am. This lesson has served me well in living openly as a gay man and as a nudist. I have no shame in being either one or, in reality, both. I have pride in knowing that I am true to myself. In doing so, I am honoring not only me, but my boyfriend, my parents and my community as well.

Naked hugs.