Multiple encounters of the closest kind

According to those in the know, the term multi-orgasmic refers to multiple orgasms occurring in succession without losing sexual arousal in between. I can only think of one or two times in my life when I experienced this particular phenomenon.

But having multiple orgasms in a single sex session (usually with a break for cuddling or other activities in between) is quite another matter. If I'm with the right guy, having two or more orgasms in a single get-together is not all that uncommon. On the contrary, in my younger days I would spend a lazy Saturday afternoon at the bathhouse and feel like something was amiss if I didn't come four or five times before leaving.

I'm older now of course, and age does play a role here. But coming more than once with a partner is still very normal when the chemistry is right.

This week's true tale of erotic fun is just one example. Bored with the bars, and even with what should have been a fun jockstrap party, I made my way to one of Seattle's oldest existing sex emporiums. But I won't spill the beans here. For the full scoop, turn to our True Stories department and check out the story Clubbing. And if you feel so inspired, share your own tales of multiple encounters in the comment section.

Season's e-greetings

Deck the halls with brand new wallpaper

Many cultures mark the end of the year with holidays, festivals, and feasts. And here at Nakedism, our taste for celebration never ends.

Festive times, of course, call for festive decorations. And what better way to decorate your virtual desktop than with some sensuous seasonal wallpaper? So if your computer background is getting a little stale, surf on over to our Wallpaper Downloads department, where you can open and save any of the new images to your own personal system.

Although we respect many different traditions, the inspiration for two of the latest batch of wallpapers comes from the biblical story in which a host of angels unwittingly terrorize some hapless shepherds with loud hosannas and promises of a new messiah born in the region. We've also thrown in another symbol of winter with some snowy white polar bears along the lines of this month's bare-all photo set.

Angels don't make the headlines much these days, but they still capture our imagination and frequently appear in religious art. And with a little luck, maybe our newest wallpapers will help you have a religious experience of your own.

A fair to remember

The Folsom Street Fair, you may have noticed, is a recurring theme in Nakedism's True Tales department. That's because for me, such trips to Baghdad by the Bay often turn into sex vacations. I usually have erotic adventures in San Francisco, anyway; but the Sunday street fair is the crowning event of such trips. The annual pilgrimage regularly involves strolling naked through the streets, meeting other like-minded nudists and exhibitionists, enjoying the sunshine on my body, and even experiencing some erotic play.

The 2008 fair was exceptional in at least one way: While in the middle of a hot mid-street blow job, I pulled out my camera and recorded a little of it on video. Members can see that video anytime by going to Nakedism's Video department and clicking the title Sucks to be me.

But now there is more than video. This week I recount the details surrounding that encounter, along with other fun that day, in a true recollection I call A fair to remember. I hope you enjoy it.

Let it blow

Unless you're lucky enough to live in a climate that is warm all year long, winter presents a special challenge for the naked enthusiast.

A few brave souls engage in activities like "Santa Speedo Runs" or swimming in icy waters. But for those of us who crave a little more comfort with our nudity, we are forced to find indoor activities, such as driving naked or hanging out nude in locker rooms, saunas, or sex clubs.

Private parties also offer another option for creative undress, providing you have an understanding host. Acting on a kind of dare, I recently attended a holiday party at the home of some friends wearing only a kind of Christmas stocking over my cock. Needless to say, I got noticed — not to mention frequently groped.

This month's photo set presents a more fanciful solution to naked winter fun: A romp with some friendly holiday bears — and I don't mean the human kind. Photographer Andrew Caldwell and I teamed up with some fun props to imagine a winter scene that is as much blow as snow. We had a good time doing it, and I hope it prompts a few special fantasies for you as well. Head over to the Polar Bare gallery, now on display in Photo Sets.

Your wish, my command

Most of us have seen a good looking man and wished we could see him naked. Some of us take it a step further, wishing we had the power to command the object of our lust to get naked immediately. Wouldn't it be great to make the hottest man in school or the office or the bar get naked on command? And once he's naked, force him to turn around, pose for you, walk here and there, stroke himself into a total erection — and maybe even do that in a public place. It could be a satisfying way to take him down a peg, for example, or just to enjoy the sight of his body or your power over it.

If you've ever had such fantasies, you might enjoy a few of the more willing broadcasters on Cam4 — such as me. I frequently enjoy taking requests from those in my chat page, within reason. Last summer I even let things go a bit beyond reason, taking the risky dares to walk out on my deck with a full boner in full view of any neighbors who might happen to be out on their balconies enjoying a warm summer evening. In that situation, one or more people could easily have been seen me and reported me for lewd behavior.

The sense of risk was hot, but so was the fantasy of being the naked slave to whoever might come online and make an exhibitionist demand. Because as arousing as exhibitionism can be, forced exhibitionism kicks things up a level, making it even hotter.

Fortunately for you, I captured a couple of those live shows as they happened. And in this week's update, you'll see the video, including the live comments, requests, demands, and dares that drove me to get naked, get aroused, and get off in the relatively public space of my terrace. Check it out: Dare to be bare is playing now in Nakedism's Video theatre.

The nakedism of Folsom

As we have been noting this month here at Nakedism, San Francisco's annual Folsom Street Fair provides opportunities for the nakedist mindset that is seldom rivaled. Here, many forms of naked enjoyment come together in one place: Nudism, the camaraderie of nonsexual group nudity; exhibitionism, exposing one's naked body to others; CMNM and CFNM, the tension of seeing or being a named male in front of clothed men and women; voyeurism, enjoying the naked or erotic displays of others; and more — all of which I collectively refer to as nakedism.

But for me, the recent 2011 Folsom in particular ratcheted up the erotic intensity of it all. It went far beyond my normal fair experience of flaunting nudity in public streets followed by sexuality in private clubs. Thanks to some very friendly gentlemen, I also experienced an exceptional amount of sexual contact in public places, culminating in my first public fuck ever.

To be sure, surreptitious sex in bars didn't start this year at Folsom. But it was my first time going this far, one more step in my evolving embrace of nakedism. My willingness to take that step was enabled by an important act of preparation: A couple of condoms stowed safely in one sock gave me the assurance that I could enjoy such an experience, even publicly, with reasonable safety.

Of course you, dear reader, can enjoy it all vicariously from a position of even greater safety and comfort. So whether you're reading on a tablet, a phone, a laptop system, or a desktop computer, sit back, relax, and read the full account of my naked and sexual indulgence, now in our True Tales department — a story I call Public Relations.

Rules of the road

As promised, this month Nakedism bring you a bonus gallery, another complete photo set documenting the 2011 Folsom Street Fair, the annual San Francisco leather and kink fest. Photographer Andrew Adam Caldwell was at my side, documenting the naked and the bold.

Officially and legally, San Francisco tolerates nudity in public anytime. The same, thankfully, is true of my home city of Seattle. But in both cases, lewd behavior or actions intended to shock or affront others is against the law. Consequently, you can walk down any street in the city naked as the day you were born — which I have done. Just don't try doing it with a boner.

Technically, the same laws and rules apply to the Folsom Street Fair. But there are key differences. Unlike an ordinary city street on an ordinary day, the fair grounds are blocked off and guarded by fair volunteers at every access point. This controls who can come and go from the area and makes it slightly less "public."

In addition, visitors are aware (or can be made aware at the entrance) that they are about to enter a very, very adult event. Consequently there is a greatly lowered chance that those in attendance will be shocked or affronted by anything they see.

The overall effect of these differences is apparent, not just to fair goers, but to anyone on the Internet looking for Folsom photos: Although both fair representatives and police in the area still advise people to behave themselves, the fact is that a certain amount of self-touching and arousal is not uncommon. And occasionally, as happened last September, some people go even further, tasting an exposed cock or even giving one a considerable amount of oral attention, just as long as no authorities catch sight of it.

Fortunately for you, dear reader, Andrew's camera caught sight of plenty. For a thorough cataloging of public nudity, public boners, and even some public play, visit our collection of Photo sets, and check out the most recent gallery, Sleazy street. It's the next best thing to being there.

Bend over, I'll drive

Folsom month continues here at Nakedism, with a recounting of my Friday evening before the fair. Although the Folsom Street Fair itself is only a single day (Sunday), the days leading up to it are hailed as "Leather Week," giving bars and other organizations a chance to sponsor various parties and promotional events. By the time of the weekend, the bars — especially the leather bars — are full of celebrants, many of them out-of-town visitors.

Like my last story, which recalls events at a Folsom a few years back, I chose to visit the notorious sex club, Blow Buddies. But unlike that evening, this time I found myself not quite so popular. For a little while, I wondered if I would find anyone I was attracted to that would be equally interested in getting acquainted with me. Fortunately, the testosterone tide eventually turned in my favor — in a big way.

To see what I mean, head over to the True Tales department and read this fresh recollection of hot wholesome fun I call Folsom's Friday fun.

Street of wet dreams

Photo by Randy Harrison

For those who have never been, the Folsom Street Fair is an expo quite apart from any you may have experienced. Imagine 5+ city blocks thronged with tens of thousands of people, all there to celebrate not just sexuality, but sex in all its kinkiest forms. So striking is this tradition that a few other cities have not only copied the concept, but even taken the name Folsom as well in an attempt to link themselves with the recognized brand that the fair has become. But they remain mere imitations of the original festival of flesh.

Among fair goers of course are nudists and exhibitionists like me who enjoy the ability to walk casually through a crowded street naked but for a pair of boots. And unlike a nudist gathering, the Folsom event tolerates, albeit unofficially, a degree of arousal and eroticism around that nudity.

This past September I had the rare chance to experience the fair with one of my best friends and Nakedism's resident photographer, Andrew Caldwell (pictured at left with camera in hand). Besides the enjoyment I got from his company, Nakedism members can this month, through his photos, tag along with us and experience my naked day in the City by the Bay.

In the first of what will eventually be two photo sets, you'll see some of the freaky sights and hot men that Folsom attracts. You'll also see how some fair goers were tempted to bend the rules when they encountered my naked self. And in this month's stories, I'll give you an insider's view of the kind of carousing I got into that weekend in San Francisco.

So what are you waiting for? Head over to our Photos department now, and drink in A Fair to Remember. I hope you find it even half as hot as it was for me to be there.

Rolling the dice

Any given random sexual encounter is only partly about the will, and the chemistry, of the participants. In equal part it owes its success to the roll of some erotic cosmic dice. What if, for example, my first partner and I had not been in the same bar at the same time on the night we met? We might never have spent the next 15 years together as we did.

The Internet increases the odds of equally attracted bodies encountering each other, but is just as likely to increase frustration, since those parties are much more likely to be further apart and unable to meet.

In the sex club scene, Lady Luck has been both with me and against me. I have been in bathhouses when it seemed like I couldn't get a soul to notice me. Other occasions, there were so many attractive men interested in me, I didn't have time to play with everyone who was interested in me.

In this week's true sex story, I recall one of those lucky occasions when I was in one of San Francisco's most popular sex clubs, Blow Buddies, when it was filled with attractive men who seemed to be as willing to play with me as I was with them. It was an intensely joyous evening. But even that charmed night had at least one disappointment.

For the full scoop, go there now, and read about the night is still Blowing my mind.

Discovering Drew

Nakedism is proud to introduce a hot new showoff to our members, the very sexy Drew. Our talent scouts met Drew in the most unlikely of circumstances — showing off on the hiking trail! A true exhibitionist, aspiring model, and newcomer to amateur vids, Drew was all too happy to get naked for our cam and share a little (actually a lot!) of himself with Nakedism.com members.

Although appearing indoors for this early test video, Drew is a true nature lover, devoted outdoorsman, and hiker. He's already got a hard-on to expose himself to nature and celebrate the world of self expression and exhibition for all to see (including his hiking buddies!)

Want to join in the fun? We're always looking for sexy guys who are willing to show it all for the camera. Just drop us a line on our Contacts page and let us hear more about you.

But for now, head on over to our Video department and see how Drew gets off.

A visit to Cock Rock

What could be more enjoyable — and appropriate, really — than going naked on a warm day at the beach? Even many people who would never get naked in public agree that nude swimming feels very natural. For those of us with a little more sense of adventure, a place like Oregon's Rooster Rock State Park, allows one — quite legally — to roam for long distances without a stitch of clothing.

To be able to walk through a forest, along a beach, or other places, far from any clothing or covering, has always been a thrill for me. There is something sensuously vulnerable about not being able to cover oneself even if one wanted to. And part of the fun of the Rooster Rock beach is the chance of running into others who feel the same way — or who at least enjoy the simple pleasures of being bare in the great outdoors.

In this week's story, I recall one such visit to this impressive state park and recount the discoveries I made when I ventured off the beach and wandered naked through the woods.

If you have ever enjoyed such a location, or simply wanted to, then check out Visit to Cock Rock, newly posted in our True Sex Stories department.

Haunt pursuit

With the advent of October come brightly colored leaves, warm sweaters, and a farewell to summer leisure. But for the gay community, it also brings one of the most popular holidays of the year, Halloween. Gay culture in particular revels in creative costume, from simple cross-dressing to elaborate garb worthy of Hollywood itself. Indeed, some people believe that today's popularity of Halloween among adults was started by gay culture itself.

For the nudist or exhibitionist, Halloween also provides an opportunity to appear in public in less clothing than society would normally demand, to see how much skin one can show or how provocative one can be. For adults, Halloween candy has been replaced with eye candy.

A few years back I experimented with something of a gladiator look. Antiquarians will point out the anachronisms, including, for example, a Spartan helmet instead of one befitting a Roman gladiator. But of course I was more interested in making history than teaching it.

With the aid of friend and photographer Andrew Caldwell, I showed off my minimal costume in his studio, on the street, and at a couple of gay bars, winning the "sexiest costume" prize at one of them. Seattle drag queen Sylvia O'Stayformore (dressed in a flawless Star Trek uniform) presented me with the prize package.

It's all recorded in this month's photo set Load Warrior, now available in our photos department. Check it out. Then drop us a line below telling us what your sexiest costume was — or will be.

Playcation

Vacations are often times to travel with friends or loved ones, seeing new places and sharing the camaraderie of one's traveling companions.

But since I became single a few years back, that paradigm hasn't been available to me. Traveling alone, I often find the most appealing way of touring a new place is to get a taste of the men that live there.

In other words, my vacations are very often playcations.

As with many travelers, I often end up in a part of the country where my family resides so I can renew those ties and see old acquaintances. But even then, I can't resist taking some time to check out the local attractions — or distractions.

This week's erotic nonfiction recalls just such an occasion, when I took a chance on meeting a local man I met on the Internet. The chance paid off big for both of us. For the full scoop, see the latest dirt from my diary in Instant Date, now available in our True Sex Stories department.

Refresh your desktop with new wallpaper

The blooms and flowers of summer are fading and will soon be replaced by the falling leaves of autumn. But you can recapture some of the summertime color and bliss by updating your collection of desktop wallpapers, background images for your virtual desktop.

This month's crop features some idyllic naked-friendly outdoor weather along with some more cozy indoor fun.

You know the drill: Head over to the Desktop Wallpapers section. Underneath any thumbnail representation, click the image size you want to download. When the image opens in a new window, use your browser's save feature to store the image on your system and apply it to your computer's desktop background.

Now you can "like" what you see on Nakedism

The sharing links at the bottom of each story, video and gallery on Nakedism have been updated to include a Facebook "like" button and a Google Plus button to give any Nakedism content your personal "+1."

Clicking the Facebook Like button also records that fact on your Facebook "wall." If that's not what you want, you can remove the post from your wall by clicking the X in the upper-right corner of the post and choosing Remove Post.

If you have a Google Plus account, you can also register your approval by clicking the +1 icon to give a post your thumbs up.

And don't forget, you can still use the share icons to tell your friends about Nakedism content via email, tweet, Facebook link, or more.

Dancing with the starkers

For the gay male nudist, many organizations exist around the world that cater to his interests. One of the best way to find such clubs is at Spike's Naked Planet, an international compendium of gay nudist groups.

It was through this directory that I first learned of P-CAN, the Pacific-Canadian Association of Nudists, located in Vancouver, British Columbia. A few years ago I attended a couple of their dances and even marched with them in one pride parade, appearing naked in front of hundreds of thousands of people in a downtown street.

Gay nudist groups vary widely in the degree to which eroticism is tolerated at activities. The Naked Heaven dances tend to walk the line between the nonsexual and the erotic by providing a mostly sexless area for dancing and socializing while providing a small room or curtained-off area for intimate play.

But even at nonsexual events (gay or straight, nude or not), the mating game goes on. People flirt, exchange numbers, or just hook up and go off to let nature take its course. But at a nudist dance, with nothing to hide a man's growing interest, that flirting process becomes especially interesting.

This week's story revolves around a particular encounter at one such dance. It not only heightened my appreciation for the simple joys of naked dancing, but it gave me a renewed appreciation for our Canadian cousins. Or at least one in particular.

So what are you waiting for? Go read Bringing home the beef, now online in our True Sex Stories department.

Stripped by sunlight

There's something extra sensuous about window light. Even on a cold morning, the sunlight becomes warmer as it filters through the glass and caresses your skin, running over every contour and finding its way into each window-facing crevice. It's a welcoming blanket that reveals rather than covers.

And of course if there is an appreciative audience on the other side of that window, all the more reason to strip down and feel the sun — and the searching eyes — over every inch of your skin.

Those were the feelings I experienced when photographer Andrew Caldwell got me naked in his studio a couple of years ago. We had fun playing in the light and letting the light play its way all over my naked body. You can check out the results in the Window Light gallery in Nakedism's Photo Sets section.

Maybe it will inspire you to take a window bath of your own.

Studio session

Most people reading this have probably enjoyed some private naked relaxation, skinny dipping, or other nudist pursuit at least once in their lives. But how many people get completely naked for a clothed photographer? And of those, how many have to get aroused and have an orgasm while the camera clicks away? Whether you find that hot or scary, it's not always as easy as you might think.

So to give you a sense of what it's like to do a nude photo shoot — complete with some sexy play — we decided to document a recent studio session with Nakedism photographer in residence Andrew Adam Caldwell and his sexy friend, porn performer Sly.

Yes, we had fun, and I think it shows. But even Sly admitted it was a bit strange being sexual in front of a good buddy. But he's a pro, and together we pulled it off. So to speak.

The photos Andrew took that day will be featured in a future gallery here on Nakedism. But for now, just head on over to our Video theatre and take in the next showing of Picture This (or the iPad or iPod version if you prefer).

And don't forget the popcorn — or the lube.

Northern pursuit

Lucky man that I am, I live not far from the Canadian border, a reasonable driving distance from beautiful British Columbia. And one of that province's many charms is the city of Vancouver, a kind of sister city to my own town of Seattle.

There are many reasons I could cite for my fondness for that town. But one of them would definitely veer toward the sexual. Many are the hours I have spent naked in Vancouver — in hotels, bathhouses, men's dances, and more. Some of those events were more nudist than naughty. But others involved serious eroticism and full-on sucking, fucking, and more.

I previously related one such adventure, a bathhouse tale, in our Stories. section. But this week's tale is something more intimate, a more personal encounter in the privacy of my hotel room. That is, if you don't count the public blowjob I had received just minutes before.

It's all recounted in Summer Knights, found, as usual, in the Stories department. And as with all Nakedism tales, every word is true.

More wallpapers posted to Nakedism

Summertime, and the living is easy. Or so the song says. When I've been lucky enough to have a summer vacation, I try to stay in either a nice hotel or, preferably, a clothing-optional resort.

Although I have yet to take a vacation this year, perhaps it was those memories of travels past that influenced this month's wallpaper offerings, which include a self-portrait in an upscale hotel bathroom and another at a clothing-optional pool in Palm Springs. Good times.

If you want your own computer desktop to reflect such idyllic times, head over to our Wallpaper Downloads page and check out the latest additions. As usual, we have three different sizes that members can save to their computers and enjoy for personal use.

Dr. Phil settles "naked man" lawsuit

Celebrity TV Therapist Dr. Phil McGraw and CBS have settled a lawsuit by two women stemming from the surprise appearance of a naked man on an episode of "The Dr. Phil House." As Nakedism reported last May, the women claimed they were traumatized by the presence of the nude male and sued for fraud an intentional infliction of emotional distress.

But as reported on the entertainment news site TMZ, the case has been settled out of court. The terms of the deal have not been released, leading TMZ to conclude that confidentiality was part of the agreement.

Nakedism hopes that the settlement included — preferably exclusively — an offer of therapy for the women to help them overcome fear of the human body in its natural state.

Note: Photo is for illustration purposes only and does not depict the reported events.

Chemistry set

Attraction is something most people understand. You look at another person, and almost instantly you can say whether or not you find them attractive, whether they appeal to you on a gut level.

But just because you're attracted to someone doesn't mean everything will work out in bed. That's another matter, one we call chemistry. And that's a lot harder to predict.

One of the most striking examples of good chemistry I have experienced is with my friend Victor. We have tried dating at various times, mostly without success. But whether we were friends, dates, fuck buddies, friends with benefits, or — well, you name it — the sexual chemistry has always been there. I have never failed to find our time together exciting, and he has never stopped asking for my cock.

This week's story, Ride a Pale Horse, introduces that relationship. I hope it gives you some sense of the electricity that brought us together. Please check it out in our Stories section.

Caught naked

It goes without saying that one concern about pushing the boundaries of personal nudism into the public sphere is the risk of getting arrested. Whether you are paying off a bet, taking a dare, getting hazed for a club membership, modeling for photos, skinny dipping on public property, or just trying to keep cool on a hot night, the possibility of a run-in with the police is ever present.

Just ask Ahkmel Pharod. He knows.

Pharod, who also goes by the name of Charles Kearse, was detained by police earlier this year when he stripped naked on a parking garage roof in Bridgeport, Connecticut. As we reported in a May 27 blog post, Pharod was modeling for photographer Israel Guibbory when he was spotted by nearby residents, who phoned the authorities.

Fortunately for Pharod, following a conversation with Assistant State Attorney Craig Nowak, the state of Connecticut chose not to pursue any charges against the nude model. Nowak noted that Pharod's his behavior "did not rise to the level of criminal activity," as reported in our June 9 followup story.

I asked Pharod about the incident and his willingness to pose nude in general — including outdoors in public places.

As it turns out, this sexy man was posing for pictures from an early age. His mother and aunts constantly photographed the boy during his early years in the 80s in New York City.

But the photos continued as the sexy young Pharod matured. "I was always around older women who enjoyed my body and overall look," he told Nakedism. "Left and right, I was always having my picture taken in the shower or bedroom — in the nude by these women."

"I was always
around older women
who enjoyed my body and
look... I was always having
my picture taken in the
shower or bedroom —
in the nude by these
women."

Pharod says that in retrospect these experiences made him comfortable and confident in front of the camera. "I figured the sky would be the limit in the years to come, because of how comfortable I was then with not being ashamed or shy about nudity or taking pictures with my clothes off," he recalls.

Now an adult, Pharod has done a number of shoots with actual photographers, approximately seven of them involving nudity. "Out of the seven, three were in semi-public areas," he discloses.

Fortunately for Pharod, only the Bridgeport shoot resulted in any legal trouble. I asked him about what went down.

"The first two officers were pretty cool at first until the Sergeant showed up," Pharod commented. "He pretty much changed the mood of every one, and it was at this time I felt violated and profiled against as an African American man."

Fortunately for us, the incident has not deterred Pharod from further sharing his naked body. This month's photo set puts this hot, handsome man on full display for Nakedism members in a variety of settings from bedroom and shower to public urban settings in broad daylight.

So head on over to the gallery we call Naked to the world in our Photo sets section. Whether you find his run-in with the law exciting or a deterrent, we think you'll agree the Bridgeport police were pretty lucky to meet this beautiful man up close, in person, and utterly balls-out naked.

New wallpapers available from Nakedism

More images suitable for use as computer backgrounds have been uploaded to Nakedism's Desktop Wallpaper department.

Just choose Wallpaper Downloads from the Photos menu at anytime to see all available images. As in the past, you have a choice of resolutions to download and use however you desire. Just click the link for the desired size to see the image. Then use your browser to save it to your own system.

With this update we are beginning a new editorial calendar which dictates brand new content every Wednesday! The first Wednesday of the month will be a new Photo Set, with other kinds of content on other Wednesdays.

Software upgrade to make airport scans less naked

Fresh on the heels of a federal court ruling that airport security personnel have a right to see your naked image in a scanner comes word from the makers of those scanners that new upgrades will make the revealing view unnecessary.

On July 15, the D.C. Circuit Court ruled that so-called naked images of Americans passing through full-body scans at airports does not violate their constitutional rights. The court was responding to a suit from EPIC, a privacy rights group claiming that so-called "naked scans" violates their Fourth Amendment right to be free of unreasonable search.

But in the opinion of Judge Douglas Ginsburg found that the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) had taken steps to protect passenger privacy, not the least of which is the option to undergo a patdown instead of a scan.

Then, less than a week later, body scanner manufacturer L-3 Communications announced that a software upgrade that should put privacy-obsessed travelers at ease: The new body scanners will allow security personnel to see anomalies against a generic outline of a body rather than an actual image of the denuded passenger.

The upgrade will be deployed over the next several months to the 241 millimetre wave body-scanning machines used at 40 airports. The company plans a similar upgrade for their 247 backscatter scanners no used in 38 airports.

So rest easy, Americans. Instead of worrying about the risk of radiation or terrorists on your flights, you can go back to complaining about TSA patdowns getting too close to to the scared parts of your body and opt instead for a scan that won't let anyone see see you without clothes. Because, really, what's more important?

The power of sight

They say that men are visual creatures; that we males are more likely to be aroused through the images that land on our visual cortex than are our female counterparts. Looking at all the porn that collects on my hard drive, that isn't very hard to believe.

But one young man in my past drove this point home more than most. Gifted with strikingly handsome features — piercing eyes, dark hair, a mischievous smile as well as flawless skin gracing a lean, defined, muscular body — he is the type to make anyone take notice. I feel honored that he found something appealing about me as well.

But mutual attraction doesn't always mean sexual compatibility.

So what happens when two guys have the hots for each other but aren't into the same scene? That's the story I recount in this week's addition to Nakedism's Stories section, Boy Beautiful.

Maybe it will get you thinking of your own solutions to a problem that can be so very hard.

Self-sex in the city

Nakedism's recent blog post extolled the excitement of having sex in the great outdoors.

But having sex outside at night is one thing. What's it like to be naked outside in broad daylight? In the middle of a city? And not just nude, but stroking yourself into full erection and all the way to orgasm?

That's a challenge I decided to explore this summer. Acting on the dares and requests (orders?) of Nakedism members in a couple of recent live chats, I got naked on my deck in full view of the city, not to mention nearby condos and neighbors. There, under the midday sun, without a thing to cover myself, I stroked myself to a sizzling climax.

But rather than limit this to one or two chats, I decided it was time to record this risky business for posterity — or at least Nakedism members. While setting up the filming, my neighbors even spotted me! You can see me wave at them at the beginning of the video. Busted!

It's all there in living color in this month's video, Spooge with a view, now playing in our online theatre. And yes, there's an iPod and iPad compatible version, too.

Bare it all on National Nude Day, July 14, 2011

As any nudist will tell you, you don't need any particular reason to get naked. But if you're looking for a good occasion, tomorrow, July 14, may be one of the better ones. That's the day many people call National Nude Day.

Despite its name, National Nude Day isn't a national (in the sense of official) holiday at all. Although its origins are not entirely clear, it appears to have been the creation of New Zealand TV host Marc Ellis, who in 2003 offered a cash reward to anyone who would run naked in front of Prime Minister Helen Clark as part of the day's events.

Ellis also promoted a National Nude Day competition, whose entrants included naked actors performing a Lord of the Rings parody or nude ballet dancers performing outside a University of Otago building.

Since spreading abroad, the holiday has also come to be called International Nude Day and World Nude Day outside of New Zealand.

Seattle nude cyclists observe WNBR 2011

With a 3-hour nude bike ride through the city last Saturday, Seattle, Washington, has joined the growing number of cities to cycle naked in observance of this year's World Naked Bike Ride event.

In the last two months, cities in the UK, Spain, U.S., Chile, Mexico, and Canada have seen participants bike naked to promote environmentally friendly transportation, raise awareness on biker-friendly urban planning, and protest fossil-fuel use.

The Seattle event drew nearly three dozen riders, including one naked man on roller blades. The group rode through the busiest parts of town, including the Pike Place Farmer's Market and the fashionable Capitol Hill neighborhood, on a warm day when many were out on the streets.

The WNBR riders also stopped for a quick rinse in the International Fountain, a large recreational area that is part of the Seattle Center, home to the Space Needle and site of the 1962 World's Fair.

The event ended at the Olympic Sculpture Park with a group skinny dip in Puget Sound.

Seattle's WNBR ride takes place a month later than many cities to take advantage of the July weather. Nakedism founder Bucephalus joined in the ride.

Opposition fails to put the brakes on World Naked Bike Rides

Photo © 2011 by Fannybunda

Last month saw a number of cities playing unwitting host to groups of naked bike riders as the WNBR (World Naked Bike Ride) movement continued its famously nude activities to protest cars and oil dependency and to promote body pride. But even as the movement has grown, the events have faced opposition.

For example, last year in Madison, Wisconsin, police cited 9 naked riders for disorderly conduct when the refused to cover up at the request of police. Hoping to head that off such problems this year this year, three WNBR organizers asked a court to file a temporary injunction to prevent that from happening this year.

But Judge Maryann Sumi refused to tie the hands of the police, saying riders had no right to be naked in public, according to a Wisconsin State Journal report. Nevertheless, in court testimony, police pledged to act only on serious complaints from citizens, and the ride went ahead as scheduled.

Despite the setback, organizers worked with the police and proceeded with the ride on June 18 of this year. Only one person among the 70 riders was cited for disorderly conduct.

A week prior to that, the WNBR movement faced organized opposition in Portsmouth, the second-largest city in England's Hampshire county. Nearly a 1,000 residents signed a petition to stop the event, which they termed "indecent" and "offensive." Despite such efforts organizers went ahead with the ride after consulting with the local constabulary. Nudity in in England is only illegal if it's intended to cause alarm or distress, a circumstance that does not apply to naturists.

Perhaps most surprising was the opposition encountered at the start of the WNBR event in Berkeley, California. As reported by Mitch Hightower on his blog, riders were to meet at People's Park, a small grassy area owned by the University of California at Berkeley. Naked riders applying sunscreen were berated by a middle-aged woman who demanded riders cover up lest she call the police. Minutes later, officers arrived and ordered participants to put on clothes.

"Apparently the University has no problem with drug dealing, indigents living in the landscaping or any of the other questionable activities we observed," wrote Hightower, "but a bare penis is just not acceptable."

According to the report, after this incident the ride went ahead as scheduled with approximately a dozen, although many were clothed.

Sensations under the stars

There is something about having sex outdoors: Maybe it's the fresh air, or the wide open spaces. For some, it may be the risk of being caught or the chance to be watched. Or maybe it's just the sense of freedom, of experiencing our most natural urges in a natural setting.

But one doesn't have to get away from the city to find such pleasure. Some good outdoor sex can be had even in the most dense urban environments. I learned that for a fact one summer when my friend Billy and I happened to meet up at a nearby bar.

Maybe you already know that. But if you want to get a sense of what it was like for me, head on over to our True Sex Stories department, and read the little adventure I call Goings and cummings. I hope you find it stimulating reading.

Kick off your clothes and kick off Nude Recreation Week

Americans celebrating their Independence Day today may have missed the start of another holiday: Nude Recreation Week, July 4 – 10, 2011. Begun as National Nude Weekend in 1976 as part of the "free beach" movement, the event is now promoted as a week of nude recreation by the Naturist Society and other naturist groups.

Some American enthusiasts refer to the holiday as National Nude Recreation week, while other groups promote it as an international event.

As part of this year's celebration, the American Association for Nude Recreation is hoping to set a new Guinness World Record for the largest number of people skinny dipping simultaneously throughout the country at 3:00 PM Eastern time on Saturday, July 9.

Nakedism's home town of Seattle will participate, although later in the day following their own World Naked Bike Ride event.

An article written for the Los Angeles Nude Guys cites the Wall Street Journal as saying nude recreation is one of the travel industry's fastest growing segments. A number of cruise ships, resorts, and campgrounds now offer clothing-free options.

New wallpapers added to Nakedism

New images have been added to Nakedism's wallpaper downloads page, bringing the total number of wallpaper designs to an even dozen.

As with the previous updates, all the new designs are available in three sizes. Just navigate to the Wallpaper Downloads page, and click the size under each thumbnail that best fits your computer desktop. Then use your browser to download the file to your hard disk or other storage medium.

Your browser may also let you directly apply an image to your desktop background.

Nakedism rides nude in Seattle Pride parade

Nakedism founder and webmaster, B. Alexander, joined nearly two dozen naked men and women on wheels for Seattle's annual Pride parade on Sunday. Members of the Body Pride Ride (BPR) group, often decorated with varying amounts of body paint, regularly appear at the Pride parade and other events to promote body acceptance. This was the first year Bucephalus joined them on their public ride.

This year's BPR contingent consisted of approximately 20 nude (or nearly nude) cyclists and a couple of naked men on roller blades. The group rode through Seattle's popular Capitol Hill neighborhood, stopping at one health-food store and two public parks to pose for photos before continuing downtown to be part of the parade itself.

The naked cyclists appeared near the beginning of the 3-hour parade, which traversed Seattle's downtown retail core along 4th Avenue, lined with hundreds of thousands of spectators.

Announcers along the parade route introduced the cyclists with a BPR-prepared script, saying "This proud peloton shouts 'Pride for every body' because every body is beautiful!"

"These colorful Bare-what-you-dare folks are here to remind us all that we are not defined by our wardrobe, not by shirts or ties, not by tuxes or heels, not sequins nor suspenders," the script continued. "Diversity is about accepting and respecting all our differences ... Seek your body pride!"

After their part in the parade, many of the cyclists stopped to watch the remainder of the procession. The group then proceeded to the Seattle Center, home of the 1962 World's Fair, where a Pride festival was in progress. As they have done in years past, the cyclists joined others frolicking in the Seattle Center fountain while thousands of festival goers looked on.

Getting stroked

The business of massage enjoys something of a mixed reputation in this company. On one extreme are those who have learned the joys and benefits of a healthy rubdown. But on the other, massage is associated with prostitution, which can lead to burdensome regulation of massage therapists and confusion for potential customers.

As a consumer of massage, my own approach is similar to my views on nudism: I'm not sure why there should be a sharp dividing line between the relaxing of tense muscles and the satisfying of erotic desire. They needn't be the same thing, of course, but there is also no reason the two can't blend together when agreeable to both the giver and receiver of massage.

It was just such a relationship that I had with my longtime massage therapist Javier. For years I had only the most professional, nonsexual service from him. But as we grew better acquainted and eventually both became single, we decided to explore other possibilities as well.

The story Getting rubbed the right way, in our Stories section, tells of one of the first of those encounters. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I had recalling the good times.

Skinny dippers in Wales set record for charity

Nearly 400 people stripped naked and rushed into the sea to break a world record and raise money for charity. The Midsummer Skinny Dip event, which took place at Rhossili beach on the Gower peninsula in Wales, set out to break the record of 250, raising £12,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care and the National Trust.

To break the record, participants had to be naked and remain in the sea for at least 10 minutes. According to a BBC report, a spokeswoman for the National Trust has claimed the group succeeded in their goal.

The event was held in the early morning to discourage gawkers and encourage those who might be shy about public nudity when more people were around.

The organizer, Alison Powell, 35, an online publishing editor living in Bristol, termed the event "fantastic" and says people are already talking about doing it again next year. Much of the organizing for the event was done through Facebook.

Nakedism joins nude cyclists in Seattle solstice parade

Nakedism's webmaster, B. Alexander, was one of hundreds of naked cyclists who participated in the annual naked bike ride that has become a traditional part of Seattle's solstice parade. Held in the arts-oriented neighborhood of Fremont, a large contingent of cyclists don nothing more than a little body paint (if that) and lead off the parade held on the Saturday that precedes the summer solstice.

Technically, the "Solstice Cyclists" are a separate organization and not an official part of the parade or its sponsoring organization, the Fremont Arts Council. But what began as a group of renegade naturists frequently chased down by police has now become an accepted Seattle institution, drawing hundreds of nude (or nearly nude) participants and thousands of onlookers.

Riders and spectators faced less than ideal conditions, with rain and cool temperatures prevailing throughout the day. But despite the drizzly weather, the show went on, much to the appreciation of cheering crowds.

"This was my first naked bike ride," said B. Alexander, Nakedism webmaster, "and the first time I have been naked in front of so many of my Seattle neighbors. But it's a challenge I couldn't postpone any longer. And besides, everyone loves the naked cyclists. Fremont is proud of its quirky traditions."

Top photo copyright © 2011 SeattleTim on Flickr; bottom photo copyright © 2011 Jeff Slostad on Flickr.

Police arrest man for jumping naked by hotel window

Police in Madison, Wisconsin, weren't the only ones attracted to the sight of a naked man jumping on a bed in a second-story hotel window last Saturday. But they were the only ones who thought it was a good idea to compound the public display by hauling the man to the police station naked.

According to news reports, Kevin Horner, 25, or Minneapolis, Minnesota, was jumping up and down on a bed in his room at the University Inn last Saturday morning shortly after midnight. Horner was nude at the time.

Despite being on the second floor, Horner's actions in the well-lit room drew an audience of about a dozen bystanders. Among those present was a Madison police officer, who interrupted his routine foot patrol when he noticed the crowd paying attention to the hotel room window.

Horner stopped the show when he became aware of the police presence. Officers found Horner's room and arrested him on a tentative charge of lewd and lascivious behavior. "The goal of the officer was to keep any innocent bystanders from being exposed and offended by the view," said police Spokesman Howard Payne, in a report at Madison's The Cap Times.

The report further states that Horner "was given a pair of pants and other clothing upon arrival at the Dane County Jail."

Excuse me?

Perhaps Nakedism is misreading the story, but the published reports strongly imply that the police took Horner out of his room without letting him (or asking him to) dress first. So concerned were they about Horner's naked body on display that they hauled him through the hotel (naked), into a police vehicle (still naked), and all the way to the county jail (naked there, too) before letting him cover up.

One has to wonder which party here is really guilty of lewd and lascivious behavior.


Note: Photo is for illustration purposes only and does not depict the reported events.

Off the beater path

For better or worse, a tank-top style t-shirt has in our day come to be called a "wife beater," thought to have originated from various film images in which men of the lower classes wearing such undershirts were seen beating their wives. Examples include Marlon Brando in the 1951 film version of Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire or the 1980 Robert De Niro film Raging Bull.

Despite the repugnant notion of domestic violence built into these roles (not to mention the term wife beater itself), the seething sensuality of such raw, untamed masculinity never escaped the notice of any gay man. And so it comes as no surprise that the shirt itself became a kind of sex symbol and even fetish for some guys.

Add to that the suggestive power that partial nudity has over total exposure, and you have a potent recipe for a sensual male image.

But decide for yourself. A couple of years ago, photographer Andrew Caldwell and I enjoyed exploring the visual possibilities of the wife beater look. Combined, of course, with my own penchant for as much nudity as I can get away with. Check out the Beater photo set now in our gallery collection.

Naked hiking takes divergent trails in Switzerland and Germany

As the case of nude hiking in Switzerland nears its ultimate hearing in that country's supreme court, many media sources are taking a look at naked hiking in Germany, which opened an 11-mile nudist hiking trail just over a year ago.

The Swiss case involves an unnamed hiker who was fined for a naked walk in the eastern Swiss canton of Appenzell, which had banned nude hiking there the previous year. Locals complain that the man appeared nude in full view of a communal barbecue area as well as by residents of a Christian care home. According to the UK news outlet The Telegraph, Appenzell is a conservative area with many anti-nudist residents. Nevertheless, Switzerland itself has no national law against public nudity as long as it is not lewd. Many expect the case to end up before the country's highest court.

Meanwhile, naturists in Germany have been enjoying their own sanctioned nudist trail near the town of Dankerode, about 200 miles west of Berlin. The trail has enjoyed considerable popularity among German naturists since it opened on May 29, 2010.

Undoubtedly, more American nudists would be grateful for similarly sanctioned hiking areas and beaches in their own country. But here at Nakedism, we see such provisions as stop-gap measures at best and the ghetto-izing of nudism at worst. Creating separate spaces for nudity only reinforces the idea that it is somehow harmful to see the human body in its natural state. It sets up a "separate but equal" kind of discrimination similar to that used to limit the rights of African Americans before the Civil Rights Act.

How much better it would be for the public at large to get over its fear and instead accept those who don't wish to wear clothes without the kind of panic or derision that so often accompanies the sight of an unclothed human body.

Naked adventurer rescued at sea

An Irishman who had hoped to set a record for being the youngest person to row across the Indian Ocean alone — not to mention completely naked — had to be rescued after a head injury put an end to his recent attempt.

Keith Whelan, age 29, had barely begun what was expected to be a 14-week journey when a large wave struck his craft, throwing him across the boat's cabin and slamming his head into a bolt that left a gash on his head. Whelan stopped the bleeding on his own but decided to contact a friend via satellite phone. Australian authorities diverted a nearby Japanese commercial cargo ship to rescue him, where medics treated his injury.

The cargo ship hoisted the young adventurer's boat onboard, but choppy seas at the time resulted in some damage to the vessel, forcing him to abandon the rest of the trip for now.

Despite
harsh conditions,
the young man pledged
to make the entire ocean
trek completely
naked.

A native of Athy in Ireland's Kildare County, Whelan sails nude to avoid wardrobe-damaging encrustations of ocean salt. Consequently, he has embraced the title of "the Naked Adventurer," the name of his blog and Facebook page, which he planned to keep updating on the journey with the help of onboard solar panels. Despite harsh sun and unpredictable storms, the young man had vowed to make the entire trek from Australia to Mauritius stark naked.

The adventure was intended to publicize Whelan's fundraising for the charity Keep a Child Alive, which provides treatment and support to children and families affected by HIV in Africa and India.

Whelan's quest is not without precedent. In 2008, 24-year old Wiltshire student Sam Williams (shown below) rowed solo — and naked — across the Atlantic to raise money for African farmers.