Naked Power

There’s an adage that says, "All the world’s problems could be solved if our leaders would hold their meetings in the nude." The image may be humorous, but you can’t miss the powerful connection between accepting our bodies and accepting each other.

What we believe about our bodies, is what we believe about ourselves. That’s why that old joke about the one’s who seem to always go naked on a nude beach are the one’s who should keep their clothes on, is ultimately a statement about body-phobia. If we can’t see the beauty in others, especially in the body’s natural state, then we are doomed to hate ourselves, because sooner or later we will have less and less control of our body’s look, not to mention it’s function.

Many of you are probably thinking that this is nothing new because you already feel that your body is far from where you’d like it to be. After all, America’s consumerism has succeeded in not only making us the most obese population in the world, but also the most unrealistic body conscious population in the world. Is that a lose / lose situation or what? But all is not lost. There are many ways out of this scenario and believe it or not, the key is actually your body.

When streaking was the fashionable mode of activism, it worked because the naked body had the shock value to disrupt and attract attention, regardless of what cause the runners were trying to advance (the sexual revolution, antiwar demonstrations, etc...). A few celebrities don’t give a damn about who sees their naked beauty, like Madonna. When she was cornered by the tongue-wagging media about her first nudes being published, she simply yanked the bang out of their buck by responding with, "So what?" (Hey! look, I am a fag! I just made a Madonna reference!)

These examples point out the power and strength that is the unobstructed body. Furthermore, it seems this strength of nakedness is present regardless of body type. It does not matter if a "gym bunny" or a "troll" walked down the street naked, they would, without a doubt, stop traffic. Furthermore, if you were to witness this event, below your culturally trained shock would be some configuration of awe, as if to think, "That takes guts!" Nudity can be viewed as one of the most natural forms of honesty — physical vulnerability. I believe that the innate desire for a sense of belonging infers an innate desire to be known — to be accepted as you are. In that light, nudity, to a great degree can become a recipe for more fully accepting yourself — even if it’s just running around in your birthday suit in the privacy of your home.

So am I suggesting we all doff our clothes any chance we get? In some respects, it is already happening. Photographic and video imaging across the internet is now so easy, that showing explicit and sexy self portraits is becoming as commonplace as revealing your astrological sign. Hundreds of websites are solely devoted to sharing thousands of explicit self photos and videos of everyday people. There is a sense that this kind of cyber exhibitionism and voyeurism has the feeling of a revolutionary act of freedom and sexual self acceptance, which flies in the face of the prudish negativity that is so pervasively degrading in our society. Although an intricate part of internet exposer lies in the fact that all of the sexual activity occurs in the safety and privacy of one’s own home, I predict that if people experience pleasure, freedom, empowerment and sexual health from this type of semi-anonymous expression on the internet, more public forms of this kind of natural expression is only a pant zipper away.

That’s what makes the negative hysteria around sexting so vile. With all this new media, it was going to happen sooner or later, and it will happen again when other new forms of communication emerge. I’m not saying that the bullying and exploitation that has come with it is okay — I am not. But to label these kids as sex offenders is so damaging and wrong. Besides, if so many adults are doing it, why are we so surprised that they are following our lead? Once again, silly and irresponsible teen behavior gets blown way out of proportion, and what is the message that everyone hears though it’s never spoken: "The body in its natural state is severely bad."

Is it really that horrible? Wouldn’t it solve a lot of the problems in the world if everyone felt comfortable with their unique sexuality, behavior and body shape? Could personal explicit photography and video recording become as commonplace and enjoyable as taping a person’s birthday party? The, um... naked truth is that the majority of us have perfectly healthy and beautiful bodies, and we look nothing like the enormously unrealistic body type our society deems as acceptable. And for that I say, "Thank goodness!" When it comes to body image the most important activity is not to conform to whatever the "ideal" body might be, but to celebrate everyone’s body type, whatever it’s shape and size!

So if you want to reach new levels of accepting your body, I don’t necessarily suggest you streak down the middle of some busy street (unless you can get away with it). But if you are at a nude beach or a clothing optional resort, don’t be the one who keeps your shorts on. You’ve got nothing to hide and nothing to be ashamed of. Celebrate it! I’ll wager you’ll feel good about yourself for letting the sun touch you all over. Make it a step of radical self-acceptance. Oh! But don’t forget sun block - Youch!

(Photo: Getty Images)

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Dr. Jallen Rix holds a doctorate of education in sexology and specializes in maximizing sexual pleasure for singles and couples, "ex-gay" recovery, religious abuse and creative approaches to sex education. You can learn more about Dr. Rix at his website.

Comments

[gnc_13]

is special time for His to do something difference guys , wonderfull body

[gnc_13]

wow good experience for his.

[Gotta Wonder]

Did the author's doctorate in education involve any composition classes? My 12th grade English teacher would have ripped this drivel to shreds! The article is so convoluted I'm left wondering what the point of it is!

[oldkingtroll]

I find it interesting that all the pictures have been carefully shot so as to avoid showing people's genitals. So much for the spontaneity of being nude.

[mark]

I LOVE what this article is about. I confronted my own body image issues years ago when i decided to pose nude for figure drawing classes. At first it was scarey but as time passed I came to a place of self acceptence and comfortable ease about being nude in front of others. I have also been active and attended a gym for many years which has given me self esteem concering self image. Again, I LOVE that somebody is encouraging this.

[gary]

He's not writing in English, its Spanglish. Poor grammar translated in to English.

[Patrick]

I have to wonder if "gary" is a spanglish speaker himself? After I read this article I found no example of spanglish at all. Maybe he doesn't know what spanglish is though? Great article though, and perfectly understandable to those of us who understand the English language.

[bill]

Most nudists overlook the subtle distinction between simply 'preferring to be nude' (nudism) as opposed to 'being nude where others can see me.' (nudism with the thrill that it brings attention = exhibitionism). Why is does gaycom feel the need to bring a gay (sexual) angle to everything? oh wait...could it be exhibitionist? It seems to be all about how I perceive that others accept me..me...me...me

[Mike Ryan, Miami Beach, FL.]

Shallow article...much like the author.

[JoeSCruz]

I've been a social nudist (gay clubs) for 20-25 years. The article seems a fair beginning on exploring the topic. I'm disappointed at how many guys come into the Nudists room and look for guys into incest or other kinks or who confuse nudism with exhibitionism. I DO know the difference and often try to GENTLY point it out to guys who don't seem to.

I also enjoy taking pix of my nude friends and quite often the penises don't happen to be visible or emphasized in the photo. Noticing their presence or lack is as significant as noticing whether elbows are visible or not.

Your skin is your biggest sense organ. Try letting it experience the world now and then. Feel the sun and the breeze on all of it. Nudism is about how good you feel naked, not about how good you look naked.

[zarxo]

Even though the article is nice and the hiker appears to be more realistic nude than clothed, of which I liked, a well written article has to be fallacy free. Economic surplus presupposes consumerism, consumerism cannot exist as an idealogy of reification. In additon, the body consciousness is not as simple to unravel as most would like: we must consider culture in the societal me sense; how we are socialized from birth to age twelve; and how we use religon and the use of eastern versus western logic.

Anthrpologists would agree that human covering followed the loss of hair and for its protection during climate changes. Eons later, clothing to us is style, a symbol of class, wealth, and prestige in society. It tells who we are, where we come from, and possible where we are headed. Dress symbolizes culture. How can we escape it? Go nude--heck, if my town went nude, I would go nude too. But there is something hygenic that follows clothing. Ass sweat, slipping farts, and "would we still scratch--it?"

[Vance]

European commercials have had nudity as a common theme for many decades, and it is the body conscious that don't like their own bodies being exposed that even if it is naked, it's still hidden - obesity is a form of prudery that has wealth wrapping their bodies in cholesterol and health problems. Think of this, when someone overeats, they're committing themselves to carrying something around that they can't drop unless it's by surgery or a change in lifestyle. Feed a homeless person and donate your food to a shelter that can send it overseas and practice being naked with yourself by letting others see what you can be. Dropping your wealth and sdmitting your own poverty helps show a different kind of nakedness, a willingness for change to happen to you.

[Laun]

I've been to saunas and they are really relaxed. When nobody has anything to hide and your just accepted its cool. Also, just being at home in the natural element is cool too. People need to get over their fear of nudity in this country. I am not saying parade around, but enjoy where it is appropriate. Skinny dipping is another pleasure, so are whirlpools and hot tubs.

[Sargon Bighorn]

Given the physical state of most Americans, I'd rather not see them nude thank you. "Body shape" is one thing, being fat from lack of physical activity and over eating is NOT "body shape" and should not be understood to mean such, nor should it be "celebrated".

[Matt]

No, there's no Spanglish in evidence here, although the writer has an annoying habit of misusing "it's" instead of the possesive "its" (e.g., at the end of paragraph 2, and then again at the end of the 2nd-to-last paragraph.) He also uses "is" in reference to a plural subject, when "are" would have been correct. But no, his syntax suggests nothing resembling Spanglish.

[erik]

I found Dr Rix' article well-written, grammatically correct, internally consistent, and easily understandable (by those with intelligence). There's nothing wrong with it.

Why is it that so many people in the gay (and possibly straight) communities must use written opinions as excuses to rip things to shreads? Can we not express our opinions without attacking people? I guess some of us can't.

[Myles Fairweather]

Being nude is not about showing off genitals, its about having no clothing on ex;
nude  /nud, nyud/ Pronunciation [nood, nyood] adjective, nud⋅er, nud⋅est, noun
–adjective
1. naked or unclothed, as a person or the body.
2. without the usual coverings, furnishings, etc.; bare: a nude stretch of land laid waste by brush fires.
3. (of a photograph, painting, statue, etc.) being or prominently displaying a representation of the nude human figure.
4. Law. made without a consideration or other legal essential: a nude contract.
5. having the color nude.

This statement is right out of the dictionary, in no ways does it talk of genitals.

[dieseldog74]

I go to a men's festival every year, the last weekend of July, where nudity is accepted, and acceptance of yourself and others is welcomed. Going each year to festival has helped me to deal with a great many men's issues, and has allowed me a comfort with my body I may not have found otherwise. :)

[oldkingtroll]

According to JoeSCruz: "I also enjoy taking pix of my nude friends and quite often the penises don't happen to be visible or emphasized in the photo. Noticing their presence or lack is as significant as noticing whether elbows are visible or not."

So, if there were no elbows in any one of these pictures, it would not be a significant omission? The avoidance of genitals in every single so-called casual picture says as much as a single-minded focus on them.

[Jack]

I'm naked now.

[CharlietheUnicorn]

No matter how hot your body is, it's far hotter when it's well-dressed and holds promise, then when then the surprise is ruined all at once.

[Topher]

Did this guy's doctorate program not involve writing a dissertation? I agree with those who pointed out spelling and grammar errors. I didn't even bother getting past the first two paragraphs.

Those who take it upon themselves to publish in a public forum should at least take the time to do it properly. Please show more care in the future.

[Jeff]

I love clothes my to much
go want to go around naked
but take away my over 200 pairs
of jeans and I may just let it all hang out :)

[Glenn Lennox, Texas]

WHY do we need to make reference to Madonna all the time ? What has she ever done for the gay community ? She is full of bs - she never speaks out for us in case it affects her album sales (the same way she cancelled her anti-George Bush video when she saw what happened to the Dixie Chicks when they DID have the balls to speak out !). Let's stop giving her free publicity please !

[Sean]

If we are suposed to be so comfortable. Why aren't there any fully nude pictures?

[Nude NOT Lewd]

Most people who "love being naked" are people who should not be. They are usually obese people with scaley skin, and grotesque flabby legs and arms that should be wearing tunics. No ones to see ugly people naked. That being said....every human looks at a dog and thinks its cute. But do you think we all look alike to dogs?

[Nude NOT Lewd]

Oh crap....several words got omitted from my post, so now all the prissy vocabulary bitches are gonna make themselves feel superior by pointing it out.

[Laun]

Hey, I am no Mr. universe atlas bod. But I am not to bad. I'm not under or overweight and everything is proportioned fair. Nobody should be made to feel bad about their bod. Yes, everyone can improve. Some may be overweight and they will be shy, but give them the same respect. Its what's in the heart that counts not the pecks or abs.

[K]

1.)Madonna can get away with being nude because her body conforms to societal expectations. So she's kind of a bad example of someone "brave enough" to be nude.

2.) Human beings are never going to look all alike. But there's such a thing as ugliness too. We can't pretend everything is beautiful. But we don't have to hate ugliness. It's hard to even talk about ugly people without it sounding like a joke. "Beauty" as everyone knows, is a huge source of power in western culture. For example, few actresses over forty make as much money as actors over forty. For women, beauty is being under forty. I think our priorities are screwed up in regards to dealing with people.

[aaron star]

I love it!

having taught nude yoga now for almost 10 years, I can say that being naked definitely enlivens you and gives life a fresh meaning.

Aaron Star

[alain lafage]

very good

[Scott]

If you take your clothes off in Colorado you will most likely end up in the "Colorado sex offenders" database.