The Psychology of Naturism

Fascinating research  on how social nudity can help deal with body image issues.

GNI Memorial Book

Each year at our annual Gathering, we hold a short memorial service to remember our brothers who have passed away. We’ve been curating names and head shots of men since the 1990’s in the GNI Memorial Book; our memorial book has become a wonderful and solemn way to pay our respects to those we’ve lost over the years. 

But we need your help. The only way that we can update our records and add names to our memorial book is if family or friends let us know of anyone who’s departed. This is where you come in. 

If you know of any GNI member, past or present, who is deceased, please drop an e-mail to the GNI Business Office with his name. If you have his obituary or any photos of him, you’re welcome to send that as well. Or you may be so inspired to write your own tribute. That’s perfectly fine as well. We’ll update our database and create a page exclusively for him in our memorial book. Don’t assume we have his information on file; you’ll be surprised how many men we’ve missed. 

For security and privacy, we do not publish any names on the internet or on our website; the only place anyone will see this information is if he attends The GNI Gathering in August. Our memorial book is on display throughout the week and is used during the formal memorial service, and then it is safely stored in the office until the following year. 

Please help us maintain our memorial book by letting us know if you have a family member or friend who once belonged to GNI. You can e-mail the Business Office at gni@gaynaturists.org with his information. Thank you in advance for any leads you can offer. Stay safe and we hope to see (all of) you next year!

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GNI Watch Parties in July

GNI, and our movie manager, Jon, are teaming up to bring movies to you this summer. Over the next four (4) weeks on Friday evening, we will be hosting Movie Watch Parties for you and your friends.

Description of the parties:
Pride celebrations may not be at their usual strength, but we can get together to watch some movies that celebrate our strengths and connections. You must have a Netflix account to view our selected movies.

Our Netflix Watch Party is a weekly event every Friday at 9 pm EDT (UTC -4). We hope that men across the globe will join us, but timings are mostly designed for those living in the U.S. and Canada.

How to sign up:

Fill out your contact information below. We’ll respond and send you the details of the movie, and URL needed to join the party. 

Please check your spam or junk mail file if you don’t receive a message in your inbox.

Your Name (required)

Your Email (required)

Basic watch party things:

• Understandably, sometimes technology fails. GNI is not responsible for connectivity or Netflix performance issues. Please be respectful if you experience technological issues.  
 •  Netflix is a registered trademark of Netflix, Inc. GNI is not affiliated with Netflix and only refers to the brand to promote their online watch parties.
• Be aware there is always the possibility for 3rd party hackers or members to illegally record or photograph their screen. GNI intends to maintain the privacy of the individuals who participate in our Mingle parties, but cannot guarantee such privacy. GNI shall not be held liable, and is hereby released from liability, for any violation of its privacy policy by participants in any of our online parties. Liability for any such violation shall rest solely with the person committing the violation.

Please read about a new anti-racism initiative led by Jon P to start in July

Hello, men.  Hello, Gay men.  Hello, naked Gay men! This post is for men of all colors, but specifically an invitation to men like myself, namely, White Gay men who want to work to eliminate racism. ELIMINATE racism? Pretty tall order, right? It definitely is but every bit of thought and care that you put into that effort makes a difference. It may be uncomfortable to consider gathering together as White men and I understand that. But that discomfort is part of the very reason I am doing this, namely, to examine our role in a system that is built on the oppression of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.)

And I want you to join me for a weekly Zoom gathering where we as GNIers look at racism in our lives, at the systemic nature of racism surrounding and hurting all of us, and create ways to think better about all people (yes, that includes thinking better about ourselves as White men.)

We will meet for four consecutive Saturdays for one hour (longer if the turnout necessitates).  After the four weeks we will collectively decide what the next phase looks like. You don’t need to bring anything other than yourself exactly as you are. There won’t be “homework” but we might find ways to keep in better touch with each other as we look at the ways we feel separated from others, whether that be our families of birth, our families of choice, our Gay brothers, or our Brothers of Color.  Dave B will be assisting me.

Here is the link to information on the first four gatherings

It would be great if you could join us for all four, but do your best. Know that you’re welcome at all times. Please join at least 15 minutes early to manage any technical issues.  By now most of us are getting adept at Zoom, but if you haven’t used it yet, please reach out to me and I’ll be happy to run you through some basics.  We’ll take about an hour each time (trust me, it’ll feel like too short a time) and there will be many opportunities to comment, perhaps speak, and spend some time in small groups (Yikes! Lol)  

Whether you’ve never thought about this, feel like you really need to “do something about this,” or are already an experienced activist, we want all of you. We’re going to learn how to be better listeners and how to get closer to each other.  This is challenging but together we'll pause, reflect, play, and renew our commitments to each other as we work to change ourselves, GNI, and the world.

--Jon P

    

GNI's Virtual Mingle Parties continue to be a Big Success

GNI Mingle is a weekly event held most Thursdays at 7 pm EDT (UTC -4) where guys come together to stay connected, enjoy nudism and keep the spirit of bonding through these socially isolating times.

We have a dedicated webpage to find out about the latest GNI Mingle events and to register for it.  Bookmak this link and check it at the beginning of every week to see if a GNI Mingle is being held.

https://gaynaturists.org/mingle/

Do you have an idea that you would like to share with others in one of our Mingle parties? If so, let us know! Complete the form below and we’ll be in contact with you to discuss your idea.

Use this form to send us your Mingle suggestion: Mingle Topic

Mingle Party Guidelines:

• All Mingles are nude (medical exceptions, allowed)
• All Mingles are nonsexual
• All Mingles are free (no-charge) to participants
• All Mingles are free of advertising – promotion of goods and services may be referenced at the end of the party
• All Mingles are designed to avoid highly controversial topics – religion, politics, conspiracy theories, etc.

Basic rules / etiquette for the room:

• Video and audio must be on
• All participants must be 21 or older
• This is a non sexual, social nudist event
• Be kind to each other – violators will be removed
• Be aware there is always the possibility for 3rd party hackers or members to illegally record or photograph their screen. GNI intends to maintain the privacy of the individuals who participate in our Mingle parties, but cannot guarantee such privacy. GNI shall not be held liable, and is hereby released from liability, for any violation of its privacy policy by participants in any of our online parties. Liability for any such violation shall rest solely with the person committing the violation.

GNI responds to Black Lives Matter

GNI has created the following video in support of Black Lives Matter

Click to Watch

Due to COVID-19 GNI Gathering 2020 has been Cancelled

As the world continues to be impacted by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, our hearts go out to all who've been affected - their family, their friends, and their loved ones. No longer are there just anonymous numbers being reported daily; numbers have become the names of people we know and love. At the onset of the pandemic, GNI assured everyone that our first priority and responsibility during this time is for the health and safety of our members and Gathering attendees. Our commitment holds true to that promise today.

Over the past few months, GNI has been closely monitoring governmental authorities with the situation of COVID-19 and have been in lengthy talks with the camp. After much consideration, we have made the decision to cancel this year's event in August.

All confirmed registrants will receive a full refund; no cancellation fees will be withheld. If you've paid by credit card, your refund will appear on your bank statement within 3-5 business days after we start to process cancellations. If you paid by check or money order, your refund will be mailed to you within 10-15 business days.

GNI will take this year off to ensure the health and well-being of everyone and will reorganize our 35th Anniversary celebration next year. Keep the dates in your calendar: August 20 - 29, 2021.

Wishing you the best of health. Until next year.

Gay Naturists International

~ May 22, 2020

Where can I find places to be nude?

Where can I find places to be nude? That is a question I constantly get asked. There are a lot of things to do on meetup.com, however, you have to sift through all the others to find the nude centric events. And it’s not always about events. What if you want a naked getaway like what nude gay adventures offers or a nudist resort destination? Many nudist resort or group sites have their page with only a few links. It is all sort of disjointed and not very reliable.

Out of this shortfall, nudecentre.com was founded. A single source for great events like gaynaturists.org, groups, and organisations that may otherwise not have the means to be seen. The nude centre offers a forum or anyone to post about anything nudism related. We also have our weekly online events and soon to be real-life events.

One day we will have a physical space where groups can meet and hold events in a safe place without the worry of other groups at the event space being “shocked by the nudity” or being turned down by the booking department for being a “sexual event” Those have both happened to me.

I love supporting the nudist culture and naturist businesses. Nudism really is where my passion is. We all need to work together to promote nudity and push it into the light. Little by little, we can normalise what we do and make it not a taboo. It will take more of us having events, creating organisations, and promoting our lifestyle among the clothed. We are part of a movement to change the world, even in a small way.

About the author:

Shai Long is a nudist, graphic designer, marketer and event planner. Originally from England, now based in New York City since 2014.

Our Next GNI Mingle is Thursday April 30th, 2020

Join Trixie May in a fun cocktail hour full of banter and laughs. Grab a drink and drop your clothes for this engaging event.

A new gni mingle with a new host every week same time same place.

Zoom Video Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84985729329?pwd=YXJHV2NadUhrR2FQbzB6c2ExZndmQT09

Thursday April 30th, 2020

7 pm EST USA

Meeting ID: 849 8572 9329

Password: 162338

Hope to see you in there!

Fighting The Penis Taboo

This short film does a great job of looking at the Penis Taboo!

CLICK TO VIEW VIDEO

GNI on Social Media

GNI has a great presence on social media platforms.  Here's a summary:

This site, BuffBuzz is our blogger site, where we publish articles and informational material about GNI and male social nudity in general.  At one time we published a newsletter called the The GNI Informer, which then became The GNI E-former, and this blog is an incarnation of that format.  We can feature full frontal nudity pictures here.

On Facebook, we have a general information page that is open to the public.  The postings here are always G-rated and are informational only.

Our Facebook Page open to the public

Also, on Facebook, we have a private Facebook group that you must ask to join.  Once approved, the fact that you are in this group will not appear on your Facebook profile.  This group is PG-13 rated.  It is a very active, and is a great place to meet other guys and chat, or ask questions about GNI and social nudity in general.   Many guys post their selfies, and sometimes feature tasteful backside nudity only.    Posts and pictures are highly moderated so anything that falls outside of PG-13, or in any way is rude or disrespectful is quickly removed.

Our Private Facebook Group - Ask to Join

Instagram is a popular social media site that caters to picture lovers and short videos, designed for minimal interaction. Postings may include tasteful backsides, but otherwise Instagram is heavily moderated to be family friendly.

Our Instagram site

Twitter is a social media site that caters to short text and pictures that is designed for lots of interaction.  For the most part, Twitter can operate at an R or even X rating, and has largely taken over the Tumblr crowd in the last year.

Our Twitter feed

MeWe is a newer social media site that has a small but loyal base.  Think of it like Facebook (since it has lots of the same features) but without moderation.   It has attracted lots of nudists who can post naked selfies without concern.  It has a fair amount of interaction, but it divides itself into group posts and a chat feed which some find confusing.

Our MeWe site

Finally, we have a few videos posted on Vimeo, a video sharing site.

Our Vimeo Site

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