Events - Part 90

 GNI - The Gathering

Last time we saw The Gathering, an event of Gay Naturists International (GNI).  Today we learn a little more about them.  GNI started in 1982 as a SIG (special interest group) of TNS (The Naturists Society).  But by 1994 they were numerous enough to split off into their own organization, which they called Gay Naturists International.

As the name implies, it's not just for U.S. naturists.  Above is a contingent from Canada, and GNI holds events in Toronto.

The big annual event is The Gathering, held at a resort in the Poconos in Pennsylvania each August.  The resort has a set of cabins ...

and two swimming pools.

The Gathering has been described as the summer camp that you wish your parents had sent you to.  Activities include dressing up as superheroes ...

getting body-painted ...

and just general partying.

There are also some contests, like the Mr. Bare Bear contest.  Obviously, the winner is not the hairless guy holding the winner's sign.  It must be the guy he has his arm around.

And there's a Mr. GNI Leather contest.  This is Matt, the 2025 winner.

But mostly, The Gathering is just an occasion for gay naturists to get naked, be with friends, and enjoy themselves.

Events - Part 89

Gay Naturists International 

Gay Naturists International (GNI) holds a gathering each August in the Poconos in eastern Pennsylvania.  It's like a summer camp for gay naturists.  Today's photos are from 2023.

The resort has extensive grounds.

You can wander the grounds ...

explore the woods, or relax by the two large swimming pools.

But there are other activities, including workshops and discussions ranging from musical theater and massage to fetish and kink.  Something for everyone.

Hey, I'm on TV!

This is the Mr. GNI contest.  I do not know who the winner was.

But here's the winner of the Mr. GNI Leather contest.

In 2023 this guy got body painted, apparently with a different paint job each day.  Above, painted like a Piet Mondrian painting.

The same guy, now wearing painted formal wear ...

and now wearing a painted T-shirt and shorts.

But my favorite was when he got painted as an elephant.

Events - Part 88

Fremont Solstice Parade 2017

Yesterday was the Summer Solstice, but since it was also Father's Day, we're running this solstice post a day late.  Every year, on the summer solstice, a parade is held in Fremont, Washington.  The parade is (unofficially) led by naked bike riders and walkers.  Most of them have colorfully painted their bodies.  The naked bikers and walkers are followed by the official parade of clothed marchers and parade floats.

Today's photos are from the 2017 Fremont Solstice Parade.  Above, his painted sign says "Be Happy".  Orange you glad?

This painted sign is as pertinent today as in 2017.

Painted gold.

Half and half.

A mask of leaves.

One of a group, all with painted red gymnast costumes.

Beware of the shark.

On skates being towed behind a bike.

Tiger stripes.

A formal tuxedo.  I'd love to see him show up like that at a black tie event.

A unicyclist walking his vehicle.

We end with silver and gold holding hands.  Awww ...

Events - Part 87

Twister at Folsom Street Fair 2011

Each September, the Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco caters to the gay leather/BDSM crowd.  Many of the fair-goers are naked.

The Steamworks gym and bathhouse hosts a public outdoor game of Twister at Folsom.  Above, some of the Steamworks employees wearing jockstraps in 2011, ready for a game.

Other fair-goers are also ready to play Twister, like this guy giving a "Folsom handshake" to his naked friend.

For those not familiar with it, Twister is a game played on a large mat of colored circles.  After spinning the wheel, the announcer calls out the next move, which will be to put a hand or foot on a particular color, e.g. "left hand on green."

After a while, the players get tangled together, which is the point of the game.

At Folsom, where the players aren't wearing much, it can result in some interesting encounters, like this one ...

and this one ...

and some guys take advantage of that.

I don't think the announcer said "left hand on dick."

But after a while, some players pay less attention to the game and more attention to each other.

Events - Part 86

Bay to Breakers 2024

Bay to Breakers is an annual footrace in San Francisco.  The 7.5 mile (12 km) course crosses the city from San Francisco Bay to the breakers of the Pacific Ocean.  Officially it's a race, but thousands of people just walk.  Most are clothed, but being San Francisco, some are naked.  Walking Bay to Breakers naked has become such a tradition that it has a name: "Bare to Breakers."

Here's a naked participant who is actually running.

And here's a rear view of him.

But everyone else is walking.  Some people wear costumes.  This guy dressed like a Pharaoh, at least from the neck up.

A guy with some kind of head costume, and one with just a hat.

His shirt says "4th down & 1 inch to go"

This guy is stark naked, which is very rare.  Most people at least wear shoes.

Walking a bike.

Another decorative hat.

And we end with – my God, it's Pope Leo XIV in the Bare to Breakers!  Not really, but Leo is an American pope, so in the future, who knows?