In Appreciation And A Nude And Queer Friendly Retreat

I am truly grateful and humbled by all of the love shown to me during the past week of anniversary celebration here on DQN In Northern Virginia. I appreciate all of the congratulatory comments on each of the posts and the numerous emails awaiting me over the course of the days. I am deeply moved by the outpouring of kindness from all of you! Every act of support has made all the effort of the past three years worthwhile. Thank you!

Friendship is a truly remarkable experience for everyone involved. At times it tests our patience and saps our energy. However, more often than not, it brings to all of us innumerable rewards, treasures and benefits. Such is the case here. Your friendship is priceless. My love to all of you!  

I spent the anniversary weekend on a spiritual retreat. I left last Thursday, late morning, ahead of the approaching snowstorm, in order to be at the monastery/retreat center by noon on Friday. The site is located in a mountainous area of western Pennsylvania. The abbey is home to Eastern Orthodox monks. The retreat was the first offered in North America solely for queer Greek Orthodox men and their partners.

The weekend was refreshing and rejuvenating, focusing on what is good and productive about our Orthodox faith and traditions. There was a major emphasis on charitable acts, on compassion and on forgiveness for both perceived and real wrongs committed by others. In other words, what is affirming to us as gay men and on the positive aspects of religion. At no time did I sense any condemnation nor judgment from any of the monastic brothers.

This spiritual respite was a welcome change from the often hateful and hurtful environment that modern Christianity has become. I'm always bewildered and conflicted over how a belief system based on brotherhood, love and tolerance is consistently misrepresented and twisted by its followers and their leaders into one of exclusion, marginalization and violence. This four-day retreat was a true back-to-basics journey into what religion is all about.

During our recreation/leisure time daily, we were permitted to use the heated, indoor pool. As this was an all-male community (monastery) and an exclusively male retreat, nude swimming was allowed. Initially, my boyfriend and I were the only pair taking advantage of this. By the end of our first hour of  free time, others were also enjoying the aqua-nude opportunity. By Monday morning, more than half of the participants were swimming naked.

Peace! Get naked. Enjoy!