Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Title: Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?
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Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：06/22/2023 09:02:45Copy HTML

I often wonder what people are thinking when they see me in a thong/gstring while at the beach with my wife? Lets me be clear, regardless what they think I will continue to wear what I want and the older I get the more I truly don’t care. But I do wonder if they are more accepting of my thongs because it’s obvious I’m there to get a good overall tan and if I have my wife with me I must not be one of those creeper cruiser guys. I can honestly say I’ve never had a negative comment or experience. Basically a similar situation where if a guy is wearing a Speedo for lap swimming, most people are totally accepting of that and understand why he is wearing a Speedo. I wonder if they see me in the same way and see it’s obvious I’m trying to get a great overall tan. 

Unfortunately, it seems like men aren’t as worried about tanning like women are that I’ve seen thus they just stick to the shorts. I feel like if a few more “straight” guys like myself at least threw on a square cut or Speedo to get a good tan, it would help us men get past the stigma of wearing anything remotely small. Hopefully I’m showing other guys look.. it’s ok to wear a thong at the beach. Loosen up!!

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：06/22/2023 10:09:14Copy HTML

Not sure it is that "men aren't as worried about tanning" or that for many it is fear of being considered gay, sissy, or not so 'manly' man, or being teased by others. 

I wear thongs every day and can't remember the last negative comment, probably a few weeks ago when I was paddling out at the sandbar.  The is always one or two boats flying Trump or DeSatan flags. These tend to have at least one snowflake who is ogling the girls in thong bikinis but who will say "Don't want to see that" or something similar. 

I have just come back from taking a friend to a doctors office. She heard a women say "There is a guy in the waiting room with good legs in just his underwear".  My friend piped up and said "That's my friend in his shorts, just be glad he is not wearing a thong today".  Apparently the doctor said "I would like to see that." 

So wear your thongs or short shorts every day. Count the complements, ignore the snide remarks. It does not really matter what backward or prejudiced people think.

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：06/23/2023 01:59:34Copy HTML

JM this post would have been way more effective if you hadn't made it political, and FYI "snowflakes" don't fly Trump flags. "Snowflakes" are liberals, please get your condescending insults correct.

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：06/23/2023 05:46:53Copy HTML

I agree with NudeNArizona!

On the social acceptance front, it's going to be awhile. Christian Ocean on YouTube may currently be changing more minds about guys in thongs than anyone else. He's a straight, married, good-looking, personable young thonger guy who encourages other guys to wear smaller swimwear, generally leading to thongs. Aside from that, from what I'm personally seeing myself and reading here is that there's a small uptick in acceptance. However, that's not parlaying into a noteworthy jump in the percentage of people in thongs, especially men.

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：06/23/2023 12:47:29Copy HTML

JM - DeSatan I like that and will definitely steal that. 
NudeNArizona-I agree with you that it will be a long and rancorous political season and that in this space we should refrain discussing ( more precisely squabbling) about politics. We should be like a large blended family at Thanksgiving and just try to get along. This is the place to promote thong wearing.  Unfortunately leaders and followers of both major parties seem to either ignore or actively reject thong wearing. The exception to that is one side is actively demonizing our LGBQIT+ members, many of whom have lead the way in public thong/minimal swimwear attire.

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：06/23/2023 01:32:47Copy HTML

Well said mbannon, I agree with you that yes there seems to be a small increase of acceptance from my experience as well as reading other’s experiences. But overall in general for males I feel like there is a decline in men wearing anything  other than shorts. It’s kind of weird that when I go to the beach and wear a thong I see how people react around me and 90% of the time is no reaction at all. Which is better than what I remember reactions were 10 years ago when I started thonging in public. But on the flip side overall I’m seeing less men wearing even speedos at the beach. Even at the few resorts I’ve been to in other countries. Handful of speedos on men the rest are shorts. I’ll take thong acceptance increase any day though!!

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：06/23/2023 06:04:18Copy HTML

Snowflake is a pejorative term for someone who is perceived as too sensitive. 
While the right wing often uses it to insult liberals, it can just as well be applied to them when they act the same way. 

When right wing Trump supporters get all bent out of shape just because someone else they don't know is reading a book, or wearing a thong, or has a rainbow flag then they are the oversensitive pearl clutching snowflakes.

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：06/24/2023 01:40:01Copy HTML

Let's not act like the right wing is the only side being insulted.  Both sides insult one another and both sides are toxic and I'm sick of this bipartisan system because most of us dont fit either side 100%.

I think both sides suppress our freedom in different ways and I hope it doesn't come to a point where the govt comes after our thongs!

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：06/24/2023 02:17:48Copy HTML

Politics have nothing to do with it, let’s not take it there.
All politic agreements don’t mean anything.
i woud say it has nothing to do with books or whatever. Anyone who is trying to push the idea they have on the public is an issue. Hell that’s why all of us are here.   Some idiots take it beyond the reasonableness. I would say freedom for us to do what we want should be on top. Until we know for certain it affects us we have to go with country first. Snowflakes are everywhere, no reasons to state some are clutching pearls etc.
all of them are crooked, just leave us alone, if you done’t support that… wth?

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：06/24/2023 02:27:25Copy HTML

75texasthong,

Thank you for that well-considered reply!

(What's the saying about the three topics you shouldn't discuss in a bar?)

Sweeping generalizations about any group should have been left behind in high school English class, after receiving a diatribe from the teacher about faulty reasoning in an essay.

(I am also confused about disliking someone because he or she is simply reading a book.)

The internet isn't like real life.  I don't remember the last time I discussed some political point in public with someone.  Politics just isn't an important concern to me in everyday life.  The cost of living IS something that affects me and others.

I try to avoid typing anything online that I wouldn't directly say to someone.

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：07/10/2023 05:54:44Copy HTML

Has the way of THONGING changed ?

I lived 3 golden period :
-  80s
- 2000s
- 2020s

I noticed that the way of wearing a SWIM THONG has changed.

In the 2000s,gals with swim thong were young and in a very good shape.They wore their swim thongs on beach for tanning.

Actually, I noticed that thong gals are all ages (up to 45 y.o approximatively) and all shapes (with a little belly, with cellulite, etc.).

But what I noticed the more, is that SWIM THONGS are not restricted anymore to the beach for tanning.  
Gals with thongs does activities with her thongs.
Said in a different way, therefore SWIM THONGS were only for beachgoers, whereas actually SWIM THONGS are a swimwear for all.
So the number of thongers gal increased a lot.

Yesterday, I was on a little beach on a litlle river. I saw a lot of kayak. I was very surprised because half of the gals in the kayak were wearing swim thong.
In the 2000, thongs were restricted to the beach and only the most brave wife dared to wear their thongs out of the beach.

So, I thought in the 2020, it is not a new fashion. It is a popularization of the swim thongs.
Sportwomen who wouldn't have worn a thong in the 2000 (because they are not beachgoers), wear one actually while doing activities.

It is also a liberating symbol. Swim thongs are not restricted to the beach. They are everywhere, everybody and  every bodies.

What do you think ?

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：07/18/2023 02:28:18Copy HTML

Women's Health celebrates Bella Thorne's abs, butt and major under-boob in thongs.

Not a peporazi rag but Women's Health. Times are a changing.

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/a44565643/bella-thorne-abs-butt-thong-bikini-underboob-engagement-ring-instagram-photos/

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：07/23/2023 01:23:30Copy HTML

The Zoe Report says:  Celebrities Are So Obsessed With Thong Swimsuits This Summer

https://www.thezoereport.com/culture/celebrity-thong-swimsuits  

Good. We want young influencers and celebs to lead the way.  

Yes, I know some of you will moan that these are young women, not young men.  However I like to see young women in thongs. For me it makes the world a happyer place.

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：07/23/2023 02:45:49Copy HTML

JM_Runs, Thanks for that link!
My votes:
Best body: Kendall Jenner - fantastic proportions. (Not too top-heavy like some of her siblings.)
Hottest suit: Kourtney Kardashian - any woman who wears a string back suit gets my vote!

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：07/24/2023 01:07:24Copy HTML

Any economists or economics  graduates here? To make men’s thong swimsuits more popular, do you think we should target the supply side or the demand side? 

I am having a hard time finding new men’s thong swimsuits. There are not enough suppliers of men’s thong swimsuit out there, and thong swimsuits that are already in the market are too pricey. Obviously, there is not a lot of demand for men’s thong swimsuits, so that’s why the supply of men’s thong swimsuits is low. But, if men’s thong swimsuits were to become more accessible and cheap, would this increase the demand for men’s thong swimsuits? 

I see that more and more mainstream brands are selling skimpier swimsuits for women, and now thong swimsuits are gaining more popularity among women. Do you think an increase in supply caused a greater demand for thong swimsuits or do you think it’s the reverse?

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：07/24/2023 04:37:04Copy HTML

Depends what you are looking for, but I find hand crafted bespoke swimsuits from vendors like Skinzwear easy to find, but expensive. 
On the other hand most of my more recent acquisitions have been from AliExpress or Temu where they are cheep and plentiful.

This is not a question of economics, unless you are going to hand a $10 bill to everyone you see brave enough to wear a thong openly with confidence. I think it is more a question of having the balls to wear a thong frequently, openly and publicly.  
Being the first or second person empowers others to wear a thong too, maybe not right then on that day, but maybe later. 
Everyone starts somewhere.

Also encourage thongers. Thumbs Up with a smile is all it takes. Show they are appreciated.  
While not a question of direct economics, think of this as social capital.

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：07/25/2023 05:38:51Copy HTML

Women.com  says "Trust Us, 2023 Is The Year To Give The Thong Bikini A Chance"

Partial quote:

"With trends like low-rise jeans and see-through everything, finding ways to flaunt our bodies is taking over all of fashion, including swimsuits. Barely-there thong swimsuits are the "it" style of the summer, as seen on celebrities like Lizzo, Dua Lipa, and Sydney Sweeney.

Rocking such a revealing look can be scary, especially when you don't feel entirely comfortable with your body yet. Confronting swimsuit anxiety is no joke. But a cheeky thong can be adapted to make anyone feel comfortable trying it out. The secret to success is in the cut of the suit. What gives the thong style its playful name is how the back of the suit cuts through your cheeks and creates a whale-tail appearance on your lower back. There are several ways to adapt this cut into swimsuit bottoms to find one that makes you feel like the beach babe you are."

https://www.women.com/1337919/thong-bikini-swimwear-summer-2023-trend/

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：08/01/2023 07:24:33Copy HTML

I do think that availability has an influence on acceptance. Not everyone is like us here--that, for whatever reason(s), we have a passion for wearing minimal swimwear or underwear. I think that there are many men out there who are looking for more comfortable swimwear/underwear that would like to try it if it were only more convenient to find. I don't think men in general spend a lot of energy seeking out a new fashion even if it would be more comfortable. I think this also applies to those men who are somewhat curious about wearing more minimal swimwear/underwear. If they see a package of bikinis/string bikinis/thongs they would be inclined to grab a package off the store shelf--IF it were there. Likewise with swimwear hanging on a rack. (It's called impulse buying) But if you go to *any* mainstream store, at least here in the U.S., 98% of the store shelving has boxer briefs. You really have to hunt to find even "regular" briefs. Yes, I know there's always online. But, like I said, I don't think men, in general, would go through the trouble.
 
I think that somehow we who like minimal swimwear/underwear have to make our preference known to stores and manufacturers, but that's a bit more difficult of a task. I was at a convention lately and came upon a booth that was selling specialized wicking underwear with a pattern that had pictures and logos along the theme of the convention. Of course they had bikini but for women. But for men? Yeah, you guessed it, only boxer cut. I asked a woman restocking the shelves if they had even just a brief cut for men. She replied no, because the boxer cut is most popular, and walked off to get more product. I was going to explain that I have runners legs and tried boxers but they bunch up on me, but I of course didn't get the chance. Oh well. And yes, I tried not to come across as a creeper.
 
Combine the availability and marketing aspect with a societal demonizing of a "regular straight guy's" expression of sensuality or sexuality, well, I feel we still have a loooong uphill battle gentlemen.

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：08/01/2023 02:07:32Copy HTML

SlimSuit,  You change the world by what YOU do, not by what is on the shelves in a department store.  

Young adults are on the internet. They are on Tiktok and Instagram. They shop on Amazon. They are not haunting the shopping malls unless, they are still teenagers with no other place to go to avoid the heat or rain.

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：08/02/2023 04:36:07Copy HTML

JM_Runs:
 
You apparently missed this sentence:
"I think that somehow we who like minimal swimwear/underwear have to make our preference known to stores and manufacturers, but that's a bit more difficult of a task."
 
I'm reaching out to the folks here on the board to figure out how to send that "hidden demand" message to the manufacturers/distributors whether it be a physical store or online.
 
And you apparently missed:
"I was at a convention lately and came upon a booth that was selling specialized wicking underwear with a pattern that had pictures and logos along the theme of the convention. Of course they had bikini but for women. But for men? Yeah, you guessed it, only boxer cut. I asked a woman restocking the shelves if they had even just a brief cut for men. She replied no, because the boxer cut is most popular, and walked off to get more product. I was going to explain that I have runners legs and tried boxers but they bunch up on me, but I of course didn't get the chance. Oh well. And yes, I tried not to come across as a creeper."
 
Yes, I'm trying to do my part to promote the cause of minimal swimwear/underwear.

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：08/17/2023 02:07:02Copy HTML

Changing social acceptance. Thong bikinis were trending hard at 'Paraiso Miami Beach Swim Week 2023'

https://www.bustle.com/style/thong-bikini-paraiso-miami-beach-swim-week-2023

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：08/17/2023 10:45:09Copy HTML

JM_Runs,

It's been about six years since I saw the first "cheeky" (thong) bikini in northeast Ohio.  I hope we have another longer wave of popularity for thong or cheeky swimwear.  If the "golden age" of the first thongs was 1985-1995, we're already halfway past that point with the cheeky/thong suits.  I think this golden age will last longer because it's being popularized by internet models.  Plus, so many photos of easily visible thongs under dresses at various entertainment award shows.

If only the men were more included, but the decades of board shorts will be more difficult to change.  We shall see if today's young men eventually get involved with thongs.

One guy who practically lived at the Lake Erie beach I went to, said the rangers stopped giving citations after 1987.  The Ohio Supreme Court didn't decide that breasts and bums were not "private parts" until 1994, so there must have been a glut of people going through the court system and "the authorities" figured they may as well just let it go, rather than clog up the court system.

If the younger people decide to just go nude at the beach in large enough numbers, maybe America will finally catch up to European beach custom.  It would probably need to be underage (under 21 certainly) kids who do it, so they won't get such severe penalties as adults would.  I'm not holding my breath for that to happen, but there have been enough unforeseen changes during the past five years, that I wouldn't be too surprised if it happened.

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：06/10/2024 05:59:09Copy HTML

Interesting article "Men’s Swimwear Trends for This Summer: Embrace Your Sexy Side"

While aimed at gay men, a lot of the quotes and ideas apply to all men wearing smaller swimwear.  For example:

“Fashion is not just about looking good; it’s about making a statement. It’s a form of activism in itself. When we dress boldly and unapologetically, we’re challenging societal norms and fighting for our right to exist and express ourselves.”

As abczy said above, it is all about confidence.  If you are not self-confident then gather up every ounce of courage you have and "Fake it till you make it!"

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：06/10/2024 11:55:42Copy HTML

Source of the article in JM's post:
"Men’s Swimwear Trends for This Summer: Embrace Your Sexy Side"


https://hudsonvalleystylemagazine.com/mens-swimwear-trends-for-this-summer-embrace-your-sexy-side-gay-mens-style-with-maxwell-alexander/

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：06/11/2024 02:09:59Copy HTML

From article,

“Universal Appeal: Sexy swimwear isn’t just a niche market anymore. Straight men are finally catching on to the trend, embracing styles that once might have made them blush. It’s a beautiful thing to see men of all orientations strutting their stuff with pride.“

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：06/12/2024 02:02:00Copy HTML

I have mixed feelings about the article. Yes, while it is promoting the wearing of briefer swimwear and ditching the board shorts on men, it only gives a brief nod to straight men wearing smaller swimwear. (see previous article quote)
 
The primary focus of the article seems to be in this quote:
 
"Maxwell Alexander also highlights the role of fashion in LGBTQ+ activism. “Fashion is not just about looking good; it’s about making a statement. It’s a form of activism in itself. When we dress boldly and unapologetically, we’re challenging societal norms and fighting for our right to exist and express ourselves.”
 
My concern is that this perpetuates the major societal view that "only gay men wear that, or dress like that". If this were in a more mainstream publication (Sports Illustrated?) without the LGBTQ+ agenda it would get more traction with "the average straight guy" and society in general.

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：06/12/2024 04:46:52Copy HTML

@SlimSuit

I agree 100% with your comments about the article.  Something, without an agenda, needs to be written in a more mainstream publication.  I am tired of people thinking I am gay just because I wear minimal swimsuits and thongs.

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：06/12/2024 05:30:28Copy HTML

The article is in a publication aimed at the gay population.  So it is going to be encouraging gay men to wear smaller swimwear.

If you think the same should be published for straight men then WRITE up a light hearted and interesting article, then see if you can get it published. Publications are ALLWAYS looking for content, especially it it is a little edgy.  

When I was young I was worried that people might think I was gay. Back then there was quite a bit of negative reaction to people perceived as gay.   

As time went on two things happened:  Social attitudes changed, being gay is for the most part tolerated all over.  But far more importantly realized it did not matter if people thought I was gay.  They can think a lot of wrong things, like which god they worship or which party they vote for, or mistakenly thinking I am gay.

If anything being mistaken for gay helped when approaching or getting to know women. If at first sight they thought I was gay they felt less sexually threatened by an unknown man. Once we got to know each other, and they assessed I was a nice guy and not a threat, they were a little delighted to later discover I was straight. 

In the past many I have met women on the beach by asking a single women or group if I can lay out with them because I was uneasy alone in a thong. Almost always they said yes. (Strength in numbers against the predatory males).  I would be careful not to mention my sexual orientation or if I had a girlfriend. It is like running a hurdles race, where your lane already has the first few hurdles removed. 

These days I just thong. I know people think things in their heads, but we all do that.  I don't care if they incorrectly assume I am gay. That is their problem, in their own head. 
Sometimes people ask. Mostly they don't, because is it not something they desperately need to know.  They have their own lives to live. 

Do you walk up to women you don't know and ask their sexual orientation? My guess is you don't.  
It shnould only become a question once you are getting to know someone and you wish to sleep with them.   
 
 I got older I relized it did not matter what they

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：07/29/2024 03:46:12Copy HTML

Social conditioning has changed points of view not to overtly critical of someone’s appearance thonging on the beach in particular. 

Recent thonging at my nude beach i seen a dramatic change from negative stereotypes or expressions from females specifically looking at a male thonger. 

As i often try being a beach fashionista with regards to thong styles and color choices.

 Having very hyper sensitivity looking at various reactions of my thongs on the beach. Many gals showed low key reactions, towards me compared to decade ago. 

As i was making my way off to the restroom wearing my stylish thong exiting  the vast open beach sand. At the time was only one walking with many laying on blankets on fairly populated area. As i heading off on a vast open beach with only my thong backside facing others. Beach chatter was unusually quiet and subdued. Heard gal talking about me as i was walking away. Only heard faint chatter about wanting tan like his or thong like his, not sure what wad exactly said. 

As i went to restroom through a park area and back seeing various clothed people. Felt a vibe was lot a different then many years ago. Felt i was equal to being accepted in a thong as if gal went walking off the beach in thong bikini to concession stand or restroom.  

Felt as none blinked an eye what i was wearing or reacted with the usual childish juvenile mockery. 

I received lot of stares when i entered back on the beach using different entrance then i exited. Walking meandering through crowds of people laying on their blanket i was noticed certainly in good way. 

Maybe because it was clothing optional beach which many were clothed i was getting better tolerant reactions. Or that my thong style color was attracting attention in a good way. 

Only seen one other stylish fashion conscious couple walking along shoreline, male wearing stylish minimal Y back string thong along side  with a female in pink triangle back tie side thong. They certainly noticed me laying on my towel looking for my reactions to them. 

Maybe my frequent thonging beach shoreline strolls caught the eye of the couple for male wearing Y back thong. 

Watching many gals in thongs usually it’s one gal out of group of three that won’t wear thongs to the beach. 

Overall thongs in various styles have been go to beachwear for females alike. 

From my recent visits to the same beach i only noticed one male thonging other than me.
 
Maybe because of some nudity my thonging wasn’t so overt. However i was certainly watched upon unlike the past where many found it silly what i was wearing. 
Could it be gals admired the stylish print thong i was wearing for themselves not being critical with any reactions. Also the manner how the thong fit my body is important to be accepted part of a female thong community. Got majority of admiring expressions wearing a thong than ever before. Be it my body shape or what i was wearing thonging felt normalized at least with my recent experiences.

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：07/29/2024 05:29:07Copy HTML

I was out at lake lanier in a tiny black skinzwear m1r2 adjustable g-string. I have had several but this is probably the smallest one beside the one I bought as a medium. It barely covers what is needed to be legal. I walked 9 miles along the lake that day passing many people and groups, including a sheriff.

One man in his 20's began talking - he later introduced me to his gf and two other couples. I asked the girls if they wanted their bfs and husbands to wear a thong to the lake- All there of the said yes over and over. One guy admitted his wife bought him one and he wears it for her at the house, but now would consider wearing one to lake.

Another guy asked where he could buy one and I told him amazon. He immediately found one and put it in his cart. He was all smiles. He was the shy one, but the one I expect to follow through and wear a thong. His wife was in a large thong and told him he must wear one next time.

Another group saw me and ran up to talk- the newly wed wife was very supportive of me.

I have noticed if you are confident and go about your normal routine, walking, floating, kayaking etc. people are very accepting and this is not a place where you will see guys in anything but dork shorts.

Another thing - I noticed that after women  see me they will strip down to thongs or strings and the men will swim in brief underwear.

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：08/08/2025 02:20:20Copy HTML

The New York Times has an article titled "Skimpy Men’s Swimsuits Are Making a Splash" 

"Swim briefs are being embraced by trendy brands, publications and celebrities. Will they show up at a beach near you?"

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/style/men-swimming-briefs-speedo.html

Re：Changing social acceptance - How long do you think?

Date Posted：10/24/2026 04:33:45Copy HTML

Wear a thong publicly, openly, visibly.
As alphabet said, "Wear it with confidence and you will be accepted."

It helps to be DOING SOMETHING.

- To distract you from worrying about who is looking and what they are thinking.
- Moving to do something means you are less likely to have nervous body language and glances.
- It gives them a reason to unashamedly watch you, other than just because you have a bare bum.

Paddle boarding is good if you are shy or nervous: The water provides separation. Paddling gives you a reason for standing tall and most importantly you are doing something.

Today I paddled past the busy Las Olas highway, down the river to the sandbar to hang out and party a bit. Then down the ICW and round the yacht club canals, then back round to the sandbar again. 
 
Later paddled up New River, all the way through downtown to the Preforming Arts Center. Then back down though downtown under the Las Olas bridges back to my house. 

Today had hundreds of friendly of waves, cheers, comments and interactions.  Only one was negative when a drunk man shouted "go home". I am sure a few tourists at River Walk restaurants or on passing tripper boats, were surprised, but if you are waiting for changing social acceptance, it is already here. Not everyone but most.

Maybe not everywhere, all at once, but if I can make it so in Fort Lauderdale - by just doing it - again and again publicly and with self-confidence, so can you.  

Here is a picture a friend took last year, taken mid downtown from the zone with popular riverwalk and water front restaurants. Same paddleboard, same paddle, same hat as today - just a different year. https://flic.kr/p/2rAsrZV 