Slog tipper Cheryl directs us to this charming article about one woman’s foray into going topless in New York, which is totally legal there:
To be able to walk around New York City all careless and fancy free like that, breasts unfettered, the cool breeze rushing across your chest…it all seemed so wonderful, yet unattainable. I would never have the gall to do that, I thought. Social conventions being what they are, there’s no way I could possibly carry that off without attracting an incredible amount of unwanted attention, making people mad, scarring children for life, potentially getting harassed by the cops, etc. Why, oh why, can’t I just air my tits out like it ain’t no thang? STUPID AMERICA.
And then I was like, well, why the hell not? What’s the point of having toplessness be legal in New York City if you can’t taste of its sweet nectars? Social mores don’t just change overnight; someone has to go first and make it look like fun, and then, with any luck, the rest will follow, and someday it becomes normal, right? In the name of being the change I want to see (as well as anecdotal sociology), I decided to swallow my fears and hang out topless in Central Park Sunday afternoon.
Without giving too much away, the crux of people’s negative reactions to her social experiment seem to be, “Think of the children!” (Because no child has ever seen a breast up close before.)
It’s illegal for Police officers can cite* Seattle women for exposing their nipples in public. And as a lady, there are legitimate reasons to be wary of going topless—hygiene issues, unwanted harassment, increased risk of nipple cancer (maybe it’s a thing!), etc. Still, to feel the wind between your breasts! The freedom of choice!
So I ask you, sloggers:
*A few people who love being naked en masse and have done so in Fremont that one time are now frothing at my “illegal” word choice, saying that there’s nothing on the books that specifically prohibits nudity. This is true. However, there is also no law that states “women shall be allowed to let their boobeths flyeth, etc**” and there are varying statutes that leave citation up to SPD discretion. So, basically, you can be hassled by police if you’re naked and someone complains or there are children about or an officer decides, for whatever reason, that you’ve been “acting obscenely.” Wow! You’re right, guys! That’s totally comforting!
**There is a pro-breastfeeding clause in some statute I read somewhere, but that isn’t at issue here.
I was a participant in the Portland wnbr on June 19. 6 to 9 THOUSAND riders took part in the ride and most of the women riders were bare on top. Half were bare on the bottom too. There were a lot of gawkers to see the naked ladies. I am sure most of them got a bad case of virtago. There were just too many to see. Tens of thousands of viewers lined the streets. Restaurants empted, Pubs emptied. Intersections were blocked by people watching nude bicyclists ride by. They were all cheering, hollering, and clapping. The viewers had fun and the riders had fun.
There were watchers on the street topless in solidarity with the women who rode. I have also seen men standing at attention with there pants at there ankles saluting the riders passing by.
My sense was that most of those watching were wishing that they had the courage to show it all. They very much wanted to ride too but didn’t have a bike.
The human body is a beautifuly thing to see. Share your beauty.
I was a participant in the Portland wnbr on June 19. 6 to 9 THOUSAND riders took part in the ride and most of the women riders were bare on top. Half were bare on the bottom too. There were a lot of gawkers to see the naked ladies. I am sure most of them got a bad case of virtago. There were just too many to see. Tens of thousands of viewers lined the streets. Restaurants empted, Pubs emptied. Intersections were blocked by people watching nude bicyclists ride by. They were all cheering, hollering, and clapping. The viewers had fun and the riders had fun.
There were watchers on the street topless in solidarity with the women who rode. I have also seen men standing at attention with there pants at there ankles saluting the riders passing by.
My sense was that most of those watching were wishing that they had the courage to show it all. They very much wanted to ride too but didn’t have a bike.
The human body is a beautifuly thing to see. Share your beauty.