Everything about Topfree totally explained
Topfreedom is a
social movement to accord women and girls the right to be
topfree in public where men and boys have that right. Examples of
public spaces at which topfreedom might be exercised include
beaches,
swimming pools and
parks, although the principles of the movement admit of no restriction in location. The reasons include keeping nursing mothers from having to hide for
breastfeeding,
sun tanning, comfort, and
sex equality.
It is still illegal for women to show their breasts in public in many states of the USA. Some states have no law against it but permit smaller jurisdictions (such as cities) to have their own. In the
USA, where resistance to toplessness of women is greater than in mainland
Europe or
Australia, a small
topfree equality movement has grown. In February
2005 in
California, attorney Liana Johnsson contended that under
Megan's Law, women convicted of
indecent exposure (for
breastfeeding or
sunbathing) could find themselves listed as
sex offenders alongside
rapists and
child molesters. The term "topfree" is used as an alternative to "topless", which may carry negative connotations. Some women prefer the term "shirtfree rights". In 1991 in
Canada, the arrest and trial of activist
Gwen Jacob, represented by attorney Jeff Wright, for walking down a street in
Guelph, Ontario while
topless eventually led to her acquittal (in 1996) by the highest court in
Ontario, meaning that that province agrees (at least in principle) with topfree equality. A similar case had occurred for the Rochester Topfree Seven, charged in 1986 in Rochester NY but acquitted in 1992. New York State is thus also in agreement with topfree equality, because this case was also heard by its highest court, which no lower jurisdiction may contradict.
Cultural arguments
Western culture generally tends to oppose public female toplessness because of the idea that females` breasts are sexual organs, and thus
indecent. In contrast, the male chest isn't commonly considered to be sexual.
Biologically there's no particular connection between mammary glands and copulation, but some cultures have regarded the exhibition of breasts as sexually arousing (others have also so regarded the exhibition of the chests of men). Some zoologists (notably
Desmond Morris) believe that through human evolution, female breasts have acquired secondary sexual characteristics as a counterpart of the buttocks in other primates. For more information, see
breast.
Some courts in North America have ruled that mammary glands are nurturing organs, not sexual organs, a relevant distinction in light of laws in certain jurisdictions that specifically restrict the public display of sexual organs.
Topfree in North America
Some places in North America have topfree equality by law, although whether such equality is practiced varies. These include:
- Some provinces of Canada including
Some states of the United States, including
Some cities and localities of the United States, including
Topfree in other countries
In some European countries and Australia, it's well-established that females may go topfree at places such as beaches, parks, and outdoor swimming pools. That might be by law (permitted) or might be by common consent, with the law simply not being applied (tolerated). In other areas with more conservative social norms, women are prohibited from being topfree in any public place.
A protest movement called "Bara Bröst" appeared in Sweden in September 2007 to promote women's right to be topless in places where men could also be topless. Several events were staged in public swimbaths in September and October. While toplessness isn't illegal, several private or public establishments in Sweden have a dress code which demand that everyone wear tops: topless individuals can be denied access or thrown out.
Topfree Equal Rights Association (TERA)
The Topfree Equal Rights Association (TERA) is a Canadian organization for helping women who have legal troubles exercising their rights to go 'topfree' where men are able to. Their Web site states that they serve both Canada and the United States.
The organization also aims to inform and educate the public about topfreedom. They campaign to change laws against topfreedom which exist in most North American jurisdictions, which laws they see as sex discrimination and inhibiting to breastfeeding.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Topfree'.
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