New York City stages topless parade with 60 cities worldwide

[webfact]

NY stages topless parade with 60 cities worldwide
VERENA DOBNIK, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Dozens of bare-chest women taking part in the GoTopless Pride Parade took to the streets of midtown Manhattan Sunday to counter critics complaining about topless tip-seekers in Times Square.

Appearing bare-breasted has been legal in New York since 1992. But Mayor Bill de Blasio and police Commissioner Bill Bratton say the body-painted women in the square who take photos with tourists are a nuisance.

The mayor even suggested doing away with the pedestrian plaza at the "Crossroads of the World" — to control both the topless women trolling for tips and the costumed cartoon characters, some of whom were arrested last year for accosting non-tipping pedestrians.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the scene harkens to the pornographic "bad old Times Square" of the past.

Sunday's parade was among dozens of such events in about 60 cities celebrating the worldwide GoTopless Day.

New York GoTopless spokeswoman Rachel Jessee said the goal is for gender equality when it comes to baring one's chest.

Two Dutch tourists relaxing on the park grass said they didn't understand all the fuss.

"I don't know why they're making such a big deal out of it," said Paul Martin, 37, of Amsterdam. "There are more important things to worry about than nipples."

His friend, Leonie van der Maden, agreed. "It's ridiculous, really! I'm perfectly OK with it. But why do you need to march, if it's already legal?"

The women were not the only flashing sight. A lineup of police vehicles with lights flashing rolled along metal barricades marking the route.

Marchers had various motives for participating.

"We are doing it because it's liberating, it's free, it's something different. Why not?" said Claudia Simondi, 46, a native of Argentina working as a bartender in the U.S.

Spencer Jones, 27, a Manhattan artist who's been sketching nude models since she was 12, and later became a model herself, said being topless "never really bothered me."

Theresa Crudo, 22, even brought along her 15-month-old son.

She came bare-chested — with her husband's approval.

"Boobs are natural, you know?" she said. "I wanted to show that you can breast feed in public and do what you have to do for your child."

But Sandy Belzer, 61, was not convinced.

He said he's "seen it all" as a former bartender at New York's famed Copacabana club.

"But this is just a disgrace, what this city has come to," he concluded. "What's 'equality for breasts'''?


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-08-24

[lostoday]

I think this idea would help tourism in Thailand. Maybe forward the story to the ministry of tourism?

I think topless was legal in Thailand till the 1930's so actually getting back to Thai roots.

Edited August 23, 2015 by lostoday

[khwaibah]

Where's the photos.

[lostoday]

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/aug/23/topless-protesters-new-york-times-square

Edited August 23, 2015 by lostoday

[canuckamuck]

They really need to consult with the experts in New Orleans before they hold such an event.

[maoro2013]

I guess dozens go to the march out of a milion or so goes to show what most women think about it.

[geriatrickid]

Sort of sad that people make a fuss over bosoms. I don't understand the fuss or the double standard. Men can go topless right?

Some women have large sized bosoms, I get it. However, many men have some rather large breasts too. Men can also have large saucer sized nipples. Yet, its ok for these men to walk about shirtless.

[condobrit001]

I appreciate the udder side of this discussion. In my mammary, I can't recall seeing the exposed tops of females in public here, and I do keep abreast of current trends. Perhaps it should be allowed, after all TIT!

[Lupatria]

So what? It's like Thailand 60 years ago...

[elgordo38]

I think this idea would help tourism in Thailand. Maybe forward the story to the ministry of tourism?

I think topless was legal in Thailand till the 1930's so actually getting back to Thai roots.

It would have to be to be like the Go Go bars. They are there but in the eyes of some people they do not exist. Now you see it now you don't kind of thingee. Life is indeed an illusion.

[lostoday]

I think this idea would help tourism in Thailand. Maybe forward the story to the ministry of tourism?

I think topless was legal in Thailand till the 1930's so actually getting back to Thai roots.

It would have to be to be like the Go Go bars. They are there but in the eyes of some people they do not exist. Now you see it now you don't kind of thingee. Life is indeed an illusion.

You've forgotten about Song Kran? Google topless Songkran or Nang Songkran .

Edited August 24, 2015 by lostoday

[Srikcir]

Topless women protesters - now that is a democracy I can live with.

[ggt]

Finally, a subject I can sink my teeth into...

[wabothai]

Frontrow seats occupied by .......

Let's hear it.

[impulse]

Some women have large sized bosoms, I get it. However, many men have some rather large breasts too. Men can also have large saucer sized nipples. Yet, its ok for these men to walk about shirtless.

Legal? Maybe. But certainly not okay.

[Publicus]

The Thai English teachers at a mathayom school in Bangkok where I taught took their annual MoE English language proficiency test and the one teacher who'd got the lowest score said as she gazed at her name at the bottom of the list, "I am topless."

This wuz some years ago otherwise we could have showed her pictures off the internet to illustrate.

We anyway explained it and she changed her lament to say she finished on the bottom, which we decided to let lay lie stay that way.

At least she didn't ask whether the teacher at the top had finished bottomless.