Happy Go Topless Day: Protesters Take Off Their Tops For Women’s Rights

No one blinks an eye when a man takes his shirt off at a public beach. But a topless woman? The women’s rights organization Go Topless is urging women around the world to take of their tops today to protest gender inequality.

Spiritual leader Rael, who started the group in 2007, argues that women should have the same constitutional right to go topless in public as men.

Rael said:

“As long as men are allowed to be topless in public, women should have the same constitutional right. Or else, men should have to wear something to hide their chests.”

It’s legal for women to go topless in several states around the United States but it isn’t a common practice. According to the organization, women are often fined or imprisoned for exposing their breasts in public.

For Go Topless Day, the organization is asking women around the world to shed their bikinis and free their breasts.

The organization writes:

“During the protests, women will have the choice of going fully topless or wear red tape or something else to hide their (infamous!) nipples. They are also completely welcome to come and support this cause while being fully dressed if they prefer. To show their support, men are encouraged to wear a bikini top since we are standing up for topless constitutional equality. Either we can all be topless or no one can.”

The main topless protest will be held in Washington D.C. today infront of the White House. Topless rallies will also be held in more than 40 cities.

GoTopless President Nadine Gary said:

“Even with laws ensuring gender equality, women are still being arrested for going topless. The governments of the United States, Israel, France, the United Kingdom and Australia all supposedly guarantee gender equal rights. But Gotopless women have been clearly told they’re not free to go topless like men can, and that if they do, they will be fined and/or imprisoned.”

What do you think? Should men cover up their chests when they’re out in public? Should women be free to go topless?