National Topless Day observed in New York, other cities

https://storify.com/inquirerdotnet/national-topless-day

MANILA, Philippines — If people on both genders go around the streets of New York City and other cities worldwide baring their chests, don’t be surprised. It’s National Topless Day.

Sunday, Aug. 24, is the 7th GoTopless Day. The protest pushes for women’s equality rights.

“There’s nothing more empowering for a woman than to free her body from the shackles of repression,” said Rachel Jesse, GoTopless spokesperson and leader of GoTopless in NYC.

“Freeing her body allows her to free her mind as well, and also to mend her self-image and self-esteem,” she said further.

New York is the ideal location for the GoTopless Pride Parade because since 1992 it’s been one of the few cities in the United States or in the world where women’s topless rights are recognized by law.

The activity will culminate at the Boobie Trap, a boob-themed bar which opened in Brooklyn recently. The organization’s goal is to make female toplessness “non-event.”

“We hope that by participating in annual topless festivities, New York City women and women around the world will feel increasingly comfortable to go topless in public. When a woman’s uncovered chest in public becomes the simple non-event it already is for a man, we will have accomplished our mission,” Jesse said.