Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Photos: Riders Go Bottomless On 'No Pants Metro Ride' Day (NSFW)
Every January, passengers across the country take off their pants and hop on the subway for the No Pants Subway Ride—and it happened again over the weekend.
The No Pants Subway Ride originated in New York City over 10 years ago at the hands of prank collective Improv Everywhere. In Los Angeles, where the weather is usually better for these sorts of things, riders have been stripping down for the last eight years via improv group GueriLA, for what they dub the "No Pants Metro Ride."
On Saturday, agents of all ages and from all walks of life met up at at five different stations: Sierra Madre Villa, Willowbrook, North Hollywood, Culver City and Wilshire/Western. At 1 p.m., ride captains met up with the agents to coordinate their departures, everyone took off their pants and then all five parties rode the train to Union Station. From there, bottomless passengers were able to mill about in the historic station for a short time before the whole party converged, hopping on the Red Line to Hollywood & Highland. Riders were required, in case you were wondering, to wear underwear. (This is a bit different from the World Naked Bike Ride, where many riders are totally nude.)
LAist photographer Annie Lesser said the reactions at Union Station were mixed: Bottomless riders were not allowed inside Starbucks for a latte, but they were given a 10 percent discount at Ben & Jerry's. She also noted a number of men who were not a part of the event rushing to take photos of women's butts with their smartphones.
Support for LAist comes from
Once on the train, riders were encouraged to act like it was just a normal day and to tell the curious that they simply forgot their pants. Not all riders abided by these rules, including a passenger in a sparkling vest who brought along a speaker and a disco ball, turning the train ride into a brief party. Lesser said that a little boy suggested to her there should be a "Pajama Subway Day," where everyone rides the train to a breakfast spot for some grub and to make new friends. That kid sounds like a genius, if you ask us.
Those pantsless riders in the mood to party then headed to the Loaded Hollywood bar, while those under 21 were able to meet up at Pig 'n Whistle. On the way there, Lesser said they encountered the most stares and questions on Hollywood Boulevard, and they got a talking to from some religious demonstrators who informed them they were sinners and tried to tell them about Jesus. (This happens at Topless Day in Venice Beach every year, although this past event, the topless folks drowned out the warnings of damnation with Cyndi Lauper.)
Organizers are hoping that next year, participants in the No Pants Metro Ride can take the the train to the beach and have their pantless afterparty there. After all, no one blinks at eye when it comes to butt cheeks at the ocean. Metro predicts that the Expo Line expansion should be up and running by April or May of this year, so that's a distinct possibility.
If you want to see photos from NYC's No Pants ride, click here.
Related: Photos: Riders Expose Their Butt Cheeks At The No Pants Metro Ride 2015
Photos: Riders Strip Down For No Pants Metro Ride 2014
Photos: The No Pants Subway Ride Was a Bare Affair 2013
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist