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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.
Shirts Off! Equal Rights for Topless Women Demanded
Warning: Many of these images are NSFW, or Not Safe for Work.
This past weekend, women took to Venice Beach to protest their right to to be topless in public. "As long as men can be topless, constitutionally women should have the same right, or men should also be forced to wear something hiding their chest," says Founder of GoTopless.org, Rael. In the state of New York, it is legal to go topless on those very same grounds. "This is quite a contradiction to the gospel concert taking place just a few yards away," someone was overheard humorously saying. Other people were heard saying things like "get over the nipplephobia," "yeah, equal rights for everyone," and "this is the best day LA has ever seen." Well, maybe not the best day, but definitely the one of the more interesting ones. LAist Photographer Tom Andrews was out there to check it out -- here's some of what he saw.
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Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
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