Epress.am News from Armenia
The sight of men wearing bras or bikini tops hardly causes a ripple in San Francisco anymore, but on Sunday, a group of guys did so for a different purpose — to demand that women be allowed to legally bare their breasts in public, reports The San Francisco Chronicle.
Not because men want to see them, the protesters said. For justice.
“If we’re supposed to be equal across the board, then women should be allowed to show their breasts,” said Michael Staley, 43, who was topless except for a bustier and a straw hat. “Why can’t they? Men can, women should, period.”
The San Francisco resident was one of about 14 men and six women who took part in the protest at Justin Herman Plaza. The event was part of the third annual Go Topless Day held in other cities around the country, but this was the first time it was held in San Francisco.
And for women like Angela Oliver, 23, of San Francisco, it was a chance to fully enjoy a warm summer’s day.
“We should be able to do everything that men can, and I like my boobs and I like being naked, so here I am,” she said. “I don’t feel like I’m being sexual right now by being topless. It’s completely natural.”
Oakland’s Luna Baron, 45, circulated a petition among the small crowd of spectators.
“There were people who wouldn’t sign the petition, but they were happy to stand there taking photographs, which is part of the problem,” Baron said. “It’s so sensationalized that a woman has her shirt off. It feels good to me just to be out here without my shirt on. I just want this to be normal. I don’t want this to be a big deal, especially when it’s hot out.”