Canadian wisdom

Topfree Wisdom From the North

Where topfree equal rights are gaining hard fought for acceptance.

Frequently Asked Questions as addressed by T.E.R.A.

(Topfree Equal Rights Association)

(Used with permission. You may learn more from T.E.R.A by visiting http://www.tera.ca/index.html)

1) Why are you encouraging women to take their tops off in public?

We are not doing any such thing. We believe women have the same rights as men. Those who wish not to remove tops should keep them on by choice.

2) Isn't it illegal for women to go topfree?

This activity is legal for women and men. A high court decision from December 1996 makes it clear that women and men doing so with no "sexual or commercial" intent are not indecent.

3) Is it legal for women to be topfree everywhere, then?

No, because there are places where it is illegal for both women and men to be topfree, e.g. where health regulations require tops as well as other articles of clothing. This is completely consistent with assuring women rights equal to those of men.

4) Doesn't the Bible forbid this kind of activity?

We don't think so, nor do many others who are deeply religious. But this is not a religious issue. The laws in this country are not made according to certain avowed Jewish or Christian preferences, whatever their source, but to protect a variety of beliefs.

5) Aren't women's breasts sexual?

It's up to women to decide when and where they are or aren't sexual. Everyone can respect a woman's or man's decision to lie on a beach and not be bothered, whether she or he has a top on or not. It is unconscionable to restrict women because men have some opinion about them or their breasts. Men aren't required to wear tops because women find their uncovered chests sexual, so the reverse should not be required either.

6) Isn't this a morals issue?

It's an issue of rights more than morals. Those claiming that all topfree women are morally wrong do not usually give any reason except personal preference. The law must be applied equally to women and men and ignore such personal claims.

7) Aren't topfree women just walking pornography?

No. Are topfree men? The automatic connection between women's breasts and sexual activity is one which is often made because the media reinforce it. We can and should reject it. We may choose to be non sexual when changing clothes, taking a shower, lying on the grass, strolling down a street, etc. What we wear does not have to be relevant to the sexuality of a situation. There may indeed be more flirting in complete outfits than in topfree attire. Women who wish to enjoy the same topfreedom as men are therefore not "asking for it."

8) Won't topfree women increase sex crimes?

Experience in Europe and elsewhere shows that the answer is No. Sociologists from various places have stated that there is no connection. This is true partly because women and men almost always remove tops only when they think it is safe to do so.

9) What will children will see and do?

Children are not harmed by seeing breasts but by adults' phobias about them. The breasts themselves are doing nothing, except perhaps providing a lesson in body education. Adults should refrain from passing their irrational fright, intolerance, or hatred on to children. Bigotry is not a family value. Far better to explain that topfree women are just doing whatever others, including topfree men or fully clothed people, are doing (walking, sunning, swimming, etc.).

10) Won't there be topfree women everywhere?

No, this will not happen. Women and men can determine for themselves where it is appropriate to be without a top, according to the social context. Most will choose to keep their tops on: That has been the case elsewhere, notably in New York State, where this matter was resolved similarly by an Appeal Court in 1992. But if a majority of women and men keep tops on, this does not warrant criminalizing those who choose not to. A majority must not remove a minority's rights just because that group doesn't conform to some other group's wishes. Issues of religious intolerance have surely taught us that.

11) Aren't topfree women, and men for that matter, ugly?

Perceived superficial qualities are not a cause for legal action. This question disguises a fear of anything different from a very narrow set of expectations and reveals an unhealthy lack of body acceptance.

12) How will recreation staff treat the matter?

They are trained now to handle the public in a variety of situations. Little further training is necessary. They may wish to counsel those complaining about topfree women or men that such people are harmless.


	Topfree Wisdom From the North Where topfree equal rights are gaining hard fought for acceptance. Frequently Asked Questions as addressed by T.E.R.A. (Topfree Equal Rights Association) (Used with permission. You may learn more from T.E.R.A by visiting http://www.tera.ca/index.html) 1) Why are you encouraging women to take their tops off in public? We are not doing any such thing. We believe women have the same rights as men. Those who wish not to remove tops should keep them on by choice. 2) Isn't it illegal for women to go topfree? This activity is legal for women and men. A high court decision from December 1996 makes it clear that women and men doing so with no "sexual or commercial" intent are not indecent. 3) Is it legal for women to be topfree everywhere, then? No, because there are places where it is illegal for both women and men to be topfree, e.g. where health regulations require tops as well as other articles of clothing. This is completely consistent with assuring women rights equal to those of men. 4) Doesn't the Bible forbid this kind of activity? We don't think so, nor do many others who are deeply religious. But this is not a religious issue. The laws in this country are not made according to certain avowed Jewish or Christian preferences, whatever their source, but to protect a variety of beliefs. 5) Aren't women's breasts sexual? It's up to women to decide when and where they are or aren't sexual. Everyone can respect a woman's or man's decision to lie on a beach and not be bothered, whether she or he has a top on or not. It is unconscionable to restrict women because men have some opinion about them or their breasts. Men aren't required to wear tops because women find their uncovered chests sexual, so the reverse should not be required either. 6) Isn't this a morals issue? It's an issue of rights more than morals. Those claiming that all topfree women are morally wrong do not usually give any reason except personal preference. The law must be applied equally to women and men and ignore such personal claims. 7) Aren't topfree women just walking pornography? No. Are topfree men? The automatic connection between women's breasts and sexual activity is one which is often made because the media reinforce it. We can and should reject it. We may choose to be non sexual when changing clothes, taking a shower, lying on the grass, strolling down a street, etc. What we wear does not have to be relevant to the sexuality of a situation. There may indeed be more flirting in complete outfits than in topfree attire. Women who wish to enjoy the same topfreedom as men are therefore not "asking for it." 8) Won't topfree women increase sex crimes? Experience in Europe and elsewhere shows that the answer is No. Sociologists from various places have stated that there is no connection. This is true partly because women and men almost always remove tops only when they think it is safe to do so. 9) What will children will see and do? Children are not harmed by seeing breasts but by adults' phobias about them. The breasts themselves are doing nothing, except perhaps providing a lesson in body education. Adults should refrain from passing their irrational fright, intolerance, or hatred on to children. Bigotry is not a family value. Far better to explain that topfree women are just doing whatever others, including topfree men or fully clothed people, are doing (walking, sunning, swimming, etc.). 10) Won't there be topfree women everywhere? No, this will not happen. Women and men can determine for themselves where it is appropriate to be without a top, according to the social context. Most will choose to keep their tops on: That has been the case elsewhere, notably in New York State, where this matter was resolved similarly by an Appeal Court in 1992. But if a majority of women and men keep tops on, this does not warrant criminalizing those who choose not to. A majority must not remove a minority's rights just because that group doesn't conform to some other group's wishes. Issues of religious intolerance have surely taught us that. 11) Aren't topfree women, and men for that matter, ugly? Perceived superficial qualities are not a cause for legal action. This question disguises a fear of anything different from a very narrow set of expectations and reveals an unhealthy lack of body acceptance. 12) How will recreation staff treat the matter? They are trained now to handle the public in a variety of situations. Little further training is necessary. They may wish to counsel those complaining about topfree women or men that such people are harmless.