Go Topless, Asheville: Boob march set for Aug. 21; ‘Either we all can show our breasts, or nobody can’

Share
Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

  • 1

Go Topless Asheville is a demonstration set for 1 p.m. Aug. 21 in downtown Asheville. From gotopless.org:

During the protests, women will have the choice of going fully topless or wear red tape or something else to hide their (infamous!) nipples. They are also completely welcome to come and support this cause while being fully dressed if they prefer.

To show their support, men are encouraged to wear a bikini top since we are standing up for topless constitutional equality. Either we can all be topless or no one can. Bikinis will be available on location.

The march will end with a speech and entertainment. In cities where it is already legal to go topless, men’s bikini top won’t be necessary since equality is already in place.

Don’t know much more than this. Remindful of the Slut Walk

 

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

  • 1

26 Comments

  1. Rick August 21, 2011

    From what I have read, NC is a top-free state anyway, so what's the point? A NY woman sued and won to allow women to go topless, but apparently no women wanted to afterall. I mean how many women would actually go to the Asheville Mall topless? Or go shopping downtown topless?

    Reply
  2. WIllis August 21, 2011

    I can't believe anyone would put this down!!! Yes it's different than your normal every day life but who really cares! I think this is a great expression of freedom and what's this got to do with a job or the bible? Remember do not judge- and if you have a good job then thats great for you this is what you have chosen- leave the people to do what they want to do as long as they are not hurting anyone else. No I don't agree with beggers and people who don't want to work but what the hell does that have to do with this? Get some sense people!!! Go Free America and Globally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Peace

    Reply
  3. mj August 19, 2011

    Why do women need a day to make this protest. If they were well read, they would know that it is not against the law in North Carolina to go topless. Why don't you ladies just make it your everyday attire…or lack thereof.

    Reply
  4. tripp August 19, 2011

    more power to them, maybe if a lot more people weren't so uptight and closedminded -this country would not be so fucked up!

    Reply
  5. Brian August 19, 2011

    The bible is the biggest piece of bs??? I truly hope that you find your way and leave that self damning kind of attitude alone! Not trying to start a new argument and I won't entertain it. I'm just voicing my true concern for your soul.

    Reply
  6. Jessica August 19, 2011

    Ash – I cannot believe Asheville is allowing this to happen. I understand it is not illegal for a woman to go topless and the crowd did not need a permit since it is a demenstration of free speech. I am a very open-minded female and a registered Independent that embraces and loves my hometown of Asheville in it's quirkiness and artistic beauty. I always love to hear both sides of the arguement and I don't shut down the other side just because I have a different opinion. I am commenting on this because I am deeply disappointed.

    I have lost faith in my town, which I would always stand up in an arguement and defend every chance I got.

    This event is on a Sunday, a day families (including my 4 year old and I) enjoy strolling the sidewalks of downtown and letting him play in the fountain at Vance. It breaks my heart that families are going to be exposed to this – some maybe even unawaringly. So glad I wasn't introducing a new tourist to the town on Sunday! What a bad example of Asheville that would expose them to. I understand the social inequality that the protestors are speaking of. I do. It deeply saddens me when I hear of women being abused, raped or even generally harrassed for either what they are wearing or their occupation. I just think the idea of respect is lost here and the value of class and tactfulness. There is nothing more attractive or respectful than a classy woman. There are so many wonderful, classy ladies in our history that most definitely would have had an opinion on the matter, but knew that what her body looked like without clothes was special and to be shared with one that deserved the rich reward.

    I am disappointed in my gender that they are losing morals while fighting the battle. We as women have something special. Please don't give it away for something so minute. Social injustice needs to be fought in the workplace (where we STILL do not make as much as men) and in Congress and the White House where we need more representation. I don't think removing our tops is going to do anything but call attention to something that already happens on a regular basis at any run of the mill strip club, nude beaches, and Europeans on holiday.

    Ladies, this is not a big deal. Please use your time and efforts on building a strong family or friendships of your own, creating random acts of kindness, nurturing your body to good health, helping the less priviledged, and fighting child/women's abuse.

    Thank you for the forum!

    Reply
    1. mentisflux August 24, 2012

      Jessica, A woman’s chest is not a “sex organ” any more than a man’s…what are you so afraid of?

      If a woman who’d had a double mastectomy went topless, would you object?

      Reply
  7. rd August 18, 2011

    correct me if i am wrong,but the apd has said that only below the waist exposure is illegal.so tell me what exactly these fools are protesting.perhaps
    like the rock band styx they simply have "too much time on their hands".

    Reply
  8. ILL August 17, 2011

    "Yes, this is because women do not get raging boners that cause them to want to fuck any woman they come across, especially if she is bearing very prominent assets."

    THIS is the problem. Breasts have been sexualized in our culture and it isn't fair. Sure, the naked body can be sensual and sexual and beautiful. But seeing a woman's breasts shouldn't cause you to have a "raging boner" unless you're both hot for each other and ready to get it on!

    The Europeans are so far ahead of us with this…

    Nakedness does NOT equal sex!

    Reply
  9. God August 14, 2011

    The bible is the biggest bunch of buIIshit ever written and anyone who believes those stories are truly the ignorant of the world.

    Reply
  10. AM August 11, 2011

    Have any of you read a Bible latly? Do it and you will find out why we all wear clothes.

    Reply
  11. aj August 3, 2011

    Yes, this is because women do not get raging boners that cause them to want to fuck any woman they come across, especially if she is bearing very prominent assets. It's absolutely ridiculous for you to even compare such things as racial segregation to this "social justice" event. This honestly just seems like a mass cry for female attention. Or a giant orgy.

    Actually if women were allowed to go topless it would become so normal place that guys would barely even notice. back when bikini's first were made people said the same things as you just said… and now people barely notice.. same with body paint a women can paint her tits and walk naked as long as you can not see the nipple??? make it equal and let them all hang out.

    Reply
  12. b.s. July 30, 2011

    "As a woman, I've been told my whole life that taking my shirt off in public would mean a bunch of things… I'm a slut, I'm asking for sex, I'm indecent and inappropriate, and yet men are never told those things. I walk down the street on a hot and humid day and see men with their shirts off, laying in the park topless… but me? I am legally bound to keep my top on."

    Yes, this is because women do not get raging boners that cause them to want to fuck any woman they come across, especially if she is bearing very prominent assets. It's absolutely ridiculous for you to even compare such things as racial segregation to this "social justice" event. This honestly just seems like a mass cry for female attention. Or a giant orgy.

    Reply
    1. APD August 24, 2012

      @ b.s: We’ll be watching you…

      Reply
  13. Franklin July 26, 2011

    I second that, LL!

    Sure, there's plenty of other things going on in America right now, but social injustice is still prominent in 2011. To truly obtain equality, these types of protests and marches are necessary to make it happen. It's about equality…something we Americans like to pride ourselves on even though we still commend social injustice.

    Reply
  14. LL July 23, 2011

    "We are fighting 2 wars, unemployment is at 9.2%, the country is damn near bankrupt, and all these idiots have to worry about is whether or not they can take their shirts off in public?"

    In the early 1900's we were fighting a war and going through the Great Depression and yet people were still fighting to end segregation. Would you propose that fighting for equal water fountain rights for African-Americans during that time was idiotic or shameful as well?

    We often don't see the absurdity of certain laws until years, sometimes decades later. Moreover, it seems that wars, unemployment, etc. oftentimes stem from inequality in the first place.

    As a woman, I've been told my whole life that taking my shirt off in public would mean a bunch of things… I'm a slut, I'm asking for sex, I'm indecent and inappropriate, and yet men are never told those things. I walk down the street on a hot and humid day and see men with their shirts off, laying in the park topless… but me? I am legally bound to keep my top on.

    As silly as this protest may seem to some, there are plenty of women who are tired of being told that they will be arrested for something that a man can legally do. We just want complete equal rights and to not feel ashamed of our breasts anymore.

    "Bikini tops are the American version of the burka." -J. Donihue

    Reply
  15. s July 21, 2011

    Totally shamefull.

    Reply
  16. bill July 20, 2011

    no, we are not weird, we just like to think we are

    Reply
  17. txtarheel July 20, 2011

    Having lived in both Asheville and Austin, give me Asheville any time. Austin is an over-rated cesspool of rednecks roaming around in +100 degree weather. No thanks.

    Reply
  18. The Truth July 19, 2011

    I'm assuming that every other problem in the world has been solved.

    Reply
  19. Scooter July 19, 2011

    See, now THIS is why I support Euthanasia for the terminally stupid!

    Reply
  20. Bob July 19, 2011

    We are fighting 2 wars, unemployment is at 9.2%, the country is damn near bankrupt, and all these idiots have to worry about is whether or not they can take their shirts off in public?? No wonder this country's so F****D up.

    Reply
  21. Boogs56 July 19, 2011

    I love the list of cities on their website. New York! LA! Miami! Chicago! DC! Austin! …and, uh…Asheville. At least Austin has a major university and is nestled between Houston and Dallas. Asheville? Man, we're just plain weird.

    Reply
  22. Asheville Dweller July 18, 2011

    More symbolism over substance.

    Reply
  23. Kipper July 18, 2011

    Seriously? This is happening? Really?

    Reply
  24. Scott from Indianippolis July 18, 2011

    These people seriously need to look for a job.

    Reply

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.