Educational Piece about Topfreedom

By Paul Rapoport, Coordinator of the Topfree Equal Rights Association

Topfreedom and Top-Free Equality:
Topfreedom And Top-Free Equality- So what is this topfree equality for girls thing? What's its
connection to naturism?
Many naturists are not down for it, certainly. It's an out-there public problem instead of a
private campground one. Afterward there is It ain't bare, so it ain't naturist.
But women's topfreedom is in thick with naturism. It too plans to free the body from priggish
prudery. It too wants to demolish the unholy notion that skin = sin. It overly assaults the
unrestrained body phobia so beloved of politicians.
Topfree Equality
Nevertheless, we should not stand for people howling Bare! at topfree women. Naturally, the
media love to immobilize that word on them. What do you anticipate, when they use nude for
nearly anything less than a winter coat, for instance, asinine label naked evening gown?
The Topfree Equal Rights Association (TERA) was formed in 1997. Yep, we're going on 15.
Our founding aim was to help girls hassled for being topfree. Ideally, we'd like to help them
before they get into trouble, to avoid it!
Over time we've managed to meet every major North American topfree activist (note - topfree
not topless). All five of ' Jock Sturges: Photographer or Pornographer? .
Topfreedom and Topfree Equality
Just kidding. There are more, like the Rochester 7, from 1986. But the girls who have chosen
a long-term stand against patriarchal command of breasts are still few and literally much
between. Improvement is slow.
Recently, another organization, GoTopless, has organized protests in August in favor of
topfreedom. Great for them. Those happenings get the media salivating, and we need all that
yakking. But GoTopless does not comprehend legal situations. Additionally, it includes
certain gear the media do not take seriously.
Our chief co-worker in topfreedom is the Naturist Action Committee, whose Executive
Director, not an attorney, can write a legal brief better than many attorneys.
The coordinator of TERA is a man. Oops, another credibility issue, although we don't
encounter it much any more. We give out advice, help in legal issues, and motivate girls: not
to be topfree ('cause that's their decision) but to take steps to enable that choice if they want
it, including supporting other girls who do.
In the early days, we heard lots of gripes against women's topfree equality that naturists may
easily imagine. Here are a few, with come backs we have never used ('cause we're polite
and all):
1. Breasts are sex organs!
They're glands, ma'am, only modified sweat glands. How sexy is that?
2. Girls prancing around showing their tits make men assault them!
See In the spring of 1989 (to back up a bit), FKK sent its members their first copy of Nude &
Natural magazine. FKK selected a new title for its official journal for a number of motives.
First, some individuals fresh to the magazine had trouble comprehending the name; they
were hearing "Closed With The Sun" when "Clothed With The Sun" was spoken. Even after

the name was clarified, most people still didn't catch the historical reference to the Home
Colony. Second, although FKK comprehended that altering names and symbols is always a
risky move, it determined that a change would offer the chance to to reinforce the biological
value of societal nudity by linking the words "nude" and "natural." The words are neutral
regarding issues peripheral to naturism, and focus attention on two of the core values of
naturists: societal nudity and a sympathetic relationship to the natural environment. The
awesome name correctly downplayed any awareness that nudism was merely a sun-oriented
task. After all, folks can appreciate nudism inside, in the shade, or at nighttime; and with the
mid-1980s panic over skin cancer, FKK was justifiably diffident of evoking a sun-related
metaphor. (Note the similar and later change from the "American Sunbathing Association" to
the "American Association for Nude Recreation.") Along with a name change, FKK embraced
a fresh symbol. FKK member Carl Hild implied early on that a straightforward, cryptic symbol
was needed, one that would permit fellow naturists to recognize one another without the
need to blatantly advertise one's preference for nudity. Hild supplied some rough sketches
from which designer Jack White accommodated the slanted capital N for FKK. Today the "N"
Standing foremost for "nude," "naked," and "natural," may also be associated with other
affirming words like "nice" or "nurturing." Nude & Natural magazine has continued the
tradition of journalistic excellence created by Clothed With The Sun. Today N is considered
the journal of record among naturist publications in the English-speaking world. No other
magazine, newspaper, or newsletter printed in English comes close to N in its depth and
breadth of coverage of newsworthy events relating to non-lewd social nudity. N in size alone
more than doubles other naturist publications all over the world. FKK is proud to be the
leader in covering naturist history, social commentary, arts coverage, travel reports, and
other naturist-related subjects. prancing over there? It's gonna force me to eat it.
3. Still, it is not safe!
Psst, I'll tell you a secret. Women have brains. Let them use them.
4. What about the kids!
Yes, what about forcing your ignorant bigotry on kids?
5. Only girls who're hawt should let 'em out!
See no. 6 below, you sexist pig. (Note to self: drop the '60s conversation.)
6. Only women who're ugly should go topless!
See no. 5 above, you sexist pig. (Note to self: you neglected.)
7. Women are different!
Got that right. That means they mustn't vote, go to school, get a job, or have cash. Keep 'em
barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen!
Despite all that drivel, we've detected the topfree movement being taken much more
seriously even in the last five years. More girls (and men) see what it is about and what it's
not. Some of that is due to GoTopless. It is due more fundamentally to the many girls who
need control over their own breasts.
We know that breastfeeding continues to be a problem in this nation, because every time a
woman feeds her child that way in public, some nut case probably will hiss Obscene! But
children adore breast milk. Everyone has to see them feeding that way, because it's normal,
natural, and necessary. Images of breastfeeding aren't porn. (Someone tell Facebook.) If
women's topfreeedom were possible, we'd have no problem with public breastfeeding.

So yes, what about the children! Topfree equality is for them also, so they grow up healthy
and free of breast fixation and women's suppression.
Here's to all those women who get it and desire to do something about it!

Topfreedom and Top-Free Equality Issues in addition to Nudistsand Naturists Top Free
Blogsby -Young Nudists and Naturists site FKK
Labels: body pity, breasts, discrimination, feminism, topfreedom and topfree equality, topless
/ topfree
Type: Feminism and Women's Problems and Human Rights, Public Nudity and Being Nude
In Public, Societal Activism
About the Writer (Author Profile)

Guest blogs written completely for Fkk Portal.