At Lighthouse Field in Santa Cruz this Saturday, a group of activists need to get something off their chests: their shirts.
Lara Pierce, 26, told Lookout she and several friends are organizing the “Topless Picnic” to normalize nude breasts in public. Pierce said they chose this Saturday because it’s summer solstice weekend: “It’s the day with the most sun, and I thought that was a great time to enjoy the sun and our natural state.”
Pierce said based on her interpretation of city code, topless nudity is legal. But she and fellow organizers are demonstrating against the shame that is often tied with female breasts displayed in public spaces. Rather, she wants to advocate for body freedom.
“I’ve always been one to lay outside and I have felt constrained by having to keep my chest covered, especially when men don’t have to and it’s hot in the summertime,” she said. “It seems like there’s no good reason to be restricted that way.”
Pierce said she hopes to host monthly events to help normalize being topless. To promote Saturday’s demonstration, Pierce created an event on the social media application, Partiful. So far, 24 people have said they will be attending and 36 are maybe attending. Pierce said all genders are encouraged and welcome to attend, topless or not.
“While it’s typically the female-presenting chest that’s not normal to see in public, I wanted to have all genders present to emphasize the fact that a chest is a chest, it doesn’t matter what gender you are, they’re just as natural and safe to be around,” she said.
Women aren’t the only ones who have felt constrained by laws or norms in the United States against being topless in public. Men successfully protested in the 1930s against laws prohibiting them from baring their chests on beaches.
Almost a century later, Pierce continues the struggle to normalize it. The picnic will start at 1 p.m. at Lighthouse Field, and people are encouraged to bring snacks, blankets, kites and instruments. The band Flat Sun Society will perform at 1:30 p.m.
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