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Topfreedom is a social movement which seeks to accord women the right to go topless in public should they so choose, where men have the equivalent right. Examples of public spaces which might be covered include beaches, swimming pools and parks. The reasons cited include keeping nursing mothers from having to find a hidden place for breastfeeding, allowing women to sun tan, comfort in places such as pools and beaches, and sex equality issues.
In North America, where resistance to topless nudity of women is greater than in mainland Europe or Australia, a small topfree equality movement has grown up. In February 2005 in California, attorney Liana Johnsson contended that under Megan's Law, women convicted of indecent exposure (for breastfeeding or sunbathing) could find themselves listed as sex offenders alongside rapists and child molesters. The term "topfree" is used as an alternative to "topless", which may carry negative connotations. Some women prefer the term "shirtfree rights".
Western culture generally tends to oppose public female toplessness because of the idea that females breasts are sexual organs, and thus indecent. In contrast, the male chest is not commonly considered to be sexual.
Biologically there is no particular connection between mammary glands and copulation, but breasts have conventionally been regarded by many cultures as sexually arousing, and some zoologists (notably Desmond Morris) believe that through human evolution, female breasts have acquired secondary sexual characteristics as a counterpart of the buttocks in other primates. For more information, see breast.
Some courts in North America have ruled that mammary glands are nurturing organs, not sexual organs, a relevant distinction in light of laws in certain jurisdictions that specifically restrict the public display of sexual organs.
Some places in North America have topfree equality by law, although whether such equality is practiced varies. These include:
Note that even in some of the areas where topfree is in fact legal, local police may still arrest those practicing it for disorderly conduct or similar charges.
In some European countries, Thailand and Australia, it is well-established that females may go topfree at places like beaches, parks and open air swimming pools. This may be by law (permitted) or may be by common consent, with the law simply not being applied (tolerated). In other areas, such as Islamic countries, it is prohibited for women to go topfree in any context.
The Topfree Equal Rights Association (TERA),[4] is a Canadian organization that exists to help women who have legal troubles exercising their rights to go 'topfree' where men are also able to. Their website states that they cover both Canada and the United States.
The organisation also aims to inform and educate the public about topfreedom. They also campaign to change laws about topfreedom that exist in most North American jurisdictions, which they see as sex discrimination.