Topless laws vary from cities and states as do the punishments a woman can expect for public toplessness. The constitution protects all citizens from inequality in the law. This is inequality as men acquired topless freedom in the 1930s. Currently, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas and Oklahoma states as well as all counties and cities therein allow for full topless equality. Many other states have a nuanced interpretation of the equality they offer in their states. Topless equality can be achieved at the city, state or federal level.
In the 1930s men decided they were above the law and removed their shirts, exposing their bare chests at the public beach. Until this, both men and women wore beach outfits that often covered from knees to elbows. Modesty was expected of all genders equally. The popularity of a sexy, topless Tarzan film enticed men to reject modesty and civilized beach fashions. Men tore off their tops and pounded their exposed chests. After a series of high profile arrests, men received exception from the ban on toplessness.
It is time to act. To achieve topless freedom we must communicate this desire for constitutional equality to our lawmakers and representatives. Call, email or visit with your representatives. Tell them you want them to uphold your constitutionally protected equality by ensuring that all genders be treated with equal privileges and restrictions under the law. Ask your representative to sponsor an ordinance or bill protecting women from unjust restrictions and punishments and to create topless equality. Find your reps and a sample letter HERE
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