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Topless march in Phoenix promotes 'clothing equality' by Luci Scott - Aug. 26, 2012 05:23 PM The Arizona Republic | azcentral.com About 25 men and women marched topless down Central Avenue on Sunday morning to promote what they called clothing equality, the right for women to be bare-chested in public as well as men. The Phoenix demonstration was among protests organized throughout the world by the group Go Topless, said organizer Jenna Duffy, 27. Go Topless believes the sexualizing of the breasts comes from societal repression stemming from the idea that breasts are objects of sex and desire and therefore must be covered. "By baring our breasts just as a man, it can bring us closer to gender equality by showing that they are not objects, they are parts of us that we are not ashamed of," Duffy said. As the group assembled in Steele Indian School Park, they were surrounded by dozens of men, many with cameras. "Gawkers are part of the problem for us in getting our rights," Duffy said. "They should be walking with us." One of the men who was walking with them was Stephen Stollmack, a retiree who had been given a red bra by a woman and who struggled with getting it on. He gave up, laughing, and wore it around his neck. "It's very important to support women's rights," he said. Without equality, one sex will dominate the other, and that erodes the idea of an egalitarian, free society, he said. "Too many white men (say) how women should act. It's really wrong. ... Why don't people mind their own business?" Tape covered the nipples of all the topless women and most of the men, including those of Justin Em, a computer-repair specialist and a U.S. Army veteran. "I swore to protect and defend the Constitution," he said. "That means every part of it, including equality of women." Professional photographer David Duane of Chandler said he supports the right of women to breast-feed in public and to shed their tops. "I see no reason, if they go down the river, why they should have to wear a top," he said. "It feels good to have the sun on your body." Debora Pence, who described herself as a stay-at-home grandma, was topless and not feeling self-conscious. "I'm all for equality and freedom. ... If there were more opportunities to be naked, I'd be part of it," she said. Sunday was Women's Equality Day. On Aug. 26, 1920, U.S. women received the right to vote, 72 years after the idea was proposed. As the group of demonstrators disbanded at Central Avenue and Thomas Road, Duffy said, "It's my body, and I can do whatever I want with it. ... If people feel I'm disrespecting myself, I don't feel that way." A man asked her if she weren't fearful that going topless would invite rape. "I can get raped anywhere," she said. "The risk is always there. I'm a woman; I'm a target." |