This week, the women of the Outdoor Co-ed Topless Pulp Fiction Appreciation Society went topless in Central Park to raise awareness about the New York law that allows women to be topless in public anywhere men are given that right.
The women took advantage of Wednesday's warm weather to start their topless book-reading season earlier than usual. The reading list included advance copies of new novels by Stephen King and Elissa Wald.
The group has been holding similar events around New York City since August 2011 in popular public settings such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Battery Park and the front steps of the New York Public Library. As reflected in the name, the reading generally consists of pulp fiction and often includes advance copies of books published by Hard Case Crime.
The group wishes to spread the message that female public toplessness is legal in New York State and wants to remove the negative public perception of it. They feel their campaign is particularly helpful for women anxious about public breastfeeding.
“Go Topless” is an American organization that exists in addition to the topless literature group and holds an annual “Go Topless Day” in support of the rights of women to go topless in public on the grounds of gender equality. The first event, in which women are encouraged to go topless in public while men cover their chests with bras or bikini tops, took place in 2008. Rallies were held in twelve U.S. states including New York.
It has been legal for women to appear topless in public in New York state since July 7, 1992, when the New York State Court of Appeals overturned a law that was aimed at topless waitressing. In over twenty years, few women have taken advantage of the law. Groups such as the Outdoor Co-ed Topless Pulp fiction Appreciation Society are aiming to change that.
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