I see the rationale that I wrote but do not agree with it as a reason to promote toplessness. Truth be told, in men or women.

Though I understand it, I am personally far to modest and not only in the area of what I would expose but what I even want to be exposed to.

As to breastfeeding, that is something that can be done in a discreet way when in public. I know that for a fact.

Still welcome to the forum and hope you have more to share than simply this one post about bare-breasted women in the public arena.

OD

Our point is also not in promoting toplessness but in promoting RIGHT on toplessness. Big difference !

As much as "descret" breastfeeding is concerned - we found that it is so sad what people think on that way that it is something what should be done "descretely". Imagine that you live in society where women are not allowed to show hands in public except in case when they hold a baby. Would you fight for right to show little bit more hands (from pure practical reasons) or would you fight for right to show hands no matter do you hold baby or no?

I know it`s hard to make comparision between hands and breasts but in fact it is the same issue - whatever is connected with sexuality is considered "bad" and "harmful" ; today breasts are "sexual", earlier in history women`s hands were sexual too. "Catch 22" is that there is nothing bad or evil or wrong with sexuality so argument that "breasts are sexual" is correct but that argument is not explaining WHY breastfeeding should be done descretely.

Cheers !

Hmm. That might actually get me going to lesbian bars again.
No, on second thought, probably not.

A few years ago, my wife and I had a week's vacation on Aruba. Wonderful place. Anyway, during the orientation, we were told about the one topless beach on the island.

We looked at each other with raised eyebrows, and then had a telepathic conversation. "Do you want to go?" "Uh, no... did YOU want to go?" "No, but I thought I'd ask." Not a word was said.

I've managed to undo just about all the uber-Catholic programming of my childhood, but this one is something I don't think I will ever get past.

I can't claim to speak for all lesbians, but I say "not really."
(See my earlier post.)

Yeah... but I don't want to see THAT on the bus stop either.

The reality is that a LOT of people have a big social hangup about bodies.

In societies where nudity is common, it is not a disruptive force. This tells me that the veiw of the body as 'naughty' is the REAL problem.

If a woman wishes to go topless, she should have that right if a man has the same right. I expect that most women would not do so, but the RIGHT to do it should be there.

This law was passed in Ontario a while back I think. I think it's a pretty good idea. (I think consensual co-ed showers are a good idea too) It will decrease the fetishization of the breast. I think the more each gender sees each other as natural human beings without so much mystery and awe, the better we'll start treating each other.

(P.S. Don't worry about losing all the mystery and awe. That's what clothes (and lingerie) are for.)

I hear ya...my reasoning self does at least. But the rest of me shrinks from the candor.

OD