HIGGINS BEACH, New Hampshire — Several women took off their tops Sunday in support of the “Free the Nipple” movement.
Organizers said they are advocating for equal rights and balanced censorship.
“Men fought for the right to go topless in the ’30s and women are fighting for it in 2015,” said Heidi Lilley, who helped organize the event. “It’s time for us to have that same right as men.”
Being topless is legal in Maine and New Hampshire, but lawmakers in New Hampshire want to change that. Republican State Sen. Nancy Stiles is considering submitting a bill that would allow cities and towns to prohibit toplessness in certain areas.
“I’m not against the freedom of expression,” said Stiles. “But I am opposed to having it where there are a lot of families and young children.”
Some people argue there could be designated spots where people could be topless, but Heidi Lilley says that’s still a double standard.
“Are they going to make it so that men can’t go topless on the town beaches too?” Lilley said.
If the bill to allow cities and towns to ban public toplessness is proposed, it would likely work it’s way through the legislature next year.