Did you know that roaming around New York topless is absolutely legal? Thanks to the diligent efforts of feminist activists, there are many events raising awareness of gender equality rights, one of which is the Go Topless Day. First held in 2005 as a protest against the oppression of women's rights to be topless, the Go Topless Day parade grew into an annual initiative and a pride event, allowing women of all ages to feel free in their own bodies and let go of any inhibitions.
Event Program
Go Topless Day encourages women to support gender equality and to march through Manhattan without their tops with pride. The main event of the day is, of course, the march. However, it's followed by several panel discussions and speakers at Bryant Park. Speakers vary each year and provide valuable opinions on the matter of women's rights and equality.
Date & Schedule
The event is usually held on a Sunday closest to August 26th, the date on which women were finally granted ability to vote. The parade usually starts to gather at 11 am and departs at 1 pm. The procession normally lasts an hour until 2 pm.
Location & Route
All participants of the parade normally gather at the Columbus Circle on West 58th Street, which is nestled between 8th Avenue and 9th Avenue. The procession heads down to Bryant Park, where the day continues with speeches and other social events.
History of Go Topless Day
The Go Topless organization was founded in 2007 with the goal of defending women’s constitutional right to be bare-chested in public, the same right men already had. Go Topless Day started after the arrest of a topless activist, Phoenix Feeley, in 2005, who was arrested for walking topless in public in New York.
Go Topless Parades in Other Cities
Similar parades are held in Manhattan, but also in Washington, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, and other US cities. Go Topless marches are also held on an international scale in Paris, Switzerland, and Colombia.
